Anyone familiar with "Asama" bikes?
 

Hi, I recently purchased a Asama - About Town. I believe it is an entry-level road bike, that I paid about $410 CAD.

Well, the only thing about the bike that says "Asama" is the frame, all of the other parts appear to be Shimano. The wheels, the brakes and the little shifter thingies on the handle bars all say Shimano.

I'm just curious to know if anyone else has used this bike, and their thoughts on it. Keep in mind I am very new to cycling, and don't really know all the proper terms for things yet.

Also, any helpful tips for a new road cyclist would be appreciated.

Let me guess, you bought it from Sport Chek?
http://www.asamabikes.ca/bikes/11.jpg

It's an entry level hybrid with decent components. It's not a road bike. If it says Shimano only, it means nothing unless component model is stated. Shimano has bicycle components from the lowest end(cheapos you find at Wally) to the highest(top-of-the-line racing bikes).

Sounds like you are entering into "city cycling" but not "road cycling" per say. Regardless, welcome and I hope you get a lot of enjoyment out of it. I have a feeling we will see you back here with a shiny new road bike in a few months once the bug kicks in.

I actually got the bike from a bike shop named "Simon's" in Vancouver. How can I tell if the Shimano components are the cheapo ones, or good ones? Will there be model numbers or names on the parts?

Hah, the "bug" has already kicked it. I can't stop riding the damn thing :). Although once I get some money together, I will probably sell this bike, and use the proceeds to buy a better one :).

Yeah. I dislike that shop with passion (well, I dislike most bike shop Vancouver).

This is a nice list I found on google. Doesn't go too far into the part number, which can be confusing.
http://mc2.vicnet.net.au/home/vichpv...manoparts.html
You are at Level 2 of MTB components.

I actually thought the shop was quite good, the staff is friendly and willing to help out in anyway. And they are very informative, they answered all my questions quite thoroughly. I went back there today to find out of the pain I experienced from sitting on my saddle was normal, and they explained that it is normal at first, but if the pain doesn't go away, to return, and they would give me a more comfortable saddle, for free.

So yeah, they're pretty good there in my opinion.

Thanks for the parts list, I'm going to take a look at my bike now, to see how I stack up.

I bet they were. Sorry, but it sounds like they saw you coming.

I still don't understand why you seem to hate them so much. And, I went in there and explained to them that I was new, and just getting into cycling. I told them I didn't want to spend a huge amount of money on a bike, as I am just getting started.

Did you have some bad experience with these guys or something?

By the way, I'm not trying to flame, or start an argument or anything, I'm just genuinely curious.

Edit: Sorry, I just notice the last post was by someone different then the first person who hated on simon's. Really, whats the deal, why are they so bad according to you two?

Since you are new to this deal. Most shops in Greater Vancouver are oriented towards selling customers with bikes and as much accessories as possible and hoping to never to deal with warranty and tune up issue ever.

Basically, shops in Vancouver is hit-and-miss, you'll get fantastic service sometimes and sometimes you won't. There are every few shops I recommend because most of them sell junks. I had a manager told me the recurring problems with one of their popular bikes and why it sucks, I asked him why he was still selling them, he told me, they bring in a lot of money through mechanical issues and adjustments.

Good bike shop for a road bike is Campione, decent price in town, better than La Bicicletta. The owner Giuseppe Cramerotti, is super nice and real easy to talk to. I had a half an hour chat with him when I stop by to pick up a replacement part.

Another one is Dream Bike, depending on how busy the shop is at times, the owner Darren, will fix your bike on the spot. Mostly niche parts, his price is less than MSRP most of the time.

I'm not going to bash bike shops on a public forum other than saying I dislike the shop. If you want more info, you can PM me.