Originally Posted by
dyrmaker83
Can anyone comment on the geometry differences between Shogun's by number?...
The geometry on a particular model can vary, depending on the year. As a rule of thumb, entry level models use sport-touring geometry. 27" wheels, rear derailleurs with claw mounts and stem mounted shifters are typical on entry level bicycles until the 1980s and are pretty reliable indicators that the bicycle has sport-touring geometry.
Things started getting trickier in the early and mid-1980s when features started trickling down and you could get entry level models with 700C wheels, integral derailleur hangers and/or downtube shifters. You often got better tubing too but sometimes the geometry got racier.
Bottom line is that you have to judge each bicycle individually. If the seller provides a good, straight on, side shot, you can often judge things accuractely. For instance, the champagne 400 has sport-touring geometry. The head and seat tubes are parallel, the chainstays are relatively long, with a good gap between the seat tube and rear tire, and the fork has pronounced rake in it. On the other hand, the blue 600 appears racier. The head tube angle appears steeper than the seat tube angle, the stays appear shorter with less gap between the seat tube and rear tire, and the fork has less rake.
However, be forewarned that pictures can sometimes distort the goemetry if they are taken at an angle and/or with a wide angle setting. The only way to be be sure is to view the bicycle in person and take it for a ride.
For instance, in this particular case, the 600 is actually spec'd with parallel head and seat tubes. The owner was kind enough to provide a pic of the serial number in the photo album. Based on this and my specs, I was able to determine that it is a 1984 model, manufactured in 1983. The spec sheet indicates parallel 72.5 angles, only 0.5 degrees steeper than that year's 400. At 16.75", the chainstays are 0.75" shorter than the 1984 model 400 and the rake, at 1.75" is 0.5" less. So yes, it's racier, but the angles still aren't very aggressive. Be aware, that these specs are for the 23" frame and angles often vary depending on frame size. I trust this helps.