School me on bicycles.

[Valgar]

So right now I am borrowing SFCootz's (SFCootz' SFCootzess, FUCK IT), Fuji Absolute 3.0.

This bike rocks, compared to my Mongoose (A.K.A TankGoose), it is amazing, I can pick both up with one hand, but I could probably juggle the Fuji, or pick it up with my erect member.

On the TankGoose, I was passing pretty much everyone on my commute, it took work, but I could do it. On this thing I am passing the most hardcore looking spandex warriors on 2000+ dollar bikes without even trying.

I track all my rides, and since riding this, I have stolen KOM status from a dude that runs 30+ miles a week, and bikes, and does marathons, I have busted most all of my personal records.

So, I am looking to replace the Tank with a new bike, I can't justify a 1000, 2000, 3000+ dollar bike for commuting (not really sure how people can justify that, especially if they are just going to get passed by a dirtbag on a 200 dollar 50lb chinese shitbike). I'm looking at the Fuji Absolute 2.1, it is in my price range (sub 400 bucks), looks good, and I could later justify a couple hundred bucks in upgraded parts.

I like the ergos of the 3.0, the ride is a little rough, but I can deal with that, especially if I want to use it for longer distance rides and whatnot, since a full suspension would be eating up the energy put into pushing it along.

So, right now I do about 12 miles a day, I do NOT want a fucking fixie, I want gears, since I have things like HILLS in my commute, and will not be just farting around the mission, comparing ironic t-shirts, mustaches, and swilling PBR.

SO....

Thoughts?

Remember, I am NOT spending 1000 bucks on a bike, I may add parts later, but will not throw that cash down on the table all at once.

 

[Valgar]

I will be keeping the Tank for crowd control duty. Will probably mad-max it out and ride it on the last friday of the month in the event I run into critical massholes that will not get out of my way.

 

[auntiebling]

10 year old high end mountain bikes with slicks and comfy bars are a pretty damn good bang for the buck.

i like steel frames from the 90s, but that's because those are the ones i couldn't get in highschool

 

[Valgar]

I rode this bike in the 80s, Motobecane Le Velo, I'm pretty sure my brother stole it, or got it as payment for not beating someone up that owed him money.

This was not my bike, this is a picture of a similar bike, I ran into so many cars on this thing, Not sure how many tires I taco'd and re-bent

 

[carries an axe]

 

[auntiebling]

http://monterey.craigslist.org/bik/4064247039.html

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/bik/4043819863.html

 

[Blankpage]

I bought the girlfriend a $400 fuji from Performance Bike and ended up giving to the neighbor kid for nothing. I was going to throw it in the trash it was such a pos.
You won't get a decent new bike for less than $1700 add another $1K for something nice. DON'T run the shit tires that come stock, accident waiting to happen.
Craigslist 2nd hand is your answer.
12miles is just warming up for those spandex warriors you've been passing.
TAK is your guy.

 

[Valgar]

I bought the girlfriend a $400 fuji from Performance Bike and ended up giving to the neighbor kid for nothing. I was going to throw it in the trash it was such a pos.
You won't get a decent new bike for less than $1700 add another $1K for something nice. DON'T run the shit tires that come stock, accident waiting to happen.
Craigslist 2nd hand is your answer.
12miles is just warming up for those spandex warriors you've been passing.
TAK is your guy.

Funny, TAK and I work out at the same gym!

Which Fuji was it? I know that Cootz has ridden this one to LA and back, I think she said she had something like 6000 miles on it. That is a pretty good endorsement to me.

And 1700 for a bicycle is ridiculous to me, I don't need a Lance "One ball, all doped" Armstrong special, I need a bike I can commute on, and maybe do a few 50 mile days here and there. To me, 25lbs is a stupidly light bike, I don't need a full carbon fiber frame, forks, etc. I need a bike that will survive SF streets, and not self-destruct. So far this Fuji (upgraded rims, gatorskin tires, etc) meets the bill.

 

[Valgar]

I also want to make sure I can break local speed limits on it. Max speed on the Tank was 30, and at that speed my legs were moving as fast as possible. Max speed on the loaner is unknown, I've broken 30 easily, and was only slowed down by stop signs, stop lights, and crack heads on market jumping into the street in front of me.

 

[augustiron]

SPAM
I have this city ripper for sale...you are welcome to try it for a while, just autoclave the seat and grips when you are done if you give it back
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/bik/4061479937.html
we had just paid as much as the selling price in parts and a tuneup before parking it :-(

AND it has GEARS like a fucking city bike should too.

 

[two wheel tramp]

I have a cyclometer on there Dave. At one point in my life I was bicycle obsessed and rode a shit ton of miles on that for commute and pleasure. It is a solid bike as built. I want to repeat: use as long as you like.

That said, the brake calipers, wheels (mavic open pro 32 spoke) headset, seat, rear casette, chain and pedals are aftermarket.

My top speed on that was 53 or so on a descent during the aids ride. :ride

Edit: augustiron that's a nice bike.

 

[Blankpage]

Funny, TAK and I work out at the same gym!

Which Fuji was it? I know that Cootz has ridden this one to LA and back, I think she said she had something like 6000 miles on it. That is a pretty good endorsement to me.

