The Grand First Road Bike (Fuji Royale Mixte) Adventure
03-25-11, 01:29 PM
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The Grand First Road Bike (Fuji Royale Mixte) Adventure - Now With Fenders!
So this past Saturday I finally found it. My first road bike. Granted I'm planning to swap the bars for something a little more upright until I feel more comfortable with drops, but hey! Still my first road bike! And in my size! And suitable to my tastes! With snazzy gold alloy rims! And only 26lbs! It fits all of my criteria and it didn't break the college student bank! WOW!
And then maybe 4 or 5 hours after owning it (did i mention i've never ridden in the drops before?) I fell quite spectacularly and got to have medical grade super glue slathered on my brow. A week later my black eye is pretty spectacular.
So since my new Fuji friend and I have already had such an... Interesting life together, I thought I'd chronicle my experiences and gradual customization of this bike. Hold tight while I get my usb cable. And who wants to see my war wound? ;D
Enjoy!
And then maybe 4 or 5 hours after owning it (did i mention i've never ridden in the drops before?) I fell quite spectacularly and got to have medical grade super glue slathered on my brow. A week later my black eye is pretty spectacular.
So since my new Fuji friend and I have already had such an... Interesting life together, I thought I'd chronicle my experiences and gradual customization of this bike. Hold tight while I get my usb cable. And who wants to see my war wound? ;D
Enjoy!
Last edited by katezila; 04-16-11 at 10:15 AM.
03-25-11, 01:32 PM
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Must be an '83 Royale II by your description .. yes, please post pics.
Scott
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03-25-11, 01:45 PM
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I expect to see a set of SR bars embedded in an eye socket 
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03-25-11, 02:45 PM
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Let's see a photo of the laceration.
03-25-11, 03:18 PM
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Haha your right Scott! That is exactly what it is! There's a great scan from the '83 catalogue where you can read the full specs. Everything but the saddle was original when I bought it
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P7m8p3pz-z...og_Page_14.jpg
So I can't find my camera cable to upload the photo I took right after getting it home, but I just ran over to my friend's to borrow his and well. DSLR beats a point and shoot any day. Other then some polishing, a saddle swap, and painting some lugs nothing's changed since I got it.
I thought $150 was a bit steep for the bike, but I didn't have to do a lick of work unless I wanted to. Not to mention it fit so many of my absolute requirements. With my limited resources for hunting these types of bikes and the really remarkable shape it's in I think the extra cost was worth it.
Gold rims with hardly any grime. Cleaning em up anyways though
I really dig the headbadge on these vintage Fujis! Thinking of painting the Fuji stamped below with some red enamel.
The original saddle, swapped for a Brooks Champion Flyer S
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P7m8p3pz-z...og_Page_14.jpg
So I can't find my camera cable to upload the photo I took right after getting it home, but I just ran over to my friend's to borrow his and well. DSLR beats a point and shoot any day. Other then some polishing, a saddle swap, and painting some lugs nothing's changed since I got it.
I thought $150 was a bit steep for the bike, but I didn't have to do a lick of work unless I wanted to. Not to mention it fit so many of my absolute requirements. With my limited resources for hunting these types of bikes and the really remarkable shape it's in I think the extra cost was worth it.
Gold rims with hardly any grime. Cleaning em up anyways though
I really dig the headbadge on these vintage Fujis! Thinking of painting the Fuji stamped below with some red enamel.
The original saddle, swapped for a Brooks Champion Flyer S
Last edited by katezila; 03-25-11 at 03:22 PM. Reason: wrong photo codes
03-25-11, 03:19 PM
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Show us more
blood and gore !
- But don't forget to show us the bike!
EDIT: Oh - it just appeared.
Cool bike, katezila! Looks like you did quite well!
blood and gore !
- But don't forget to show us the bike!
EDIT: Oh - it just appeared.
Cool bike, katezila! Looks like you did quite well!
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Last edited by auchencrow; 03-25-11 at 03:25 PM.
03-25-11, 03:31 PM
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WARNING! This post has a photo of a black eye and a head gash in it! Not graphic but be warned.
So as mentioned, I crashed this bike after probably 4 hours of owning it. I was riding around on a near by college campus when it happened. I was going a bit faster then I was ready for, in the drops, went to change gears, and those very narrow road tires went between the lines of the sidewalk and threw me off balance. With my inexperience I was unable to correct myself and went down.
