Touring - What about this bike for touring? 1978 Bridgestone

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bigtrees
09-05-05, 05:47 AM
Hello I am wondering what you all think about this rig for touring. I have never done a proper tour on a bike but I plan on doing a big trip in the spring. I like the old steel frames and I have an oppurtunity to buy this bike for about $70. Any suggestions? What will I need to do to it etc.?

Do you think it is reasonable trying to use this bike. It has all the eyelets for loaded touring and the owner has done loaded trips on it 20 years ago.
Thanks for your help.

bigtrees
09-05-05, 05:50 AM
Oh yeah forgot to mention that i am a big guy 6'4" (197cm) 220lbs (100kg) does this have any bearing. Sorry the picture is not too big but just got it from the guy who is selling it.
BearLite
09-05-05, 11:47 AM
Maybe it could be a bit difficult to find spares if you have brakedowns along the way. Brakes, gears etc. But if that can be handled, why not?

bradw
09-05-05, 12:10 PM
Maybe I just can't make out the details from the small picture, but:

1) It looks like the crank has only two chainrings up front and fairly small cogs in back. If so, that means it doesn't have very low gears for climbing hills while carrying you and your tent, bags, etc. All loaded touring bikes I've seen (except those with Rohloff-type hubs) have a triple crank up front, with a small inner ring, and large cogs in back to give you extra small gears for climbing with a load.

2) It also looks like the bike has standard road-caliper brakes. Generally touring bikes have v-brakes, cantilevers or maybe disc brakes to provide greater stopping power than caliper brakes.


If you are only going to tour in flat areas, or do credit-card touring, this might be OK. Also, you may be a very strong rider and have no problem at all using this bike for loaded touring as is.

Finding compatible replacement components for repairs might be a problem.
cooker
09-05-05, 12:12 PM
Do you think it is reasonable trying to use this bike. It has all the eyelets for loaded touring and the owner has done loaded trips on it 20 years ago.
Thanks for your help.
It doesn't look like it has braze ons for front fork lowrider racks, so your load may have to be at the back. Also I don't see a triple chainring ("granny gear") so it may be hard to ride uphill when loaded. Having said that, it still sounds like a good price!
Robert