Fuji Bicycles Cross

Price Paid:  $995.00 at Pedal Pushers, Sever

Favorite Ride:
Greenspring Valley, Baltimore County, MD

Bike Setup:
52 cm frame, All out of the box components, traded out the stem to better fit my longish torso.

Summary:
I am a cross-bike novice, having been a long-term devotee of my greater-than-decade-old road bike. I shopped fairly intensely, and tried the following other bikes: Bianchi Axis, Bianchi Volpe, Trek X01, Jamis Nova. My first impression is one of total love. I will re-report at the end of the season.

Strengths:
Wonderfully nimble handling, very light, gearing range more than adequate for the substantial hills around Baltimore.

Weaknesses:
Some minor new-bike adjustments in order, nothing substantial.

Similar Products Used:
Sampled the above mentioned bikes. Loved the Bianchi Axis which rode very similarly, but cost an extra $350. Almost bought the Jamis, but this bike made the Jamis' ride seem plodding. Did not like the Trek X01. I couldn't find a Kona Jake the Snake anywhere in the DC/Baltimore area to try.

Price Paid:  $800.00 at Performance

Favorite Ride:
Anywhere without cars

Bike Setup:
Bone stock except for a Dura-Ace rear derailleur upgraded when I purchased the bike. I also purchased a Velomax Cicuit wheelset with a high performance tire set for street duty.

Summary:
This is a great ride. I ride an improved dirt trail alomost daily on the way to and from work and this bike tackles it with ease. It is faster than a mountain bike, and easily transitions to road duties. The cantilever brakes are a vast improvement over typical (high end) road calipers. I weigh over 230 when fully loaded, backpack etc. and have exceeded 50mph on downhill ascents - I've yet to see a ride this stable. I'd highly recommend for anyone desiring a single bike to meet all their cycling needs.

Strengths:
Overall value - you can't touch this ride for the combination of componenets, frame and fork and overall value. Outstanding stability at extreme speeds.

Weaknesses:
Brake pads are poor, but Avid brakes seem solid adequate. I will change the pads to Kool Stops soon and expect a transformation in performance.

Similar Products Used:
Original Specialized rockhopper - no suspension and numerous road bikes that I have owned. I also reviewed every available cyclocross bike and compared price and available features. This was not an impulse purchase.

Price Paid:  $850.00 at SBC

Favorite Ride:
Anywhere on OR off the pavement

Bike Setup:
Completely stock or with Mavik pro rims and Bontrager road tires for the pavement.

Summary:
I test rode and looked at a variety of makes and models of road and cyclocross bikes before choosing the Fuji Cross. It just seemed the best deal for the money. The only bike that was similarly equiped and anywhere close in price was the Kona Snake at $995. So far, everything is working well...it shifts smoothly, is light weight for a bike in its class, and rides just like a pure road bike (only smoother) with road tires mounted. I keep a set of rims with road tires and a set of rims with the stock CX tires for whatever riding I happen to be doing.

Strengths:
Good price for a bike that includes Shimano 105 equipment and a carbon fork . Rides smoothly with either road or CX tires (compared to a similar pure road bike). You cant beat the versatility IMO

Weaknesses:
None yet...

Similar Products Used:
Tested other bikes...Bianchi Giro, Trek 1200, 2000, X0, Kona Snake, Bianchi Axis. I own a 2003 Trek 4500 and a 2003 Lemond Alpe D'Huez

Price Paid:  $1000.00 at Budget Bikes

Bike Setup:
Shimano 105 front and back, Ritchey everything else, shorty 4 brakes.

Summary:
Phat bike. Incredibly light, especially in comparison to Trek XO and Cannondale Cyclocross...smooth ride, all Shimano 105 throughout. I rode 4 bikes repeatedly in two days looking for the best value, responsiveness, and specs and loved this bike.

Strengths:
Good Shimano stock components, I love the fork (big but thus brutally strong), lightest bike in its class for price

Weaknesses:
Not great brakes (but in comparison to Cannondale and Trek, comparable), Ritchey wheels are iffy, but not bad. Gotta replace the stock seat.

Similar Products Used:
Trek XO
Cannondale Cyclocross
Cannondale XR100

Price Paid:  $1000.00 at Performance

Bike Setup:
Stock, Time pedals

Summary:
This is my first cross bike so I am no expert. I shopped around and this bike was a best buy. 105 and Ritchey components with a really lite frame, carbon fork and integrated head set. The others in the same price usually had lower grade shifters and other parts. I really like the feel of this bike.

Strengths:
105 and Ritchey components, light frame, cool graphics. Carbon Fork and integrated head set. Very Cool!

Weaknesses:
Ritchey wheels are a little on the weak side but will make a great back up set for next season. Avid shorty 4's are not the best but work okay.

Similar Products Used:
Just road and mountain bikes. Did test ride a Redline Conquest Pro - very stiff but did not like the feel. Looked into the K2 Enemy but none around.