TezGati

Hi folks...

I've been riding a really old bike for a few months now and I figured it's time to buy a new one. I primarily intend to ride flat roads but would also like to ride up the hills a couple of times every week. My budget is around $700 and I've whittled down my choices to the following two bikes:
Trek 1.1 https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/road/1_series/11/

Fuji Newest 3.0 https://www.fujibikes.com/Road/Sport/Newest30.aspx

Now here's my quandary - Trek 1.1 has a compact (50/34) while Fuji Newest 3.0 has a triple(52/42/30). Which bike would be better to take me up the hills in San Francisco Bay Area like Tunnel Road or Marin Headlands? I'm in my mid-twenties and still getting whipped into shape for riding. I've parsed considerable information on this forum and other websites and there are good arguments for choosing between a compact and triple. Could anyone please make personalized recommendations to help me choose between the bikes? Any other suggestions or bike recommendations within my budget ($700) would be gladly accepted.

Thanks a lot!

thegunner

buy used 105/ultegra stuff. best advice i could ever give someone on a budget. also you live in SF, one of the best markets for bikes on CL.

ptle

I personally wouldn't buy a bike with less than Sora/Tiagra. My first bike was a Sora/Tiagra mix. It shifted fine as long as it was well tuned. With a $700 budget I would strongly recommend buying something used. If you are patient you can usually find a good deal on an slightly older bike with better components.

Your other option is BD. I wouldn't go this route unless you have done a lot of research on it.

Also keep in mind you may want to save money for pedals/shoes, possibly a new saddle, or bibs.

bobonker

The Newest 3.0 is a very nice bike. Just got one at Performance Bike for $560 + tax. You can do the same if you are not a Performance member yet. If your budget is $700, you can almost get the Fuji Roubaix for that price after all of the discounts that Perf Bike has going. The Fuji was for the wife, so I was a little more concerned about it being sized properly and being able to return it.

For myself, I got a like new Rocky Mountain Solo 10 (comparable to the Fuji Roubaix) for $500 off of Craigslist. I had to wait awhile to find something in my size that was in nice shape. It is a really sweet bike and it was a terrific deal.

Craigslist in the SF Bay Area has a lot of used bikes to choose from if you have the patience. With 2009 coming to an end, some of the deals that local shops are making (like what I mentioned above) can almost rival the price of a used bike.

FreddyV

Instead of buying a brand new road bike with Sora on it, I went with a second hand one with Tiagra on it. I already want more...
So basically the advice is to go for at least 105 on a used road bike.

FlatSix911

You will get a lot more for your money when buying online ... Have you looked at the Windsor Knight?
In the long run you will be very satisfied with Ultegra components for $100 more ...

Shimano Ultegra, 30 Speed Road Bike 2009 Windsor Knight $799.95
Carbon Fork, Michelin Tires, Ritchey Cockpit, Vuelta XRP Pro wheel set

https://bikesdirect.com/products/windsor/knight9.htm

CCrew

Doesn't fit the $700 budget Mr Shill.

doctor j

I bought an '06 Fuji Newest 3.0 in early '07. It is a triple, and the derailleurs are Sora. I have 8,453 miles on the Fuji thus far and have had no problems with the Sora components. Early this year I bought a Cannondale Synapse Carbon 5 with 105 components (triple). Shifting is a little smoother with the 105 equipment, but it is no more reliable than the Sora equipment. I still ride the Fuji and enjoy it.

For hilly terrain, I like the triple. I am a recreational rider, and it's nice to have the granny ring available when the hills get steep.

My experience with the Fuji Newest 3.0 has been good. I believe it is a good value.

Fleabiscuit

Forget this forum if you are looking for an objective opinion of Trek. Too many shills and haters. Just ride both and buy the one you prefer. You are in a great mkt for used gear and can upgrade later. Fit and frame are most important.

MissKristen 

I have a Fuji Newest 3.0. Got it in December '08. Aside from some minor adjustments and well, just getting used the damn thing, I really enjoy it. It's been a good bike to me and the price was right, that's for sure. I also looked at Treks but considering everything was pretty much equal, the price was the deciding factor.

oldbobcat

No, get a recumbent.

