bikemig 

If shopping for a new touring bike, is there a "better" touring bike than the fuji touring bike at or around $739 (MSRP).

The bike looks pretty nicely spec'd with a deore trekking crank, deore rear derailleur, micro shift 9 speed bar ends, decent touring gearing (11-34 in the rear and chainrings at 46-36-26), tektro v brakes, a bunch of oval components (Fuji house brand I guess), and OK looking set of 36 spoke wheels. They wheels could be the weakest link but a lot of manufacturers use cheaper wheels to make a price point and these look serviceable. Used touring bikes are hard to find and tend to be expensive. This looks to be an excellent alternative if looking for something decent at, what I think, is a reasonable price. I don't like paying a lot for touring bikes since they do take a lot of abuse.

The bike doesn't have the cachet of a surly or even a soma but that doesn't matter to me (OK it matters a little bit, ). Am I missing something here? Is there a reason to pay more money for a "better" touring bike? I would guess the wheels would be the biggest question mark but perhaps there are other reasons to think about a different touring bike.

Fuji Bikes | LIFESTYLE | CROSS TERRAIN | TOURING

bradtx

bikemig, Fuji was/is a respected name in touring. It's also heavily rumored to be the frame set used for the Windsor (New Windsor, now?) which has delivered as promised for many years. Save Up to 60% Off Touring Bikes | Commuting | Commuter Bikes | Windsor Bikes - Tourist

The Fuji is better spec'd, IMO, than the Windsor and I wouldn't shy away from a Fuji if I were in the market to replace my Cannondales. I really don't know if there is a better bike for the price, to answer your question.

Brad

PS Wheels, in particular the rear wheel, take a lot of abuse on a touring bike. I have a budget set of wheels on my touring bike and learned that it is a good idea to tune them prior to usage. I think I would tune the wheels on any touring bike if I hadn't built them or knew that they were professionally hand built by someone I trusted.

Wilfred Laurier

That looks like a very good bike for the money. If it fits you then you should get it.

pursuance

KHS TR101 is around $1k.
Jamis Aurora is around $900.

Go with the Fuji. Install KoolStop brake pads from the get-go.

saddlesores

i think that would be a good reason for paying a lot for a touring bike..
......assuming higher cost = better quality/longer life/more durability...

bikemig 

Yes up to a point where you start to hit diminishing returns. The frame and parts on this bike look as robust to me as the parts found on more expensive touring bikes (with the possible exception of the wheels). Cheap wheels are a drag but I suspect these wheels will be fine. And, if not, I can build my own.

A lot of what you pay for with more expensive bikes is that it looks prettier with a nicer finish. But touring bikes take a lot of abuse so I don't plan on spending a lot on a top end touring bike (not that I haven't been tempted).

robow

It's a lot of bike for the $. Maybe the best deal out there. It comes with a reasonable geometry and enough sizes that most could obtain a good fit with just a few tweaks. As far as the wheels that you seem concerned about, take them to a shop or a buddy that builds wheels and get them dialed in and trued up and off you go.

mstateglfr 

Is Fuji still a bike shop brand as much as it was in the 70s and 80s? I would guess not since I read the company went bankrupt in the 90s and the name was sold to a US company.
Maybe that is why the bike and brand isn't as well respected? Total guess there.

I don't think any bike shops around here carry Fuji. A large sports store, Scheels, carries Fuji mtbs and hybrids. Are they now predominantly a sports store brand- so not quite big box and not quite lbs? BikesDirect carried them too for a bit, or still might. That alone, regardless of it if should or shouldn't, will hurt the legitimacy of a brand.


With all that said- it looks like a great bike for the money. Good components and quality for the cost.
Speaking of touring and BD, the Motobecane Gran Turismo, as currently built, would be another option that seems to deliver a lot of bang for about the same price as the Fuji. Unfortunately, they apparently don't order many bikes and all that's left is the 43cm size. If any sub 5footers want to get into touring, BD has you covered!
Save Up to 60% Off Touring Bikes | Commuting | Commuter Bikes | Motobecane Bikes - Gran Turismo for touring the country there is nothing better

From afar, the frames look pretty similar, actually.


