Fuji Absolute vs Sunfire
 

I've been riding an Electra Townie 7D around town for the past 5 years. Before that I had a Trek 730 mtn. bike for about 15 years. I'm looking to get faster on neighborhood streets and paved bike trails in town. And take on a 25- to 50-mile rails-to-trails paved path.

I prefer the upright position on a hybrid. My quandary is whether the "hybrid-mtn. bike" that's the Sunfire or the the "hybrid-road bike" that's the Absolute 3 would keep me happy long-term. Occasionally I might like to get on hard-packed dirt or gravel roads. Mainly I'll be on pavement.

Can fatter tires be put on the Absolute 3 when I wanted to get off pavement?

Any opinions or anyone have any experience with either or both of these bikes?

IMHO, between the two Fujis, the fastest should be the Asolute 3.0. However, I'm not certain about the tire width range on either. The Sunfire lacks decent drivetrain components as compared to the Absolute 3.0. However, it should take the wooded trails better, due to wider tires. The suspension fork on the Sunfire is weak and will prove to be ineffectual. For your stated purposes, you don't really need a suspended fork.Neither of these bikes seem to suit your needs adequately.

I personally think you'd be much better served with a Jamis Coda Sport hybrid. Its drive train is better, you can fit fenders, its tire range goes from 28 to 38mm, and it can be fitted with a rack. Besides, it's cheaper than both of those scoundrels!

- Slim :)

PS.

The Jamis Coda is an award-winning hybrid bike! It has an absolutely perfect ride, as well!

I checked out the Jamis Coda online. Looks impressive. The nearest dealer is about 100 miles away, which isn't bad. My Fuji LBS is 3 miles away and the nearest Trek dealer is 12 miles away.

How does the Trek FX 7.2 compare with the Fujis? It looks like it has a better rear derailler than the Fuji Absolute. But both look fairly equal, except that the Trek comes with wider tires.

What do you think?

I'm also considering the Trek FX 7.2 and Trek 7300. These seem to mirror the Fuji models I've been considering. Unfortunately, my LBS wants to point me to a true road bike one day ("most flexible for hand positions") and a true mtn. bike the next day ("just put thin, smooth tires on the mtn. bike and you've got the same as a hybrid for riding streets"). It's getting weird out there, as I search for the bike I want.

I used to own a Fuji Sunfire 2.0 - didn't think much of it.

It was the first bike I'd owned for quite a while and it felt okay when I bought it. But after a few months I upgraded and sold the Fuji - test riding it before I gave it to the dude who bought it to make sure I was handing over a safe bike. And gee wiz...after riding the new bike the Fuji felt like a tank...heavy, I could feel every bump, horrible ride. Doesn't compare to my Scott...not even in the same ball park in terms of responsiveness, comfort, performance...

I've never ridden an absolute but from what I remember it had no front suspension. Which is probably fine for the type of riding you're describing.

This is just my personal opinion but whenever someone talks about getting a hybrid I always recommend getting one with front suspension - if you don't use it (which may be most of the time) you can just lock it out...but IMO a hybrid should be capable of going out on the roads and performing well and also heading out for a nice day of off-road, x/country riding...nothing too extreme...but you'd need a front susp. for that.

I'm glad I did with mine...I've actually turned it into more of a MTB now that I've bought a road bike. I use my Scott at the local MTB park - and it performs quite well. (FYI...I ride it on the roads for 22kms to get to the park...flick a switch and do 17km of mtb trails...flick a switch and ride 22km home on the roads...flexibility is a key to a good hybrid I reckon.

Do you really think you'll be swapping tires on one bike to turn it into two? It is easy to say but you'll end up not doing it due to the hassle.

The Fuji Absolute is more than adequate for the riding you describe. I take my Cannondale bad boy on similar terrain and it handles fine with 25mm slicks. I have a Fuji Roubaix road bike and it is great, you'll love the Absolute, but test ride it first.

Don't get caught up in perceived needs vs. what actually works. You don't need wide tires and a suspension for hard packed dirt and gravel.

4.11: Thanks for the input. Yesterday I tested 3 Treks: 7100, Dual Sport 8.2, and FX 7.2. I liked the Dual Sport but the one that captivated me was the FX. It just seemed to fit right and it felt tight and strong (I can't explain this--just a subjective feeling). I agree about changing tires.

My first mtb was a Trek 830. No suspension on it. I rode it in southern Utah on Forest Service dirt and rock roads. No problem. My Townie went out on similar roads in Alabama. A little jarring but not impossible. The FX's stock tires (I think they were 35mm) looked like they could handle light trails.

I'm sure you'll love that Trek, regardless of the type you'll ride the bike you like the most. Post a pic when you get it!

I do. I don't think its a hassle. 10 minute job.

10 minutes for some, however it is the minority of bike owners who swap out wheel sets depending on what type of riding will be done. I wish I had your verve, would certainly need fewer bikes if I wanted to change the wheels like you do :)

Well, everybody, I focused on the Trek FX line and asked to try an carbon-fork model. They had the 7.5. Loved it! Smooth...they let me take it through downtown, and there was an area of a park, wood bridge, a vacant lot, gravel, dirt and rock nearby. I bought! I'll post a picture tomorrow. Thanks to everybody for your time, patience, and practical advice.

Good to hear, even better that you were able to test ride on the actual surfaces you will be on.

I'm not a Trek fan but I am glad you were able to find what works for you :thumb:

Hey there Carta!

Sorry about the late reponse. I happen to own a Trek 7.5FX. While it's definitely not a touring bike, it is a very good touring bike. Especially, if you live near the ocean. You should be very happy!

- Slim :)

What was helpful in the forum was listing the hierarchy of Shimano components. It gave me a sense of the differences between some of the models and manufacturers. What was amazing to me was how easy it was to to upgrade bike models. When I road the Trek 7300 and DS 8.2, they were improvements on my Townie in different ways. Then the FX 7.2 was the champ--lighter, more agile than the DS 8.2 for how I like to ride. But riding the 7.5 back-to-back with the 7.2, I noticed the weight and vibration (over the gravel and dirt) in the 7.2 that was a little bit muted in the 7.5. But the weight diff. was really awesome. And my LBS was very nice, answered a lot of technical questions.

I'll be having to give up one of our two cars (I work at home while my wife works several miles away) to a college-bound kid next year so I'm wondering how much commuting around town I can do in its place. Mostly getting out to lunch just to get out of the house. Maybe a small grocery shopping and a trip to the Post Office. I noticed a forum on going carless. I'd rather skip the car payment for a while.

That was my assessment of the 7.X series. I posted in this thread. For road riding, I highly recommend the carbon fork which is in 7.4 and above.

Not saying I do it daily. But if I know I'm gonna go to the mtb park I'll put the 2inch 29ers on...or if I know I'm going on an 80km rail trail I'll put the 35mm cyclocross back on. I'd say I change tyres about 2-3 times a month. As I said...its really not a big deal.

FYI. I also have a road bike. (see below)

Someone requested a picture: http://www.flickr.com/photos/7477193...in/photostream

This shows the old (Electra Townie) and the new (Trek FX 7.5). The Trek is fast and responsive. I don't think I've moved so fast as when I pulled out the stops and sprinted down a new, smooth road.

Funny thing about speed... You can get up some speed but what's really awesome is just regular street / neighborhood riding. It's faster. You can get somewhere with the bike. The other thing I've discovered: a hill or a stiff wind doesn't have an argument to talk you out of going somewhere.