Suggestions: touring frames
#1
30 Century Man
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Suggestions: lugged touring frames
Hey All,
I want to collect some opinions on lugged steel touring frames. I'm currently riding an 87 Super Sport that I like very much, but I want to transition to something that can take wider tires, fenders, and some weight on the rear rack (mainly my two year old daughter). I'd like to stay reasonably priced without getting junky, and am thinking that moving my components to a blank frame would be the most economical. So what's good?
I want to collect some opinions on lugged steel touring frames. I'm currently riding an 87 Super Sport that I like very much, but I want to transition to something that can take wider tires, fenders, and some weight on the rear rack (mainly my two year old daughter). I'd like to stay reasonably priced without getting junky, and am thinking that moving my components to a blank frame would be the most economical. So what's good?
#2
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Miyata 210 or 610 (or 1000 if you get really lucky), Trek 720 (the road bike), Fuji America - there are plenty of other viable candidates.
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#3
Senior Member
I stole this from somewhere but most of these models will suit you and many of them are overlooked----I see cheap Nishikis and Univegas all the time and they are fantastic frames built in Japan.
Bruce Gordon
Berthoud
Mercian
Bob Jackson
Viliers Velo
Paul Hewitt
Ellis Briggs
Woodrup
Koga
Bridgestone RB-T
Bridgestone T-500
Bridgestone T-700
Centurion Pro Tour 15
Centurion Elite GT 15
Fuji Touring Series IV
Fuji Touring Series V
Kuwahara Caravan
Lotus Odyssey
Miyata 610
Miyata 1000
Nishiki Continental
Nishiki Cresta GT
Nishiki International (note, not all years are full CrMo or full touring)
Nishiki Riviera GT
Nishiki Seral
Novara Randonee
Panasonic PT-3500
Panasonic PT-5000
Panasonic Pro Touring
Panasonic Touring Deluxe
Raleigh Alyeska
Raleigh Kodiak
Raleigh Portage
Raleigh Super Tourer
Raleigh Touring 18
Schwinn Paramount P15-9 Tourer
Schwinn Passage
Schwinn Super Sport, 1981
Schwinn Voyageur/Voyageur SP
Specialized Expedition
Specialized Sequoia
Trek 520
Trek 620
Trek 720
Univega Gran Turismo
Univega Specialisima
Roberts
Bruce Gordon
Berthoud
Mercian
Bob Jackson
Viliers Velo
Paul Hewitt
Ellis Briggs
Woodrup
Koga
Bridgestone RB-T
Bridgestone T-500
Bridgestone T-700
Centurion Pro Tour 15
Centurion Elite GT 15
Fuji Touring Series IV
Fuji Touring Series V
Kuwahara Caravan
Lotus Odyssey
Miyata 610
Miyata 1000
Nishiki Continental
Nishiki Cresta GT
Nishiki International (note, not all years are full CrMo or full touring)
Nishiki Riviera GT
Nishiki Seral
Novara Randonee
Panasonic PT-3500
Panasonic PT-5000
Panasonic Pro Touring
Panasonic Touring Deluxe
Raleigh Alyeska
Raleigh Kodiak
Raleigh Portage
Raleigh Super Tourer
Raleigh Touring 18
Schwinn Paramount P15-9 Tourer
Schwinn Passage
Schwinn Super Sport, 1981
Schwinn Voyageur/Voyageur SP
Specialized Expedition
Specialized Sequoia
Trek 520
Trek 620
Trek 720
Univega Gran Turismo
Univega Specialisima
Roberts
#4
Senior Member
I own an 87 SS and they are nice. I would not take the 600 components, transfer them to a touring frame and call it done though. Different animals.
Most touring rigs take Triples up front with a FD that can handle it plus the brakes are canti's that touring favors. The SS has racing Cinelli bars which would get old on long tours. Shifting for touring is better with barcons or brifter set ups not down tubes.
The rear freewheel needs to be bumped up to a wider gear range for a touring rig.
You might want to go with a Sport tourer type and forgo the full touring idea. That still gives you relaxed geometry, racier components and room for fenders and rack attachments.
Most touring rigs take Triples up front with a FD that can handle it plus the brakes are canti's that touring favors. The SS has racing Cinelli bars which would get old on long tours. Shifting for touring is better with barcons or brifter set ups not down tubes.
The rear freewheel needs to be bumped up to a wider gear range for a touring rig.
You might want to go with a Sport tourer type and forgo the full touring idea. That still gives you relaxed geometry, racier components and room for fenders and rack attachments.
#5
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If you like your '87 Super Sport (I like my '86!) you could compliment it with similar vintage Voyageur. They both are built on similar Tenax frames but the Voyageur has longer stays to place the rear wheel more rearward for fenders and heel clearance with panniers, has cantilever brakes, triple crankset, and rack bosses and double eyelets front and rear.
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I hate to be that guy who tells you to use the search function, but there have been some long threads on the C&V subforum about vintage touring bikes with lots of excellent photos. You will likely find much more information there than starting a new thread.
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...g-bicycle.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...ing-bikes.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...g-bicycle.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...ing-bikes.html
Last edited by tarwheel; 04-08-16 at 07:48 AM.
#7
Senior Member
If you like your '87 Super Sport (I like my '86!) you could compliment it with similar vintage Voyageur. They both are built on similar Tenax frames but the Voyageur has longer stays to place the rear wheel more rearward for fenders and heel clearance with panniers, has cantilever brakes, triple crankset, and rack bosses and double eyelets front and rear.
#8
Senior Member
I hate to be that guy who tells you to use the search function, but there have been some long threads on the C&V subforum about vintage touring bikes with lots of excellent photos. You will likely find much more information there than starting a new thread.
