Two bikes...one choice. Which would you take?
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Two bikes...one choice. Which would you take?
Assuming both bikes are in similar condition.
A Fuji America (approx 15 yo) $200
A Fuji Montery (see pic) $140
A Fuji America (approx 15 yo) $200
A Fuji Montery (see pic) $140
Last edited by shawnshank; 07-22-10 at 10:53 AM.
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Bikes: Fuji Monterey, Schwinn Traveler, Fuji Special Road Racer, Gitane Interclub, Sun EZ-1, Schwinn Frontier, Puch Cavalier, Vista Cavalier, Armstrong, Raleigh Sports, Schwinn Stingray
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Without high-quality pics of all the components of both bikes it's impossible to make a comparison. I have a Fuji Monetrey and it's mt main ride right now, I like it very much. I beleive the Fuji America is a touring bike and a little up the ladder from the Monterey. Assuming similar condition I'd go with the America because it'd give more options for touring/commuting etc. Also, if you're going to swap out the bars, I'd resell the bar-end shifters on the America, or better yet, ride them for a while, you might find you like them. Also, it's not possible to tell from the picture you provided, but if the tires are good and the bike is ready to ride, they're probably both reasonable prices depending on your market. This is the price if I were buying a bike to use, not to resell. If you're near a bike friendly city the prices are higher than if you're out in the middle of nowhere like I am. The short of it is this, buy the bike that inspires you to ride, if one feels better and inspires you, that's the one to buy, not the one strangers on the internet tell you is a better deal.
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Where are you located? Around here they'd be asking the full value of what you could get with a very patient seller, not WAY over, but up there. I'd offer less to be sure, but still from personal experience, the bikes are good bikes, not 'grail' bikes but good serviceable dependable rides. I paid $80 for my Monterey, it was listed for $100, but I drove through a snowstorm out to a rural location to get it. It is in pristine shape, but has steel wheels. My assumption is that those bikes have aluminum/alloy wheels.
#5
Thrifty Bill
I highly doubt that Fuji America is 15 years old. What is the dating based on? If it is what the seller told you, that is just about meaningless, unless he has the original brochure in hand.
If it was 15 years old, it would be a 1995 model. The last reference I see to this model is 1987. Does it have canti brakes, or side pull caliper brakes? The canti brakes would make it 1987, anything else is 1983 or older.
If it just happens to be a canti brake 1987 model, that is a fantastic deal (depending on condition (DOC). Even if it is one of the older versions, $200 is not a bad price, DOC.
Edit: I just looked up the Monterrey, its a bottom of the line bike. I was thinking it was a Royale, which is not high end for sure, but a decent bike for $140. I would not pay $140 for a Monterrey. At best, it is a $100 bike. The America has basically 3X the value of the Monterrey, and the only one worth considering.
Picture is a bust. Need one taken from the drive side, some close ups, with a neutral background.
If it was 15 years old, it would be a 1995 model. The last reference I see to this model is 1987. Does it have canti brakes, or side pull caliper brakes? The canti brakes would make it 1987, anything else is 1983 or older.
If it just happens to be a canti brake 1987 model, that is a fantastic deal (depending on condition (DOC). Even if it is one of the older versions, $200 is not a bad price, DOC.
Edit: I just looked up the Monterrey, its a bottom of the line bike. I was thinking it was a Royale, which is not high end for sure, but a decent bike for $140. I would not pay $140 for a Monterrey. At best, it is a $100 bike. The America has basically 3X the value of the Monterrey, and the only one worth considering.
Picture is a bust. Need one taken from the drive side, some close ups, with a neutral background.
Last edited by wrk101; 07-22-10 at 02:31 PM.
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I'm not sure where he got the date from. He said he bought two at the same time, rode one and kept the other in storage. He said it was 15 years old but it sounds like he low balled the age of it to make it more appealing a deal at the $200 price point.
Do you know how I can find out how old it is when I go to look at it (other than by looking at the brakes) and what parts were on the original so that I can make sure that it hasn't been stripped of it's orignal parts?
You'd probably need to know the year it was made to know what was on it though right?
Do you know how I can find out how old it is when I go to look at it (other than by looking at the brakes) and what parts were on the original so that I can make sure that it hasn't been stripped of it's orignal parts?
You'd probably need to know the year it was made to know what was on it though right?