And 1700 for a bicycle is ridiculous to me, I don't need a Lance "One ball, all doped" Armstrong special, I need a bike I can commute on, and maybe do a few 50 mile days here and there. To me, 25lbs is a stupidly light bike, I don't need a full carbon fiber frame, forks, etc. I need a bike that will survive SF streets, and not self-destruct. So far this Fuji (upgraded rims, gatorskin tires, etc) meets the bill.

I gave it away two yrs ago and don't remember the exact model but it was a roadbike frame approx $450. The components were bottom of the line junk and rear derailleur stopped working. I wasn't going to spend any money fixing it and she didn't like using it anyway.

Lance wouldn't even look at a $1700 bike. But if you ain't going more than 12 miles and want something tough in SF than cheap might be the right answer. If it gets stolen who cares.

Edit: seriously don't ride on the rim protectors that come stock on bicycles. Buy good tires

.

 

[UDRider]

Funny, TAK and I work out at the same gym!

Which Fuji was it? I know that Cootz has ridden this one to LA and back, I think she said she had something like 6000 miles on it. That is a pretty good endorsement to me.

And 1700 for a bicycle is ridiculous to me, I don't need a Lance "One ball, all doped" Armstrong special, I need a bike I can commute on, and maybe do a few 50 mile days here and there. To me, 25lbs is a stupidly light bike, I don't need a full carbon fiber frame, forks, etc. I need a bike that will survive SF streets, and not self-destruct. So far this Fuji (upgraded rims, gatorskin tires, etc) meets the bill.

Carbon is not that fragile. I wouldn't go full carbon, but at least carbon forks to soften the ride. I always get a chuckle when commuters talk crap about carbon and how fragile it is. I put 200+ miles a week on the same roads + racing on the "fragile" carbon. Although for steerer I prefer aluminum, just to easy to over tighten that shit and crack it.

Maybe something like this. Has 700 rims that can accommodate 28mm tires for smoother ride, while still being fast enough. No suspension to sap away energy, and looks like there are eyelets for panier attachment. Only thing missing are fenders thought.

http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/Product_10052_10551_1126677_-1_400316__400316

 

[two wheel tramp]

Valgar, for reference you have 700*28c on the bike.

 

[Valgar]

Carbon is not that fragile. I wouldn't go full carbon, but at least carbon forks to soften the ride. I always get a chuckle when commuters talk crap about carbon and how fragile it is. I put 200+ miles a week on the same roads + racing on the "fragile" carbon. Although for steerer I prefer aluminum, just to easy to over tighten that shit and crack it.

Maybe something like this. Has 700 rims that can accommodate 28mm tires for smoother ride, while still being fast enough. No suspension to sap away energy, and looks like there are eyelets for panier attachment. Only thing missing are fenders thought.

http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/Product_10052_10551_1126677_-1_400316__400316

I never said carbon was fragile. Carbon usually == expensive.

 

[UDRider]

I never said carbon was fragile. Carbon usually == expensive.

My bad.

 

[Blankpage]

Like everything else bicycles are a case of you get what you pay for. Borrow a nice bike (that fits) after riding a department store bike. You'll see the difference and you might actually find yourself making more time to go riding.

 

[eric9877]

I would recommend a Niner air9 carbon with a Rock Shox Reba XX fork, Avid world cup brakes, E13 crank with single speed 30/19 gearing, Easton ec 90 carbon seat post, Easton haven carbon bars, Lizard skins Peaty lock on grips, Sram 1090 chain, Thompson stem, specialized Romin pro seat, Chris King front and rear hubs with bolt on rear axle and 20mm front through axle, DT Swiss super comp spokes and Stan's ZTR Crest rims, 1.95 Kenda slant six front tire and Specialized Captain rear tire- standard tire with Stan's tubeless rim tape and sealant. TI hardware, carbon top cap with aluminum bolt, Specialized carbon rib cage, lizard skin chain stay protector, Crank Brothers candy 3 pedals.


Oh wait.. you can't have my race bike!

 

[auntiebling]

full campy means that this one will still be working after most of the hipsters run out of EDD money

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/bik/4008042838.html

 

[TheBoatDude]

AND it has GEARS like a fucking city bike should too.

Thank you for saying that...never got why the fixie thing in SF...now, when I was living in Santa Clara, I built up a fixie for shits/giggles, but it's flat down there.

As for the OP, Might I recommend finding a good steel-frame bike?

the Japanese made some fine bikes in the 80's e.g.
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/bik/4038983544.html
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/bik/4070039363.html
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/bid/4059477849.html

The concern I'd have about the Fuji you listed is that it's listing some lower end parts. Not, low end bike snob, but low end, as in I'd question their longevity, considering potential use. So, with the used bikes, you might need to spend a little $$ to get them tip top, but in the end, you'd have a better bike.

Also +1 on getting an old steel frame Mt bike, putting slicks on it and making it into a commuter. I had an old off-brand bike (called Biscayne) I bought in 1992. When I got back in to riding, I put slicks, lights and a rack on it and it made a great commuter...heavy, but a good commuter...