Fuji Bicycles Roubaix

Price Paid:  $849.00 at Sports challet

Model Year:
2007

Summary:
I got the 2009 fuji roubaix.First time road biking. I just bought the bike 1 hour ago, and tested it out. Bike would not let me switch to the middle 2nd gear. Trouble going up hill since gear did not switch. Front tire kept making noises as I turned.

Strengths:
Super light, fast, control

Weaknesses:
Gear. brakes, tires

Price Paid:  $765.00 at Performance Bike - D

Model Year:
2007

Summary:
2009 model purchased on sale at Performance Bike - Dublin, CA for $900, after the 15% discount the price dropped to $765. If you join "Team Performance" you get a 10% rebate on the $765 to go towards another Performance purchase, so less the rebate that's $688.50. Now a "Team Performance" membership does cost $25, and with sales tax around 10% the price comes back up a bit. Considering you get a solid start road bike with support from the Performance Bike shop, it's an incredible value.

This is my first road bike. I commuted on an inexpensive second hand Diamondback Ascent mountain bike during my college days a few years back. I'm a retired runner due to a knee injury and cycling doesn’t seem to bother my injury too bad.

Being a first timer, it’s difficult to evaluate this bike. Compared to my Mountain Bike, which was pushing 40 lbs, this thing is rocket ship. I can fly up hills on it, and average over 25 MPH on my longer rides. My only complaint is the real derailer does not want to stay on the middle gears during high torque loads. I brought the bike back to Performance once to have it looked it, they “tuned” the derailer again, I’ll have to learn to do this myself. This was never a problem on my mountain bike, and I paid $35 for it. I don’t know how much of this problem is due to the inexpensive components or poor tuning. Performance accused me of cross-chaining, well, if you can’t use the middle gears why have them at all? Overall I’m satisfied after only about 250 miles.

Strengths:
Good value. Ideal first road bike.

Price Paid:  $850.00 at Performance Bike

Favorite Ride:
Rock Creek Park (MD, DC)

Bike Setup:
Stock 2009 fuji Roubaix

Summary:
Best value bike for less than $1000, hands down!
Mine is a 2009, but roadbikereview doesn’t give that option.

A month ago, my wife and I wanted two get decent bikes for less than $1000/each. We bought 2 Fuji Roubaix for $850 each. We already put over 250 miles on the bikes, and we love them! We tested about 10 different bikes and realized that Tiagra components are way better than Sora, so we wanted to get Tiagra or better. We are completely happy with the Tiagra components and I doubt I would be able to notice a difference with a bike with full 105 components (other than the 2 extra gears that I would have). Also, most of the bikes we tested with Sora components, felt cheap, heavier, and just didn’t ride as well as the Roubaix. Serious bike enthusiasts (friends) recommended that we get as close to the Shimano 105 group as possible. The Roubaix has mostly Tiagra components except for the rear derailleur, which is 105. I’ve also been told that the Tiagra components, which were redesigned a few yeas ago, are as good or better than the 9-speed 105 components. I believe that.

The Roubaix was also the only bike we found for less than $1000 with carbon seat stays, which allows for a much more comfortable ride (acting as shock absorbers for the rear of the bike). I think the Roubaix has the best of both worlds, a light weight, but stiff aluminum frame, and carbon fork and seat stays. It is a perfect combination for comfort. Another thing that made me choose this bike over others (such as the Scott Speedster S40, which has a triple) is the FSA compact crankset. I don’t see why anyone would need a triple crankset, which would just be added weight. I also like the Tektro breaks a lot; they are very smooth.

So if you get the bike, what do I recommend you replace? Only the continental tires and tubes that come standard with the bike. I am 185lbs, and I had 2 flats in less than 2 weeks. My wife is 135lbs, and also has a flat already. Luckily, Performance has very affordable, tires reinforced with Kevlar for less than $30/each. We haven’t had flats since then.

In summary, if you see a good deal on this bike, go for it!!! When comparing it with other bikes remember that this one has Tiagra/105 components, carbon fork and carbon seat stays, and compact crankset. Perfect combination and almost impossible to find in any of the other major brands (Trek, Cannondale, Specialized, Scott) for less than $1,300.

Strengths:
PRICE!! plus Tiagra components, solid aluminum frame, carbon fork, carbon seat stays, FSA compact crankset, Tektro breaks

Weaknesses:
Continental UltraSport tires grip well, but allow for too many flats. Outside of the velodrome it would be best to get more puncture resistant tires

Similar Products Used:
Cannondale Caad9 6, Scott Speedster S40, Giant Defy 3, Fuji Newest 1.0, Trek 2.1

Price Paid:  $900.00 at Pedal Revolution

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Fuji Roubaix Pro

Bike Setup:
Upgraded to a Campagnolo crankset and mavic/ultegra wheels.

Summary:
I got the 2007 when I had to warranty the 2005 after a hairline crack in the frame on the rear left drop out. The first frame was cracked through everyday use, with no impact or accident. I use this bike on a daily basis to commute and on weekends to do long distance rides. I'm 5'11" and 175 lbs and ride up and down a lot of hills.

Strengths:
This bike is light, fast handles well and is a great value for the money. Perhaps too good to be true?(See below)

Weaknesses:
I cracked the replacement frame after a year and a half of riding! Again, there was no impact, only a lot of torquing on the bike going up hills and mountains. These frames are a joke! Both frames were cracked by doing what I consider normal everyday road riding. A few thousand miles later and they are toast. I want my money back! Unfortunately, I will have to warranty it for yet another Fuji.... yuck!

View Comments (1)

Would you like to Comment?
Join RoadbikeReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.

Price Paid:  $995.00 at Performance Bikes

Favorite Ride:
Washington and Old Dominion Trail

Summary:
2008 - great bike for the money - handles my 6'4" 225 pound body very well. I look forward to upgrading some of the components. Already changed out the seat - made a huge difference

Strengths:
Frame, weight, value for the money, comfortable ride for a 'clydesdale' rider just getting into road biking.

Weaknesses:
Front and rear shift components, seat.

Similar Products Used:
Giant FCR1