so are these the same bikes? AM I missing something by buying it online? it is so much cheaper.

I did notice the cassette is different.


https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/fuji/absolute_1.htm

https://www.fujibikes.com/bike/details/absolute-10-usa3

The frame design is slightly different between them and some of the components differ. I'd think that either the Bikes Direct was last years model, or Fuji makes a special version for them. A lot of manufacturers and retailers do that to keep customers from price matching identical products. Though I would think in that case, they would have different model names.

I found this spec on the bikes direct page to be interesting:
Tape/Grip: Fuji Ergo Double Density Kraton Men/Ladies Specific

Are there other sexes that these grips are not suitable for?

Haha!

This Absolute 1.0 is the 2010 model, so basically they're remainders. Doesn't mean that they aren't really nice bikes, though. Also, the Bikes Direct page says that they get models that were intended to be sold overseas. The Fuji 2010 bikes website shows the Absolute 1.0 with disc brakes. But a British cycle shop shows the 2010 one as pretty much identical to the one on Bikes Direct. So it looks like the Bikes Direct one is a leftover overseas model.

A poster here recently ordered the same bike, and started a thread about it: https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...r-from-Nashbar You may want to check with him how he's liking it.

And FYI, Nashbar has the same bike (though without the 105 front derailleur) for $599, versus $699 at Bikes Direct: https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...2_535785_-1___

Of course, Bikes Direct has no tax and free shipping.

The one from Bikesdirect.com is a 2010 model and the one on the Fuji site is the 2012 model. If you are looking at the 2010 model. Nashbar has the better price when comparing to Bikesdirect.

https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...3_10000_202339