Road Cycling - Just acquired FUJI ACE '03 (steel + cromag fork)

I've never used the SORA components before ...
there's a triple wheel lever selector, and then the other
lever for the gears thimselves.

How does one go about changing gears ? Using
the Shimano Sora components ?

That aside, the frame is definitely a change from
my previous much lighter aluminum frame...the
acceleration take more time ... slower. I wouldn't
say the steel frame is more comfortable on the arms
or legs. However, for the seating position, the steel
frame does have an advantage.

The bike, overall, is more solid .

Usually the left shifting mechanism is for the front der, the right for the rear der. Some people actually have them reversed. Any way, you have 24 speeds due to the combination of 8 sets of sprokets on the rear cassette and 3 set on the front chainring. Indexing the lever on the left (front der) moves the chain to the next larger chain ring and making pedaling more difficult. Pushing the tab moves the chain to the next smallest chain ring making pedaling easier. On the right side (rear der) using the lever moves the chain to the larger set of sprokets but makes pedaling easier. Using the tab moves the chain to the smaller set and makes pedaling easier. In either case, the direction the lever moves is the same as how the chain moves. You'll want to avoid using the extremes of each set of sprokets, meaning small sprocket on front, small on rear. This creates a large angle in the chain travel and can result in accelerated chain wear and perhaps some der rub.

Using the tab moves the chain to the smaller set and makes pedaling easier.
Oops got that wrong - makes pedaling harder.

I had an ACE way back in 89 or 90. It was very cool looking. It was ALL black- the frame, the rims, even the components (Suntour Edge).

DEMON

The new Shimano components, make me
feel like a newbie .... like how to use a computer
for the first time. It's gonna take me a few days
to get used to the Sora style gear shifting.

...great value, for this bike! I was comparing
with Aluminum frames, and we're talking prices
in excess of $1000 or $2000 more than the price
I paid ...of course, not Sora but 105 or Ultegra,
but in the end ...for a casual riding bike, not
a world of difference. Shimano is Shimano.

A big difference is between a hybrid or MTB with
a road model ... not between Shimano designs, IMO.

A CRO-MAG fork???

Do you mean a Cro-Mo fork, or was it a fork made by a Cro-Magnon???

(Ugh! Me make fork!)

The Shimano website should have the instruction manual.
Usual strategy for using a 3x8 (whatever) system is to ride in the middle for most of the time, using all the rear cogs. Switch to the small "granny" ring for steep ascents and tracks, and the large ring for descents and tailwinds.
When you switch chainrings, you need to move the chain inwards a couple of rear cogs, there is usually a lot of overlap in the ranges of the 3 ratios.
In the outer chainrings, you would usually only use maybe 4 cogs before switching back to the middle ring.

You may to trim your front mech to avoid scraping the chain in some combinations.

The SORA components make changing gears a real
charm, compared to what I used to have on a Norco.

However, I feel there's an excess of gear choices ...
3 x 7 => 21 gears ... For me, 12 would have been okay...
however, the more the merrier, as they say, so long
as the longevity of the components are as expected.

This bike really floats or glides on air, when riding it. ..

Hey, nice to see another Fuji Ace owner!

I just got into cycling and bought the exact same bike, pretty damn good for $450 bucks. Had mine for about a month and have ~300 miles on it. Hope your having as much fun with yours as I am =).

I would have preferred a higher quality paint ... it gets
scratched and kinda rubs off easily.

As I said, the pedals ...I prefer complete aluminum
ones, rather than 50% plastic and 50 % Alum ...those
will be gettin replaced soon, I hope.

Well, I am officially a newbie rider... here is my newly purchased 03 Fuji Ace...


http://ramell5.home.comcast.net/03fujiace.jpg

Now, all I need is a helmet...later (maybe sooner) pedals and shoes, puter (looking at the Cateye Astrale 8) and some cycling gear...

That front derailleur would be worth replacing at some time. (ultegra)

The sora front derailleur is just particularly finicky.

They were saying that this year, the frame would be aluminum...for the Ace.

I gather that's what you got ? I'm tempted to get another one this year, too...

In my city, all FUJI's sell out like hot cakes ...and I mean nowhere can you find one
ANYWHERE...it's the best hidden bike secret.