Newly acquired 1978ish Fuji S10-S road bike
 

This was a lucky pickup! Found it on FB Marketplace last night for $40 and seller agreed to deliver it locally. I'm guessing it's a '77 or '78 model by the 12 speeds, but S10-S designation. It has a Compe V front and Suntour V-GT rear derailleur plus Dia-Compe brakes and Ukai alloy rims. It feels great and will likely replace my heavier, taller (24"), chrome rimmed Panasonic Sport Deluxe. I will probably swap out the pedals from the Panasonic (relatively new MKS Sylvan Touring) to replace the clipless pedals on it (and save those clipless pedals for the near future lol). This bike is 21" or 22" so a much better fit for me (5'10").

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...5824e0d760.jpg
Drive side view
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...309278f459.jpg
Fuji head badge
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...478b7d7c61.jpg
S10-S decal
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...857a9c37f3.jpg
The good stuff! Not straight gauge but rather double butted hi-ten tubing. Not sure what this 881 stuff is. Maybe comparable to 1020 or 1030 steel?
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...1e219be674.jpg
Fuji decal on fork
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...65e4bb7f43.jpg
Classic Fuji seat tube decal
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...488049a823.jpg
Super Maxy crank
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...6be3229dea.jpg
Compe V front derailleur
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...c4da51b46f.jpg
Suntour V-GT rear derailleur
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...5fd50c8aeb.jpg
Ukai alloy rims. I will add caps and recenter the tubes in the tires.

Awesome color. I've got an S12-S LTD rotting in my backyard that I need to rescue.

Thanks! I bet that would make a great tourer and it's probably lighter than this one too.

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5V vs 6V -

AFAIK Fuji was the first major maker of production cycles to convert their entire line from 5V to 6V for the 1978 model year

interesting that subject machine is transfered as S10-S yet is fitted with a 6V block

this may be an indication that it is transitional

note that it is fully CPSC compliant


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Its been a minute since I've seen bicycle terminology that I didn't recognize, or perhaps its so obvious that I'm overthinking it. But 5V? 6V?

Figured it out. The number of holes in the Compe V :thumb:

So I'm guessing the ~1980/81 in my backyard will be 6.

Awesome! I had this same bike, in this same color, albeit in size 57cm or 58cm I believe. I commuted on it for a while. While I found it a bit heavy, it was a smooth rider. You are sure to enjoy yours!

I have a 1980 S12-S waiting it's turn in my shed. Your S10-S is a nice find!

Nice!! I'm currently riding a similar 1983 Peugeot P8 with flat bars that probably weighs 25-26 lbs (21" 1030 lugless frame, Wolber Super Competition alloy rims). It's really nice but has had a few reliability issues (gummed up Atom 77 freewheel, overtightened rear QR skewer). This bike I think has a comparable weight, if not a bit less or a bit more.

Thanks! I look forward to it. It felt smooth to ride even with the seat a few inches too low and clipless pedals plus regular shoes.

Sweet! Thanks! I look forward to photos ;-)

As found/purchased:

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...ac943e3940.jpg

Only thing I done to it so far was free up the stuck stem and service the headset/front wheel. Hope to get to it soon since I have finished up with my '87 Schwinn High Sierra.

Link to other pictures of the S12-S
https://zookster.smugmug.com/Hiking/Bicycles/Fuji-S12-S

Nice! That High Sierra also sounds like a fun project. Thanks for the link!

Yep, it was right in that 25-26lb range. It would probably be easy to drop a lb or two here or there if it turns out you really liked the ride. I enjoyed mine for the old school, old bike feel and sound - was easy to operate and Fuji definitely made a no-nonsense bike out of the S-10S, very reliable for me, I never had any issues with it while I ran it.

I have a few French bikes in my stable, and if you can get past the quirks (including mechanical ones), they can reward you with a great ride. Let us know when you get this one roadworthy!

Oh agreed! My Peugeot P8 has had a few issues but the ride quality is the best I've ever experienced. Either the geometry, frame size, material, or lugless joining, or perhaps all those things, must make it that way. It soaks up bumps like nobody's business. Pretty light for hi-ten steel too (apparently Carbolite is a tad stronger and thinner than 1020, and more importantly the P8 has alloy components, especially rims).

The S10-S does seem quite reliable! I noticed cartridge bearings on the front and rear wheels. One of these days I will repack the bottom bracket (if necessary), but first I need to swap the pedals. I did adjust the seat an inch up but I now need to adjust my head a bit to get used to the drops (my P8 has flat bars). I'm tending to look a little too far up or down; I need to keep my glasses up while looking straight forward. Nonetheless, the Fuji did feel good on the first (~1 mi) ride. Much easier to shift gears than on the 24" Panasonic I'm probably going to sell.

I did some more testing today and this thing feels great! I even spent an hour overhauling the bottom bracket with Lucas Red N Tacky grease which went pretty well, except for trying to remove the fixed cup which has notches instead of slots for a wrench. I probably need a cheater bar for that. Oh well, time to find some pipe. Anyhow, the green machine now pedals great post-overhaul. Really, really comfortable. Next step will be adding a rear rack for light touring. Note the swapped in MKS Sylvan Touring pedals which replaced the red clipless pedals that came with it.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...2d9a7d5abd.jpg
Adjustable cup post-overhaul
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...659d73176e.jpg
Spindle and adjustable cup pre-overhaul
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...03877b0c08.jpg
Bike with seat cover and MKS Sylvan Touring pedals

Nice find !! I don't think I've ever seen that particular size fork decal. This is from my '76 S10-S (still a true 10 speed) and the more common fork sticker I believe

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...2753b5d866.jpg

My S10-S story

https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...e-edition.html




.

Thanks! I had no idea about the fork decals. Thanks for sharing your S10-S story as well!

I'm sure you know this but for other who might read this thread, there is really no need to remove the fixed cup. So long as you were able to clean out old grease and debris, I'd leave it alone personally. If folks insist on removing a "stuck" fixed cup and don't have an appropriate tool they can always use a vise to hold the cup while they spin the frame carefully, of course. And make certain to spin the correct way!

Thanks for confirming! I had read that from Sheldon Brown. I was fortunately able to clean out the old grease and debris. I think I may make a fixed cup removal tool from a large washer, several nuts, and an appropriate diameter bolt.

There's no compelling need to remove the fixed cup unless you intend to replace the entire bottom bracket. Just clean it in place, and pack with fresh grease and balls.

Just took my Fuji S10-S for a 10 mile ride today to deliver a package at the post office. Loving it but I need to adjust the seat a bit higher and get used to the ride. It feels a bit rougher than my Peugeot, probably due to drop bars instead of flat bars. I think...

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...681f98d4eb.jpg
At the Kentlands Post Office in Gaithersburg, MD

I also reviewed it for my YouTube channel!