Archery_Queen

so I was browsing Craigslist and came across this bike

27" SHOGUN BICYCLE

Never heard of this brand and nothing comes up through Google. Is this bike a cheap bike? Is it worth 70 bucks?

chaadster

Shogun is the correct name, and no, nothing special. I remember them from the '80s as basic economy bikes, like a notch above Huffy or something like that, but entry level bike shop stuff.

Oh, is it worth $70 bucks? I guess if you're not going to spend $80, need a bike, and it's the only one around, then yeah. Otherwise, no.

J.C. Koto

It's "Shogun", as in a Japanese military leader, not "shot-gun". This is probably why you didn't find any info

Anyway, it doesn't look *terrible* (the frame itself looks OK assuming it fits) but it does look like a money-pit to me. I'd only buy it expecting to spend, at minimum, a couple hundred $$$ getting it in good shape, and that's if I was in love with the frame.

megalowmatt

How tall are you? That's a bigger frame...

-=(8)=-

Def worth 70.
Japanese steel is to me, the best commuting value out there.
I only commute on bikes like these.

Arvadaman

AQ,

I don't know if this one is out of your price range but you might give it a look.

2009 GT Transeo 5.0 Hybrid

Archery_Queen

this is totally the opposite of what I'm looking for. I want a faster road bike.

Archery_Queen

I totally trust your opinion. I'll call and see it I fit it.

Arvadaman

Yep. It would not work well for that.

LesterOfPuppets

I'd wait for a higher level Shogun, personally. At least get one without a claw rear derailleur.

Archery_Queen

What else is there?

Archery_Queen

It does look bigger. I'm 5'6 but it won't hurt to try it at least.

wolfchild

Nice find... I love the look of those old vintage road bikes. Just make sure that the gears shift well and the brakes work well. Also make sure that the wheel hubs, cranks and the bottom bracket spins smoothly. If it's in good condition and it fits you well, then it will be a huge improvement over your mountain bike. Good luck

LesterOfPuppets

Direct mount rear derailleurs are usually nicer and appear on nicer bikes. You really need to find out your size.
Here are some nicer bikes

About the same size as the Shogun. Alu/Carbon KHS Flite for $795
KHS FLITE 720, 56cm

A hair smaller than that Shogun. Cromo mixte Miyata for $140
Miyata 1024 Women's Bicycle

Considerably smaller than the Shogun, a bit smaller than that Miyata, probably. 531 tubing Trek 400t for $395 obo
Trek 400T Elance! --$375 obo

The Trek is my favorite frame of the three, if it fits.

Archery_Queen

Everyone keeps suggesting these expensive ass bikes, if I had that kind of money do you really think I would be looking for a 70 dollar bike on Craigslist?? I mean 800 bucks, you're out of your mind...

Leisesturm

LOL. I hear you. FWIW, at first I was dubious, but, on reflection, you could do worse. If you can fit the thing, and remember, French Fit is a valid ideal, then I say go for it. I have to wonder, however, how well the thing has been taken care of. Anyone who could use a bike with the handlebars rotated forward like that, who could have their rack tilted at such an awful angle, and who forced flat-bar handgrips to do the hard work of proper bar tape... ... not a discerning cyclist. You will need to fill in their blanks. Maker sure the wheels are true and don't wobble side to side as they turn. Make sure they turn freely and can spin awhile before stopping. I might buy that bike anyway even if it fails these tests because I would be able to make things right. If you have to take it to an LBS to get it tuned up before you ride then your savings are toast before you even begin. I would go to a bike co-op or an LBS that does refurbs and see what they will sell you for ~$100. You might be surprised. Otherwise I would hit the garage sales. I got a better bike than the Shogun for $30 at a garage sale. That Shogun could be the seed crystal for a decent roadbike for the person with the ability to do the restoration work themselves.

Edit: If you get that bike, and when you get it road worthy... you can't ride that thing in a skirt. You just can't. Its against the rules. Black shorts, chamois optional (but recommended).

H

LesterOfPuppets

Sorry. Pretty slim Pickens on the Bloomington CL. Gonna have to wait it out. Tall fork and medium head tube on the shogun had me thinking 57-58 cm frame. That's big even for French fit.

Pretty rough condition on that Shogun. Forks probably bent.

try out the miyata. Offer $100. See what happens.

Archery_Queen

I know basics such as adjusting th breaks on my own, changing tires, taping the bars up, adjusting the handle bars a needed and even switching out the derailer (might need to get it adjusted but I won't have to pay to get it put on!) so I'm not sure...

what about skirts with yoga shorts or pants while riding? I never wear skirts that are above me knee.... It's against my "classy" code lol

Archery_Queen

really?? You have to be kidding me!!! Another bike with a bent fork!? My luck... I swear...

Archery_Queen

My offer was shot down with a stern "no" :-/

DiabloScott

Shogun was a big brand - sold by lots of bike stores. They had cheap ones and much nicer ones.


The guy in this ad looks like he's way too big for his bike. Also - Japanese brake cabling!

Shogun appeared about the time triathlons were getting popular, and there were a lot of people who were looking for an appropriate bike.

I-Like-To-Bike

What difference does it make? No matter what anyone recommends or suggests; you seem to be back again in a day or two asking the same questions about another Craigslist sighting.

My suggestion: Ride what you have until you know what you want or; Get something already! I suspect you'll be back again in a week asking for more recommendations on how to modify it based on somebody else's suggestion, that you will more than likely ignore.

zonatandem

Buy what your can afford; Shoguns were decent/affordable bikes . . . (if Huffy built an airplane would you fly in it?).

Archery_Queen

actully I as opinions because I want something of quality. I'm back again because the others didnt work out. Everyone here is way more experienced than I, and if I can't find the bike on bikes bluebook why not ask if anyone else has knowledge about the bike. Dose it really bug you I am on here every few days? If so you need a new life goal rather than worrying what some college girl from Indiana is doing on bike forums...

Cyril 

Why oh why is there no 'like button on BF?
I'll have to settle for the old +1