shawnshank

Assuming both bikes are in similar condition.

A Fuji America (approx 15 yo) $200

A Fuji Montery (see pic) $140

BigPolishJimmy

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.

shawnshank

Thanks! I just want to make sure neither is way over or under priced.

BigPolishJimmy

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.

wrk101

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.

shawnshank

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?

wrk101

Most of us determine dates on bikes by looking up the component codes at the vintage Trek site. Bikes of that era, age really doesn't matter. Look at the quality of the components, and the condition of the bike. It does not matter if it is 22 years old versus 25 years old. What matters is the condition and components, which you can inspect in person. If you want to take some notes on what the various year Fujis had on them, go to the classic Fuji website, peruse the catalogs, and take a lot of notes.

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.

BigPolishJimmy

Hey now, you're talking smack about my bike mister I'm going to make the case that the Monterey IS worth $140.00, ok, well it's not... unless you live in a crazy big city market. Still $140 doesn't buy you much in a new bike, certainly not the equavelent of the Monterey. But for the record, I wouldn't buy the Monterey for $140 either unless it was spotless, ready to ride--good rubber & cables, bearings--and had been upgraded with alloy wheels. Even though the bike is lower-level w/stem shifters, the lugged Valite frame is a nice ride and a good foundation for upgrades. I love my bike, but if it were my size I'd still buy the America.

Where are you located? Prices in Portland are a world of difference than prices in Kalamazoo Michigan.

shawnshank

Boston Ma.

BigPolishJimmy

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:

http://boston.craigslist.org/bmw/bik/1858532017.html

http://boston.craigslist.org/nwb/bik/1858472849.html

http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/bik/1858432205.html

http://boston.craigslist.org/bmw/bik/1858361337.html

http://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.

http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/bik/1858389744.html

http://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.

wrk101

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.