JOHN J

HELLO EVERYONE.

I hope all is well. well the weather here in NY is getting better and its approaching yard sale season.

I usually hate doing the yard sale thing unless Im on a mission.

I started riding again after many years away from regular saddle time and Im going to attemp commuting 13 Mile one way.

long story short I set up My early 90s Falcon road bike into a commuter I had no braze ons for anything except water bottles and and down tube shifters so thanks to "P" clips I could add a rack and Rivendell style modified fenders. I was also able to get 35c tires on it.

with all this done This bike might be to wackey of a beast when loaded to be comfortable or handle nice. the geometry is all roadie. 75 deg seat tube, short stays, single pivot side pulls (very good ones according to master sheldon) ... Dang I wanted a touring bike when I bought this one but the LBS talked me out of one saying I was too young for a boring bike in 1992.


anyway if this falcon road bike does not work out I want to put a frame together that will!!

I Know the surly cross check is a good way to go but I realy do love the vintage lugged frames.

so what do I look for other than the right size in a lugged older frame. I dont mind old center pulls like wieman ... Im experienced with them and can beef them up. I also LIKE/use barcons so sti /ergo compatibility is not an issue. Ill strip and paint the frame to so a good finish up front is no big deal.

WHAT ARE GOOD BRANDS /MODELS/things TO LOOK FOR ? Im sure older models dont have oodles of braze ons but if they can take a big tire/wheels and proper(not modified) fender/have comfy angles I can work with it including adding my own brazeons.

my falcon roadie may work out, but if its too crazy a ride (most likley with those angles ) Ill build a cross check if I have to But Id rather have a older frame that has some class.

many thanks "John"

lotek 

If you're looking for an older steel type frame
the Bridgstones (RB1 RB2) are excellent
(and designed by Grant Peterson?) places to start.
Another good bike for this would be an older Trek
520 or 720, both were designed as Touring models
for loaded touring. Cantilever brakes, lots of clearance
for wide tires and eyelets for racks etc.
I think 75 degree is going to be too high for
a touring bike, but that's just my .02 worth.

Marty

JOHN J

thanks for the reply.

I havnt spent much time on the falcon yet , at least with the new set up.

I moved my seat back as far as I could and that should soften the angle but its still a compact roadie though the 531 frame/fork had enogh clearance for 35c tires.

Im mostly want it for a 3 season commute machine 13 mile one way. not too loaded but loaded none the less. the bridgestones would be a find. HMM.

I tend to agree the falcon may be flighty!!


"JOHN"

John E

My Peugeot UO-8 is a superb commuter, which doubles for cyclocross or good multitrack trail use with its ample clearance for 27 x 1-3/8" knobby tyres. It has plenty of eyelets for mudguards and racks.

Noah Scape

There is a great big wonderful world of interesting old and older bikes. Just keep your eyes peeled and when you locate something that looks like it might be right post it up (preferably with pics). That approach will yield a much more vociferous response from the very knowledgeable people that post in this forum.

Poguemahone

I'd probably go with the RBT if looking for a Bridgestone touring model; the RB1 and 2 are a bit racier in the geometry. Other good bets would be the Japanese tourers from the mid-eighties; I have a Panasonic touring deluxe, wey nice. I know Miyata made a similar touring oriented frameset as well. I had briefly a 1984 (as I recall) Trek 620 that was touring specific, very nice but way too small. Lotek's comments on the other models are spot on.