Touring - Setting up my vintage touring bike...

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seely
07-16-06, 10:10 PM
Its not that vintage, maybe late 80's? Anyways, its a Nishiki Riviera GT, Tange Infinity, full Suntour LaPree with Dia Compe frog legs and levers, and a Sugion RD biopace-ish crankset. 5spd freewheel on a 27" wheelset. Looks brand new, and was only $70 :eek:

My current thinking for updating it is:
Sun M3I 27" wheelset
Shimano 105 hubs
9spd barcon setup
new ROUND chainrings
shimano 600 threaded headset

So far I have a Nitto Radonneur bar and Technomic stem that is working out superbly, with some Fizik gel under the cork tape on the tops. The bike rides great as is, but the chainrings are driving me nuts and I am thinking over long distances I am sure I would enjoy the extra gearing of a 9spd setup. Any thoughts? I'm wondering if I could just use the current Suntour friction DT shifters with a 9spd setup, even?

skookum
07-17-06, 08:12 AM
What is the rear dropout spacing? You may not be able to put a 9 speed casette on it without spreading the rear - it can be done on a steel frame,- but I don't know how much you want to widen it.

7 0r 8 on the back would be fine if you have a triple on the front.

What is wrong with the current headset?
nm+
07-17-06, 08:24 AM
You know, you *could* fit 700c's on there, either by moving the pads or replacing the brakes.
Makes replacement parts on the road so much easier to find.
FWIW, 8 and 9 use the same spacing, 7's is smaller but can use all 8 speed stuff but the cassette.
RE: Round chain rings, do you have biopace? :)

seely
07-18-06, 08:54 PM
You know, you *could* fit 700c's on there, either by moving the pads or replacing the brakes.
Makes replacement parts on the road so much easier to find.
FWIW, 8 and 9 use the same spacing, 7's is smaller but can use all 8 speed stuff but the cassette.
RE: Round chain rings, do you have biopace? :)

I like the current brakes, and I like the fact 27" tires are available at any hardware store or Walmart in the US, honestly. That, and a good quality Conti 27" can be had for $10 a lot of times. I know about spacing, I've spread several rear triangles before so I'm not too worried about that.

No Biopace, but Cycloid, which is about 10x worse. Egg shaped chainrings. My poor knees!
skookum
07-19-06, 08:23 AM
If you want more gears go for a triple.

Thats my advice.