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...g-bicycle.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...ing-bikes.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...g-bicycle.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...ing-bikes.html
#9
Still learning
I hate to be that guy who tells you to use the search function, but there have been some long threads on the C&V subforum about vintage touring bikes with lots of excellent photos. You will likely find much more information there than starting a new thread.
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...g-bicycle.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...ing-bikes.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...g-bicycle.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...ing-bikes.html
#12
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#13
feros ferio
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Been there ... done that with a 1971 Nishiki. I naively happily rode one for 20 years, but the late 1970s and early 1980s Nishiki frames are much nicer. A Cresta would be a good choice, if you can find an owner who wants to part with one.
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Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
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"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
#14
Senior Member
Hey All,
I want to collect some opinions on lugged steel touring frames. I'm currently riding an 87 Super Sport that I like very much, but I want to transition to something that can take wider tires, fenders, and some weight on the rear rack (mainly my two year old daughter). I'd like to stay reasonably priced without getting junky, and am thinking that moving my components to a blank frame would be the most economical. So what's good?
I want to collect some opinions on lugged steel touring frames. I'm currently riding an 87 Super Sport that I like very much, but I want to transition to something that can take wider tires, fenders, and some weight on the rear rack (mainly my two year old daughter). I'd like to stay reasonably priced without getting junky, and am thinking that moving my components to a blank frame would be the most economical. So what's good?
Oftener than not it isn't economical to swap components. There typically will be unforeseen costs and compatibility issues with the seatpost, BB, etc. IMO you are far better off searching for a mid 80s era touring bike complete. They often sell for pennies on the dollar compared to the original prices.
That said, the main thing with vintage is to take advantage of whatever opportunities present themselves, so if you find a Univega Specialissima or Miyata 1000 frameset on craigslist or whatever for cheap, buy it!
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I have an 84' Nishiki Cresta I believe, but a road version meaning it doesn't have cantilevers. It can haul a decent amount of weight, but the max I've put on the back rack was about 50 pounds. It handled it and nothing broke. However, I have to say I thought the frame was a bit soft with just me on it, but with 50lbs of sound equipment (let alone your child) I absolutely would decline because the thing felt like a noodle.
My Surly Travelers Check with those S&S couplers, which I hear makes it stiffer, handles weight like that all day without complaint and feels oh so poised.
Would this perhaps be a role best suited to a MTB re-purposed to a touring rig? I only know my Surly and my early 80's Cresta so please keep that in mind. I'm comparing an early 80's noodle and something rather modern with oversized tubes.
My Surly Travelers Check with those S&S couplers, which I hear makes it stiffer, handles weight like that all day without complaint and feels oh so poised.
Would this perhaps be a role best suited to a MTB re-purposed to a touring rig? I only know my Surly and my early 80's Cresta so please keep that in mind. I'm comparing an early 80's noodle and something rather modern with oversized tubes.
#16
Senior Member
If the budget can take it, SOMA and VO both offer a variety of modern heavy duty off roadable touring frames in the $500 ish range. They'd be a bit more rugged for hauling a kid.
#18
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I'll forewarn you that tire clearance on vintage touring bikes is usually very limited compared to today's standards. Due to the brake bridge on my Miyata 610 and 215, I can barely clear 32's with fenders, and don't have much more room at the bottom bracket either.
#19
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Side thought -- why not a vintage MTB drop bar conversion? Plenty of nice vintage MTB frames, and clearance for fatter 26" tires. I can run 2.1+ on my Schwinn with fenders.
#20
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I have a Miyata 610 with cantilever brakes and I'm able to run 35mm with fenders.
#21
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Mid-'80s Raleigh MTBs would be a good choice; they were lugged, had long chainstays and, IIRC, a couple of them had three water bottle mounts instead of the usual two.
Last edited by DIMcyclist; 04-09-16 at 09:30 PM. Reason: Syntax.
#23
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I think OP should just shop opportunistically - whatever comes along at a good price. Look for the cantis, the longish chain stays and give it a shot if it fits and it's cheap.
And don't overlook the Cannondale ST models. If you want the best mix of stiffness/lightness/stability, there you go. I'm a recent convert - and I still like a lugged steel touring bike, too - but I haven't ridden one that stacks up to a C-dale in those regards. Mine fits 35mm tires w/fenders, would probably go to 45mm without.
And don't overlook the Cannondale ST models. If you want the best mix of stiffness/lightness/stability, there you go. I'm a recent convert - and I still like a lugged steel touring bike, too - but I haven't ridden one that stacks up to a C-dale in those regards. Mine fits 35mm tires w/fenders, would probably go to 45mm without.
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● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
#24
Bicyclerider4life
1980's high end lugged frame mountain bike. Fuji Mt. Fuji, KHS Montana Summit, are the ones I have or had. (the Fuji was stolen. I know WHO, but he has friends in the cop shop, so they will not touch him)
I've been updating the KHS; 7 speed 14-32 rear cluster, 22/32/42 crank (want to swap that 44 with a 36 or 38, I'm old, my racing days were over 50 years or so ago, if I even had racing days)
Solid heavy duty rear rack designed and marketed for touring ... The goal is an any terrain touring bike, hopefully with low enough gearing that I do not have to stand up (or push) going up anything short of a cliff.
I've been updating the KHS; 7 speed 14-32 rear cluster, 22/32/42 crank (want to swap that 44 with a 36 or 38, I'm old, my racing days were over 50 years or so ago, if I even had racing days)
Solid heavy duty rear rack designed and marketed for touring ... The goal is an any terrain touring bike, hopefully with low enough gearing that I do not have to stand up (or push) going up anything short of a cliff.
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I'm reasonably new to old bikes, but that one has stuck out in my mind as a thing of beauty.