mparker326

+1, I see folks fretting over touring bikes who have never toured. You say you are going light and only for a few days. Just load up and go as is and figure out what didn't work when you get back.

Lascauxcaveman 

I, too, like the idea of converting that crank to a compact double. Much cheaper as it allows you keep the rest of your running gear. Do a google on "Measuring bolt circle diameter BCD" and that will lead you to what chain ring combos are practicable with your existing crank. Lots of spare chainrings are available cheap on the big auction site, but you must get the right BCD. A closeup shot of your crank will be enough info for someone here to tell you what it is.

A closeup shot or two of those rims would help identify them as either steel (toss 'em) or alloy (keep 'em.)

Once you've figured that out, all that's left is brakes, and you can get good ones cheap on the big auction site too. BTW, Those big wide MTB pedals you have on there should be a solid and comfortable choice for touring.

IMHO, a UO-8 set up just right will be "almost" as good as a Surly LHT, and obviously for a lot less. Although, with all the add-ons for touring, it can get expensive pretty fast. That's why a used touring bike already loaded with all the extras can be such a good deal if you find one at a nice price.

noglider 

I agree strongly. No doubt, you'll have some challenges. So far, your plan is decent.

miamijim

+1.

Swap out to low compression brake cables (JagWire or Shimano) with some new high friction pads and be done with it. Why drop all the coin if you don't need to?

non-fixie 

-1. C'mon, it's fun to think up a few plausible improvements and look forward to trying them out.

jimmuller 

jambon, one more thing. Please don't call it a "10-speed-racer". It's a "road bike" with "drop bars" (or since there is only one bar, a "drop bar") and derailleur gearing. If it really were a racer the gears would be quite useless for touring!

Back in the 1960's publicists called any road bike from Europe a "racer". Back in the 1950's they called any bike with a 3-speed Sturmey-Archer hub an "English racer". It's sort of like calling your road-legal Datsun 240Z a race car. Sports car, yes. Race car, no.

pfaustus

The heyday of bike touring was in the 70s, and most of the people touring used any old ten speed. A UO-8 with a pletscher rack bolted to the rear brake and a handlebar bag would have been typical. In the eighties, a lot of "touring Bikes" appeared with options that had only existed on custom bikes a few years before. Those eighties bikes seems to have become some folks' idea of what is "needed" for touring. It is not true. All of the proposed improvements to your Peugeot are nice, but not necessary.

Your plan is good. Have fun.

likebike23

+1 not only is it fun, but a couple of key upgrades could make for a more enjoyable time. Better to worry about the bike before the tour in my opinion.

likebike23

Sorry to quote myself, but it is in reference to the brakes. The Tektro800A brakes are installed and I went for a short ride. My impression so far is that they are much better than the Mafac Racers than I had on there. They modulate pretty well and have enough power to lock the rear even with 37mm Paselas. They have nice grey compound pads which are grippy and dont squeal. The mafacs with modern levers had a hard time stopping the bike quickly, and I had enough of fooling with them. On my U08 converted to 700c, the brakes are at the upper end of pad adjustment. If you are looking at these brakes, make sure you measure the reach you need as they may have too much reach for your bike. Hope that helps and good luck. Mike

Grand Bois

The Tektro 800A's are very inexpensive and look it, but they work well. They are a good choice for a UO-8 because the rear brake cable attachment is on the right side.

You'll need levers with quick releases.

likebike23

Agreed, they aren't much to look at for sure. They ugly up the bike a bit, but it's a trade off I'm willing to take for the better braking. Good point also on the lever quick releases.

bikemig 

+ 1 on the - 1; gee, I've been wanting to say that for a while.

Grand Bois

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