So I've been mentioning in other threads that the Shogun Cr-Mo 500 was almost finished, and that I have some issues with it. True enough. Here's the story.


shogunrestore3.3 by snarkypup, on Flickr

So the lovely Abarth and I have got the bike to near doneness. It still needs tape, and theoretically, were I going to ride it, the fenders and bell installed. But once we had it lubed up, with the saddle on, we discovered something rather disappointing: it doesn't fit me.


shogunrestore3.2 by snarkypup, on Flickr

I have a borrowed Nitto Technomic stem on it for the moment, but even with the shorter, higher reach of this stem and my ladies Turbo pushed forward all the way... the top tube is waaaay to long. The top tube is longer than the downtube (my brain is saying it's 53cm x 56cm, but maybe it was 54cm x 56cm). Since the bike is borderline too tall for me anyway, as my "particulars" brush the top tube when I'm standing over it, having it be longer than it is tall is not good. Abarth and I worked hard to get me to fit it, but there just was no way.


shogunrestore3.5 by snarkypup, on Flickr

I went home very sad and frustrated. I have poured waaaay more time and effort into this bike than it deserves. I didn't want to have to turn around and sell it, as there was no way to get out of it what I had put in. Look at the shininess of the crankset! I did that! With my own elbow grease!


shogunrestore3.7 by snarkypup, on Flickr

Then it occured to me: the BF, who is 6'2" tall, has the shortest inseam known to mankind, and very long arms. His pants inseam is 31", and when I measured him with the whole book-in-the-crotch thing, he came out at 32" or 33". This bike is a 31" standover...

So I made him mount it the second I got home, of course. It fits him... perfectly! The height leaves him with about an inch of clearance for "the boys," and the reach will be ideal, once I put the normal height, 100mm stem back on it. I can get him a manly saddle, bartape, those VO fenders I got on sale last month, and the bell, and he'll actually have a pretty sweet ride.


shogunrestore3.6 by snarkypup, on Flickr

So what are the chances: I buy a bike with freakish geometry (Abarth will attest: it's really strangely proportioned), and I happen to have a boyfriend with freakish geometry! Perfect!

As soon as I'm feeling well enough to take the bike back over to Abarth's house, and can drag the BF with me, we'll finish it up. He needs a good bike, and this is a very nice bicycle.

I discovered a couple other things about it: the brakes are reversed, which means it has crazy cables, which Abarth wants all of you to know is NOT HIS FAULT. I don't like friction shifting, no I don't. I don't like wrenching, as it hurts my hands and messes with my head. And finally, I don't need this bike anyway. My next bike will definitely be more upright. One set of drop bars in my life is enough.

I'm off to blog about it. Rideblog could use some new material!

First, I have to say my initial reaction to that first photo was there were some funky rims on that Miata. That crank lined up perfectly.

Abarth filled us in a little during our burger/beer fest after the Seattle swap meet. Really sucks that the top tube is too long. But, also cool that The Beloved will be able to use it.

I really like that triple crank. I wish my wife would ride a bike so I could build her something pretty.
Now get back in bed like the doctor told you.

I was thinking the same thing.

beautiful bike too bad it is a freak on wheels but if the BF uses it atleast you get to keep looking at it.

Your just full of tales-of-woe lately. Reminds me of that old song, "if it wasn't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all". Which reminds me of a line in a Sean Colvin song about a bad romance, "at least I got a song out of it". Substitute "blog" for "song" and you've turned lemons into lemonade. (Dam my post is lame) Oh well, chin up!

Don't worry, Rothenfield, all is not lost: I have the beautiful new Carradice Barley on the Panasonic and Daveyates and I are still working a French connection for me. I'll post pics of the Panasonic with the new bag soon, as I have those a-waitin'. I just didn't want to bog down the Forum .

I know that Sean Colvin song, though I can't remember which one its from. Haven't listened to her in a long time...

That is a phrase to be savored!

Or...hey, I resemble that remark!

Anyone got a good Man Saddle recommendation? The BF is not that into riding, and doesn't need British leather, so don't even think about it. I can't see him taking 200 miles to break something fancy in.

I want brown or white, as the tape is going to be brown. He's about 190-200lbs, so not small, but no Clydesdale, either. The bike will almost certainly get rained on. I could just get him a vinyl Turbo repro for boys, instead of my ladies leather one, of course. I'm thinking something in the >$75 range. Cheap, functional, reasonably comfy.

Ideas?

And Abarth: NO tiny racing saddles! Forget it! I know how your mind works... This should be comfortable and not so sporty as to be intimidating. This bike will be for runs to the store and pleasure rides with me.

Now, see, in selling this swap meet to me, he did not mention the post-swap burger/beer fest. That might have changed my desire to attend! I don't drink beer, but I do dearly love a good burger. I'm sort of ridiculous about them. One sounds good right now, in fact... <drifts off>

Well, if it happened the other way around I would be really worried about you. You start with this freakishly proportioned bike and go cruising the single bars looking for a man with short legs and long arms. A Cinderella story for cyclists.

^ For once I actually laughed out loud.

Don't be to hard on him - it was a last minute thing to get together for lunch. Would have been great to have you there. And, the burgers were fantastic.

Curse you and your burgers!

Actually, I just dragged the BF out and had a burger for dinner. It was great. The fries were only so-so.

freakish geometry...

I finally have my frame designed and as soon as tax day passes and I have some free time (i.e. not working 60 hours a week) I'll be mitering and brazing... 52 X 54.5 is what I've settled on as my ideal fit.

$75 can get you a B17 on eBay. Vintage non-leather saddles abound. The great majority are black, though.

The more I think about what you said about custom built Shogun, the more I agree with you that this is one of them. From the 53cm x 56cm size to the reversed brakes, yours must be a custom built Shogun for an English Neanderthal.

The Deore rear derailleur on your Shogun, is one of the worst modern derailleur I came across. I think if your first friction experience was with a Suntour or even a Simplex plastic derailleur, you might have a different opinion about friction shifting.

That's is so funny. I can totally see her doing it too.

i would love to see a guy 6'2" aboard a 53cm bike. i know its possible, but it just doesn't compute. i'm 6'2" and ride 60/61cm ST's

Abarth, the fact that every other Shogun of that year and model that I've seen has different seatstays and more (any) water bottle braze-ons, has me convinced that you are correct.

Shrinkboy, you obviously have normal legs. What's your inseam on pants? 35 or 36 when you buy your Levis, huh? The BF kept telling me that he had extremely short legs, but he's very big-boned and powerfully built and I just didn't see it. Until we measured. When he stands over the Shogun, he's got an inch of clearance. Now that may not be perfect. Might even be a bit small (he could certainly ride a 54cm bike, or even a bit bigger), but for someone who is casually riding on occassion, I think it will work just fine.