Opinion on these two bikes

mel.b

I want to upgrade my hybrid bike to a proper road bike. My goal this year is to ride the Ring of Kerry cycle in July

I've been looking a women specific bikes moreso because I prefer the colour schemes:o (sorry, I just don't want a black, red, blue etc bike) I have found two online that I like the look of and fit my price range. I haven't had the chance to try them yet so I may not like them when I do and if that is the case I am open to trying other bikes that arent as 'pretty'! Also I really think I need a triple as 1) I'm overweight, 2) I'm unfit & 3) I'm completely crap at hills:o Reading another thread about wheels, would I need to upgrade the wheels immediately or could I wait (currently weigh just over 100kg:()

Fuji Finest 1.0 (2011)

Frame: A1-SL Compact Aluminium with Power Diamond shape down tube, Double water bottle mounts
Fork: FC-770 Bonded Carbon Integrated with 1 1/8" Alloy Steerer
Front Derailleur: Shimano Tiagra, 31.8mm clamp
Rear Derailleur: Shimano 105, 9-speed
Number of Gears: 27
Shifters: Shimano Tiagra STI shifter/brake, 27-speed Flight Deck compatible
Chainset: FSA Vero Forged Alloy
Chainrings: 30/39/50 tooth
Bottom Bracket: Sealed Cartridge Bearing ST
Cassette: Shimano Tiagra, 12-25T 9sp
Chain: KMC Z-99, 9sp
Pedals: Not Supplied
Front Brake: Tektro R-350 Forged Alloy, dual pivo
tRear Brake: Tektro R-350 Forged Alloy, dual pivot
Brake Levers: Shimano Tiagra STI
Handlebars: Fuji Alloy Anatomical Drops
Stem: Fuji Adjustable Road
Headset: V.P. 1 1/8" Standard Semi Cartridge with Convex Alloy spacer
Grips: Fuji custom cork wrap
Rims: Alex AKX R1.0 Alloy Clincher Wheelset, 700c
Front Tyre: Kenda K-152, 700x25c, Wire Bead
Rear Tyre: Kenda K-152, 700x25c, Wire Bead
Saddle: Fuji Road Sport Anatomical
Seatpost: Fuji Comp MicroAdjust Forged Alloy, 27.2mm
Weight: 10.95kgs / 23.34 lbs approx


Scott Contessa Speedstar 25 (2012)

Frame: Contessa Speedster double butted 6061 alloy tubing, road geometry, hydro formed chain stays, integrated head tube
Fork: Speedster Carbon/Alloy, 1 1/8" alloy steerer
Front Derailleur: Shimano Tiagra 4603
Rear Derailleur: Shimano Tiagra 4600
Number of Gears: 30Shifters: Shimano Tiagra 4600 Dual Control
Chainset: Shimano Tiagra 4603 Hollowtech II Triple
Chainrings: 50/39/30 toothBottom Bracket: Shimano 4600
Cassette: Shimano Tiagra 4600 12-28 tooth 10-speed
Chain: Shimano Tiagra 4600
Pedals: None
Front Brake: Shimano Tiagra Super SLR Dual Pivot
Rear Brake: Shimano Tiagra Super SLR Dual Pivot
Brake Levers: Shimano Tiagra 4600 Dual Control
Handlebars: Scott Road Drop Contessa, Lady anatomic
Stem: Scott Contessa Road OS
Headset: Integrated steel cup
Rims: Alex Race 28 Aero Profile
Front Hub: Scott Comp, 20H
Rear Hub: Scott Comp, 24H
Spokes: CN Standard, black, 2mm
Front Tyre: Continental Ultra Sport, 700x23
Rear Tyre: Continental Ultra Sport, 700x23
Saddle: Scott Contessa Team
Seatpost: Scott Contessa Alloy
Weight: 9.20kg (I think)

Thanks,
mel.b

Tonyandthewhale

Hard to say which is better or which is better value without knowing how much they're charging for them.

mel.b

Sorry about that! Evans Cycles has the Fuji for 850 pounds (approx E1050) on their website...Apparently CycleInn stock fuji but they didn't have the Finest in stock when I rang them last week. Cyclesuperstore has the Scott for E1099 so they should be similar prices.

Tonyandthewhale

I'd go for the scott so. The Scott has the newer version of tiagra which is 10 speed rather than 9 and thus fancier. Also, you've got tiagra brakes (which are pretty good) on the scott but tektro's on the fuji which I would not rate quite as highly although I'm not completely au fait on the different models of tektro brakes.
The scott is also lighter and has probably better tyres.

Of course I haven't actually seen or ridden either bikes so I'm basing my evaluation on just the objective stuff, I can't comment on looks or ride quality or the quality of the respective saddles or handlebars, all of which are more personal aspects and up to you to decide when you test ride it.

sy

This is good value at the moment with 20% off and comes with Sram Apex shifters and gears plus the wheels are good spec too. Good reviews

iregk

The Fuji is 11kg!!! Good god...

I'd go for the scott. All things considered the frame is better.

Russman

mel.b wrote: »

Sorry about that! Evans Cycles has the Fuji for 850 pounds (approx E1050) on their website...Apparently CycleInn stock fuji but they didn't have the Finest in stock when I rang them last week. Cyclesuperstore has the Scott for E1099 so they should be similar prices.