My bike only suffered a little scuffing to a break lever. I could barely photograph it!
I however suffered this. Photographed a whole 5 days after the accident.
It's not so bad and healing well, but freaked me out pretty good. Certainly not afraid to get back on the bike though. I just won't be riding out of my skill range again haha!
I've also got some pretty impressive bruising on my hip and your other expected bangs and scratches. :b
So as mentioned, I crashed this bike after probably 4 hours of owning it. I was riding around on a near by college campus when it happened. I was going a bit faster then I was ready for, in the drops, went to change gears, and those very narrow road tires went between the lines of the sidewalk and threw me off balance. With my inexperience I was unable to correct myself and went down.
My bike only suffered a little scuffing to a break lever. I could barely photograph it!
I however suffered this. Photographed a whole 5 days after the accident.
It's not so bad and healing well, but freaked me out pretty good. Certainly not afraid to get back on the bike though. I just won't be riding out of my skill range again haha!
I've also got some pretty impressive bruising on my hip and your other expected bangs and scratches. :b
03-25-11, 03:49 PM
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Haha sorry about the weird delay with the photos. I had no idea I'd left my cable at home. But hey the ones I snapped to replace them are infinitely better.
So right now I plan to add fenders and yellow bar tape that will be shellacked amber.
I want to swap the bars with VO Porteurs and Dia Compe Inverse Levers once they're back in stock. I'm thinking I'll redo the cables with red housing when that time comes.
I'm also seriously considering this rack, since the VO Constructeur is far out of my price range. Plus I like that it has more bars across the top than the Constructeur. https://shop.linusbike.com/collection...bike-rear-rack
Any thoughts? And thanks Auchencrow!
So right now I plan to add fenders and yellow bar tape that will be shellacked amber.
I want to swap the bars with VO Porteurs and Dia Compe Inverse Levers once they're back in stock. I'm thinking I'll redo the cables with red housing when that time comes.
I'm also seriously considering this rack, since the VO Constructeur is far out of my price range. Plus I like that it has more bars across the top than the Constructeur. https://shop.linusbike.com/collection...bike-rear-rack
Any thoughts? And thanks Auchencrow!
03-25-11, 03:51 PM
#11
You gonna eat that?
I had a very nice Fuji Royale mixte in red, perhaps a year or two older than that one. It was just gorgeous. I sold it to another BF member. I would have liked to keep it but it didn't fit me and I really had no use for it.
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03-25-11, 04:15 PM
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Get back in the saddle and don't fret about what you paid .. that is a VERY good price for that Fuji mixte, especially with the gold rims. If that photo of the head tube is any indication of the overall condition, wow.
If you ever take a series of photographs that you'd like to share on my blog please let me know. I don't have any Fuji mixtes at this point.
Scott
If you ever take a series of photographs that you'd like to share on my blog please let me know. I don't have any Fuji mixtes at this point.
Scott
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03-25-11, 04:43 PM
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Wow, great mixte! I dig the gold rims. Nice shiner. Ouch!
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03-25-11, 06:45 PM
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Thanks everyone!
Scott: I'll be sure to once the weather isn't horrible out!
Jeepr: I'm glad I snapped it up I wasn't in love with the gold, but it's really really grown on me! I'm surprised!
cycle_maven: Oh it's been ridden. Just not a lot I think. The paint has some dings and the cassette is certainly dirty. Thanks though! Judging price isn't something I'm good at yet.
Scott: I'll be sure to once the weather isn't horrible out!
Jeepr: I'm glad I snapped it up
I wasn't in love with the gold, but it's really really grown on me! I'm surprised!cycle_maven: Oh it's been ridden. Just not a lot I think. The paint has some dings and the cassette is certainly dirty. Thanks though! Judging price isn't something I'm good at yet.
03-25-11, 07:20 PM
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WARNING! This post has a photo of a black eye and a head gash in it! Not graphic but be warned.
So as mentioned, I crashed this bike after probably 4 hours of owning it. I was riding around on a near by college campus when it happened. I was going a bit faster then I was ready for, in the drops, went to change gears, and those very narrow road tires went between the lines of the sidewalk and threw me off balance. With my inexperience I was unable to correct myself and went down.
My bike only suffered a little scuffing to a break lever. I could barely photograph it!
I however suffered this. Photographed a whole 5 days after the accident.
It's not so bad and healing well, but freaked me out pretty good. Certainly not afraid to get back on the bike though. I just won't be riding out of my skill range again haha!
