jb23195--I have yet to find a link for the Fuji. 2.o---I keep getting a 2.1. Please post links .... even if you have to add extra characters to get them past the censors---so we can advise you on the bikes you are actually considering. .....
So … after I posted that I went back and this came up immediately … the internet wants me to look like a fool.
https://www.performancebike.com/shop...lusive-31-6808
Is that it?
If so, I got one model above that, so basically, the same bike. Tiagra is great stuff … I have it on two bikes. I don’t know much about the brakes … I believe they are one step down from the Spyres. I would assume they stop the bike and are easy to set up … the Spyres are.
I changed the saddle because I had one I likes d sitting around, I changed the seatpost because I needed on e a little longer and had it lying around.
I eventually changed the wheels because I had a better set from I build I didn’t complete, but the stock wheels are strong and not too heavy. If I ever go for a serious dirt road/gavel ride, that’s what I am using.
The Treks are both good, but I don’t see where either of them is anything special and both of them carry that Premium Brand premium---The extra you pay for the name on the down tube (IMO).
https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/b...-al-2/p/21555/
https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/b...-al-3/p/17497/
I assume you are looking at the Giant Contend 1 (
https://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/contend-1) The Contend and the AL3 both come with Sora, which I think is an Amazing value group. However, if you plan to do any serious climbing, or dirt-road riding, the Giant has the 11-32 while the Trek has the 11-28 cassette.
For most hills 34x28 is plenty … but I don’t know what you can do or what you want to do. The Fuji also has the 11-32 cassette.
The Fuji has the best group set of them all …. But the Sora is plenty good.
Prices as I see them---
AL 3 $959.99
AL 2 $799.99
Contend $880
Fuji $699.97
Stacked up like that …. The question I ask is “What do any of these have which the others don’t have?”
The Fuji has mech discs, which might or might not be a benefit. The Fuji has the widest rang e of gears and the most options in between. The Fuji costs a hundred or a couple hundred less.
What do you Lose for that hundred or couple hundred? A decal from a “Major Manufacturer.”
I pay attention to bikes. I notice that the club I sometimes ride with has a lot of Treks and Cannondales … because the sponsoring shop sells those. A few classic titaniums …. And several Fujis.
Apparently people who know bikes and want good bikes and aren’t sponsored, think Fuji makes some good bikes.
As others have said, if you get a chance to ride them all, that might tell you something. One might feel more responsive or something …. Maybe you will like the color better. Whatever helps you decide.
I bought my Fuji on a self-imposed budget. I could have spent three times as much but I wanted an inexpensive rugged bike I could use for rain, gravel, roads, light touring, grocery trips, a camera bike, and general fun.
I looked at the Cannondale Synapse, the bikes you looked at, and a few others.
When value/dollar was an issue … I picked Fuji. I have Zero regrets.
(If you buy the Fuji and hate it, …. Don’t blame me.
)