Fuji Bicycles 2001 Professional

Price Paid:  $1640.00 at Performance

Favorite Ride:
2003 Fuji Pro

Bike Setup:
DuraAce shifters & derailleurs, Ritchey crank, stem, bars, wheelset. Fuji saddle. As described at www.fujibikes.com.

Summary:
Everything fit off the shelf: frame, stem, even the seat. Stiff when pushed, smooth on the road, great sense of control, confident at speed, and oh so comfortable. Amazing price = $1789 - 10% Team Perf. credits + cost of Team Perf. membership. Nice - with this setup, at this price, the frame is free, and it's my favorite part.

Strengths:
Components, frame's sweet mix of flex stiffness, great feel to ride.

Weaknesses:
None yet - will update later in the season.

Similar Products Used:
Lemond, Trek 5200

Price Paid:  $1895.00 at Supergo.com

Favorite Ride:
Seagull Century, Salisbury MD

Bike Setup:
Campagnolo Daytona 10-speed with 13/29 cogset. Cinelli bar and stem. Terry Fly Saddle. Campagnolo

Summary:
This was my first "real" road bike. I had ridden a Trek 2120 touring bike for 3 years so I was a little apprehensive about the ride quality of htis bike. My fears were unfounded. The carbon stays and fork make for a very comfortable ride. The bike handles much better than I expected. The Campagnolo Daytona 10-speed gruppo is almost like having a triple without the weight. The shifting is crisp and precise. So far I love this bike.

Strengths:
Comfortable ride.
Good handling.
10-speed drivetrain
PRICE

Weaknesses:
Cockpit was a little long. I ordered a slightly shorter stem.

Similar Products Used:
Trek 2120

Price Paid:  $850.00 at Ridgewood Cycle Shop

Favorite Ride:
piermont

Bike Setup:
Since I crashed my Team, I'm just going to swap all the parts over to the new Professional frame: San Marco Italia seat, Thomson seatpost, tubular Ksyriums, Fuji carbon fork (another question mark-- what the hell is that?-- should I swap over the Kinesis fork I got with the Team or what?), Cane Creek intregrated headset, ITM Millenium handlebars and stem, Look pr265s, full Ultegra (who needs Dura-Ace anyway?).

Summary:
So, I'm basically writing this in hopes of getting a response. I'm real nervous about this frame. The Team Fuji was such a light, responsive, and wicked ride. I hope I didn't make a mistake in ordering this Professional frame instead of the 2002 OCLV 5500 for $1300. The Professional's frame is identical to the Team's, and I've written about how much I love the Team in that bike's category. I dunno. If anyone out there has any information on the Fuji Professional, it would be greatly appreciated. My e-mail is kenlundgren@hollywood.com. Thanks. Adios.

Strengths:
I dunno. I've only ordered the frame and have not yet been able to test it out.

Weaknesses:
I was wondering if the carbon seat stays fused into the aluminum frame result in any twisting in the frame. I dunno, I guess I'm a little wary of a frame composed of two different materials. I also don't like the idea of Fuji's highest end bicycle ($2600) weighing .6 lbs. more than the Team Fuji ($1500).

Similar Products Used:
Trek 1000, Trek 5200, Kestrel Talon, Team Fuji (great, great bike).

Bike Setup:
Ultegra

Summary:
This bike is the best of both worlds. It is nice and stiff while climbing yet the carbon fiber seat stays soak up most of the road vibration. A great all around road rocket.

Strengths:
comfort

Weaknesses:
None found yet.

Similar Products Used:
Fuji Team,Cannondale