Fuji Bicycles Marseille

Price Paid:  $1100.00 at Phx Bike

Favorite Ride:
Rist canyon Ft Collins

Bike Setup:
stock.

Summary:
I use this bike only for training for mountain racing. It does this quite well. Frame fairly stiff, although it has been said before, it is not a sprinter. It is smooth and comfortable, but light enough to keep up with the boys.

Strengths:
cheap, steel is stiff enough for rec riding. Descends nicely, but not agressivly.

Weaknesses:
Cheesy paint. Some flex, look to aluminum or titanium if you are a strong rider.

Similar Products Used:
S-works.

Price Paid:  $1000.00 at EBay

Favorite Ride:
anything in the hill country

Bike Setup:
pretty much stock, except for WTB rocket saddle and old Mavic front wheel (don't leave wheels leaning against your car...)I replaced the stock Richey stem with a higher-angle and longer stem to alleviate neck problems.

Summary:
A really nice ride, esp. for the price I paid (about half of retail). The components and wheels alone are worth the price.

Strengths:
pretty light, very comfortable, great components, and nice looking. A great bike for club rides.

Weaknesses:
a little flexy when sprinting; but then again, it's not really a race bike.

Similar Products Used:
this replaced an old 14-speed Trek 470. night and day...

Price Paid:  $900.00 at Brand new at Ebay

Favorite Ride:
Rolling Hills of New Hampshire

Bike Setup:
Bike has Ultegra 9 speed, Selle Italia Max Flow Saddle, Shimano Dura Ace pedals, Cinelli Tape, Michelin Pro Tires.

Summary:
I have ridden numerous high end steel bikes and I have to say that the Fuji Marseille handles with the best of them. I ride approximately 150 miles per week with many of these miles fast club rides. The Fuji has treated me quite well on all types of roads.

Strengths:
Steel frame is forgiving and soaks up the bumps. Classic european road geometry is great for long, fast rides. Short chainstays help it climb like a billy goat. Carbon fork is a bit stiff, but much more forgiving than steel. Front end turns on a dime due to 73.5 head angle. Ritchey Pro components are excellent especially the wheelset. Bladed spokes are fast and require little truing.

Weaknesses:
Steel frame is a bit heavier than other materials out there. Decals on Fork have to go! Look cheesy (I peeled mine off) Fuji seat must be replaced as well. Carbon fork is a bit stiff. Slight toe overlap with front wheel (I wear a size 45 shoe)

Similar Products Used:
Raleigh Team - Reynolds 531, Team Miyata -Tange Champion, Basso - Columbus SL

Price Paid:  $1300.00 at Performance

Favorite Ride:
Anything...paved or not!

Bike Setup:
Stock bike with Speedplay Zeros and My Sidi's I think of as "House Slippers".

Summary:
My last bike was an old borrowed Panasonic decked out with Shimano 105. (The Trek was stolen!) It was an old 80's thing (I think) of the cromoly variety. Let me tell you...I think Fuji did a diservice to this bike by changing the tubeset for '04! (Check out the '04...bad idea!) Reynolds tubing is great. However, there is a little too much flex at the bottom bracket. I am not racing right now so no biggy! But sprinters beware! The bike is very light for the price; somewhere between 18 and 19 pounds with pedals. I have always loved reynolds tubing...I have ridden some of my friend's rides. There is just something to be said for the appropriate flex and feel of steel. If you've ridden aluminum you know what I mean!

Strengths:
Reynolds 853 tubeset, Ultegra drive train and Richey Pro Logic components!

Weaknesses:
House brand seat breaks down quickly and the carbon fork is a little too flexy for my liking.

Similar Products Used:
Trek 2100, Panasonic 3000 (?), and a Schwinn Paramount back in high school.

Price Paid:  $1100.00 at Performance in Fairf

Favorite Ride:
Anything with little traffic!

Bike Setup:
Stock
Reynolds 853 frame
Ultegra components (Ritchey crank)
Fuji saddle
Cateye Astrale computer w/ cadence

Summary:
I love this bike. It is my first road bike since I had a 10-speed Schwinn as a kid. It's light with Ultegra (Richey crank). I am really just getting a feel for riding a road bike, but these last few months have been great. It's smooth and handles well. Also looks great!

Strengths:
Ultegra components
Light weight
Good saddle

Weaknesses:
None so far.

Similar Products Used:
None, first real road bike