Hustler would have too much fun activating this while he was on the bike.

 

I can't help but think about how much weight the paint that they used to write "Lightweight" on the wheels added.

 

So, I messed around and bought a cheap 2005 Fuji League off Craigslist this week. I've been talking trash about buying a road bike for months and haven't come across a used midget sized road bike at all before this one. So I bought it.

I haven't had a chance to ride it more than around the Wal Mart parking lot the afternoon I bought it, but it's midget size, and it was cheap. I'll raise the seat, drop the bars and ride it Sunday, hopefully.

 

BTW, downtube shifters are massively unnatural things to ride. Is there and reason I can't toss the (Shimano SL-R400) downtube shifters and just use standard Shimano brifters and some creative cable routing?

 

Easy swap. If you buy a new set of STI style shifters, you will have everything you need to do the conversion. If used STI's, either get the cable, stops, ferrules and stuff or have a bike shop do it. Waring though, a good set of new STI's will cost about half of what a whole new entry level bike with "brifters" will cost.

Old bikes are rarely cost effective to add new parts to, sorta like computers. maintain that 10 year old bike? Absolutely. Spend $300 on new parts for it? ah, no. Sell the old bike for $150 on CL then go buy a new $550 bike that does everything better, has a warranty and probably a few free tune ups from the LBS.

 

There's no way I'm spending a fortune on parts for this thing. I was planning on buying a $50 pair of used brifters on ebay and using the pile of BMX cable housing/ ferules/ cable I have sitting on the shelf and some of these:




And only if I ride the thing some and can't deal with the downtube shifters.



Although, it does strike me that I could put a fork, wheels, seat/ post, bars, etc on this thing a little at a time a then put all that on a Nashbar carbon/ AL frame and sell the remains of the Fuji on CL when I'm done.

 

STI shifters require derailleur cable which is coaxial, as opposed to BMX style brake cable which is spiral. The sprial cable will be fine for the brakes.

 

What's the functional difference? The cable I have is spiral, but they sell off the shelf coaxial cable.


Edit: Nevermind, I googled it like a self sufficient component of society.

 

I rode a brifter bike for ~3 weeks, then I broke down and bought my current China-bike. I really want a 2013 Cannondale Supersix Rival bike on sale for $2400, but I think I've settled on keeping this super-stiff frame and fork with 105 and possibly getting super-light China wheels ($500 vs $3500 for American branded). I recently bought a 25mm setback post, 100mm stem (replaced 120), and saddle to dial and fit and my body is very happy. I am also not burning cash so that's nice too. I'm spending that money on stuff that touches my body rather than fancy gear for the bike.

 

BTW, I rode the MTB on the easy trail with clippy pedals for the first time on Thursday and it was awesome. I rode the challenging trail with Johnwag and Jeffman yesterday and I think I went down hard like three times, another three more casually. I have a lot to learn on the MTB and off-road riding. Seriously, I was constantly eating ****.

 

$6000 Parlee Z2 fame
$1700-$2000 in SRAM Red
$500 in China wheels
Hustler approved.

 

I will activate your sex organs.

 

Hottest bike I've seen:

 

Garage door is the wrong color. Steerer needs trimmed.
I will say I love that bar, same one I have.

 

I cracked myself on a 30-mile ride in 103*f heat yesterday and I'm still hurt today, lol.

 

Got on my mtb for the first time in years and did about 7 miles before I felt I was dieing. When does this cycling thing become fun?

Bike in question added for posterity.

 

American Tour de France legend Greg Lemond, when asked if cycling gets easier at his level:
"It nevers hurts less, you just ride faster"

 

I think it gets fun when you record rides on strava and try to beat your sectors and over all time.

 

 

That guys wins the prize of the most oddball fan running alongside so far in this years tour.