Where to buy Fuji Absolute 1.1D in size 23??

[MFC]

Performance carries a lot of Fuji bikes; they might have something that it is functionally close. I saw the 1.1D listed on their web site after running a google search but with no ability to choose sizing. My apologies if this is something you checked already.

[Daekwan]

Thanks for the quick reply.

Unfortunately all the PB locations and the website are all sold out of the 1.1 models. The only thing they have in stock for size 23 is 1.7 and 1.9.

I would also consider the Trek FX 7.3 or 7.4. Will began calling around to see if that model is in stock anywhere in size 22.5. If anyone knows where.. please speak up!

[DismalScientist]

How ’bout this?
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/disc-brake-roadbikes/cafeturinopro-discbrake-roadbike.htm

[Daekwan]

@DismalScientist 117421 wrote:

How ’bout this?
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/disc-brake-roadbikes/cafeturinopro-discbrake-roadbike.htm

Out of my budget. And would attract too much attention. This will mainly be a commuter bike thats locked up at the Metro stations around DC.

Fuji 1.1 sells for about $750. Trek 7.3 sells for about $600, 7.4 for about $700, 7.4disc for about $800.

Furthermore anything purchased from BD would need to be taken to a local bike shop to be assembled & tuned.. with is another $60-100 on top of the $1000 price.

Sure I could do that myself.. but why? When a bike purchased a LBS would get assembled & tuned for free. And usually with a follow up tune 60-90days later.

[DismalScientist]

I can’t tell what you are looking for. The Fuji 1.1d has hydraulic disc brakes, while the 7.3 and 7.4 have linear pull. The Fuji has better specs than the Trek at any price point. The 2014 Fuji had an MSRP of $1070, while in 2015 it was dramatically lower, but the specs were somewhat lower. The BD bike I suggested is similar to the 2014 Fuji.
You might want to post what features you want on a bike and let the peanut gallery make suggestions. I suspect the answer you hear will be “Kona” or “Jamis”

[Daekwan]

Pretty simple. I want to buy one of the 4 bikes below at a local bike shop. Would greatly prefer the the Fuji, but would have no problem with Trek’s instead.

Does anybody know where these are in-stock, ready to buy now at a LBS? I’m 6’3″ and need the XL size from either brand.

1. Fuji Absolute 1.1D
2. Trek FX 7.4
3. Trek FX 7.4 disc
4. Trek FX 7.3

[DismalScientist]

A quick look at the Revolution cycles website says that all the Trek models you cite are available in stock in size 22.5

[Daekwan]

Thanks!

Didnt realize their website showed live inventory. I’ve gotten so used to calling around to LBS.. and getting disappointed after long conversations.. that I never checked their website.

Will give the Georgetown store a visit today!

[consularrider]

The Bike Doctor in Crofton, MD show the 25 FX 7.3 in volt green, two colors of the 22.5 FX 7.4 and one of the FX 7.4 disc in the warehouse. College Park Bikes is supposed to be a Trek and Fuji dealer, but harder to search its website. Indian Head Bike Company is also supposed to be a Fuji dealer, but no website. Not finding much info on availability of the Fuji 1.1D.

In Arlington/Alexandria/DC The Spokes, Etc website says the 22.5 Trek FX 7.4 disc is in stock. The larger 25 Trek FX 7.3 says to call about availability (lime green or matte black) or available 3-5 days from remote warehouse (volt green).

Revolution Cycles lists one of the colors of the 25 FX 7.3 in stock, one color of the 22.5 FX 7.4 in stock and one in the warehouse, and the 22.5 FX 7.4 disc in stock.

[Daekwan]

Yeah I’ve pretty much called every Fuji dealer in the DC area looking for the 1.1. Forget lucking up on a size 23, no sizes whatsoever appear to be available at dealers. I’ve even reached out to dealers in California & the Pacific NW and while they do have a couple of bikes left.. its just small & medium frames at this point. Seems like Fuji’s stock for 2015 has dried up. Indian Head did give me some insight into how the distribution works. He said the supply trail would open soon, which Im interpreting as meaning Fuji will refresh their supply of 2015 bikes sometime around the 2nd week of June.

While I’m stalling for the 2015 Fuji supply to be refreshed.. I’ve heard great things about the Trek FX. Especially for the manner in which I would use it. So current plan to rent the Trek 7.3 from Bikeandrolldc.com (Union Station) this weekend (2 hour rental is around $20 bucks) and use that time to try the bike out on my actual commute. I’ve already ridden the Absolute 1.7 at Performance Bikes in Bailey’s Crossroads for about 30 minutes.. and was a bit disappointed at the rough shifting. Other than that I loved the weight & handling of the bike. I imagine the 1.3 & 1.1 models will shift much better due to the components. The 2014 1.1 actually comes with a 105 derailleur. The 2015 1.1 comes with all Tiagra components.

Every online heads up review between these two models show the Trek as the smoother, more comfortable bike to ride in an urban environment, while the Fuji is just as capable on city streets but is simply more aggressive and built for higher speeds. The Absolute is basically a road bike with a flat handlebar.

[Daekwan]

Test rode the 7.3 in 22.5 for 2+ hours with Bikeandrolldc.com on Saturday. Was only $20 bucks.
Test rode the 7.2 in 22.5, 7.4 in 22.5, 7.4 disc in 20 and a top of the line $1799 Specialized Sirrus (all carbon) in XL at Spokes, Etc in Alexandria VA this past Sunday. No 7.5’s in stock.

