Paulnhbtx

Some one gave me this bike. It also says Tange 900 CR-MO. I am new to the cycling world. It needs new tape, shifter cables, and brake cables. I can not seem to find anything on this bike. Is it worth repairing? All feedback appreciated.

Thanks

amillhench

I wouldn't consider those repairs. If it fits you and you want a bike then the cost of those minor purchases and putting them on yourself equals a really cheap bike! Enjoy.

Paulnhbtx

Thanks for the positive feedback. Have you ever heard of the Shogun Brand?

Paulnhbtx

Paulnhbtx

Here is the bike....

japollner

East Hill Bike!!!!

Paulnhbtx

East Hill bike. What does that mean? I am new to the cycling world, please explain.

huerro

East Hill is a regular poster here who is, shall we say, diminutive.

[Edit: She is also the official Bike Forums greeter. I'm not sure how you slipped in under her watchful eye.]

As for whether or not it's worth fixing up, it depends. If it fits you and you want something to ride around on, absolutely. It looks to be in good shape so your local bike shop or co-op should be able to get you up and running for not too much money.

If it isn't a good fit, I wouldn't bother getting it road ready as I doubt the resale value would be very high. I would just pass it on to someone who it does fit and let the next person deal with getting it road ready.

amillhench

Yes, Shogun was a popular bike maker, but of course its the model that generally matters. Even the great bike makers had lower end models. Do a forum search for "shogun", and you will get lots of hits. Good luck!...N/M

amillhench

oh yea and that sticker on the seat tube, underneath the seat on the frame, that should tell what type of steel it was made from. That will give you a clue about the quality of the frame. Post up what it says and we can help further.

huerro

It's in his title. Tange 900 is seemed DB cro-mo. Good steel, but not top of the line according to the internetz.

RobbieTunes

First, you need to do something about that chain. It can easily gouge or scratch that frame.

If the bike fits you, and it looks pretty small, it's worth repairing, though I'd consider tape, cables, and such to be maintenance.

Shogun was a Japanese bike maker who tended to use good, decent frames and wheels, and many times the other components were not. The "CR-MO" often was found on the side, and different levels were CR-MO 300 or CR-MO 400, etc.

Tange is a Japanese frame maker. CR-MO is short for a chromium-molybdenum steel material that came in various grades and thicknesses. 900 is the grade of steel tubing used.

I have a Shogun and I've seen a couple here and a few on Velospace. There was a dealer here who sold them years ago, so my area has some around, mostly in back yards and garages, which is sort of a pity, but not unreasonable. My pro's and con's, based only on what I've seen:

Pros:
Nice frame, excellent paint quality, and a longer geometry that makes for a smooth ride. The bike does not "wander" easily.
Lack of frame "bosses" makes for a clean conversion to single speed.
The graphics were often stickers on top of the clear coat (easily removed) as opposed to decals under the clear coat.
Wheels are usually Araya 27" x 1.25", a nice rim for the time, they stay true and don't rust, holding Shimano splined freehubs and cassettes, so replacement parts are out there.
Usually Shimano hubs, which can be taken apart, re-done with 5-cent bearings, and re-packed and adjusted like new.
Often outfitted with alloy Alps stem and bars, another decent Japanese part maker.
One of the coolest head badges around, a helmeted Japanese warrior.

Cons:
Often outfitted with lower end Shimano stem-mounted shifters, front derailleur and rear derailleur. I've never seen one not rusted beyond repair.
Same with the brakes, often Shimano Tourney that don't take aging well, especially outside.
Likely the saddle, because I've never seen a Shogun without a replacement saddle. The saddle mounting was the old heavy style and the posts were rormally steel tubes.
The bar is usually 38cm, which is narrow, and had cloth tape, which is tough to get off.

Your Shogun appears to be in as good a shape as any I've seen. Mine was someone else's throwaway, and I saved the frame, stem, and wheels. Everything else was shot. The frame cleaned up close to new, with stickers removed it looked very clean. I used the wheels on a different bike, and made a single speed out of it, which I'll PM you. My friends often borrow it, and it's always tough to get it back.

If yours fits and can be working with a good cleaning, maintenance of cables and bar tape, I'd ride it like that, since it doesn't appear rusty or anything.

If you get tired of the old school shifting, etc and have a yen for more modern components, whatever you put into it will not make it a whole lot more valuable.

If you decide after a while not to upgrade and you don't like it, single speed is an option and fun.

If you decide someday you don't want it at all, let me know. Hell, I'd buy it now, but the shipping would be prohibitive.

Chris_in_Miami

It looks like it's going to be tricky getting the chain to meet up with the freewheel...

amillhench

That's a sweet head badge Robbie.

Paulnhbtx

Robbie Tunes, thank you so much for taking the time to reply! Your bike looks really nice! I like the color scheme. If you don't mind me asking, how much did it cost to restore your bike to its current condition. I am looking forward to riding it Sunday.

RobbieTunes

My single speed is a flip/flop, and the wheels were $150 of the total $205 I spent.
I see you have a nice seat post and brakes, saddle and everything else.
That's a rider, all the way. Someone took care of it, or it wouldn't be here.
It can be lightened, cleaned, and lubed, and give you some good times.

Oops, I just checked the picture again. Is the rear derailleur missing?

Torchy McFlux

I sold Shoguns back around 1990. Decent bikes. *shrug*

I thought they were a subsidiary brand of Falcon. Don't know where my boss got them from. He owed many people much money, so we got strange things from all over the place...

nlerner

If you run this search in Google:

shogun site:bikeforums.net

you'll find plenty of talk about Shoguns.

Neal

RobbieTunes

I'm looking at the pics again. It looks lilke the rear wheel is in backwards, and there is definitely no rear derailleur. Any idea where it is?

Paulnhbtx

I have the rear derailleur and pedals : )
I can't wait to get this thing on the road....

Paulnhbtx

Paulnhbtx

We replaced two shifter cables and the chain. Total to get it running $24.00

japollner

Looks good!! Now ride it like you stole it!

Paulnhbtx

Thanks! I think I found a new hobby. When ever I see a bike reasonably priced or in the trash I will save it and get it running......


It picks up some speed! I can't put it down. I have rode the bike like four times today!

Paulnhbtx

Ps. Robbietunes

Thank you for all of your help! You have a wealth of knowledge! You steered me in the right direction, THANKS AGAIN!