Fuji SST 2.0? (Need advice on my first road bike purchase!)
Hi all,
Today I went shopping for my first road bike. I visited two nearby stores (a Sports Basement and a Performance Bicycle). I test rode three bikes, including a Cannondale Six 5 and a Fuji SST 2.0. I liked the Fuji SST 2.0 the most and Performance Bicycle seems to be offering an unbeatable price on it. Hence, my question is should I buy this bike? Oh yeah, and I have to make my decision by tomorrow if I want to get the extras that the store is offering this weekend only.
When I walked into the store, I noticed this bike was on sale for $2400, which was close to my price range. I also recognized the model number as one of the bikes I had considered while spending hours doing online research. The bike looks awesome and I got pretty excited when I reviewed the specs: a C-4 High Mod carbon frame and a Shimano Ultegra 6700 drive train. I know I can get a Motobecane with a comparable spec through bikesdirect.com for about $400 less (e.g., the Motobecane Immortal ICE), which was the primary option I was considering before I saw and rode the Fuji SST 2.0.
This weekend only, the store will be taking another 15% off the sale price and is throwing in a maintenance package worth $90. I can also get approximately $200 in store credit (through a Team Performance Membership). On the advice of one my my road-biking friends, I also got the shop to agree to replace the standard crank with a compact crank so I will more easily be able to hang with my friend's group on the nearby hills.
I took the bike for a short ride and I absolutely LOVED the feel of it (at least in comparison to the Cannondale Six 5), despite the seat having to be left in a very high position because the frame of the one bike in stock was a little small for me. If I get the bike, I will be ordering it with a bigger frame.
One thing I'm a little bit confused about with the Fuji SST 2.0 is apparently the frame has to be physically cut at the appropriate height to match my size. A guy at the shop, who also says he owns the same bike, said he would not want to make the cut without having all of my measurements via a professional fitting of some sort. He said the fitting would cost me another $200 or so, and which I would have to get at another shop. (Apparently Performance Bicycle doesn't do the type of fitting I would need.) I don't mind paying for the fitting as I understand that having the perfect fit is critical. I was just surprised to learn that apparently this Fuji frame has to be cut. I should mention that I'm 6' 3" and that, based on my Cannondale sizing, I will need a 60 cm frame.
And now a little more bit about me: I'm very much a beginning cyclist, having only been on a couple of rides with my friends (one of whom lent me a Motobecane bike), some of whom are regular riders. However, I want to start riding with my friends a couple of times per week, mainly to get into cycling shape for my first triathlon, which I will be competing in on 9/19. I have always been a runner (I was a former PAC-10 cross country runner about 16 years ago) and have recently started competing in masters swimming events. In other words, cycling is my weakest triathlon leg, but I'm hoping to change that.
I would greatly appreciate any comments/suggestions you have regarding whether I should purchase the Fuji SST 2.0 tomorrow or perhaps consider another option.
Thanks,
K_Man
Hi all,
Today I went shopping for my first road bike. I visited two nearby stores (a Sports Basement and a Performance Bicycle). I test rode three bikes, including a Cannondale Six 5 and a Fuji SST 2.0. I liked the Fuji SST 2.0 the most and Performance Bicycle seems to be offering an unbeatable price on it. Hence, my question is should I buy this bike? Oh yeah, and I have to make my decision by tomorrow if I want to get the extras that the store is offering this weekend only.
When I walked into the store, I noticed this bike was on sale for $2400, which was close to my price range. I also recognized the model number as one of the bikes I had considered while spending hours doing online research. The bike looks awesome and I got pretty excited when I reviewed the specs: a C-4 High Mod carbon frame and a Shimano Ultegra 6700 drive train. I know I can get a Motobecane with a comparable spec through bikesdirect.com for about $400 less (e.g., the Motobecane Immortal ICE), which was the primary option I was considering before I saw and rode the Fuji SST 2.0.
This weekend only, the store will be taking another 15% off the sale price and is throwing in a maintenance package worth $90. I can also get approximately $200 in store credit (through a Team Performance Membership). On the advice of one my my road-biking friends, I also got the shop to agree to replace the standard crank with a compact crank so I will more easily be able to hang with my friend's group on the nearby hills.
I took the bike for a short ride and I absolutely LOVED the feel of it (at least in comparison to the Cannondale Six 5), despite the seat having to be left in a very high position because the frame of the one bike in stock was a little small for me. If I get the bike, I will be ordering it with a bigger frame.
One thing I'm a little bit confused about with the Fuji SST 2.0 is apparently the frame has to be physically cut at the appropriate height to match my size. A guy at the shop, who also says he owns the same bike, said he would not want to make the cut without having all of my measurements via a professional fitting of some sort. He said the fitting would cost me another $200 or so, and which I would have to get at another shop. (Apparently Performance Bicycle doesn't do the type of fitting I would need.) I don't mind paying for the fitting as I understand that having the perfect fit is critical. I was just surprised to learn that apparently this Fuji frame has to be cut. I should mention that I'm 6' 3" and that, based on my Cannondale sizing, I will need a 60 cm frame.
And now a little more bit about me: I'm very much a beginning cyclist, having only been on a couple of rides with my friends (one of whom lent me a Motobecane bike), some of whom are regular riders. However, I want to start riding with my friends a couple of times per week, mainly to get into cycling shape for my first triathlon, which I will be competing in on 9/19. I have always been a runner (I was a former PAC-10 cross country runner about 16 years ago) and have recently started competing in masters swimming events. In other words, cycling is my weakest triathlon leg, but I'm hoping to change that.
I would greatly appreciate any comments/suggestions you have regarding whether I should purchase the Fuji SST 2.0 tomorrow or perhaps consider another option.
Thanks,
K_Man