Fuji Silhouette:looking for the good, the bad, and the ugly (or pretty!!)

[runsusie]

Thanks Catriona.
It looks like most people have purchased their Fuji bikes from Performance, but there's actually a shop in town that carries the brand so this bike was indeed fit to me- it was not the full, professional, comprehensive fit, but it was the owner of the shop making sure we got me on the correctly-sized bike for my test ride. I think that's a definite +1 for the bike in this case. I wouldn't be nearly as comfortable if I wasn't going through my LBS that I know and trust.

[Cataboo]

Thanks Catriona.
It looks like most people have purchased their Fuji bikes from Performance, but there's actually a shop in town that carries the brand so this bike was indeed fit to me- it was not the full, professional, comprehensive fit, but it was the owner of the shop making sure we got me on the correctly-sized bike for my test ride. I think that's a definite +1 for the bike in this case. I wouldn't be nearly as comfortable if I wasn't going through my LBS that I know and trust.

Sorry, I shouldn't have assumed. So if it's a good fit and you've done some comparison shopping, it's probably a good buy for you... I think some easy upgrades for you to do in the future would be the wheelset.

[KathiCville]

I bought the Fuji Silhouette about two months ago...from Performance, for better or worse. Got a great deal on it: @$1350-$1400. Which in turn allowed me (or I should say allowed my wrench-wielding BF) to upgrade some of the components immediately, while still keeping the overall price below $2000. I have a mix of Ultegra and XTR components. The original 105 drivetrain is sitting pristinely in a box in the basement while I decide whether I can put it to use on another bike or sell it. I wanted a triple because I'm not a strong rider and I live in the Blue Ridge where hills and mountains are the order of the day.

At any rate, so far, I *love* the Silhouette! I was riding an "OK" Schwinn that was much heavier and more of a touring bike. I immediately gained an average 2mph in speed by moving up to the Fuji. Now the challenge (for me) is to grow into the Silhouette by getting even stronger.

The only major thing that I'm still 'playing with' is the handlebar---I might switch out the one that came with the bike for one of the short-and-shallow varieties. I have small hands, small reach. The bar that came with the bike is just fine--it's even the 'right' width for me. But if I find a better bar at a bargain price I'll nab it.

One thing I've noticed on the Fuji is that I'm a bit less confident flying down steep hills, I think because of the lighter weight of the bike. I've never been particularly brave or talented about descending, but on the heavier Schwinn I did OK. I'm sure it's just a matter of improving my bike-handling skills and getting more comfortable with the feel of a lighter bike going really fast downhill. I HAVE hit 36mph (while gritting my teeth, LOL!) on a straight-no-curves descent on the Fuji, so I know I can do it under the right circumstances. On the Schwinn my max going full tilt was 33mph.

In an earlier post about the Silhouette I mentioned that while I was sitting on the bike in Performance, debating whether to take the plunge, I noticed a woman hovering a little distance from me, watching. She finally spoke up. She had ridden a Silhouette for about a year, I think. Loved it. And told me I wouldn't regret the decision. Her words alone wouldn't have been enough to sway me, but it was great to get a thumbs-up from someone who had been riding it for a year or so.

KathiCville

[runsusie]

In an earlier post about the Silhouette I mentioned that while I was sitting on the bike in Performance, debating whether to take the plunge, I noticed a woman hovering a little distance from me, watching. She finally spoke up. She had ridden a Silhouette for about a year, I think. Loved it. And told me I wouldn't regret the decision. Her words alone wouldn't have been enough to sway me, but it was great to get a thumbs-up from someone who had been riding it for a year or so.

Aah, that was you! I did read that in your earlier post. Thanks for your input.

I did see the bike listed online at Performance, but we don't have any retail stores in my area, so going that route is probably not an option. So yes, I may be paying a few thousand MORE by not getting the deep Performance Bike discount, but I'm okay with that. The only bad part is that I'd have to really think hard about starting to switch out parts (wheels?) because the costs definitely add up fast.

[KathiCville]

I upgraded very quickly mostly because I knew I wanted a triple AND because I had some credit built up at another bike shop in town, so I didn't have to dig a whole lot deeper into my wallet on top of the purchase price. Otherwise I probably would have stuck with the 105 double and upgraded slowly. (I doubt that I would notice the diff between 105 and Ultegra at this point in my limited cycling experience.)

If you're confident buying bike parts online, you could keep your eyes open on geartrade.com, ebay, and other websites that knowledgeable TE'ers use. My BF and I nabbed one brand-new component for my Fuji on geartrade.com for about one-third retail. Of course, it was just good luck/timing that the part was listed for sale right at the time I bought the Silhouette. I'm now keeping my eyes open, casually, for a deal on a handlebar.

Whatever you decide, enjoy your new bike!

[Becky]

Catriona's right....I recently bought a 2007 Fuji Supreme RC. I love it, but comparing it to the Silhouette is a little like apples to oranges. Different carbon, SRAM Rival components, etc. About the only thing that is the same is the geometry, which happens to work pretty well for me.

IIRC, the 09 Sil comes with Ultegra shifters, which is great. I think they're even the short-reach ones. The stock wheels are ok. Wheels are one of the first things that I upgrade on a new bike, and that seems to be true regardless of the bike brand. Saddle and seatpost often get changed quickly too, for reasons of comfort and fit.

IMO, the Sil is a nice bike. If the price is right, then go for it. Ride the pants off of it, figure out what really needs to be changed or upgraded right away, and then upgrade as stuff wears out.

[Becky]

I should add:

A lot of people do buy Fujis from Performance. They're one of Fuji's biggest dealers with a lot of buying power and can offer prices that other dealers can't touch. Performance's retail stores are like any other chain- some are very good and some are awful, and it's worth checking out your local one before forming an opinion.

[mariacycle]

I should add:

A lot of people do buy Fujis from Performance. They're one of Fuji's biggest dealers with a lot of buying power and can offer prices that other dealers can't touch. Performance's retail stores are like any other chain- some are very good and some are awful, and it's worth checking out your local one before forming an opinion.

QFT. I love my local Performance, they've gone above and beyond for me for two years now and I always go to them.