Fuji Bicycles Silhouette

Price Paid:  $499.00 at Eugene, OR

Favorite Ride:
Fuji Sihouette

Summary:
This is a great bike. I've ridden with many jealous cyclists who are surprised that I can keep up with them on their road bikes. This bike is lightweight and just plain fast, especially for a bike in this price range. The bike is stiff, making the ride a bit hard, but a split gel seat took care of that and I right in comfort now. If you're not used to racing geometry where you're pitched forward onto your arms more, you may want to try a bike of that style a while to see if you like it. My wife did not like that feature as it initially bothered her wrists and elbows, however she loved the speed and got used to it. Adjusting the shifters is a bit of a pain, and I find it worthwhile to just take it in yearly for a tune-up (nice if you have a friend that works for a bike shop and you get a nice discount). Enjoy this bike. It's great for commuting, recreational riding, road rides, and I've taken it on dirt paths and gravel as well, though it's not recommended. If you do, however, get the kevlar tires to prevent most flats.

Price Paid:  $525.00 at Weaver's Bike Store

Summary:
I have had this bike for two days now and so far it is VERY good for me. The only setback is the seat (i'm sore) but I guess I'll get used to that as time goes on. I road about 30 miles today and loved it. It is a very fast smooth ride. The shifting is great and its also a HOT looking bike.

Strengths:
Good Brakes, Good Shifting, and Fast.

Weaknesses:
Hard seat (but as I said I'll get used to it)

Price Paid:  $350.00 at Lonnie's Bicicle Sho

Favorite Ride:
fuji silhouette

Summary:
I ride this bicycle everywhere. I have ridden 1750 miles in the three months, without having any problems. This bike is lightweight and I have a quick shifter that makes shifting easy. At times, I fill my two baskets with groceries and pull my children in a basket ( loaded with groceries) behind me. I have not have not have to do any maintenance to the spokes or otherwise, but I only weigh 140 lbs.

Strengths:
Lightweight and Fast

Weaknesses:
a little stiff

Similar Products Used:
N\A

Price Paid:  $570.00 at Ordinary Bicycles

Favorite Ride:
Fuji Silhouette

Summary:
I bought this bike with the intention of commuting to work. I started popping rear spokes after the first week. Ordinary Bicycles were very good about the repairs and finally rebuilt the whole wheel with more robust spokes. I have not had any problem since then. I'm now putting about 120 miles a week on the new wheel. I would have said this bike stinks, if it was not for the great service of Ordinary.

Strengths:
Looks good and handles well.

Weaknesses:
Very bad spokes.

Price Paid:  $0.00

Bike Setup:
2005 Fuji Silhouette

Summary:
The bike is very quick and responsive. Good speed, but you will definitely want to extend the bars. The frame is very stiff; almost too stiff. The components are a little on the low-end and the wheels are poor. After 150mi, a spoke broke on the rear wheel. My LBS gave me a new wheel. After another 300mi, a spoke broke on the rear wheel again! I am currently waiting for my third rear wheel. I'm only 170 lbs and have been pretty gentle to the bike. Not a good sign!

Strengths:
Light. Quick. Good fit for my build.
Price is resonable.

Weaknesses:
Wheels have had significant problems (broken spokes, twice in first month of riding).
Crank and FD are low end. RD is o.k. and seems to work fine.

Similar Products Used:
Specialized, Felt