Pulled the trigger on a 7.4 in 22.5 for $770. Honestly the 7.3 in 22.5 for $650 was perfect.. but figured the carbon fork & upgraded components (shifter, crankset, both der.) on the 7.4.. for the extra $120 was worth the price. Furthermore they would have been upgrades that I’d probably look to do in the next year or two. Spokes also gave me free maintenance for the next year.. including unlimited tuneups. Which is exactly what I was looking for and a big reason why I didnt want to order a bike off the internet.

Overall I’m happy with the 7.4 decision. If anything.. I hate that I had to order the white one. The gray is sold out for 2015 distributors.. and only white & orange are available.
Is there anyway to temporarily paint/cover the white frame? I would much prefer something flat black that attracts much less attention. Remember this bike will get parked at a metro station almost every day spring/summer/fall. I’m think black Plasti-Dip. Its a black spray-on vinyl like coating.. that alot of car guys use to make their factory wheels look like aftermarket black wheels.

Thanks for the help everyone! Happy & safe riding!

[Daekwan]

For any other noobs out there myself looking for a hybrid/commuter bike. This is the article that convinced me to give the Trek FX series a try:

http://thesweethome.com/reviews/best-hybrid-commuter-bike/

[DismalScientist]

Here are some quotes regarding BikesDirect and other online retailers:

“It’s generally not a great idea to purchase a bike online. And we’re not talking about this from a poetic “buy local” perspective. Buying from a shop ensures you get a safer product thanks to professional assembly and will often end up being cheaper in the long run. Plus, if you have someone helping you set up a bike, you’re more likely to have a good experience with it.

There’s no denying that you get a better bike for your money when you buy online…..A Motobecane Cafe Latte on Bikes Direct is going to cost less than a Trek 7.2 FX and come with much better parts, but as a novice biker, you’re unlikely to notice the marginal benefits of $40 handlebars over $30 handlebars (if there are even any to be had).”

I highly doubt that the better components for the same price is going to be reflected in the choice of generic handlebars, not that any would cost near $30 in bulk. The difference in will be reflected in the component choice that the online retailer actively advertises, mainly the component groupset.

“On the other hand, the lack of care and attention put into your online-ordered bike will be blindingly obvious (possibly literally) when you hit a pothole and your wheel winds up turning 90 degrees while your handlebars stay straight ahead as you fly over them.”

If this happens it is your fault. Part of the minor assembly out of the box involves you (or a LBS) attaching the stem to the steerer tube. If the handlebar turns 90 degrees while riding, it reflects nothing on the care and attention put into the bike by the online retailer.

“Online retailers and big box stores work on volume, and they tend to pay their mechanics (and I’m using this term loosely) a piece work rate as opposed to bike shops, which pay mechanics by the hour. A piece work bike assembler churns out bikes as fast as they can—they fly out the door and he or she never thinks about them again because they will be sold to someone far away.”

How does this vary when manufacturers send partially assembled bikes to LBSs? Are you sure bike assemblers at LBSs aren’t paid per bike?

“A shop mechanic, on the other hand, has to be more accountable. If that person neglects to tighten a pedal and the customer eats it on their first ride, he or she will see the customer come into the shop the next day all battered and bruised. The shop will feel awful for causing a customer injury and the mechanic will definitely feel awful when he or she gets fired.”

I highly doubt an insufficiently tightened pedal will cause a customer to eat it. Beside, it is not the internet reseller’s fault if you do not put your pedals on properly. It really doesn’t make sense to ship boxed bicycles with pre-attached pedals.

“For safety’s sake, even a bike that is advertised as “90 percent assembled” is going to require a trip to a bike shop for final assembly and a safety check. This assembly and safety check is going to run you $60 to $150.”

Apparently I am going to die from assembling my own bike and not taking it in for a safety check.

“Thing is, for liability (and ethical reasons) a shop mechanic must go over every bolt on that bike to make sure it was assembled correctly, which, more often than not, it wasn’t.”

This has not been my experience with BikesDirect or Nashbar. As I have stated on the forum before, Nashbar sometimes skimps on the grease in hub, but I have never seen safety issues.

” Just go down to a Sears or even a Dick’s Sporting Goods, put the front of wheel of the bike between your knees, and try to twist the bars. You’ll see how much those guys care about your wellbeing as the bars easily turn sideways while the wheel stays in one place. That’s not what’s supposed to happen.”

Are we talking internet retailers here or department store bikes?

[Daekwan]

Interesting in a thread that is titled “Where to buy a Fuji Absolute”.. that has concluded with me purchasing a Trek FX from a local bike shop.. that you are continuing this discussion with yourself about an internet ordered Motobecane from BikesDirect.com. In fact the only person who has mentioned either.. has been you.

Are you an employee of Motobecane or BikesDirect.com? Do you receive an incentive for each unit they sell?

You certainly seem to be hellbent on selling their product.

[Tim Kelley]

@Daekwan 117547 wrote:

Are you an employee of Motobecane or BikesDirect.com? Do you receive an incentive for each unit they sell?

You certainly seem to be hellbent on selling their product.

I find this very funny.

[Author]

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