Hi, I'm considering purchasing my first road bike. After visiting six LBS, I've pretty much narrowed it down to either a 2013 Felt z100 for 710, a 2013 Fuji sportif 1.3c for 650, or a 2013 Fuji sportif 1.7c 490. I've not tried the fujis out yet, but performance bikes told me that both would ride the same way as the Fuji 1.1c which I test road (out of my price range). The Fuji and the Felt with carbon forks definitely felt superior to their counterparts with aluminum forks, and the shifting on the felt felt smoother than the others I tried with 2300 groupsets. If I understand correctly, the Fuji 1.3 comes with better components than the felt (the shifters are on the brake lever rather than a separate button).

The conundrum is that the Felt is sold by a local shop which promised a free year of maintenance and a fitting. Is that going to be worth more than the better components and cheaper price of the Fuji? Is the extra cost of the felt and 1.3c over the 1.7c worth it? I'm planning to use the bike for puttering around campus during the week, and replacing my long distance runs (Hoping to do 1-2 hours in the hills behind Palo Alto) during the weekend while I recover from injuries. Thanks for helping.

Just curious, what are the parts/specs?
I test rode fujis, masi,trek, orbea,specialized & ended up getting a felt F5. Comfortable, fast,sleek& dependable. 1yr old tuneup free is good coz you will need it once you " break in "the
Bike

I can vouch for the Sportif 1.3. I bought one about a month ago and have put about 300 miles on it. The Sora/Tiagra components are better than the 2300 group on the Z100. The Sportif 1.3 has flight deck compatible shifters, so like higher end groups, you can shift up and down when in the drops. I believe the 2300 has thumb shifters. Both bikes have 11-32 gearing but the 1.3 is a 9 speed vs the 8 speed Z100. Both bikes are aluminum frames with carbon forks and similar endurance geometry (super comfortable). So for the money the Fuji offers more bang for the buck. BTW, if you are purchasing from Performance Bike they offer a free fit. Eat the maintenance cost, the components are worth it.

Fuji 1.3c
Bottom Bracket:FSA Sealed cartridge bearing
Brakes:Alloy dual pivot, 47mm-57mm reach
Cassette:SRAM PG-950, 11-32T, 9-speed
Chain:KMC X9, 9-speed
Crankset:Fuji forged alloy, 50/34T
Fork:FC-770 carbon integrated w/ 1 1/8" alloy steerer
Frame:A2-SL compact double-butted alloy w/ hydroformed top tube & down tube, integrated head tube, double water bottle mounts
Front Derailleur:Shimano Sora, band-type 34.9mm
Grips/Tape:Oval 300 suede-padded tape
Handlebar:Oval 300S 6061 alloy, 31.8mm
Headset:FSA Orbit CE 1 1/8" integrated w/ alloy top cover
Levers:Shimano Sora
Pedals:Aero Road platform w/ clips and straps
Rack Mounts:Yes
Rear Derailleur:Shimano Tiagra
Saddle:Oval R300
Seatpost:Oval 300 double-bolt, alloy 27.2mm x 350mm
Shifters:Shimano Sora shifter/brake, Flight Deck-compatible, 18-speed
Stem:Oval 313 3D-forged 6061 alloy, 31.8mm, +/- 7 degrees
Tires:Vera Helios, 60 tpi, 700c x 25mm, wire bead
Video:VaDorFvlG5g
Wheelset:Vera Corsa double-wall aero alloy clincher, 20/24H alloy road rims, bladed spokes

Fuji 1.7c
Bottom Bracket:FSA Sealed cartridge bearing
Brakes:Alloy dual pivot, 47mm-57mm reach
Cassette:Shimano HG-20, 12-28T, 7-speed
Chain:FG-50, 7-speed
Crankset:Fuji forged alloy, 50/34T
Fork:Alloy integrated w/ 1 1/8" alloy steerer
Frame:A2-SL compact double-butted alloy w/ hydroformed top tube & down tube, integrated head tube, double water bottle mounts, w/ rack mount, forged-road dropout w/ 1 eyelet and replaceable derailleur hanger
Front Derailleur:Shimano 2300, braze-on w/ 34.9 clamp
Grips/Tape:Oval 300 suede-padded tape
Handlebar:Oval 300S 6061 alloy, 31.8mm
Headset:FSA Orbit CE 1 1/8" integrated w/ alloy top cover
Levers:Shimano A070
Pedals:Aero Road platform w/ clips and straps
Rack Mounts:Yes
Rear Derailleur:Shimano A070, 7-speed
Saddle:Oval R300
Seatpost:Oval 300 double-bolt, alloy 27.2mm x 350mm
Shifters:Shimano A070 Dual Control shifter/brake, 14-speed
Stem:Oval 313 3D-forged 6061 alloy, 31.8mm, +/- 7 degrees
Tires:Vera Helios, 60 tpi, 700c x 25mm, wire bead
Video:VaDorFvlG5g
Wheelset:Vera Corsa alloy double wall w/ alloy rear cassette hub

Felt z100

• Frame: Felt Endurance Road superlight custom-butted 6061 aluminum
• Fork: Felt Endurance Road UHC Performance
• Shimano 2300 STI shifters
• Shimano 2300 STI Ø31.8 mm clamp-on front derailleur
• Shimano Sora rear derailleur
• Felt Road, 50/34t crankset
• Dual-pivot brakes with cartridge brake pads
• Saddle: Felt D2, anatomic w/double-density gel PLUS base w/steel rails
• Rims: Alex R500
• Front Hub: Felt Road
• Rear Hub: Felt Road
• Spokes: Stainless steel
• Tires: Felt All Weather PRB(Puncture Resistance Belting), 700c x 25c

Free "maintenance" or free "adjustments"?

Don't forget the 10% store credit back from Performance

Ask Performance to match the 1 year adjustment and free fit offer. They'll do it to make the sale. Buy the bike that fits from the shop that treats you best. The money difference is so small...

I'm pretty sure Performance already includes lifetime free adjustments. With my Altamira, they have yet to charge me for any labor. Replace bent hanger, a couple of rear derailer adjustments, fitment adjustments, replace a cassette that I bought from them to change the gearing, all installed free