Need your help on What to buy

[roxio]

I am contemplating on which bike to buy, this will be my first road bike and would like to ask for your expert opinion on which bike should I choose


Fuji Roubaix Pro:

fujibikes.com/2008/images/bikes/photos_big/rouPRO_4.jpg

FRAMESET: Fuji Altair 2 custom butted aluminum with Power Diamond down tube, Integrated head tube, Double water bottle mounts, carbon seat stays, aluminum chain stays

FORK: FC-770 Fuji Bonded Carbon, integrated 1 1/8" alloy steerer

DRIVETRAIN: FSA Gossamer Compact MegaExo crank set w/ integrated spindle, 34/50T, Shimano Ultegra rear derailleur, 105 STI shifter/brake 20-Speed Flight Deck compatible

WHEELSET: Alex ALX-200, 700c Clincher

FEATURES: Fuji UltraLite 6061 Double Butted bars, 31.8mm w/Anatomical drops, Fuji Pro Ultralite Forged Alloy +/- 7 degree, FujiPro Carbon Alloy seat post, 300mm, Selle San Marco Ponza Racing

SIZES: 49cm, 52cm, 54cm, 56cm, 58cm, 61cm

COLOR: White/Black

WEIGHT: 19.21 lbs / 8.73 kg

OR

Merida 905 COM


www2.merida-bikes.com/en_INT/public/tmp/064dbd86c0471fa2dafbb743778d5142.jpg

FRAME: Road Lite Race
COLOR: 1. orange/black /// 2. white/black
FORK: Carbon Road UD30
DERAILLEURS F/R: Shimano Ultegra, 31.8 mm Double
FRONT DERAILLEUR: Shimano Ultegra, 31.8 mm Double
REAR DERAILLEUR: Shimano Ultegra SS
SHIFTER F/R: Shimano Ultegra Dual Control
BRAKE LEVERS: attached
BRAKES F/R: Shimano Ultegra
CHAINWHEEL: Shimano R600 Compact, 50/34T
HUBS F/R: attached
RIMS: Shimano RS10 Wheelset
FREEWHEEL: Shimano CS-5600, 11-25T
TIRE F/R: Maxxis Xenith 23, Folding
STEM: X-Mission Comp OS, -8°
SADDLE: Road Race Comp
SEATPOST: X-Mission Comp SB20, Ø27.2

Your Comments and Suggestions will be highly appreciated. Thanks..

[schwinng]

The Merida is better spec'd with full Ultegra. But the best way of choosing and deciding is to test ride both. Yes, the Merida is better spec'd, but you may not like the way the frame (geometry, stiffness, etc) rides. So if your LBS has both, test ride them.

[roxio]

thanks, that is what I thought as well but the fuji's frame has a carbon fork and seat stay that compensates for the group set.

Isn't it easier to upgrade on the parts than to the frame?


Hope to get more comments... thanks thanks

[schwinng]

May 19, 2008 9:46:12 GMT 8 roxio said:

thanks, that is what I thought as well but the fuji's frame has a carbon fork and seat stay that compensates for the group set.

Isn't it easier to upgrade on the parts than to the frame?


Hope to get more comments... thanks thanks

So the Merida is full aluminum with carbon fork, right? Both will be comparable in weight (frame and fork, complete bike--merida might be lighter), but the Fuji might be a bit stiffer (it could be a good thing or a bad thing, depending on how you like your ride), the stiffer the frame, the more responsive it is. I'm not familiar with both frames, but if you think that the Fuji is a better frame, then yes, it's better to have a better frame vs. better specs. Test ride if it's possible, best way to find out.

[roxio]

test ride... I wonder if they allow it... baka dehins... thanks anyway

[schwinng]

May 19, 2008 13:18:41 GMT 8 roxio said:

test ride... I wonder if they allow it... baka dehins... thanks anyway

If they're a good shop, they would. I don't see why they shouldn't let customers test ride their bikes.

[fullspeed]

May 19, 2008 13:18:41 GMT 8 roxio said:

test ride... I wonder if they allow it... baka dehins... thanks anyway

not if you look like someone who might steal it, or you look too heavy that you might break the carbon parts. In your case... hmmm try mo na lang hehe

[roxio]

May 19, 2008 23:32:43 GMT 8 fullspeed said:

May 19, 2008 13:18:41 GMT 8 roxio said:

test ride... I wonder if they allow it... baka dehins... thanks anyway

not if you look like someone who might steal it, or you look too heavy that you might break the carbon parts. In your case... hmmm try mo na lang hehe

haha.... lets do both... steal and break it.... sama ka fullspeed!!! haha

[fullspeed]

roxio - seriously, I think you should insist on a test ride, or at least mount it tutal built bike naman.

And a wise man once told me, better to have it a little too small than a little too big - im talking about the frame ha

[marcs]

both good bikes, but i think there's about 5-8k diff in their prices right? both are my choices also for a roadbike.

i am leaning now more on the Fuji though, primarily because of the carbon seatstay. I'm just thinking the frame is the major part, and it's easy to upgrade the non-Ultegra parts later on anyway.

[dirtyjane]

hmmmm. . . . they both look good, how it rides is another thing. bikefit is also important. the fuji has a mix of shimano n fsa for its drivetrain while the merida has an all shimano mostly ultegra drivetrain (the cranks n cogset are non series) dito i will go with the merida. frame wise i think the fuji is lighter because of its carbon seatstay and it gives a more comfy ride, framewise fuji is my choice(plus points for the paintjob). wheelset wise i'd go with the merida. the rest(stem post saddle etc...) are all factory specd so its a tie there. basically they are evenly matched, in my opinion. bikefit and price would be your deciding factor. hirap bumili ng bike kahit may pangbili no! hehehe
was i able to help or did i make it more complicated. get the one that fits you better.

[BrusKO]

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