Fuji Bicycles Cross Pro

Price Paid:  $1100.00 at Performance Bike

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Fuji Cross Pro

Bike Setup:
Stock frameset/wheelset/crankset. XT rear on 10spd cassette, ultegra shifters/FD. XTR seatpost, flite saddle. Weight is just barely over 20 lbs.

Summary:
I originally bought this bike to use all of its components on another build, but the barren frameset just begged to be built up so I had to give in. I have to say this is the most bike to ride both on city streets and tame offroad. I built it up without CX levers which is far superior as they add a great deal of friction to the braking. Also I never once used to stock saddle, which is incredibly uncomfortable. I am going to try my hand at cyclocross this fall and this will be an excellent machine for the job.

Strengths:
The component group is top-notch for the price range. The bike looks great and rides great. The strengths far outweigh the weaknesses.

Weaknesses:
Stock saddle sucks, CX levers are annoying, the wheelset is not the best there is. The Avid 4 brakes are frustrating. No disc tabs means upgrading to disc is out of the picture.

Similar Products Used:
Plenty of road bikes but no cyclocross.

Price Paid:  $1750.00 at ZM Cycle Toronto

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
19 km each way commute

Bike Setup:
FSA gossamer 30-39-50, SRAM X9 front, Brooks B17 special, MEC 3-stay rack, Planet Bike Cascadia fenders, Schwalbe Marathon 32 tires, SPD520 pedals I had lying around, Flight Deck computer.

Summary:
I don't race cyclocross, I bought this bike specifically as a fast commuter that I could load up with commuter junk (rack, fenders) yet not feel like I'm driving a tank. I had been using a 15 year old rigid MTB converted to commuter duty. Wow! what a difference! Almost makes my road racer redundant! The stiff frame accelerates beautifully in traffic, just launches up hills, and I love the tight 10speed cluster -- none of which I'd get with a touring bike (sometimes suggested for commuting). Since I do carry a lot of junk sometimes I had the crank swapped for a triple, which I really prefer to compact anyway, as I use the middle ring the vast majority of the time, but the ends of the range are there when I need them. The shop swapped the front derailleur for an SRAM-X9, which I was skeptical about but does work well, and since it's top-pull it doesn't use the dorky pulley. They left the short cage Dura-Ace rear, which doesn't have enough take up for small-small combinations, but I have the Flight Deck computer so it's easy to avoid going there. Shifting is slick. The stock tires are rather fun in grass/gravel etc., but absolutely scary cornering on the road. Brakes are OK. Wheels true so far. Looking at what others paid I didn't get a great deal, but it was there in my size and I was impressed by the zip on the test ride -- just what I wanted. Took 10% off my commute time!

Strengths:
Responsive frame! Accommodates commuter junk. Tight & slick 10 speed rear end.

Weaknesses:
Barely-compact crank not enough gear spread for me. Stock saddle a total disaster, but that's normal. Both are easy fix.

Similar Products Used:
This is my first cross bike, have had all sorts of other bikes for all sorts of riding.

Price Paid:  $1200.00 at Performance, Rockvil

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Schaeffer Farms and Sugarloaf Mt

Bike Setup:
stock, except for a wider Ritchey WCS bar I had laying around.

Summary:
Actually, my Cross Pro is a 2008, but I wasn't given that choice. I love this bike! It is a blast to ride on trails and on the road. I am a road racer, but lately I have been spending my time with this bike. It handles great and the big tires soak up most road imperfections. When my road bike's shifters broke, I put my racing wheels on my Fuji and used it in a crit! I have a full suspension mtn bike that I like also, but again, I have enjoyed riding my Fuji on local singletrack.

Strengths:
Dura-Ace and Ultegra on a $1200 bike, Ritchey stem, bar, and seatpost, very light, solid

Weaknesses:
none yet

Similar Products Used:
This is my first cross bike, but I have had a lot of road bikes and mtn bikes

Price Paid:  $1250.00 at Performance Bike Pao

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Fuji Cross Pro

Bike Setup:
Other than stock parts which you can view at the fuji bikes website, under specialty road bikes, i added candy c pedals, and a carbon cage.

Summary:
First of all for the money this came out at a great deal. I was dealing with a limited selection and sizing in my driving area, and went with the local Performance since it is right down the street from my house. The bike is slick, light and very responsive. The shifting has been smooth, gearing a little light, meaning no granny gear for very steep hills, and the tires a but knobbier than others. I would recommend this to anyone.

I gave this a 4 for the value, but a 5 overall for the seat. Cant be perfect.

Strengths:
Performance. Light, firm, and a lot of fun. Good components. For the money, a good machine and bits. Knobby wheels, good for offroad

Weaknesses:
The seat is rock hard, built for fearless hard seat riders. Even with my lycra it screams and gets up in my bits. I am sure i will swap this out. The wheels are knobby, bad if you are on the hard all the time

Similar Products Used:
I tested the Scott Cross bike and the really liked the Kona Jake but the dealers in my area where over an hour away, had no inventory. I rode this and right away i was done.

Price Paid:  $1419.00 at Silver Cycles

Model Year:
2006

Favorite Ride:
Capitol Crescent Trail

Bike Setup:
Totally stock, added some speedplay pedals.

Summary:
This bike turned up on my radar as an alternative to a Jamis Supernova. This bike is a little heavier (2 Lbs.) than the Jamis but has an all Ultegra component group instead of a mix of Ultegra and 105 components. The feel of the bike is top notch, it shifts well and is a nice smooth ride even on D.C. streets thanks to the carbon fork. The stock tires are slanted towards the trail side of cyclocross, so if you are riding a lot on streets you may want a tire with lower rolling resistance.

Strengths:
Weight is great considering the price point and competition. Ultegra components all around, ritchey pro cockpit components. Cables all routed on top bar for portage, makes bike easy to carry.

Weaknesses:
Hard to really pick on this bike other than the saddle, it is just too hard for me.

Similar Products Used:
Test rode the Jamis Nova, Supernova, and the Felt F1X.