ISPringle

Add the "road bike" qualification since I own a BMX and that's SS... Anyways here it is:


It's a Shogun 100. An old school araya 27 in rim/sunshine hub up front and a newer quando hub/700 c Alex RP15 rim in rear. With a Shimano Deore 46t. I don't actually own it yet, but I just have to go pick it up from the guy on CL, we're trying to find a time and day when we're both free.

jhess74

Congrats! Enjoy it and ride the crap out of it

cw_

Very nice looking bike. Love those bars. How much you picking it up for?

NormanF

Looks like my Bianchi! What brand is yours?

I believe mine has double butted cromo steel. It was stripped off its road parts to turn it into a fast fixie.

I hope you pick up yours soon and can go out on some rides!

ISPringle

I am getting it for $100, plus he's giving me a new pair of Looks and the cleats for $10.

It's a Shogun. Did a little research on the brand, it's not related to the Shoguns of today, it was a small brand in the 1980s that would buy big name frames and relabel them and sell them. I thought about making this a fixie, with a flip flop, maybe some day I will but the wheel is brand new and I just don't see me enjoying a fixie with all the hills at school. And I can't wait to ride it, get it tomorrow evening after work!

NormanF

As long as it isn't hi ten, I think you got off even better than me! Congratulations on your new acquisition.

Enjoy!

seau grateau

Nice, I have a Shogun too. It's been out of active duty for a while but I keep it around because it's a sweet ride.

Micah McDowell

Looks great; I like the contrast of the headtube and the rest of the red frame! Post more pics when you get it!

ISPringle

Got her today! I really like this bike, I've never rode road bike geometry before, it's fun! But my back hurts a little, probably need to work on my form, and there are so many hand positions as compared to my MBT handlebars with the extensions, I will need to learn when to use what where.

Took her for a 6 mile spin. Really nice! Needs more gear inches IF I decide to do a race rather than a ride, because flats are PAINFUL and the hills we have around here are not too bad and never very long, but I like the 46x18 for just riding. I have a tendency to go a lot harder than I should, and the result it I don't have the endurance I am capable of when I pace myself, so this should help me calm down and gain endurance. I will also be putting a new seat on before I do much more than a 20 mile ride because my nether regions are NOT happy at all!

And I'll need to find out how to install one or two water bottles, the frame has no pre-drilled holes for them. Also, I'll need new pedals. I rode the 6 miles on the back side of the Looks (LOL), it wasn't bad but it isn't ideal. I may put on a pair of pedal BMX pedals I have for the time being while I decide whether I want to put down the dough for shoes or for a road pedal with a toe/strap setup.

WestPablo

Sweeeeet!

europa

Sounds good mate.
If your lower back is hurting, it may be because the saddle is slightly too high. It might also be because you're not used to the more aggressive riding position but that typically comes out in hands and shoulders (putting too much weight on them). It is hard to fine tune a bike when you're not used to the style though so one thing at a time, and small changes each time.
Although your gearing is a little low, don't rush to increase it if riding fg (though I think you're going SS) because the lower gearing makes it easier to learn how to use back pressure.

Although Grant Petersen (of Rivendell fame) says many things that make other people raise their eyebrows at, his attitudes to gearing are worth thinking about, in particular his comment - if your gear is too low, just pedal faster. That's part of a larger rant but the min-quote is appropriate here.

ISPringle

Just went on a 20 mile ride, minimal back pain. I'm thinking the pain I experienced last night when I rode was from posture and maybe being tired from working all day, which would have further contributed to my poor form.

I think I'm going to put on a pair of toe clips, it's cheaper and my bike is already an oddball when it comes to road bikes, might as well continue that way, but I see why I will need them. The platform pedals I put on this morning are good, but the grip is no where near enough to keep my feet planted on the pedals at high RPM, or trying to catch up to the speed of my wheel.

I'm not sure what back pressure is, but I assume its probably a FG thing, and yes I have a SS. Don't think I will ever switch over, I like being able to stop pedaling, but there really is a great joy in not having to think about gears, its simpler and some how freeing. I'm also glad I don't have a bigger GI because there were a few hills on my ride today that nearly killed me!

But I'll be killing the hills before too long! My plan is 20 miles a day Sunday through Wednesday. Thursday I'll pull back and do a shorter, slower ride. Friday I'm going to make a shorter route but just do as many laps as I can to see what kind of endurance I can muster. Saturday I'll either take another easy ride or take a break. And then repeat on Sunday, but upping my route distance by 10 or so miles. If I can sustain this plan I'll be in the 50 to 60 mile range by the week of the century.

I know that sounds crazy, maybe, but I'm 22 and I have discovered that, at least in my case, my mind is what keeps me from doing more, my body is willing. After that 20 mile ride today I was drained, but because I didn't eat anything except a salad the night before. Once I got fuel on board I was ready for lap two! Additionally I have a really good cardiovascular fitness level for a guy who rarely exercises, my rest heart rate is 55 bpm and the last time I ran a race I did so with less than 24 hours notice and no training in the previous 12 months.