FWIW you can usually get 10% or 12.5% discount from Cyclesuperstore just by asking

Hungrycol

mel.b wrote: »

I want to upgrade my hybrid bike to a proper road bike. My goal this year is to ride the Ring of Kerry cycle in July

I've been looking a women specific bikes moreso because I prefer the colour schemes:o (sorry, I just don't want a black, red, blue etc bike) I have found two online that I like the look of and fit my price range. I haven't had the chance to try them yet so I may not like them when I do and if that is the case I am open to trying other bikes that arent as 'pretty'!

Are you looking at women specific bikes because you're a woman or just because you prefer the colours. Women specigic bikes have slightly different geometries that may not fit you if you're a fella.

mel.b

sy wrote: »

This is good value at the moment with 20% off and comes with Sram Apex shifters and gears plus the wheels are good spec too. Good reviews

Thanks. Even though it is white, it's a bit plain looking I think...would like a bit of other colour on it.

iregk wrote: »

The Fuji is 11kg!!! Good god...

I'd go for the scott. All things considered the frame is better.

And the hybrid I am riding at the moment weighs 16kg:eek: Honestly, given how heavy I am, does the extra 1.5kg really make a difference? I guess the opposite side of that is you could say every kg makes a difference?

Russman wrote: »

FWIW you can usually get 10% or 12.5% discount from Cyclesuperstore just by asking

Cool, thanks, i didn't know that.

Hungrycol wrote: »

Are you looking at women specific bikes because you're a woman or just because you prefer the colours. Women specigic bikes have slightly different geometries that may not fit you if you're a fella.

Both - female and I prefer the colours. I couldn't see a guy riding the Scott which is white and purple:p

studiorat

mel.b wrote: »

Both - female and I prefer the colours. I couldn't see a guy riding the Scott which is white and purple:p

Ahem, currently riding a pink Giant...

smacl

Apart from being lighter, the Scott also has lower gearing, which when combined with weight difference will make going up hills much easier. Probably easier to get parts for a 10 speed tiagra than 9 speed tiagra/105 when servicing in the future as well, so a better option all round. There's been a few threads on here recently covering difficulties on getting spares for 9 speed tiagra, so I'd avoid it on a new bike.

iregk

mel.b wrote: »

And the hybrid I am riding at the moment weighs 16kg:eek: Honestly, given how heavy I am, does the extra 1.5kg really make a difference? I guess the opposite side of that is you could say every kg makes a difference?

Well yeah I see the point you're making. I'd 85kg which going on professional riders is obese! They are in the 65-75kg category. I've always maintained that if a bike cost an extra €1000 for the sake of a 1kg weight drop I'd simply loose 1kg of my body weight and cover that.

Cycling really is all about weight/power ratio. Keeping everything as light as possible while maintaining your power is the key. On the plus side if you're looking at a bike like the two mentioned then I'm assuming you're looking more serious at cycling and maybe something to help with your weight and health which is always good and best of luck to you.

16kg touring bike!!! Good god I can only imagine it...

mel.b

studiorat wrote: »

Ahem, currently riding a pink Giant...

LOL...through choice or...

kuro_man

for similar price you can get this Rose with 105 and 7.5kg - can't speak for the colour though
http://www.roseversand.com/article/rose-pro-wsl-200-compact/aid:478205

Dermot Illogical

studiorat wrote: »

Ahem, currently riding a pink Giant...

:eek:

mel.b

So i made some phone calls today to see where i could go to try the Scott. Cyclesuperstore don't have it in stock and aren't prepared to get it in unless i commit to buying it before even trying it...is this normal practice Altitude in Waterford don't know if they will be getting it in and it will depend on 'interest' over the next while. Marrey bikes in Ballinrobe, don't have it in stock at the moment but seemed ok at ordering it for me to try. The Edge in Cork have one on order and should be in next week and Slane Cycles in Belfast have one in stock, however it's about a 5hr drive for me each way . They were helpful over the phone though. Does anyone else know anyone else who stocks Scott bikes that i could try? I'm not going to bother with cyclesuperstore as why would i try it elsewhere and then go and buy it off them? If there is no one else i'll probably wait to see if it arrives in at The Edge next week. Two shops also tried to sell me a Lapierre Audico 400...any opinions on that bike (although i think it's a bit plain)?


Frame: Alloy 7005 DB
Fork: LAPIERRE Carbon
Wheel set: SHIMANO WHR501
Tires: MICHELIN Dynamic Sport 700x23
Shifters: SHIMANO Tiagra ST460
Rear mech: SHIMANO RD-4600-GS 10sp
Front mech: SHIMANO Tiagra FD-4603BL 10sp
Cassette: SHIMANO Tiagra CS-4600 11x25 10sp
Crank: SHIMANO Tiagra FC4603 30x39x50 3x10sp
170mm: Sizes 44-48; 175mm: Size 52
Chain: KMC X10 108 Links
Bottom Bracket: SHIMANO SMBB4600
Brakes: SHIMANO Tiagra BR4600A
Handlebar: LAPIERRE WOMEN 31.8x380mm + Guidoline/Bar tape CORK FDJ Team
Stem: RITCHEY Logic 31.8x90mm
Headset: Alloy semi-integrated 1-1/8
Seatpost: RITCHEY Logic 31.6x300mm
Saddle: LAPIERRE Road Lady VL-4125 by Vélo
Weight: 9KG


Thanks, Mel.b