2007 Fuji Newest 3.0 or 2001 Terry Symmetry

I am new to cycling and have been riding since March 08. I bought a Trek 7000 WSD (hybrid) but want to get an inexpensive road bike because I want to do longer rides. I found a preowned 2001 Terry Symmetry online that I was convinced I wanted until today when I saw that I could get an 07 Fuji Newest 3.0 for the same price.

I don't know enough about components to know which is a "better" set of parts. Does the age of the bike make a difference? I can't ride the Terry before buying it but can ride the Fuji at a shop.

I'd appreciate any suggestions or advice on which bike is a better buy for the same price.

Thanks,
Q

Welcome to TE!

I am no expert on bike components either but I will say that chances are the Symmetry is a better bike even if it is older. Think about it, a new 2008 one sells for $1300 (on sale). A new 2008 Felt Newest sells for about $700. As long as Terry or even the owner of that bike hasn't made any significant changes to components like downgrading then that Symmetry is a better bike than the Newest will ever be in terms of components.

When searching for a new bike I had my eye on a 2008 Bianchi Volpe at about $900. Luckily for me, the LBS had a 2006 Kona Sutra in my size that was $750 down from $1500. You bet I bought that Sutra!

Any of the other TE ladies, please correct me if I'm wrong.

Thanks for the quick response. Fwiw, the Terry has Tiagra components and the Fuji has Sora.
In so many other contexts newer is better but I realize that in cycling that is not necessarily the case.

Q

As I suspected, according to this Oh-so-helpful link: http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=21761 the Symmetry has the better components. With bikes, newer doesn't mean better unless you are talking about the exactly same bike. Compare the Symmetry and the Newest 3.0 on same years and you will see that the Symmetry is the better bike. You have to decide whether what that person is asking for it is fair given the age and condition of the bike. If it's been well-maintained then it may be worth it.

are you sure they'll fit?

The bike shop will measure me and I can purchase what ever size I need to for the Fuji. The Terry *should* fit me based on my measurements. I posted a sizing question on the Terry site's forum to get opinions over there. It's less than 1 cm different than what 2 LBS's said they would recommend.

The components thread was great to read through. Y'all are so great here I do appreciate all of the information available and the way you all (I guess that should be "we" now) support each other.

Q

I'd get the Terry.

But that's just the way I am. I like bikes with a cult following.