2003 Fuji Royale flatbar road bike - my new ride

So the other half was willing to try biking too, so I handed her my 2005 Fuji Absolute and got myself a used 2003 Fuji Royale. Even though it's two years older than the Absolute, this is Fuji's top of the line flatbar road bike. It's 4 pounds lighter, has a carbon fiber fork, a lighter frame, better components, etc. It's more nimble compared to the Absolute, but otherwise it's practically the same bike. The gearing is also a lot more 'roadie' meaning that it really is a road bike with a flatbar instead of dropbar, while the Absolute is more of a hybrid.

I've also just added some mini aero bars for some more hand positions and a little more speed when it's needed. Got the blue camo tape on there too for extra radical-ness. Other than that I've got some quick release lights, fenders, a nerd bell, an OnGuard Bulldog Mini lock and cable, and a cyclocomputer. I don't use the computer all the time but so far my top on flatland while still seated is around 23 mp/h. Haven't tried a top-speed while sprinting or with the aerobars, but I imagine I could probably hit 25 with the aeros and probably 25+ while standing and sprinting in high gear. Could probably do even faster if I had some real flat straightaways - in San Francisco it's rare to get more than a few blocks without a hill or a stoplight.

I've also put on some Continental Ultra Gatorskin tires on there (700x25c) and some Slime self-sealing tubes. I live in an industrial part of San Francisco full of glass, rocks, etc, and I was getting constant flats. I tore a fat hole in a tire just a few days ago! The Gatorskins are supposed to be some of the most flat-resistant tires out there, and the slime tubes are like the last defense. I also now carry a spare tube and tools to change a flat on the road. I was forced to walk to work in the rain one too many times, so I figure it's worth the investment. Also it's one thing to get a flat two miles from work, but as I go on longer rides it would really blow to get a flat like eight miles from home!