Even if the Fuji's wheels aren't great- a new wheelset is a fairly common change for bikes that are twice as much money.

bikemig 

I'm not concerned about the wheels. I was just trying to figure out what might be the weak spot in the bike. These are no name wheels and I have no data points to assess how good they are. I can build my own wheels if I don't like them in any case.

I guess the nearest competitor in terms of price is the REI randonnee. The specs are a bit better (shimano xt rear derailleur, shimano lx front, deore lx hubs, schwalbe marathon tires, wtb saddle, and mavic A319 rims (nice rims). Plus it has a pump peg and three water bottle braze ons.

It runs $1019. On a 15% sale (which REI just had) that becomes pretty competitive with the FUJI; it is even more competitive on a 20% sale.

https://www.rei.com/product/875004/no...2015#tab-specs

robow

Yea, if you can grab the Randonnee at $800, I would definitely consider spending the extra $100 for sure, but I don't think it comes down that far since it's probably 20% off its full list price, or about $950.

indyfabz

The sale goes on until 5/25.

pdlamb

I've got one of each (Fuji Touring and Randonnee), and they both work well.

Plan on retensioning and stress relieving the wheels on either. They'll work fine once they're set up right.

mobilemail

+1 for the Randonee. I also just saw a review for an REI Manama that looked quite appealing.

mobilemail

+1 for the Randonee. I also just saw a review for an REI Mazama that looked quite appealing.

robow

FYI, Fuji still makes world class bikes as they sponsor at least 3 Continental Pro tour teams. You won't the find the bike below at any department store.

Fuji Bikes | ROAD | COMPETITON SERIES | TRANSONIC 1.1

As to the fact that they have changed hands, many of the old guard manufacturers have as well, Cannondale for example several times.

bradtx

bikemig, I don't see the Randonee too close to the Fuji in price, but I do see it as an equal in terms of value.

Brad

mstateglfr 

Thanks for the response- your info is in part why Fuji seems, to me, to be a brand without a solid home.

They sponsor on the pro end, which shows their dedication to innovation and legitimacy in the cycling world.
They allow their bikes to be sold in sports stores and on bikesdirect which has typically been a killer for being seen as a high quality innovation brand since those are usually reserved for bike shops.


I am not saying Fuji is junk, im just saying the brand seems to be balancing on the fence between traditional bike shop sales where they would be seen as a legitimate quality brand, and big box sports stores and mass online retail where lesser quality and off brand bikes typically reside.

Right or wrong, being sold in sports stores and on bikesdirect usually isnt seen as ideal.
I mentioned this earlier, but perhaps much of this perception is due to Fuji not being in any local bike shops around me(7 or 8 in total).

Wilfred Laurier

Looking at the geometry details, I would be very surprised if the Fuji does not have the same frame as both the Windsor Tourist and Motobecane Gran Turismo - all skip from a 'L' frame size of 58 cm to an XXL frame size of 64 cm with a seemingly oddly short 58.8 cm top tube

hueyhoolihan

geez! they're practically giving them away.

fietsbob

Repaint it and put a different name on it if you dont like what's on there.

timdow

Didn't see that anyone mentioned the Nashbar TR1 Touring bike. It regularly goes on sale for $600 (20% off), has similar component mix (maybe even a bit better), but has a lot worse gearing 11-32, 50-39-30 VS 11-34, 48/36/26. BUT... the Nashbar has Tiagra STI shifters.

You might have to change cranksets, but less money for an STI equipped bike if you like STI. Would have to research if the wheels are the same quality, and if the RD can shift a 34/36.

EDIT: Oh yea... and it's 10 speed instead of 9.

robow

Good catch, but unfortunately the bike doesn't seem available until mid August.

timdow

Winsor tourist at bikes direct for $700 w/free ship:

Save Up to 60% Off Touring Bikes | Commuting | Commuter Bikes | Windsor Bikes - Tourist

bikemig 

The price isn't bad. I'm skeptical that 10 speed has much, if any, of an advantage over 9 for touring. The Tiagra STI's are a plus even though I like bar ends fine as well. But the bike has a poor choice for a crank and the frame has a hi tensile steel fork.

timdow

Yes the fork and crankset are not so good. The Windsor has the same gearing on the crankset, but does have Sora STI. I think all told I like the Fuji too.