In search of a new bike

[MrsB]

I believe I am in search of a new bike. I just bought a used 2004 fuji ace about a month ago and Im really hooked. I ride about 100 miles or more a week. Anyways I think I have my husband talked into buying me a new bike. This used fuji I bought off craigslist is pretty well beat. Wish I would of brought someone with me that new bikes when I went to look at it. Oh well you definately know when im coming down the road. Im still riding it for now. So I was just wondering what you all thought about this bike? Its a 2008 fuji womens finest 1.0. Heres the specs. My LBS has one in my size that Id like to try.

Frame Fuji Altair 2 aluminum w/carbon seatstays
Fork Fuji Bonded Carbon
Rims/Wheels Alex A-Class ALX 200
Hubs See Rims/Wheels
Spokes See Rims/Wheels
Tires Continental UltraSport, 700 x 23c
Crankset FSA Gossamer Compact MegaExo
Chainwheel 50/34
Front Derailleur Shimano 105
Rear Derailleur Shimano Ultegra
Rear Cogs Shimano 105, 10-speed: 12-27
Shifters Shimano R700 short reach
Handlebars Fuji Ultralite aluminum
Tape/Grips Fuji cork
Stem Fuji ProLite aluminum
Brake Levers Shimano R700 short reach
Brakes Tektro R-570
Saddle Fuji Women's Specific
Seat Post Fuji Pro


I ride by myself mostly during the week about 20-25 miles per night and on weekends my DH and I will ride between 25-45 miles. The one thing that Im looking for is a smoother ride. Any advice would be great. Thanks Donna

[KnottedYet]

Go ride it!

Ride lots of bikes. The more the better. One will be the perfect match, and you'll know it when you feel it. You (quite literally) will feel like the bike is an extension of your body, even if you can feel that a couple things need to be adjusted to fine-tune the fit.

Ride lots! Tell the bike shop what you ride now, what you do and don't like about it, and what you want to do in the future. A good LBS is a wonderful thing. Ride anything they suggest, even if you don't think it's right for you. The more bikes you ride, the more you learn what suits you and what doesn't suit you.

[TxDoc]

Hi Donna,
I second the suggestion above: ride A LOT of different bikes. Go and visit the bike shops in your area and test-ride the bikes that seem to suit what you are looking for. The more you test-ride, the more chance you have to find the perfect fit

[Ana]

This thread makes me want to ride lots of bikes, even though I can't afford one right now

[ilima]

Looks like a nice bike. Nice components, ones you should be happy with for years. Like others said, see how it and other bikes feel before you buy.

[Fujichants]

To be honest, I could have ridden a lot of bikes when I started off, but wouldn't have known/appreciated the difference between a cheaper bike and an expensive one. That might not be the case for you though!

My first bike was a Fuji Finest 2.0, and it served me well. Once I had it fit, it was a comfortable bike (although I did feel a lot of the little bumps on the road, so it isn't really a smooth ride). However, once I started riding more, and realizing what I was really looking for, I got tired of my Fuji (I feel so bad saying this...she is cast away to a corner of the garage now with BF's old bike).