The ride will be 'harsher', Alloy frames are lighter, but personally I dislike the way that the ride - your vintage Fuji is steel and is fairly springy and really rather nice to ride.

The shifters are combined with the brakes on the new one.

If this is the only reason you want to change, I'd spend money on the old one - new integrated shifters can be had for $100 or so and all you need then is a $4 downtube adjuster device.

Love the Vintage, the new one is merely 'OK'

The lugged-steel fuji is a rough ride? Do you mean rough as in a lot of felt road vibrations and bumps? IMO, the Steel Fuji should be riding like a Cadillac.

I'd like to know where to get those $100 integrated shifters. Unless the reference is to "bar-end" shifters and I did this conversion to a 1983 Schwinn and loved the ride of the bike except it was to big for me. (In fact, I loved everything except that I flexed the frame when standing on the pedals and most importantly I couldn't stand up on my feet without leaning the bike which caused several near falls). That '83 Schwinn was smoothest riding bike I've had to date.

I also have an Alloy (aluminium) frame 2010 Schwinn LeTour and until I had the bike shop put a Carbon fork on the bike the ride was intolerably harsh on all but the smoothest of blacktops. Between the Carbon fork and a Brooks saddle, the alloy Bike is now comfortable enough to enjoy riding.

Of course my 2010 LeTour is an 8-Speed and I want upgrade the integrated shifters to a better quality but so far I've had no luck in finding the necessary parts so the only option appears to be upgrading the entire groupset for about $700.

The moral of my long-winded story. You need a budget of about $1000.00 to get into a nice road bike or you can buy a cheaper bike and spend more money to get it where you want. Currently my $500 Schwinn is up to about $1000 what with the upgraded wheels, the Brooks saddle, and the Carbon fork. BTW, I spent about $500 on upgrading the $125 '83 Schwinn to dropbars and bar end shifters.

i like a rough ride.

First of all, love the Fuji you have now. It is sweet spot in my heart for older road bikes. I now ride a Giant OCR but wish I had kept my old Trek T1000.

Now for my 2 cents. There are a few differences and upgrades. The newer has triple chain ring, which is good for climbing and a 9 speed rear cassette, making it a 27 speed compared to 12. The brakes and shifters are together and can be easily changed out as mentioned before. Components are definite upgrade The frame is aluminum with carbon fork which will make it lighter and relitevly smoother ride. Think the wheel set would be better also.

That being said, It becomes a money issue. If you can afford it and want a new bike, I say go for it and enjoy. Hope this helps you in your decision. Let us know.

Have you ridden the new bike? The proof is in the pudding as they say. I personally love steel. I have a Jamis Quest. My partner prefers carbon and I do know some people who prefer alloy/aluminum, so get on the new bike and give it a long test ride to see which you prefer. What you prefer is all that counts, doesn't matter what anyone else thinks.