Fuji Bicycles Roubaix RC

Price Paid:  $1500.00 at Performance Bicycle

Bike Setup:
specialized BG saddle
cheap shimano pedals
still looking to upgrade the seatpost and wheelset

Summary:
My first road bike. took the advice of a friend of mine who said i'll be getting the most bang for the buck if I go with the Roubaix RC. Enjoye riding it all over town, but use it mostly for group rides. I still own another bike for commuting.
After riding for a month, I decided the seat definitely needed the upgrade. I'm still looking to upgrade the wheels, and the seatpost. It has however performed very well for me, and extrememly satisfied with my choice. Actually, I'm even proud of how fast it rides. Comes up to speed easily, with it being very light (17lbs).
the paint job/ finishing is great. everybody compliments me on it.
All the reviews mention the weakness of the wheelset. I've not had any problems with them so far (1000 miles), even though i weigh a decent 200 lbs. I will upgrading the wheelset, but not for durability issues. I just want a new racing wheelset

Strengths:
- Components
- rides very smooth
- great stiffness
-responsive and maneuverable

Weaknesses:
- saddle and seatpost (too short)
- wheelset and tires

Similar Products Used:
none

Price Paid:  $0.00

Model Year:
2007

Bike Setup:
Standard set up with new tubes and some cheap Shimano clipless pedals.

Summary:
Strong finishing kit on a great frameset. The fork is one I remember considering buying in the past, so its excellent in its own right. The frame feels nice, sufficiently compliant to not hurt after a 50 mile ride, but very stiff when out of the saddle and pulling on the bars. I have already ridden over a 2 inch rock and pinch punctured both tyres, yet the rims remain round. Advisable to get a torque wrench to correctly tighten the bolts on the carbon steerer and seatpost.

Strengths:
Frameset appears awesome. Xero wheelset is at least as light (1800g) as Mavic competition, the spokes are easy to replace, bearings are cup/cones. Fuij carbon post, oversized bars and stem all work well and are easy to adjust. The FSA crankset is superb, looks great too. Finally, Ultegra group is my optimal price/performance choice.

Weaknesses:
No pedals...why not? I need pedals to ride. At least whack on some Ultegra pedals, which would be cheap for Fuji to include for the buyer to then sell at a later date if they did not like them. If its about personalisation of the bike, why not take the saddle off too? So many people change the saddle. Stupid policy in the bike industry which needs changing. I bought some cheapo Shimano pedals, but would have liked to have Ultegra supplied.

Tubes are from Chen Shin company and weigh about 65g. Ridiculously thin. Seriously, why not splash a fraction more on some better tubes like Vittoria Ultralights, which aren't going to flat on the first ride out.

Similar Products Used:
GT Edge, custom, about 7kg,
Barrelia 531 steel,
Ribble 6000 series alu frame
Schwinn Fastback Pro

Price Paid:  $1400.00 at Big Wheel Bikes

Model Year:
2006

Favorite Ride:
W & OD Trail (outside DC)

Bike Setup:
Now: 58cm frame, Ultegra front/rear deraileurs, Truvativ double crank (39/52), Ultegra 12-27 cassette (replacement), Speedplay X pedals (CrMo), Mavic Open Pro/Ultegra wheels (replacement), Hutchinson Fusion 2 tires (replacement), Cheap Nashbar saddle (replacement).

Summary:
- This was my first road bike, bought with insurance money after an MTB was stolen. I commute and ride 50-200 miles per week. I'm 6'0" and 175lbs. I ride a 58cm.
- The bike is light and fast. It best suits me for 30-60 mile weekend rides, though I use it for daily commuting as well and like the speed.
- The componentry is pretty high-end for the price, but the frame has also held up well. I can't really speak to its quality.
- The frame is nicely supple on potholes, but slighly squishy when climbing (compared to an all alu Cannondale). After two flips and some drops, no cracks (checked recently).
- I've put around 4000 miles on it, flipped twice, fallen once, been hit once and dropped it over 10 times and it is in great shape.
- Things I've replaced:
- Tires: Was flatting every week in the city. Now run Hutchinson Fusion 2s, never flat.
- Wheels. After two flips the wheels never went out of true (ALX 320s), but finally after about 3K miles and thousands of potholes the rear popped a spoke and then developed a loose freehub body that couldn't be removed. Run Mavic open pro/ultegras now.
- Casette - after over-stretching my chain, opted for a 12-27 rear to make climbs easier.
- Seat, but who likes their seat?
- Bottom bracket (integrated) loosened up and started clicking twice.

Strengths:
- Ultegra shifting
- Light and fast
- Surprisingly durable
- Entry-level sport racer
- Forgiving on potholes
- Handling pretty stable on descents.
- Aggressive geometry, but not painfully so.

Weaknesses:
- Wheels: They were honestly fantastic for the first year and a half. But then a factory over-tightening made it impossible to remove the freehub body (turning a $30 repair into a $200 one).
- Tires: They're really crap, but not a big deal.
- Full double crank: For this price range, the gearing is a bit high. A coupact or more relaxed rear would be better.
- Not a great climber out of the saddle - a bit squishy.
- Brakes are pretty good, but not great. Upgrade if you race or do crazy hills.
- Keep an eye on your BB.
- Get's a bit twitchy at speeds above 35mph, but that may be due to my own stem/wheel mis-allignment.

Similar Products Used:
Only MTBs (Cannondale F1000)

Price Paid:  $1700.00 at Countryside Cyclery

Model Year:
2007

Bike Setup:
Standard setup with SPD pedals and a cyclocomputer.

Summary:
After 2400 miles of riding this bike, I'm very happy with it. The ride is smooth, efficient and comfortable, at least for rides of 20 - 100 miles. I've ridden solo, with groups, a century, and a race on this thing, and it's suffered more rainy rides than I'd like to admit--no complaints.

As a bonus, The white, red , and black frame is beautiful to behold.

Strengths:
Ultegra shifters and (mostly) Ultegra drivetrain components.

Smooth ride--carbon seatstays and fork absorb vibration.

Fast, fairly light, comfortable.

Standard double 53/39 12-25 gearing.

Weaknesses:
Wheelset--the OEM Shimano RS10 wheelset broke spokes constantly (I'm a 175 lb rider, not a Clydesdale). Ultimately they were recalled by Shimano and replaced with a set of R500 wheels.

White bar tape looks Euro-cool, but gets dirty fast.

Continental ultrasport tires wear pretty quickly, are tough to change, and are rather heavy due to the wire bead.

I really like the standard gearing, but a compact gearing would extend the low end for climbing.

Similar Products Used:
None-this is my first road bike.

Price Paid:  $1300.00 at Budget Bicycle

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Paoli

Bike Setup:
Swapped out Gossamer for R700 Compact
Shimano DA pedals.
Shimano DA wheelset
Mich Pro2 race tires
Thompson seatpost

Summary:
The bike is great. THe geometry is race aggressive and the handling is wonderful. Like others have noted, the carbon adds some comfort to longer rides, which I have never had a problem with on this bike.

Strengths:
REsponsiveness, price, components, race quality on a budget.

Weaknesses:
Wheelset
Seatpost (too short)
Pre-cut stem on fork
Fork not too great
Brake calipers

Similar Products Used:
Jamis Quest (steel)