RobE30

My wife told me to start looking at potential Christmas presents. While @ my LBS (a new Fuji dealer) he made mention that he needs to order only one more bike to meet his quota and extended an offer I'm not sure I can pass up (gasp I'm entertaining the thought of a new bike!). He said I can pick any left over and have it at his cost. That's quite a savings.

He pointed out the Conoisseur to me, but what really caught my eye was the Cambridge. Such a cool looking English style bike. IGH, Shimano Nexus 8spd etc. Here's the link https://2009.fujibikes.com/LifeStyle/...bsolute30.aspx MSRP is a little over $1000, I can get it for $450....

Or should I hunt for something equally cool but vintage

Or should I get something completely different (ie, modern road bike)

What do you guys think?

Feel free to post your wants for Christmas as well. Perhaps it'll give me some ideas too

mkeller234

I like the cambridge, and would be tough to turn down. My beef is with the fenders, they look neat but seem only half functional to me. Not to mention the fender line is all messed in the photos!

RobE30

The fenders are a joke. If I get it, they have to go. I've wanted to get something w/ an IGH, preferably more than 3spds and just the 8spd hub is $200 or so.

Also, he can only get it in a 60cm, which has an 80cm standover. How do they measure?

randyjawa 

Today, a new bike is a new bike - today. Tomorrow, it is just a bike. On the other hand, a vintage bicycle will still be a vintage bicycle, day after day. One looses value as you ride it, the other increases in value. And both offer rewarding rides.

For my "eat my cake and have it too money", I will go with door number two, every time. But that is just me.

miamijim

I put my request in for a Merlin Cyrene......we'll see.

cb400bill

I'd like to try an 8 speed IGH bike. I say, Go for it!

auchencrow

+1

rat fink

Were it me, I would take advantage of the deal and get a road bike or the Fuji Cross Pro. I wonder what an SST 1.0 is at cost...

rumrunn6

sounds like the wrong reason to get a bike

Bheleu

That's all up to you and I admit a difficult delima (glad it's not me, I do not have a friend that gives me a wholesale discount on brand new bikes). In my situation I would choose the $$$ with no ill feelings to spend on cycling however I want. That gives me full options for picking out exactly what I want, when I want it - be it a bargain CL/e-bay/thrift store bike or components or bike just for components. My dad's already given me some early christmas present money. I'm headed out to lunch today to pick up a sight unseen (no photos) 73/74 Viscount with sewup tires for $50. I am hoping because it has the sewups it's one of the upper end models. Still has it's death forks. I shall have fun fixing it up.

If you're looking for something in a certain price range and fit, hit https://bike.jaxed.com/cgi-bin/bike.cgi

You're bound to find a good vintage ride sooner or later.

ie. two different styles of vintage
500 (lot of dura ace)
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/bik/2031126763.html

225 (touring setup)
https://newyork.craigslist.org/brk/bik/2030989519.html

If you go the touring route, you can find some good baskets front/rear/etc. and if you cannot talk the seller into shipping spend the extra money on a greyhound trip.

Oh and I doubt your shop friend has one of these laying around.
1982 Team Fuji 400 OBO
https://slo.craigslist.org/bik/2028587985.html

JunkYardBike

There's never a wrong reason to get another bike!

So the markup at that shop is 50%? Is that the case with most LBS's? I've always heard (usually from LBS owners or employees) that bike sales don't make up the bulk of profit, but 50%?

Rob, I'd definitely capitalize on the offer. If the Cambridge is what you like, go for it, but it sounds like 60cm might be too big for you. Maybe take rat fink's advice and get a CX bike, or what about the touring bike?

rhm

+1.
Rob, you pick up really nice bikes all the time, so there's nothing special about Christmas. In fact, I begin to think you pick up more bikes than you need. I'd suggest you tell Santa you don't need anything, and then give one of us Santa's email address. I, personally, would send her links to ebay listings for 1973 Campy NR parts for your International.

RobE30

Good point about the NR parts.... Three of the bikes that I have are too small and were picked up to be traded or sold at a later date.

As far as having too many bikes, I visited a friend yesterday who has (I think) every bike tool you could need and about 20-30 very nice road bikes from the '60's thru the '80's, that may be too many. My way of thinking is a bike for everyday (not counting my MTB), so I still have a couple to go I have 5 in the "keeper" fleet, the rest are for sale, trade, parts etc so I have room for 2 more

@JYB, the 60 measures a 32" standover and a 55.5cm toptube (seems more like a 57cm in the "normal" way of measuring, so I should be OK. My 78 Comp is a 23.5" frame w/ a 34" standover (a little snug but the reach is GREAT!). It is the most comfortable for cruising at this point, it's just UGLY!

brockd15 

I guess it depends on what kind of riding you like to do. I'm not familiar with Fuji's models, but for what I do I would definitely get a road bike...or maybe a cross bike.

Zaphod Beeblebrox 

I like the Conoisseur.

Maybe you should ask Santa for some crank pullers.


Boy you could make yourself a quick buck flipping a new bike at that price.

due ruote 

Would that be every day of the week? month? year? your life? I'm actually down to three that I consider keepers. It's kind of nice to have the maintenance and storage under control. Personally, if I had an International that was waiting for parts, that would be a pretty high priority.

I don't care for the stem on the Cambridge. The IGH is intriguing though.

cudak888 

You'll regret it the moment you see someone else on another Cambridge.

-Kurt

-holiday76

part of my issue and how i've ended up with 20 something bikes is that I have hard time passing up deals regardless of if I need the item or not. I tell myself they are flips or for parts that I can find a use for it.

So I understand how you feel about the offer.

But maybe I'm just bitter because I have limited time to enjoy most of my bikes these days.

Anyway, those are my random thoughts. Thanks

p.s. I didnt forget that I was supposed to check the frame on that sports I have. If you still want me to do so let me know and I'll get it done this weekend and get back to you.

RobE30

The stem is quite ugly, but that can be remedied quite easily with a look through one of my boxes of stuff. I figure a different bike for each day of the week is reasonable.

-Holiday76, if you get a chance check it out. No rush

Kurt, where I live I don't think I'll pass anyone else on a Cambridge, but that's a valid point as well.

Currently I'm watching something online, so that may be what I get. If I get it, I'll post details

Mike Mills

Are you able to get more than of them at $450, or is this a special one-time deal just for you?

The rear hub, alone, sells for over $250. Add a shift lever and all the extra bits needed and you are up at $300 - just for the hub!!!

mkeller234

All of our old bikes were new at one time. This is a steel bike, it could be around for a good long time and be the future C&V.

I still think it's a super deal. Rob, I have never seen one in person, I only meant that I liked it much better than the other model. I bet it's a sweet bike, and the stem doesn't even bother me.

Mr IGH

Nice bike, it is time for an IGH

khatfull

You want a Fuji Cambridge, here you go...

https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/bik/2028843633.html
https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ws...028562235.html (local to me...)

That's a REAL Fuji Cambridge

mkeller234

I gotta say, I like the new one a lot better.

Mike Mills

YUCK! Now I know why they changed it.