BikerThomas

Hello fellow BF members,

I'm looking for suggestions on the best vintage compromise between an agile road bike and touring rig. In a nutshell:

- lugged steel
- eyelets for a (rear) rack
- moderate geometry (neither racing nor dedicated touring)
- (relatively) lightweight
- clearance for 32/35mm tires

I do 85% road/city biking, but want something that would handle a 10mi commute well and would at least be capable of touring. Whatever I get, I'll probably put on a 50/28 chainring. 70s Raleigh Internationals have peaked my interest, but I'd love to have your suggestions!

Thanks for you help!
bikerthomas

dedhed

https://www.vintage-trek.com/TrekBrochure1987.htm

trek 400 T

spurious

Miyata 610/1000 would suit all the requirements. They arguably made some of the finest touring bikes in the 80's.

Sheldon Brown once said that the 1000 was the finest off the shelf touring bike available at that time. And the 610 is not far behind.

skyrider

Nishiki international 80s

seely

I really like the Japanese bikes. I feel like you always get better quality at a lower price with them. I have a Nishiki International and a Miyata 610, currently, and love both. The International has mid-length rear stays, and is fairly light for a Tange 2 62 cm frame. The fork, however, is crap and weighs nearly as much as the frame. I'd recommend replacing it with something nicer.

The 610 is nice too. Mine is a later one, that wasn't spec'd with canti's so I'm not sure how the geometry changed from the full-on touring model, but mine is similar to my International. It's a double-butted Tange chromoly, slightly heavier than my International, but still fairly light. The fork is actually of better quality, being chromoly as well.

Lug work on both is very nice, with the International being a bit fancier. Really don't think you can go wrong with either brand. Two others to consider are the Nishiki Riviera and the Nishiki Cresta -- they are more touring oriented with braze on's, cantilevers and such. Nishiki, to me, always seems a cut above other Japanese manufacturers in terms of detail and craftsmanship, especially in the mid-range bikes.

Bianchigirll 

You need to find a late '80s early '90s Bianchi Volpe or even a Tangent.

KonAaron Snake 

My motobecane grand record! What size do you need?

I have never disliked a bike as much as my Raleigh international. Poorly made crap.

auchencrow

One of the best dual-purpose bikes was the early 80's Trek 614. It has all the eyelets/racks/triple crank but excellent road characteristics (+ a dbl-butted '531 frame and Cyclones).

Maxturbo

I ride a Raleigh Super Tourer and one like it would fit your needs as described, IMO.



More pics...
https://s155.photobucket.com/albums/s...uper%20Tourer/

Catalog info:
https://www.kurtkaminer.com/TH_raleigh_cat_75.html

bbattle

Do a search for Randonneur or Audax bicycles. When you get to the Rene Herse bikes, stop looking.

A 50-28 double? I've not seen such a beast. I have a 50-34 compact(110 bcd)

Velo-Orange sells a 46-30 in the C & V approved 50.4 bcd https://store.velo-orange.com/index.p...-crankset.html

I discovered that if you buy the VO 50.4 crankarms, you can then buy a 50T outer and a 28T inner ring. wow.

auchencrow

Max - I think he forgot to mention the bike can't be a hunk of unobtanium.

Maxturbo

You just have to look harder.

big chainring 

Peugeot UO-8!

poke em

Absolutely meets all of the reqirements above, although I doubt I could make 35s fit on mine.

balindamood

I am going to second the early Treks. My '82 614 will do most anything.

illwafer

1981/2 schwinn super sport
1985 trek 520

badger_biker 

+3 on the 400T. Nice responsive 531 frame.

IthaDan 

Don't forget the bridgestone t500 and t700. I just built up a t500 for my cousin, really cool bike, and a good thing he's short because if that thing fit me and not him he'd still be bikeless.

BikerThomas

Wow!

Thanks for the suggestions all - and keep them coming! Some very promising ideas, I'll definitely look into all of them.

Seely: you make a very compelling case for the Japanese makes. I'll look into them.
Maxturbo: while a very handsome bike, it comes at a very 'handsome' weight as well - not exactly what I had in mind...

Bbattle: I had something like this in mind: https://jokeisup.com/bicycles-scooter...-vis-5-cranks/ . I've never used a wide range double like this, but it is an alluring setup. If anyone has personal experience, I'd be interested in what you have to say!

Aaron: You have a very negative view of the Raleigh International, contrary to many that I've read. Would you care to explain more of what you don't like about it? I'd be interested to know.

And to everyone who suggested older Treks: I had a prejudice against these (for silly reasons, as prejudice are wont to be) but I will definitely take a second look, particularly on the number of recommendations for them.

Thanks again all, and looking forward to more suggestions!

Thomas

The Golden Boy 

I've got an 86 400 Elance and I'm running 32s with plenty of room.

acoffin 

There are a lot of great suggestions already posted, especially the Treks. I would like to add Nishiki International from the 70's, the early 70's in particular had rather long chain stays and are still pretty responsive. Also there are some Univega's that would fit the bill, the Sport Tour and Viva Sport just to name two.

Kanegon

Someone posted a red 91 Trek 750 recently. A proto-hybrid based on Treks touring geo with extra tire clearance. That's the bike I would get for what you describe. Light and tough with touring wheelbase, canti, rack and fender bosses. Skinny steel tubes! Think they came with flats, but obvious drop heritage.

poke em

My 87 elance has 28 paselas and fenders. I just got it built up, and patiently waiting for a nice riding day to get a feel for it. So far it is the most comfortable bike I have ever ridden on a trainer...

I had an 82 Trek 613 which was awesome, but it was a tiny bit too small. That bike would take 37s if converted to 700c, probably with room for fenders.

peazweag

pretty much any 80s japanese bike as long as it fits.

vettefrc2000