I've also got some pretty impressive bruising on my hip and your other expected bangs and scratches. :b
So as mentioned, I crashed this bike after probably 4 hours of owning it. I was riding around on a near by college campus when it happened. I was going a bit faster then I was ready for, in the drops, went to change gears, and those very narrow road tires went between the lines of the sidewalk and threw me off balance. With my inexperience I was unable to correct myself and went down.
My bike only suffered a little scuffing to a break lever. I could barely photograph it!
I however suffered this. Photographed a whole 5 days after the accident.
It's not so bad and healing well, but freaked me out pretty good. Certainly not afraid to get back on the bike though. I just won't be riding out of my skill range again haha!
I've also got some pretty impressive bruising on my hip and your other expected bangs and scratches. :b
Glad you are OK. Welcome to Fuji collecting!
03-25-11, 08:11 PM
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Sweet bike! Dang! your black eye! Gods speed on your recovery! I'm thinking some nice upright handle bars and some shiny fenders would make the bike even nicer.
Cheers,
Chris
Cheers,
Chris
03-25-11, 11:29 PM
#19
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Yowzer! It appears you were very lucky not to have damaged that eye! Good spirit of getting back into the saddle.
I concur with others that you got the bike at a great price. Anything less would have fallen into the gift category. ...No matter how "dirty" the freewheel.
Lovely frame. Go slow on major purchases. That said, suicide brake levers are called that for a reason: they ain't very safe.
Best of luck and welcome to the obsessive cyclists' club!
I concur with others that you got the bike at a great price. Anything less would have fallen into the gift category. ...No matter how "dirty" the freewheel.
Lovely frame. Go slow on major purchases. That said, suicide brake levers are called that for a reason: they ain't very safe.
Best of luck and welcome to the obsessive cyclists' club!
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1959 Hilton Wrigley Connoisseur (my favorite!)
1963 Hetchins Mountain King
1971 Gitane Tour de France (original owner)
* 1971 Gitane Super Corsa (crashed)
* rebuilt as upright cruiser
1971 Gitane Super Corsa #2 (sweet replacement)
1980 Ritchey Road Touring (The Grail Bike)
1982 Tom Ritchey Everest
(replacing stolen 1981 TR Everest custom)
1982 Tom Ritchey McKinley (touring pickup truck)
1985 ALAN Record (Glued & Screwed. A gift.)
03-26-11, 12:24 AM
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nice bike! $150 is a steal. Sorry about your wreck, feel better soon!
03-26-11, 01:44 AM
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glad youre ok - and sweet mixte
dont worry about falling - that happens and you learn from experiences like that - they increase vigilance to what your doing and ultimately help you to have safer rides in the future
dont worry about falling - that happens and you learn from experiences like that - they increase vigilance to what your doing and ultimately help you to have safer rides in the future
03-27-11, 02:18 PM
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Haha thanks for the concern guys! I'm pretty paranoid about the injury but it seems to be healing fine. Driving my boyfriend insane with my concerns about infection.
Chris: Shiny fenders should be shipping out from VO soon Uprights will tag along once I can find the right pair. Oh and another paycheck!
LeicaLad: Haha I WAS! Really it could have been so much worse. I'm also lucky I fell in the area I was in and not another part of Detroit. There were some very kind people around who helped me. I'll certainly be wearing my helmet when I ride like this again!
The suicide shifters played in my downfall. I don't like them very much, they don't seem to shift nearly as well as the friction shifter on my Schwinn. What would you recommend I look for instead?
marley mission: Thanks. I've definitely become more vigilant. What an embarrassment that I didn't wear my helmet that day.
Chris: Shiny fenders should be shipping out from VO soon
Uprights will tag along once I can find the right pair. Oh and another paycheck!LeicaLad: Haha I WAS! Really it could have been so much worse. I'm also lucky I fell in the area I was in and not another part of Detroit. There were some very kind people around who helped me. I'll certainly be wearing my helmet when I ride like this again!
The suicide shifters played in my downfall. I don't like them very much, they don't seem to shift nearly as well as the friction shifter on my Schwinn. What would you recommend I look for instead?
marley mission: Thanks.
I've definitely become more vigilant. What an embarrassment that I didn't wear my helmet that day.
03-27-11, 02:25 PM
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That Fuji looks in great condition, enjoy! The eye provides good story material for at least weeks to come--hope you heal quick.