Need quick help - '09 Trek 1.5 or '09 Fuji Roubaix
 

I'm a mountain biker and looking for my first road bike. I plan on using it transportation to and from work (30 miles round trip) and as cross training (running the Chicago Marathon). I shopped around at some local bike shops and I narrowed it down to these 2 options. both are 2009 clearance models. I'm on the fence about which to get, the Trek is $1,099 marked down to $799, the Fuji is $1,349 marked down to $749 w/o peddles and you get a $45 gift card to the store. I have both on hold till closing time tomorrow. Thanks

Get the Fuji and have $50 for some extra item.

Can I ask why you recommend the Fuji over the Trek? Is it just because its cheaper?

Are they both the same size and do they fit you?

Yep, plus the gift card.

You do know the Trek is a triple crank and the Fuji is a double?

I've ridden both and I think that the Roubaix is just a really, really nice road bike. The carbon seatstays are a plus too.

They are both 58cm size, the Trek is the compact not the triple

Thanks for the quick replies so far :)

Which one did you prefer based upon your test rides?

If I had a clear preference in one or the other I wouldn't be asking for advise ;) On the short test rides on the property they both felt quick and nimble with very uncomfortable saddles. The Trek felt lighter but I liked the shifters on the Fuji more. A few laps on the property isn't enough to judge which will be a better option for long term. The Fuji is black/carbon fiber/red/white, the Trek is a nasty bright lime green/white but I'm trying not to let something as simple as color pattern sway my decision. I'm kinda leaning towards Trek a bit because I'm more familiar with that brand, I ride a Gary Fisher MTB (built/manufactured by Trek) and my girlfriend rides a Trek 6000 MTB. I'm not at all familiar with the Fuji brand and the fact that it's half price has me wondering if it's a to good to be true situation. The Trek is also sold by the LBS I usually go to (but then again they said they wouldn't work with the price at all despite the fact that it will be my 3rd bike in 14 months purchased from them) the Fuji is at a shop that's not new or unknown but I just haven't done business with them yet. Both shops offer free lifetime adjustments and all that jazz.

With all things being equal and they feel the same, go with the one that has the best color! Seriously, you're not going to go wrong with either as a first bike. Ride and enjoy!

I just bought my 10' 2.3 for $1350. It was my third bike bought within a year. They gave me the discount because of the fact I keep coming back. I have been given a discount on all three bikes as well, that discount being 20%. It does help I know one of the managers I guess, but I also just got about 15% off of a Saris Thelma rack for my truck. Maybe it's time you found a new shop.

They have worked with the prices on the other bikes, they just wont on the clearance

They are probably pretty close to the dealer cost on that bike, a 300 markdown is more than 25% off MSRP.

Need quick help - '09 Trek 1.5 or '09 Fuji Roubaix




:P

I had an 09 Fuji Roubaix Pro. I really liked it. I don't know if the carbon stays and fork did anything but I like to think they helped. Changing the wheels and tires really did wonders for the bike but I outgrew it. Plus, I thought it looked really sharp. Go with the Fuji. Extremely underrated imo.

Seems to me that since the Fuji was more expensive to begin with, and is cheaper now, and you get a gift card, and you like it's color more, and you couldn't tell a difference in ride, you should get the Fuji.

In all honesty I wont be doing any upgrades (beside peddles and saddle) on which ever bike I choose. The customizing goes into the off road bikes, whichever bike I choose out of these 2 will remain as is.

Again I vote for the Roubaix. Solid drivetrain (Most recent Tiagra is pretty good stuff for weekend warriors) Nice frame.

The Fuji brand itself just has me a little uneasy. I personally have never seen a Fuji bike, just cameras lol. But no one so far has said anything bad about the brand. I just don't want to spend the money to find out I haven't seen their bikes because they are crap.

I agree with SamShelton, the Trek is good, the Fuji is good, the Fuji seems to have more advantages.