Anyone know ANYthing about Fuji???

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by camshaft
I posted a question awhile ago wanting opinions on the Giant OCR2 vs. the Fuji Newest, but got no responses. I searched for info on this forum about Fuji but couldn't find much at all. Do you guys know anything about Fuji? Why don't I hear about them here?

Thanks for anything,
Austin

What kind of info are you looking for? Fuji's a good company; been around a while. And they have some decent offerings in the sub-$1000 range.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by lokstah
What kind of info are you looking for? Fuji's a good company; been around a while. And they have some decent offerings in the sub-$1000 range.

I'm trying to compare the Fuji Newest to the OCR2. I can get 2003 deals on both of them at my LBS and the only price diff. is that the Fuji is $50 more. I haven't had a chance to ride the OCR though, only the Fuji. I know the fit of the frame is important, but if when I ride the OCR they both feel comfortable to me, I still won't really be sure which to go with. I may just go with the Giant because it's more widely known.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by lokstah
What kind of info are you looking for? Fuji's a good company; been around a while. And they have some decent offerings in the sub-$1000 range.

Nothing wrong with the pricier stuft.Good bang for the buck.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by camshaft
I may just go with the Giant because it's more widely known.

That's the last reason I'd do it.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by boudreaux
That's the last reason I'd do it.

Sorry, that's not really what I meant. I meant I know there are alot of people out there who are happy with Giant and can attest to the OCR2, but I don't hear as much from people who can say Fuji is just as good or better than Giant when it comes to a similar style model of bike. And I can't find as many people (let alone just about any) who can say how good of a bike the Fuji Newest model is.

Austin

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by camshaft
Sorry, that's not really what I meant. I meant I know there are alot of people out there who are happy with Giant and can attest to the OCR2, but I don't hear as much from people who can say Fuji is just as good or better than Giant when it comes to a similar style model of bike. And I can't find as many people (let alone just about any) who can say how good of a bike the Fuji Newest model is.

Austin

Well, I wouldn't worry about Fuji being obscure or unreliable. They might not be selling as widely these days as some other manufacturers, but that doesn't mean much for your purposes (or mine, or anyone else's). Again, they're a company with a fine line of bikes and a good history. They've got higher-end bikes that any pro racer would be happy to ride (and plenty do). So don't worry about that. Go ahead and assume that Giant and Fuji are equally reputable and of comparable quality.

Base your decision on other factors: fit and personal preference are the two biggest ones.

The Fuji Newest and the OCR2 are pretty similar bikes, with near-mirror parts selections between them. The only notable difference is in the stem -- the Giant offers an adjustable house model, while the Fuji employs a basic threadless forged unit from Ritchey. Which of those two is better is, again, up to you. The more serious you are, the more likely you are to find the adujstable stem a flexy, heavy annoyance. I assume it's upgradable to a lighter, more rigid piece, but assuming the size and position of the Ritchey stem is appropriate for you, I'd say that's one point for the Fuji.

If you're not too confident about riding posture and comfort, however, who knows -- an adujstable stem might be right for you.

But all told, that's a minor difference. Beyond that, you just got to ride them both, dude. They're built a bit differently; they'll likely feel different. Good luck, and let us know what you discover!

Thanks guys. Lokstah, I'll be going back to the shop this friday, so hopefully I'll know by then.

Austin

Good luck, dude. I'm guessing you might like the ride of the Fuji. Just a hunch. I love my Giant (though I'll be trading it up soon), but when I was shopping for my girlfriend's bike, we studied some mid-range Fujis long and hard. Nice bikes.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by lokstah
Good luck, dude. I'm guessing you might like the ride of the Fuji. Just a hunch. I love my Giant (though I'll be trading it up soon), but when I was shopping for my girlfriend's bike, we studied some mid-range Fujis long and hard. Nice bikes.

Do you know anything about the issue I've read about in regards to not being able to easily get the wheels off, since neither the brakes nor the levers have a quick release? I've read that on some of the Fuji bikes you have to deflate the tire to get it out.

Austin

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by camshaft
Do you know anything about the issue I've read about in regards to not being able to easily get the wheels off, since neither the brakes nor the levers have a quick release? I've read that on some of the Fuji bikes you have to deflate the tire to get it out.

Austin

Quick wheel-removal isn't an issue with most modern road bikes, even at this price level. All that's really required, aside from a touch of finnese and a few seconds of practice, is a brake-caliper with a release knob -- pretty standard -- and a quick-release skewer.

The Fuji Newest definitely comes with a quick-release skewer.

As for the brakes -- well, I'm not familiar with the ProMax Forged road calipers; that's a fairly generic selection. I'd be surprised if they didn't have a release function, but I suppose I can't be sure not having any experience with them. You can certainly check/ask when you visit the shop.

On the other hand, though it's a clumsier process if you don't, you don't necessarily have to use the caliper release knob to remove a road wheel. The release function essentially just widens the caliper a centimeter or two, so that it's easier to wiggle the rim and tire out. Depending on the brakeset and tire selection, it's not uncommon for a little shoving to be required even when the release is engaged.

Anyways, a minor quirk if it's the case. Could be annoying. Verify it when you're at the shop and weigh it into your final call. Have fun!

Well I went with the Fuji. I have it on layaway, and will be picking it up within the next month. It was really hard for me to decide, but it came down to some minor things in favor of the Fuji...

1. my shoulder width fit the width of the Fuji bars better (the giant ones were a little too wide)
2. the fuji comes with road pedals whereas the OCR2 comes with mountain bike pedals. I asked the guy at the shop why and he said it's because the mountain bike shoes are more like real shoes so you can wear them a little around after you get off the bike. I figured I'd rather stick with the true road pedals.
3. the tires that came with the Fuji were slightly narrower (I think the Fuji had 23's, can't remember the Giants). The ride isn't quite as plush but more performance oriented from my understanding.
4. the giant frame itself fit well, but that pivoting handle bar stem didn't fit me that well. With the handles tilted up for upright riding they were nice, but when you tilt them down low like for a race they extended too far over the front for me.
5. I like the saddle on the giant alot more though, so I'm just going to replace the Fuji saddle with a similar one
6. last (and least actually), I thought the Fuji looked better.

The Fuji was $50 more ($600 vs. $550) but I considered this to be negligible in picking which one I liked.

I'll post again once I get the bike. May also help those having trouble finding opinions on the same or similar model.

Thanks again for the input guys,
Austin

Glad you got some up close experience with them both. Happy riding out there.