Originally Posted by Johnnyplannet .
Hello,
Just purchased a Club Fuji today. An old retired guy sells used bikes out of his back yard. I traded in an 1983 Raliegh that I purchased from him last year. After careful research and measurements, I need a frame size of about 53cm. The Raliegh was 60cm.
So I'm in for about $110.00 for the 1984 Fuji (has the ARX derailler). I spent about 2 hours adjusting it for my size, added rat cages, and degreased the chain and cassetts (I use the wax lube). I removed the kick-stand and it weighs in at 24lbs. 1 lb lighter than my Shogun Selectra. Rides Okay. Need to change the heavy tread road tires to thinner racing tires. The shifting is finicky. Otherwise, a great secondary bike.
I have a 84 Fuji Club that I bought last spring for $100; it would have been in brand new condition because it only had 5 miles on the bike, but he didn't store it well and in the process has some minor scratches on the paint, otherwise it's a great bike that is in excellent condition. Yours sounds like an 84 because it was the only year that came with the ARX, I bet it's painted red with yellow decals.
The ARX derailleur was not Suntour's shining example of what their systems were noted for. When I first got the bike the derailleur did not shift as fast or sure as my Superbe Tech components on one of my road race bikes, or my Mountech on my touring rig. I did relube and oil the moving parts on everything prior to riding it but it didn't shift well...until it broke in which I didn't think about since it only had 5 miles on it. Now that it's broken in it shifts far better but still not up to snuff as the other Suntour stuff I have.
The Fuji quad butted frame is probably one of the best frames out of Japan, but it's difficult to make a statement like that because Japan had several great frame manufactures, including Ishawata and who I think was the absolute best frame in the world at the time - Miyata's triple butted splined tubing, of which I own 2 samples.
I'm a bit surprise by your weight estimates of 24 pounds for a 53, I have a 58, and I weighed mine several times on a digital bathroom scale, not exactly the most accurate way, but I weighed it twice by itself and twice with me holding the bike and every time it came out to 20.8 pounds, which makes it the lightest steel bike I own. The catalog says it weighs 23.
Here is a catalog of the 84 which I'm positive that's the one you have:
http://classicfuji.com/1984_10_ClubFuji_Page.htm
I did find a place in Louisville KY that was trying to sell a Fuji Club for $650 and I know mine is in better shape, but I also don't believe that those bikes are worth $650 either! Probably closer to $350 depending on condition but that price I gave would be for one in excellent condition or better. See:
http://www.vicsclassicbikes.com/?q=content/fuji-club This bike has been for sale for over a year so others must also think it's not worth the $650 either. That bike is a 85 which did come out with the better Suntour Cyclone components then ours with the ARX stuff, but that still doesn't make it worth $650 in my opinion.
You got a great bike at a great price. I hope you enjoy it.
