Bear cub

So I was looking at a bike on ebay and decided it would be fun to bid on it at the last minute and ended up winning it. So now I'm stuck paying for a bike that I know nothing about. Is this 600 Arabesque stuff any good? I found a lot of mixed info on the SR brand of bikes, any one know concretely anything about them?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...=STRK:MEWNX:IT

X-LinkedRider

You bought a pretty damn nice vintage road bike if you are taller than 6ft.

Bear cub

I'm 6'2. What can you tell me about it?

TheBikeRollsOn 

Full Shimano 600 (Ultegra), I can't tell if the shifters are indexed or not, but initially I'd say it is. If so then it's probably pretty nice stuff that could be comparable to some modern groupsets. Of course I only know any of this because I might be purchasing a bike equipped with Full Shimano 600 (STI shifters) within the week.

X-LinkedRider

It looks to me as though the Shimano is indexed as you can see that pin handle to switch between index and friction on the rear shifter. I don't personally own any of this stuff, so I could be incorrect. The add has no mention and it looks like the wheels are 27". If so, I would check into some 700c wheels, but you should have no problem with the brakes. Your problem is going to be having to change out the gearing in the back with an upgraded set of wheels.

No matter what, enjoy the hell out of the bike, and make the changes that will best suit your riding. nice pick up for 130 dollars and Post some real pics when it arrives.

alr

There is nothing wrong with 27" wheels. There are plenty of tire options out there for this size wheel.

cudak888 

That doesn't even look to be a 58cm, and 58cm isn't what I'd put someone 6'+ on.

As a matter of fact, I'd say it's too short for the OP - I'd recommend a 61cm +/-, depending on inseam.

-Kurt

TheBikeRollsOn 

+1. Not worth the integrity of the status of vintage or classic or whatever to upgrade to 700c. Not to mention it'll be more time and money to fix a problem that doesn't really exist IMO.

TheBikeRollsOn 

Oh well, if it doesn't fit then sell it on ebay for $500.

Bear cub

Haha $500 seems a little much. We'll see what condition it's really in when it gets here. I doubt it will fit me either. It looks like a bangin' bike.

TheBikeRollsOn 

Yeah, I was being facetious. Most old bikes with drop bars get sold for way more than they are worth in my area. Though, you could probably make your money back.

theschwinnman

Hold on guys, those shifters are not indexed. I have a set just like them on a bicycle of mine, and they are friction.

prettyshady

SR - Sakae Ringyo, the parrent company of suntour.

It has 600EX Arabesque brakes and shifters, which are none index. I have a bike or two with these and they work well.

The cranks can be removed with out a crank extractor.

Frame looks no smaller than 58cm, might be 60cm, but looks allright.

Wheels and tyres look in good condition,

Bluetrane2028

I'm guessing... guessing that it's about a 57cm. It looks very similar in proportion to the bikes that fit me. I'm 5'9 and ride a 56cm. When you get it, measure it center to center. I doubt it's big enough for someone who is 6'2."

As for the wheels... call me crazy, but I prefer 27" to 700c. Could just be the tires I've run on 700c, but the 27s seem to ride better.

SJX426 

The ad said 23" which = 58.42cm.

Road Fan

This Shimano 600 group is pre-Ultegra. It's not likely it's able to index, but ... ya never know til you get it.

When you get it, take a tape measure and in centimeters get teh seat tube length center of BB to the center of the seat lug, then the center of the BB to the top of the seat tube (both along the seat tube, then the top tube length.

There are a lot of pretty nice 27 inch tires out there these days. Not as big a selection as in 700, but good tires, still.

That's a really nice bike!

Road Fan

If the seller didn't spec how the size was measured, it makes no sense to argue about a difference of even 1.5 cm, much less 6 mm.

EjustE

The group you have on the bike is great. It is the first generation Shimano 600EX group 6200 and was made between 1978 and 1984. There is no way to get this to index, unless you replace the RD with the second generation 600EX RD-6208 (not 6207 - that was friction) and any 6sp Shimano index shifter set. It was the Shimano group rated where the Ultegra is now, just underneath Dura Ace, but the Ultegra name first appeared with the 64xx Shimano 600 Ultegra group (aka tricolor) in the late 80s.

Great bike. Enjoy it.

Mr IGH

IMHO, too short, esp if your spine is older than 40.....

Grand Bois

Sakae Ringyo is the parent company of SR Suntour. There's a big difference.

unworthy1

true, here's the real deal: the history of Maeda Industries by Frank Berto "Sunset for SunTour"

http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~hadland/page35.htm