I'm going to try out a road bike for the first time after being a lifelong recreational rider. I've mostly been a light recreational rider/commuter who always used mountain bikes. I found a decent 10 speed for $20 and I've spent many hours overhauling each component and learning as I go. I'm just a set of brakes away from completion. Luckily I found [MENTION=84826]randyjawa[/MENTION] 's website early on, and it has been an amazing resource for this project. I've also been enjoying the stories of the bicycles in his collections as much as the technical information. I hope that I can get as much pleasure out of riding this bike as I have while working on it. I've already started looking for my next project bike.

Welcome to Bike Forums. What bike did you get? Got pics?

It's an Apollo. Nothing fancy or valuable, but from what I've been reading, the components are mid range Suntour, and the frames are known to be pretty well built. I broke the barrel mounts on the brakes. The barrels were aluminum, fastened with a steel nut. I guess after years of not being loosened, galvanic corrosion had created a pretty strong bond there. I didn't use much force when I tried to loosen it, but it broke anyway. I should have left them on, but everything else on the bike has been polished, so I didn't want to leave them looking dull. I'll probably order some tektro R539's now. I built a truing stand last weekend, so I'll tune up the wheels this weekend.

I'll post some pictures when everything is finished.

Welcome, [MENTION=459137]Gatri[/MENTION]. It sounds like you're taking the "well informed" route into road biking, which is pretty cool. Knowing your machine is awesome, in my eyes, and I admire your path.

I'm sure you've already poked around Bike Forums, but of course:

Bicycle Mechanics - Bike Forums

Classic & Vintage - Bike Forums

should both fit in with the bike you're completing.

This: General Cycling Discussion - Bike Forums is all around cycle talk,

and this: Road Cycling - Bike Forums is very much road specific.

Off site, Sheldon Brown is a great resource, as well.

Have fun!

Gatri, welcome to Bike Forums. You might be interested in the Classic and Vintage forum for help with your overhaul as well as Bicycle Mechanics section and of course, the General Cycling Discussion forums.

General Cycling Discussion - Bike Forums
Bicycle Mechanics - Bike Forums
Classic & Vintage - Bike Forums

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. i've looked at all of the links that were suggested, and even posted in one of the forums for help already. What a great community we have here on the forums.

Hey welcome to Bike Forums! It took me a while to get a road bike too but I finally found one. You are going to learn so much with this one. Have fun!

Welcome Gatri.

I started on mountain bikes as well and switched. I ride too aggressively on mountain bikes and I decided to switch as I got older so I would still be around awhile.

Hello from Massachusetts!!