Touring - Bridgestone Frame

Is the Bridgestone RB-T a beefy enough frame for a 200 lb guy and a full load of touring paraphernalia? I am in the market for a good touring bike and have heard good things about this one, but only for sport touring and commuting. Anyone out there done an extended tour on an RB-T?

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/bridgestone/1994/images/47.jpg
I take it you've located an RB-T for sale?

From Harris Cyclery's website:

The RB-T was a touring bike introduced in the early '90s, a time when touring bikes were extremely out of fashion with manufacturers. It was a very nice bike, but had trouble competing with the left-over stock of mid-80s touring bikes still in the pipeline. This bike also came with Avocet slick tires, which are splendid tires, but difficult to sell, since most people assume (incorrectly) that they will provide poor traction.

From the picture the gearing looks a bit suspect for loaded touring- big chainring and small cassette gearing....but that's just how it appears to me. Also, I think most experienced touring folks would steer you away from the 700 x 26 tires in favor of a heavier tire..but the ad says it can go to a 35, so that's good.

Some additional input from an apparent Bridgestone afficianado:

The RB-T was a early 90s bike, Bridgestone's version of a light touring bike. Not a full on "load up all your camping gear and strike out across the US" bike like my Miyata 1000. Sure, you could use it that way, but it's not as "hardcore loaded touring" as that. Bridgestone described it in their 1994 catalog, which you can find here:http://www.sheldonbrown.com/bridgestone/1994/pages/47.htm

See this comment in its full context: http://spokesofawheel.blogspot.com/2008/11/my-new-bridgestone-rb-t.html

I'm getting the picture of a nice bike but it seems to be stretching things a bit for your purposes ("a beefy enough frame for a 200 lb guy and a full load of touring paraphernalia").

The frame will probably be fine. As a Clyde that has ridden and toured on Bridgestones I would have no concerns at all. Except maybe the wheels. But if you like the bike, it'd be worth dealing with that.

There is one thing worth mentioning. I had a Fuji touring bike from the 80's that had a flexy fork. I don't know that you would have that problem, in fact, I doubt it.

I've got a Bridgestone RB-T. I toured on it extensively until I got my Bike Friday NWT. Anyway, it's a fine bike and I've never had any problems with it. I still ride it occasionally. However, I weigh a lot less than you, sellwinerugs. I know someone else who had an RB-T who is somewhat closer to your weight, and he had no problems until it was stolen a year ago. He only went on a couple of tours with it, however.

My impression is pretty much the same as the previous ones. It`ll be fine if you aren`t hauling camping gear, not ideal though probably doable if you are. I have a 91 RB-T as my "go fast" bike- I love the bike, but it isn`t particularly stout. Gearing isn`t too bad and could easilly be made lower due to the standard 74/110 bolt pattern. Fat tires will fit too- I have 32s with loads of room to spare. The stock wheels on mine would be my biggest concern if I were to load it up.

I'm in the same boat as you- I tour with a lot of gear and I weigh 200 pounds. Heads up. Gear breaks faster for us.

I have a XO-1 that I toured on, but not for weeks on end. The longest with it is a week long local tour. Have a Panasonic Pro Touring and Miyata 1000, but my tourer of choice is a Miyata 618. It's strong and comfortable and I've had no problems with it. If you're worried about break downs, then you might want to consider converting a mountain bike. The 80s mb are great rigs, super strong and great geometry for touring, and many are lugged which is a nice esthetic touch.
good luck.