Hi All,

I was hoping to solicit some feedback on the new bike I'm likely picking up tonight.

Last month I bought a new bike, a Fuji Odessa 2.0, and in the time since I've realized that it wasn't the best choice for me. The shop I bought it at is willing to take it back less $20 for wear, although they have limited choices for an upgrade.

The bike I've settled on is a 2008 Fuji Newest 4.0 that they're closing out (my budget is kind of tight - trying to stay under $400), and the shop owner agreed to swap out the drop bars for a pair of flat bars with the appropriate brake levers at no additional cost. This will pretty much set me up with the type of commuter bike I'm hoping for, but I'm wondering what you think about the Fuji Newest 4.0, about putting flat bars on a road bike (should really be no different that a hybrid like a Trek FX, I'm thinking), etc.

I am already aware that the Newest has down tube shifters, and am ok with that, but do have concerns about the narrow rims on it and other road bikes. I will be riding on the pothole-intensive streets of Milwaukee, so I'm wondering how easy it is to damage narrow wheels on bad pavement.

I guess what it boils down to is, do you think the Newest with the flat bars will be a decent urban/paved bike path ride, and would you expect the rims to hold up on rough streets?

Thanks for reading, and looking forward to your feedback

That has some skinny tires and probably is not built to get fatter ones on it. If it were me I would stay away from a bike like this if I was in a pothole heavy area.

I am not sure if the Absolute can handle tires around 35 but if so that would be the Fuji model I would go with and it is $399.

I was wondering about the tires - am planning to ask if the Newest could accept 35's.

As for the Absolute, that would be a good choice, but the shop doesn't carry it, so I'm stuck there.

If they are a Fuji dealer they should be able to order any model, right?

True, hadn't really considered that. Guess I just wanted to get back to riding as quick as possible and wasn't considering the option of waiting for a special order.

The shop did have one other appealing upgrade choice - a Giant Rapid 3. Any thoughts on those? Would it be appreciably better than the Newest? It'd be a stretch to afford ($549 vs $399 for the Newest), but I'm trying to see if there's a way I can swing it.