I was recently given a Fuji allegro as sort of a hand-me-down bike and I was wondering if this was a good bike. I unfortunately do not know much about bikes so I guess I am just curious if this bike is a keeper (it is in very good condition, only ridden once or twice) or if I should think about getting a new bike (I plan on using my bike as my main mode of transportation from now on).

I bought an Allegro for my 14 y o son and we're now in the middle of overhauling it and doing some upgrades. It was only made for two years, 1985 and 1986. The Allegro was made at a time when bike companies, especially the Japanese-built ones, were dramatically upgrading their lines every year, so even though the Allegro was a relatively inexpensive 'entry level' bike, it still has a lightweight frame of double- or triple-butted chrome-molybdenum* steel (that's what 'VALite' is), alloy wheels, and good quality components. The things that make it less desirable as a 'serious' bike, like the 'stem shifters' and 'turkey levers' on the brakes, make little or no difference to its use as a bike for transportation. Fuji is a well-respected brand of bike and if your bike is very clean and ready to ride it could sell for $150 or even more in a urban market or college town--which it sounds like you are in.

So, yes, it sounds like a great bike for your needs. It's even an advantage that it's not a 'better' bike as you don't have to worry about it too much.

Two things to think about though: are you sure the bike fits you? There is all kinds of information about that on this forum and others. It's worth looking into because if the bike is not your size it may make riding uncomfortable and awkward. The good news is that you could likely sell this one and turn the proceeds into a bike that fits better. And: even if the bike is in great condition, it's 25 years old and needs at least a looking over if not an overhaul. Rubber in tires, tubes, and brake pads can dry out and fail. Grease in the headset, bottom bracket, and wheel hubs can solidify and cause the bearings to wear. The drivetrain probably needs some lubrication. And of course brake and derailleur cables may need adjustment or replacement. A local bike shop may be able to do all these things, but depending on the shop they may charge quite a bit for it. If you have friends who are knowledgeable about bikes they could help you with any of these things, which are not exactly rocket surgery, or you could pick up a book and learn to DIY, as my son and I are doing. The materials and parts are not expensive. I bet if you're in a college town there is something like a bike co-op where you could use the tools or get some instruction or help on doing this work.

Here are the pages on the Allegro from the 'Classic Fuji' website. Congratulations on your bike!

https://www.classicfuji.com/Allegro&A...ars_Thumbs.htm


*wrong--corrrected by beech333 below.

+1 Allegro is one of the lower end models of Fuji, basically an entry level bike. But Fuji made some nice bikes back then.

If it fits you, great! If not, sell it and use the proceeds to get a bike that is the right size. Since it is going to be your main means of transportation, fit is even more important!

As a commuter, it should be a great bike. If it were me, I would dump the stem shifter for barcons or a downtube shifter. The turkey levers would have to go too.

BTW, Valite is a vanadium-steel alloy.

Bike riding is learning experience. Your first bike is a teacher.
Ride it if it fits. You will learn much from the experience.
Happy Miles.

Wow thank you all so much!
I am not sure yet if the bike fits... that is something I will definitely be checking later today. Thank you wrk101 for the size chart and thank you Chicago Al for the advice on the DIY. I am really interested in being able to fix and tune the bike myself, and in fact there is a bike shop close to me that will let me use their facilities and tools.
@beech333- thank you I will definitely look into making those changes.

As a noob to 'wrenching' myself, I bought some Lennard Zinn books on bike repair/maintenance, but they are WAY overkill for working on older bikes. The info is solid but there is so much more tech in bikes these days that a current Zinn book is at least half irrelevant to an 80s road bike. Other people on this board will have other recommendations but I found a book at the library, Sloane's New Bicycle Maintenance Manual (c1991), to be very concise and helpful. It's also compact and can be found used and cheap!

Chicago Al... You read my mind! That was exactly the next question I was going to ask so thank you. I will look into those books. If anyone else has suggestions for do it yourself books it would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks again

Books are so 20th century We've got the internet now.


www.sheldonbrown.com will tell you nearly everything you'll need to know to overhaul your bike. Most everything else can be learned from searching old posts here and asking questions when you get confused.


post some pics, we'd all love to see your new ride.

Yeah. I hate to say it, but in this situation, don't buy a book. Sheldon Brown and a little common sense will get you through it. I just started working on my bikes a few years ago and now I can do all of my maintenance. If it requires a tool that costs more than $50 (headset press), I just take it up the the LBS and have them do it for $5 or so.

If you have questions, feel free to ask here...and most importantly, have fun!

Fujis, especially in the 80's lineup, are pretty good in that with a few exceptions, most of their road bike frames are at least pretty decent. The Allegro is not one of the exceptions. FWIW, the same is true of Trek, to an even greater degree, since it is hard to think of even a single exception. Some of the other makers of that period covered a broader spectrum, cranking out models that ranged from pretty high end to some department store grade ones.

+1 on the Sheldon Brown reading advice, probably better written and more comprehensive (and cheaper) than most books you could buy.

Couldn't agree more with the recommendation of Sheldon Brown's site, but right now the library's copy of 'Sloane's' is on the basement floor by the Park repair stand, propped open with a wrench, as son and I prepare to open the BB. I don't think my computer would stand up to that very well.

Also, if it does not give away how boring my life is, I have used that book and Frank Berto's 'Complete Guide to Upgrading Your Bike' as bedtime reading. There is nothing like reading up on the latest (c1988) chain technology to lull you off to dreamland.

Sloane's and 'Bicycling Magazine's Complete Guide...' from the early 90s are both available used from Amazon. I just ordered both for about $8 total, Prime shipping.

Thanks for all the great posts with the excellent information.

Great heads up with the book, Chicago Al. I nabbed a copy of "Sloane's New Bicycle Maintenance Manual" for 23 cents and 3.99 shipping, LOL!

I have been looking at this Fuji Allegro up for sale on Craigslist, however the seller is looking for $100 which seems a bit high considering some of you folks were mentioning $150 for cleaner Allegro's and I am not too sure about the condition of this bike with the smallish craigslist photos. The $100 dollar price tag may be due to the fact I'm in Sacramento, which is close to Davis, CA a big bike town!

Sugino cranks and flat handle bars instead of road drops. I will most definitely inquire about the bike and negotiate with him depending on the condition of the bicycle.

Other great online resources are:

https://parktool.com/repair/
and
https://bicycletutor.com/