FAB Jim The Cyclist

Vintage Shogun Bicycles

Shogun is another really cool vintage bicycle brand that started in Japan. Its history is a bit hard to find, but I believe the following to all be true. Founded in 1977 and owned by Japanese trading company Marui. I believe they were all originally made in Japan by various manufacturers early on, and laterContinue reading “Vintage Shogun Bicycles”

Evo Vantage 5.0 Road Bike Custom Build

This is my first ever bike build. I started with a really affordable Evo Vantage 5.0 alloy frame these were all over for cheap at the time. Have a look at it: From the start my intention was to be my full-time trainer bike for indoors. I wasn’t too worried about the quality of theContinue reading “Evo Vantage 5.0 Road Bike Custom Build”

Origin8 Uno Road Saddle Review Bike Seat

I was looking for a pretty normal, sorta old school looking saddle for my current bicycle build. Being frugal I was also curious what was out there for cheap. I landed on the Origin8 Uno Road Pro Saddle which gets very good reviews despite being quite inexpensive. It looks comfortable, but still a rather normalContinue reading “Origin8 Uno Road Saddle Review Bike Seat”

Vintage Maruishi Bicycles Japan

Maruishi is one of several lesser-known Japanese bike companies. There seems to be some mystery about how old the company is/was. It has been suggested that at one point they claimed to be the oldest bicycle company in Japan and started importing bikes in 1884. I’ve also read 1894 and 1909 in Tokyo as theirContinue reading “Vintage Maruishi Bicycles Japan”

Best Entry Level Road Bike 2022 Motobecane Super Mirage SL Review Bikes Direct

Bikes Direct is loaded with tons of options so I thought it would be fun to make some recommendations from their site. My first recommendation is the Motobecane Super Mirage SL for a good entry level road bike. It comes in burnt orange and dark silver, have a look: What I like: Disc brakes 2X8Continue reading “Best Entry Level Road Bike 2022 Motobecane Super Mirage SL Review Bikes Direct”

Wellgo W-01 SPD Clipless Bicycle Pedals Review Light MTB Road

I needed some new clipless pedals for my Surly Crosscheck build and because Shimano pedals have rocketed up in price I decided to shop around. For $45 I found these very nice-looking W-01 pedals by Wellgo. They look good, I like the specs and I’m familiar with the brand. Have a look: Specs Weight: 300Continue reading “Wellgo W-01 SPD Clipless Bicycle Pedals Review Light MTB Road”

Microshift Centos 10 Speed Front Derailleur Review and Installation

I was looking for a nice old school looking derailleur that I could get new for my Surly Cross Check build and landed on the Microshift Centos groupset. The group I have is new, but a slightly older version and very silver. It is a 2×10 groupset so the front derailleur is a 2X. TheContinue reading “Microshift Centos 10 Speed Front Derailleur Review and Installation”

Have a braze-on front derailleur and no braze-on? You need an adapter clamp

So front derailleurs are either clamped on or they attach to a braze-on. I’ve never owned a bike with a braze-on, so mine are all clamped on. What type of front derailleur do you need? If you have a braze-on frame you need a braze-on derailleur. If you don’t have a braze-on, you can eitherContinue reading “Have a braze-on front derailleur and no braze-on? You need an adapter clamp”

How to remove and replace Surly bicycle decals/stickers

Today I’m going to show you how I remove and replace the stickers on a Surly bike. Here is my Cross Check decal that isn’t looking so good: Here is a brand-new decal: It comes sandwiched between a rectangle shaped paper and clear plastic sheet. Step 1 Mark for where the new label is goingContinue reading “How to remove and replace Surly bicycle decals/stickers”

Vintage Bianchi Bicycles History and Facts

Bianchi is the oldest bicycle manufacturer in the world. Started in 1885 by Edoardo Bianchi in Milan, Italy. He was only 21 years old when he started the business in his small shop. He thought bicycles should have the same size tires in front and back. Seems he was right. Bianchi sponsored Giovanni Tommasello whoContinue reading “Vintage Bianchi Bicycles History and Facts”