Strengths: Incredible value for the $. Nice components, excellent solid frame. Light - only 19lbs! Can fly up hills. Carbon fork and stays to help smooth the road. Looks nice, but doesn't scream "steal me" parked at a rack.
Weaknesses: The killer: no lugs to attach a rack!!!?!! Also the handle bar grips were useless $0.20 pieces of foam.
Bottom Line:
There are not a lot of reviews for this bike, so I thought I'd add my impressions from a test ride. I recently was in the market for a bike that could serve double duty as weekday commuter bike and weekend speedy road bike. I ride everyday about 9 months per year for my commute, and do recreation riding on the weekends (typically 15 - 35 mile rides). I test rode almost a dozen bikes.
This Fuji was an incredible value. Comparable to the high-end of the Specialized Sirrus line, but for hundreds less. As the previous review said -- FAST and LIGHT, yet it still was able to "feel" like a hybrid -vs- a roadie.
I would have purchased this bike on the spot, except it did not have frame lugs to attach a rack onto it. Since I use an Arkel bike briefcase to carry a laptop computer and paperwork to the office (25lbs), I need a solidly attached rack. Kinda confusing, since in the picture on this site it looks like there are rear lugs, but that was not the case on the 2005 models at a local store. Maybe Fuji changed this for 2006 ?
If you want a flat-bar road-style bike, and you don't need to attach a rack, and you like saving money w/o any compromises on quality, this probably should be your bike.
Note: unlike bikes like jamis coda or cannondale bad boy, i do not recommend riding this bike on anything but road or packed gravel.
Strengths: low weight, ultegra rear, decent wheelset, fast and nimble
Weaknesses: brakes don't seem to match level of other components, seat takes getting used to, a bit of a chellenge getting into all 27 gears.
Bottom Line:
WOW-This is, IMHO, THE best flat bar road bike on the market, and I tried just about every one. I got very lucky on the price and it was ano brainer. I had been riding a similar bike, the Fuji Silohette, which is a bit heavier, with aq step down in components. The Royale is a dream. At only 19 pounds, with the carbon fork, it is very light for a bike of this type and a real smooth and FAST ride. The Ultegra rear is an incredible bonus. I love passing the drop bar crowd on my way into work--this bike turns a lot of heads.
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