Fugi & Raleigh ???

[surfergirl4god]

Hey ladies,

quick question...
all in all, what do you think of Fugi and Raleigh road bikes?

[FreshNewbie]

Hey surfergirl4god!
I also very new to cycline, so my first road bike i bought on ebay ( raleigh cycle pro). I have an old model but i am very happy with the bike, even though it's not hight tek bike and it was very cheap, I think it's perfect for someone who like me just learning. I never tried Fuji so can't tell you anything about it. I hope you find the perfect match for yourself. Good luck with looking.

[MomOnBike]

This probably won't help at all, but I've had a lovely Raleigh Gran Prix since 1978. I ain't gettin' rid of that one!

All I know for sure is that Raleigh made pretty nice bikes back in the dark ages. I have no idea about the modern ones, however.

[BikeMomma]

At the end of March this year, I purchased my first carbon frame road bike, a Fugi (Fuji Professional Euro ), and I'm totally happy with it. I don't have anything to compare it by, since this is the first carbon I've ridden much less owned, but I can tell you that Fuji has put love and care into the aesthetics, at least. It's a beautiful bike. The website doesn't do it justice....on the top tube, seat tubes, and chain stays, they've done a basketweave pattern with the carbon fibers, then applied a glossy coat over the entire bike. It positively glows in the sunlight. So awesome.

It rides like a dream - the carbon hardly transfers any road vibration. Where my faithful Cannondale would take the hard bumps rather roughly, "Flicka" smoothes them out and makes a long day on the bike still comfortable at the end.

I'd recommend that you try out a Fuji, if you're considering a purchase. I'm actually considering one of their mountain bikes as my next steed, maybe spingtime. We'll see -- I've finally convince my hubby to get a bike, so his has to come first.

Hope this helps!
BikeMomma

[singletrackmind]

I'm happy with my '98 Raleigh R700. For a reasonable price I got a decent bike with better components. Mine is aluminum with a carbon fork so I get a lot more vibration than the steel Colnago but for me it's suited fine. It's been ridden many many miles and have only needed brake pads, chains, a new saddle (the old one was horrible) and a rear wheel (caught the old one in a grate). I will be replacing the pedals soon due to normal wear as well.
That said, I don't race on the road-I got the bike to improve my spin and speed for mountain biking. Now that I've gotten used to it I like riding road as much as dirt. It's been on RAGBRAI, a couple of centuries and a ton of group rides and 40+ mile jaunts, no problem.

[runnergirl]

I ride a 2003 Raleigh Professional-it's columbus zona steel with a carbon fork and mixed campy components. 1700 miles since May, and I'm loving it!!!! Their sizing runs much differently than Trek and le mond, so be sure to have someone who knows what they're doing watch you ride the bike.

[Melodylynn]

I actually tried a Fuji yesterday in my eternal quest for a new road bike. I have found that I am extremely short for any standard LBS bikes and that fuji's smallest frame is a 44. I think that I need a 42. I am 5'1" and about 160 lbs. Does Raleigh make a smaller framed bike? Does anyone else have this problem?

Melody

[emily_in_nc]

I actually tried a Fuji yesterday in my eternal quest for a new road bike. I have found that I am extremely short for any standard LBS bikes and that fuji's smallest frame is a 44. I think that I need a 42. I am 5'1" and about 160 lbs. Does Raleigh make a smaller framed bike? Does anyone else have this problem?
Melody

Melody, have you looked at Terrys? They come in a 16" size, which is actually a 40.6" frame. A gal in our bike club rides one, but she is more like 4'11". I am 5'2" and ride a 44 or 46cm frame, but it all depends on leg length. Good luck, and I hope you find something! Fit is #1, though, so you're doing the right thing. Don't let anyone sell you a bike that is too big for you!

Emily

[BikeMomma]

I actually tried a Fuji yesterday in my eternal quest for a new road bike. I have found that I am extremely short for any standard LBS bikes and that fuji's smallest frame is a 44. I think that I need a 42. I am 5'1" and about 160 lbs. Does Raleigh make a smaller framed bike? Does anyone else have this problem?

Melody

I consider myself fortunate/lucky/born with the right genes to not have any "short" issues....if anything, I'm too long! I'm 5'9", 142lbs, long arms, long legs. So I usually have no problems fitting the larger frames. I usually take a 56cm frame. The Cannondale's a 56cm, as well.
BikeMomma

[Pandas39]

I actually tried a Fuji yesterday in my eternal quest for a new road bike. I have found that I am extremely short for any standard LBS bikes and that fuji's smallest frame is a 44. I think that I need a 42. I am 5'1" and about 160 lbs. Does Raleigh make a smaller framed bike? Does anyone else have this problem?

Melody

Hi Melody,
I just got a Fuju Finest in a 44 cm and I am 5 feet tall with a 18.5" inseam and it fits really good. I really like it and it was cheaper than some of the other bikes I looked at. This being my first road bike since the 10 speed days so I really don't have any thing to compare it to. I had my bike for a month and trying to get over ITBS so I haven't been able to ride like I want. I think it would be worth a trial ride at your LBS.

Sherry

[Melodylynn]

Thanks for the suggestions! I haven't looked at a Terry yet. My Fiance and I looked online at the Trek 1000 WSD yesterday and saw that they make a 43 cm at a resonable price. I am going to another LBS down the road from work to see if they have one that I can ride. I do have the short leggs, long body syndrome! I could deal with a 44 cm but I think that a smaller bike would be more comfortable for me.

Melody

[BIKEAWAY]

I have a 2005 raleigh that I traded in my 1200 Trek for.
I found that I was not ready for the Trek yet and this has the touring handlebars. (uprights not drops)
I have the opposite problem as I have very long legs and the Raleigh had a tall version.
I love it and have put on about 1000 miles this year-100 per week.
I am no expert and hope to trade back up when I am ready..

[Melodylynn]

Well I rode and bought the Trek 1000 that was a 43cm. I love it! I haven't gone on a real ride, because of the heat, yet but plan to tomorrow morning. The smaller frame made all the difference.
thanks for all of the help ladies!!!!
Melody