How could a $1260 road racing bicycle be a Best Buy? Well, if you're not a bike rider, it isn't. But if you are a bike rider, the Roubaix has an outstanding resume for a remarkable price.

That vital specification is weight. The magic number, separating the elites from the plodders, is 20 pounds, and Fuji's spec sheet shows the Roubaix skimming in at 19.7 pounds. Usually that kind of light weight takes more money than this.

Physicists will tell you that a few pounds of weight do not make you a much faster rider, except perhaps in a hill climb. And they're right. But bike riders will tell you that every pound you shed makes the bike feel better. So you're buying the great feeling, not measurable speed. (The great feeling will inspire you to push yourself harder, and you'll get the speed that way.)

The Roubaix has many other charming attributes besides light weight. It's made from a combination of carbon fiber (on the front fork and seatstays) and 7000 series aluminum alloy (all other frame tubes). The combination is stiff, lightweight, and it shuns road shock. In recognition of the fact that some riders have ambitions that reach beyond their current physical fitness level, it has three chainwheels instead of two. The third chainwheel provides extra-low gears for tired people to climb hills slowly and (almost) effortlessly.

No company gives you better component specs for the money than Fuji, and the Roubaix comes through with good-quality Shimano drivetrain components, Continental tires and Ritchey hubs and rims.

Pros: Great racing bike on a reasonable budget; sub-20-pounds bragging rights; great spec sheet. Cons: Won't take wide tires, fenders, or racks. Not intended to be versatile for utilitarian riding or touring.

For more information: Fuji 118 Bauer Drive Oakland, NJ 07436 201/337-1700

Overall value: 9 Performance: 10 Ease of use: 8

Specifications: Bar Ends none Brakes Shimano 105 Fork Fuji Lightweight 1 1/8" Carbon Road for integrated with Alloy Steerer Frame Composition Fuji Altair 2 Lite custom butted 7000 series aluminum with PowerDiamond down tube, integrated head tube, Fuji Carbon seat stays, Fuji Altair 1 aluminum chainstays, Fuji forged road dropout with replaceable derailleur hanger, Frame Size 49cm, 52cm, 54cm, 56cm, 58cm, 61cm, 64cm Kickstand no Number Of Speeds 27 Quick-Release Front And Rear Hubs .Ritchey Comp Road hubs, 28 spokes Quick-Release Seat Clamp No Headset Integrated Road, with convex hollow alloy 25mm spacer Tires Continental Sport 1000, 700 x 23c Type Of Shifters Shimano 105 front, Ultegra rear, 105 STI levers Type Of Spokes/Rims Ritchey/DT Double Butted Black Stainless spokes; Ritchey OCR Pro Road, 28H rims, Black W/CNC Sidewalls Water Bottle Mounts two Frame Weight, lb./kg. 3.3/1.50 Complete Bike Weight, lb./kg. 19.7/8.95