Seriously, of the two I recommend the Trek. The adjustable stem on the Fuji weighs a ton and screws with the steering, the handlebar bend is barely tolerable, and the Trek comes in a better range of sizes.

joe_5700

TezGati there are advantages to buying new.

1.) proper fitting by LBS
2.) free tune ups for 1 year or more from LBS
3.) warranty

Both the Trek and Fuji are good entry level bikes. You really cannot go wrong with either. I would pick the Trek because it will have a higher resale value. The Fuji does however have a better Sora rear derailleur. Unless you will be encountering massive hills, you can get by with a compact crank. Afterall, compacts are slightly lighter than triples.

Take a look at the $615 Jamis Ventura Sport too. For the money it is one of the best buys out there for an entry level road bike.

https://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/thebik...turasport.html

Rice923

Would a higher end component justify a significantly higher price (~$100 more) for a used bike? I just bought a used '99 Raleigh R700 with full Ultegra components for about $455. Was that a good deal?

If this question gets answered, it could probably help the OP get a good ballpark of what components/bikes/prices to look for on CL.

thegunner

the raleighr700 might've been a bit overpriced considering it was from '99, but if those are the newer ultegra components, that's a pretty good deal. 100 dollars is chump change for components, as in... if you want to upgrade later, you'll have regretted not spending the initial capital.

TezGati

Appreciate the responses, especially those detailing the experience with either of those bikes.

As a newbie, I'm not too intent on going the BikeDirect or the Craigslist/Used Bike route. Although my $700 budget is not set in stone, I would rather not exceed it by too much...It's a slippery slope

I think my question boils down to two parts:

1. User Experiences of riders having either the Fuji Newest or the Trek.
2. Marginal Performance of a triple over a compact - Would it matter in the East Bay Hills or around Marin?

For the record, I managed to huff & puff up the Headlands on my decrepit bike, which is when I realized the need for a new bike!

Thanks again...

snowman40

I have a triple (mostly Tiagra) and a compact (Ultegra SL).....i only use the granny gear when towing my kids in the trailer, almost never on a hill. When I do use the granny, it is the first time up about halfway to get momentum back and less and less the more i do the hill.

I haven't gone up any hills on the compact yet....so i have no idea if i'll miss it. The Ultegra SL is loads better than the Tiagra equipped bike.

xanadu

The adjustable stem on the Fuji was one of the main selling points when I helped my dad pick his bike. He is 68 and in great shape, wanted a road bike but was afraid of the amount of drop. He got used 2007 Newest 3.0 and couldn't be happier. We are gradually changing the stem angle (to more aggressive position) and will replace it with regular, fixed stem when he is close to his optimal position (the adjustable stem does creak when force is applied to the bar).

Another bonus of Fuji (at least 2007 3.0) are the long reach breaks; I was able to fit 700X32 touring tires on my Dad's bike so he can take it on limestone trails and overall ride comfort on pavement has improved as well.

I would highly recommend the Fuji for its versatility and value.

Please note that for 2009 3.0 comes with MicroShift shifters. I have no experience with these, but they came back to Shimano shifters for 2010.

Hope this helps.

Rice923

how can I tell whether it's the newer or older Ultegra components?

To OP: Considering what everyone else has said around here about getting used, I really would urge you to consider Craigslist. I am also from the Bay Area and the San Francisco listings are endless. In the $700 price range for used bikes, there's quite a bit to choose from (and you could test the bike out before paying). I simply did not go CL because my price range was limited to around $400.

bobonker

The adjustable stem on the Newest 3.0 is a nice feature for beginners. We've already adjusted it multiple times (bars lower with each adjustment). For someone new to road biking, it was was more comfortable (initially) to have the bars further up. YMMV, but the option to adjust was nice. It also has brakes on the top of the bars in addition to the standard location in the hoods. I'm told that over time, people generally remove those, but it has made the transition to a road bike a little easier for her.

I don't think you can go wrong with a LBS buy on your first bike...especially given the deals that are being made right now. In addition to getting the Newest 3.0 out the door for $610, I got a $55 credit on my membership card due to the purchase. With that, I got a bottle holder, riding shorts, etc.

Brian T.

My bike 034-1.jpg

And you get a carbon fork. $749 on sale at my LBS and two years service.