I do have a list of things I'll need to purchase between now and then. I need toe clips, a means of fixing a flat (inner tubes, tools, pump that fits on the bike), a way to carry water (currently using my camel back), a new seat (spent most of my ride just hovering over the seat because it sucks!), padded bike pants, a GPS receiver and battery pack for my phone, and maybe a few other things.

europa

Toe clips and straps are a good move anyway. You don't have to pull them tight, mine are permanently set just tight enough to get into - you'll always be able to wrench out if you have it. An added advantage is being able to wear whatever shoes you want to though if you sweat like I do, you'll have a set of shoes dedicated to the bike - I wear a pair of skate shoes and in summer, they'll come when I whistle (they stink).


Coasting is way over rated. Believe me. Even on my geared bike, I very rarely coast. People like coasting down hills but that's when you should keep pedaling because it helps keep the blood pumping in your legs and flushes out the lactic acid more quickly. Give FG a go at some point, there's a good chance you won't go back ... though some do and many of us have both SS and FG bikes.

For pumps, those mini-pumps don't do a real lot except entertain spectators. An old style frame pump wouldn't look out of place on your bike, and has the advantage that they're cheap ... and can be used to defend against rogue dogs. I personally use the Topeak Road-Morph, they're expensive but you can put a full 120lb pressure in your tyres quickly and easily.

Drink bottle cages are cheap and can be held on with hose clamps or zip ties. You can also get ones that bolt onto your seat post behind the saddle.

Brooks saddles work very well and you can wear anything you like riding on them ... once you and the saddle get used to each other. Some people don't like them though - saddles are really personal.

Quite frankly, padded bike pants are for people who've chosen saddles that demand them. Just like pedal systems that demand specialist shoes. They're fine in their place but ultimately, they restrict how and when you can use your bike. Save them for a specialist bike where they have a place. Let this bike be the one you just jump on and ride or dress a little more appropriately for longer rides. Mate, I've done metric centuries in running shorts, loose shirt and toe clips. If your bike's set up properly, you don't need the funny kit, there's just nothing wrong with choosing to use it if you want to.

ISPringle

I've been wearing my trusty Converse on my rides (just went for a quick 8 mile sprint, was feeling guilty about packing away three plates at the Indian buffet). More and more I think about it, the less and less I want clip ins, this is a 30 year old entry level bike after all. No sense getting fancy where I don't need to be. One day I'll get a fancy bike and then I will go all the way.

I was just talking about Brooks saddles. Definitely think I'd take one, people say you need 500 miles to break it in, at my rate that'd be only two or three weeks down the road! But they are comfortable enough as is? Because this was what I was intending on getting anyways, just wasn't sure if they were comfy or not.

Yes, I've been quickly coming to the conclusion that people think I'm weird because I only have one gear, might as well meet their expectations! Although I really do want to wear those bibs and jerseys because I'd look darn sexy, although honestly I'd probably never be able to bring myself to wear them outside of my house without something on over it. But I found a bib and a jersey which are cheaper than my normal compression clothes, so to me that's a deal I can't just pass up!

What's a funny kit?

europa

I've had three Brooks. Get a B17 unless you want the bars significantly lower than the saddle when you'll need to get one of the more race like saddles. Do a search on here, it's been covered a few times.
My B17s have all be comfortable straight out of the box and just keep getting better and better. They're like a good pair of leather shoes in this respect, though I guess few would understand that these days. They are a bit hard and slippery at first so you need to set them with the nose up, lowering the nose as the saddle breaks in - it may never be completely level. Again, this has been discussed at length.

The funny kit I refer to are the fancy lycra duds with all the funny colours and thick pads and rock solid shoes you can't walk in and all that other bulldust that racers wear. It has it's place in the world and should be used there. It has no place riding down to the shops for a bottle of milk. There's a broad range in the middle where it's neither appropriate or inappropriate ... yet people imagine you HAVE to wear it and the cycling industry fosters this belief with their marketing and by not making alternatives available.

ISPringle

Ah, yes, well I understand that. Saw a guy in Moe's the other day wearing the full git-up and I had to just scratch my head and wonder, but to each his own. Ultimately I'll probably stick with my compression shorts with my short gym shorts over them, especially if the Brooks is as comfy as you make it out to be, and for a top I'll probably stick with my loose fitting running shirts, although the bike jerseys with the zipper is really tempting, especially in these hot summer months.

Dannihilator

Nice job on the conversion, I dig it.

ISPringle

Bought a new saddle and pedals with toe/straps yesterday.

Saddle is nice, still feeling a little pain, but it's only after mile 30 and it's only when I don't change my position often (ie on flats and very slight inclines and declines).

Pedals are so nice! At first my feet felt an odd pressure from them, but it went away by mile 10. The straps and toe clips really help me on the uphill portion, more in saddle and less standing, really liking it.

At mile 40ish I began to feel an odd tingling in my left pinky and ring finger whenever I hit a bump. Any thoughts on fixing that?