Fuji Bicycles Finest

Price Paid:  $360.00 at eBay

Favorite Ride:
Anywhere in the Berkshire Hills

Bike Setup:
Stock

Summary:
I bought this bike last year because I wanted to cross train and maybe even try a triathlon. This has been a great beginners road bike. It performed well during my training rides and the triathlon I completed. Now, after a year, I am hooked on road riding and I would like to upgrade the components to improve my enjoyment and performance. But, I would probably be better off to simply buy a better bike and keep this one on my trainer. Overall I really like this bike. If you're looking for a good road bike at a great price this is it.

Strengths:
Great price. Great frame.

Weaknesses:
Pedals (Buy some good clipless pedals to replace the ones that come with this bike).

Sora component group (You get what you pay for).

Similar Products Used:
None

Price Paid:  $569.00 at Velocity Sports

Favorite Ride:
All

Bike Setup:
Shimano Sora Grouppo, Alex DA22 rims w/Ritchey hubs

Summary:
This review is for the 2003 model. I've owned this bike for about 6 weeks, and I've put close to 500 mile on it. I owned a hard tail Specialized Mountain before getting this, and I also had an opportunity to ride a Giant OCR2several times, so I have something to compare it to. This is one smooth ride. For the price, it can't be beat. The 2003 model comes in at about a pound lighter than the 2002 (22.1 lbs vs 23.2 lbs)It is not as light as the Giant OCR 2, but it is noticeably smoother on rough pavement. The only weakness are the pedals that come with it. Do youself a favor and get some decent clipless pedals. They can be bought for under $20.00 from Nashbar. I would recomend this bike to any aspiring roadie just starting out, or who is on a budget, or who wants a decent everyday trainer, saving the racers for race day. I have been on group rides with folks riding thoroughbreds (Litespeeds, Giant TCR's etc...), and as long as there aren't any serious hills, I can keep up with them. Perhaps when my riding skills improve, I can start thinking about a higher end bike, but for what I paid, this baby can't be beat. I'll probably hang on to this even if I do get a racing machine, and use it as my every day trainer. I feel it's that good. Don't believe the bashing that Shimano Sora gets. They get the job done. Can't down shift from the drops, but how often do you do that anyway? After 500 miles, I haven't even had to make any adjustments to the drive train. NONE. What makes this an even sweeter deal is the support I get from Rod and his guys at Velocity Sports. They threw in a complentary Fuji jersey when my bike didn't arrive on the promised date.

Strengths:
Everything except the pedals.

Weaknesses:
Pedals

Similar Products Used:
Giant OCR 2, Specialized Hard Rock Ultra

Price Paid:  $450.00 at Touring Cyclist, St.

Favorite Ride:
50 mile solo

Bike Setup:
SPD pedals, Cateye computer

Summary:
I replaced my 20 yr old Raleigh Superbe with a 2002 Fuji Finest. The technological advances in 20 years are significant. In 1982 I paid $600 for a nice bike with 12 speeds, friction shift, tubular tires, lugged chrome-moly frame. In 2002 for $450 I got 24 speeds, STI, freehub, nice clinchers, stronger and lighter TIG welded chrome-moly frame. I was ready to pay more for a bike, but there was no need to. Automation and cheap Korean labor make my life better.

Strengths:
Fuji Finest Frame is the same geometry as Steelman SR 525, a $1090 frame. I can't tell a difference in stiffness or responsiveness. The Fuji might weigh a few ounces more. The Finest is a great bike at this price point.

Weaknesses:
The pedals with clips and straps are obsolete. The front hub is not as smooth as my previous Suntour Superbe unless it is perfectly adjusted and lubricated. Don't buy this bike if you are deluded into thinking that spending a lot of money for incremental weight reduction and mechanical improvements will have a significant impact on your cycling perfomance.

Similar Products Used:
Raleigh Superbe

Price Paid:  $495.00 at Austin Texas

Favorite Ride:
28 mile Loop

Bike Setup:
Clipless Peddles and a trip computer

Summary:
I bought this bike as a first bike to ride to work and try out triathlon. Although a bit heavy the weekness is not in the bike it is in my legs:) Seat is ok and I like the shifters. For a cherry like me it is more bike than I am. Great value

Strengths:
Price, color, shifters

Weaknesses:
Weight

Similar Products Used:
Non

Price Paid:  $440.00 at Ebay

Favorite Ride:
Near the beaches

Bike Setup:
Time pedals, Specialized computer

Summary:
I got a great deal on this bike from Ebay, however there was some assembly required. At the price I paid I am very happy with this bike. The Sora group has served me very well so far, the shifting is smooth and crisp. I like the steel frame, it rides real nice compaired to my Alm. Hybrid. I am one of those get a Hybrid and move up to a road bike guy. The Hybrid still serves me well on rides with my son but on those long rides this road bike rocks. The fit and finish of this bike is very good at this price range. I may change the saddle in the future. I did however change the pedals to Time Mountain pedals, these are great pedals. I also added the usual computer and pump to the bike. Over all I am very pleased with this bike.

Strengths:
Nice frame, good compoents at this price range.

Weaknesses:
Crappy stock cage pedals, but what do you expect at this price range.

Similar Products Used:
Trek 1000, Giant, Bianchi