Hey Everyone!

Currently i own a Fuji Finest AL 54mm...i've had the bike now for about 4 or 5 years...its a great bike and i have no problums with it. The only upgrades the bike has seen was Look Pedals and Bontrager Race Wheels...

The bike is in great shape, laid down twice but no problums. I went up to the bike store today to have my bike tuned up. I began talking to the guy and i asked about what would be a good upgrade...he showed me a bike but told me that i should honestly save my money and wait to get something a little better! Then he told me that this weekend the store is have a bike swap...i asked what he thought my bike would be worth and he told me 300$ or so...he then told me that he was bringing his wifes bike in as she hasn't really use it...

The bike is an 03' Litespeed Antares, with a special or custom orange sapphire paint. He told me that the bike only has 1000 miles on it and in mint condition. He told me its been laid down twice and no real damage. He told me that i would have a choose of 1 of 3 different seats. The size is 52mm He is asking 1000$ for it.

So what do you guys think? any and all advise would be fantastic!

thanks!

That model has a carbon rear triangle. If its been laid down twice, you have no idea if the carbon is in good shape. Small cracks that are not evident to the eye can start in the carbon with even the smallest crash. You also didn't mention components so its hard to compare. In my opinion the frame is not that much of an upgrade. You're trading aluminium for aluminium with a suspect carbon rear....and the guy wants a grand for it. I'd save your money and buy a true upgrade and not another aluminium frame.

Unless your 54 is too big for you, and the new bike has a pretty big stack of stem spacers, you may have some trouble making the new one fit you like your old one, and that's not a small consideration.

I'd only buy it if I could test ride it first and see if it can be made to fit right.

Frame:

Triple-butted ALite aluminum, paint finish as shown standard
Titanium-enhanced carbon

Components:

Antares Group

Headset
Cane Creek Integrated

Handlebar
3T Forgie XL

Stem
3T Forgie XL

Grips/Bar Tape
Litespeed Synthetic Cork

Saddle
Litespeed/Selle San Marco Aspide

Seat Post
Litespeed Carbon

Front Derailleur
Shimano Ultegra

Rear Derailer
Shimano Ultegra

Shifters
Shimano Ultegra

Cranks
Shimano Ultegra

Bottom Bracket
Shimano Ultegra

Cassette
Shimano Ultegra 12/25

Chain
Shimano HG - 93

Calipers
Shimano Ultegra

Levers
Shimano Ultegra

Front Hub
Mavik Ksyrium Elite

Rear Hub
Mavik Ksyrium Elite

Rims
Mavik Ksyrium Elite

Tires
Continental Grand Prix 3000

I think $1000 is probably a little high for a used aluminum bike. I would also be concerned about the integrity of the carbon if it has been laid down a couple of times. Also, if you are currently riding a 54 cm frame comfortably, a 52 may be too small. Sure, it can be "made to fit", but it would likely be an unsatisfactory compromise over the long term.

It's absolutely a bit high for a 4 year old aluminum bike. At $750 the bike might have some appeal.

well it sounds like i should just hold onto my own bike and save up for something brand new!

well let me ask all of you this question...what is a good bike to upgrade to from the Fuji Finest Al?

This is just my $.02. If it were me, I'd look at anything with a popular name brand with a good reputation on these forums that wasn't aluminum.

Hey Everyone!

Currently i own a Fuji Finest AL 54mm...i've had the bike now for about 4 or 5 years...its a great bike and i have no problums with it. The only upgrades the bike has seen was Look Pedals and Bontrager Race Wheels...

The bike is in great shape, laid down twice but no problums. I went up to the bike store today to have my bike tuned up. I began talking to the guy and i asked about what would be a good upgrade...he showed me a bike but told me that i should honestly save my money and wait to get something a little better! Then he told me that this weekend the store is have a bike swap...i asked what he thought my bike would be worth and he told me 300$ or so...he then told me that he was bringing his wifes bike in as she hasn't really use it...

The bike is an 03' Litespeed Antares, with a special or custom orange sapphire paint. He told me that the bike only has 1000 miles on it and in mint condition. He told me its been laid down twice and no real damage. He told me that i would have a choose of 1 of 3 different seats. The size is 52mm He is asking 1000$ for it.

So what do you guys think? any and all advise would be fantastic!

thanks!

Keep in mind that all you showed up for was a tune up. Don't let the shop owner know that the employee steered you away from a new bike purchase right then. If you're happy with the fit of the Fuji, the 52cm probably won't be as good of a fit. Go check out the swap and see what else shows up or save your money and wait for something to really catch your eye in the future.

well let me ask all of you this question...what is a good bike to upgrade to from the Fuji Finest Al?
A Litespeed Antares. Nah, there's no right answer. What I'm saying is that the Litespeed isn't a bad choice, and could indeed be an awesome choice if it FIT and was priced right.

There's no magic answer to your question. A good price (sub $1000) on a used bike that fits with Ultegra would be a very fine option.

well let me ask all of you this question...what is a good bike to upgrade to from the Fuji Finest Al?

There are many answers to your question. The best bike for you is one that fits. This has to do not only with frame size, but your dimensions and flexibility.

A second issue is the use you have in mind. Your handle suggest that you race. This may lead to different choices than if you are riding only for fitness/recreational reasons.

Third, what is your budget? I personally don't think you need to break the bank to have fun on a bike, but if you love bling and have the dough, go for it.

I think frame material should be a secondary consideration. My bike has a relatively cheap aluminum frame, but I actually find it more comfortable than my old steel frame and some other carbon frame bikes I've taken on extended rides.