#7
Thrifty Bill
I'm not sure where he got the date from. He said he bought two at the same time, rode one and kept the other in storage. He said it was 15 years old but it sounds like he low balled the age of it to make it more appealing a deal at the $200 price point.
Do you know how I can find out how old it is when I go to look at it (other than by looking at the brakes) and what parts were on the original so that I can make sure that it hasn't been stripped of it's orignal parts?
You'd probably need to know the year it was made to know what was on it though right?
Do you know how I can find out how old it is when I go to look at it (other than by looking at the brakes) and what parts were on the original so that I can make sure that it hasn't been stripped of it's orignal parts?
You'd probably need to know the year it was made to know what was on it though right?
Highly doubtful parts on these bikes were stripped. You are not talking high end Italian collectable bikes. Fujis from that era tended to either have Suntour or Shimano components. Both can be had cheap on ebay. Good solid components, but no money in them. I would pass on the Monterrey regardless, it did not have very good stuff on it, it had steel rims, etc. Basically bottom of the line.
Looking at the catalog again, the Monterrey was lower than I thought, and I would pass on it at $140.
My interest in the America would really depend on condition: any rust? how is the paint? etc. In great condition, it is well worth $200. In needs work condition, its not.
Last edited by wrk101; 07-22-10 at 02:36 PM.
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...Edit: I just looked up the Monterrey, its a bottom of the line bike. I was thinking it was a Royale, which is not high end for sure, but a decent bike for $140. I would not pay $140 for a Monterrey. At best, it is a $100 bike. The America has basically 3X the value of the Monterrey, and the only one worth considering. Picture is a bust. Need one taken from the drive side, some close ups, with a neutral background.
Hey now, you're talking smack about my bike mister

Where are you located? Prices in Portland are a world of difference than prices in Kalamazoo Michigan.
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I'm not familiar with your market, but I've heard others say it can be crazy and overpriced. Here are some examples of bikes in your market that I consider to be comparable to the Fuji Monterey in that they are entry-level bikes w/stem shifters and similar components. Not dept. store junk, but not expensive bikes either:
https://boston.craigslist.org/bmw/bik/1858532017.html
https://boston.craigslist.org/nwb/bik/1858472849.html
https://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/bik/1858432205.html
https://boston.craigslist.org/bmw/bik/1858361337.html
https://boston.craigslist.org/bmw/bik/1858386996.html
and a step up from that, these bikes have down tube shifters, perhaps more comparable to the America, but I'm not an expert by any stretch.
https://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/bik/1858389744.html
https://boston.craigslist.org/sob/bik/1857929355.html
Of course asking price is not what people are getting. My gut's still feeling those bikes are high, but not ridiculously out of line for your market. If you have time and patience, the better deal will come along, but you may have to wait a couple of years for it. Do you already have a bike to ride that makes you happy? If not, it might be worth it not to wait any longer, in the end, only you can be the judge of how-much-it's worth.
*disclaimer* I'm no expert, only been into bikes for the past couple of years, folks jump in and school me if needed.
https://boston.craigslist.org/bmw/bik/1858532017.html
https://boston.craigslist.org/nwb/bik/1858472849.html
https://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/bik/1858432205.html
https://boston.craigslist.org/bmw/bik/1858361337.html
https://boston.craigslist.org/bmw/bik/1858386996.html
and a step up from that, these bikes have down tube shifters, perhaps more comparable to the America, but I'm not an expert by any stretch.
https://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/bik/1858389744.html
https://boston.craigslist.org/sob/bik/1857929355.html
Of course asking price is not what people are getting. My gut's still feeling those bikes are high, but not ridiculously out of line for your market. If you have time and patience, the better deal will come along, but you may have to wait a couple of years for it. Do you already have a bike to ride that makes you happy? If not, it might be worth it not to wait any longer, in the end, only you can be the judge of how-much-it's worth.
*disclaimer* I'm no expert, only been into bikes for the past couple of years, folks jump in and school me if needed.
Last edited by BigPolishJimmy; 07-23-10 at 08:29 AM.
#11
Thrifty Bill
If it fits, the Bianchi above is a pretty nice bike.
Cromoly World Sport is also a pretty good deal at $120. Nothing special, but a decent bike.
The small frame World Sport is a deal as well.
Cromoly World Sport is also a pretty good deal at $120. Nothing special, but a decent bike.
The small frame World Sport is a deal as well.
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