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Traditional steel road bikes with rear rack eyelets?

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Traditional steel road bikes with rear rack eyelets?

Old 10-07-09, 11:00 AM
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Traditional steel road bikes with rear rack eyelets?

What brands/models of steel road bikes have dropout eyelets for mounting a rear rack? I know the old Bridgestone's do, but I'd like to have a list of other brands/models to keep an eye out for. I'm looking for a (probably used) steel road bike with traditional geometry (horizontal top tube). I know you can use p-clamps and other methods to attach a rack to a bike w/o the eyelets, but I'd rather find one that has the right hardware. I wish more road bikes had this! The oldest I'd like to go is early 1990's.
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Old 10-07-09, 11:06 AM
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So you're going to buy a bike around the eyelets?

Sort of like building a house around the sink faucet?
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Old 10-07-09, 11:06 AM
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Most of them.
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Old 10-07-09, 11:11 AM
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Originally Posted by cshell
So you're going to buy a bike around the eyelets?

Sort of like building a house around the sink faucet?
Ha! No, it's actually nothing like that, but thanks for taking the time to post such a helpful reply!
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Old 10-07-09, 11:12 AM
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Originally Posted by sfsam
Ha! No, it's actually nothing like that, but thanks for taking the time to post such a helpful reply!
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Old 10-07-09, 11:12 AM
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You'll probably get a lot more feedback in the Touring subforum.
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Old 10-07-09, 11:14 AM
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Originally Posted by cshell
So you're going to buy a bike around the eyelets?

Sort of like building a house around the sink faucet?

What's the point of spending $$$ on a bike that doesn't fit your intended purpose? The OP's question is entirely valid, though he may get better feedback in another subforum.
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Old 10-07-09, 11:21 AM
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Most road bikes will accept a hybrid rack. If you need to ferry small loads, that's ideal.
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Old 10-07-09, 11:45 AM
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Originally Posted by celticfrost
though he may get better feedback in another subforum.
That's pretty much the case with any question.
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Old 10-07-09, 11:52 AM
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I've been on the look out for the same kind of bike, for someone else. Look at cross frames. You're limited to your Gunnars, some Lemonds, some Jamis, and some Bianchi bikes (I'm also limited by a budget. I know that there are other good steel rides out there). There was a good list of steel bikes posted a few weeks ago. I'm talking about Reynolds 631, 853, True Temper Platinum whatever, etc. No plain ol' cromo--getting a steel bike made of that is easy.

Saying that a touring frame would be good is tricky because the OP and I are looking for bikes that work with crazy things like fenders and racks, but are likely built to be lighter and a bit more aggressive than your average touring bike. Yes, I know you can get fenders and racks that don't use eyelets, but why compromise?

Last edited by lukasz; 10-07-09 at 11:56 AM.
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Old 10-07-09, 12:57 PM
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check Soma https://www.somafab.com

and Surly https://www.surlybikes.com/

both are steel with eyelets
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Old 10-07-09, 01:20 PM
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Originally Posted by lukasz
Saying that a touring frame would be good is tricky because the OP and I are looking for bikes that work with crazy things like fenders and racks, but are likely built to be lighter and a bit more aggressive than your average touring bike. Yes, I know you can get fenders and racks that don't use eyelets, but why compromise?
This describes what I'm after perfectly! Yes, I want it all.
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Old 10-07-09, 01:46 PM
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You should take a look at the Specialized Allez Steel Double. Also be sure to check out the touring subforum.
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Old 10-07-09, 01:58 PM
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Oh my, that's nice
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Old 10-07-09, 02:05 PM
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Originally Posted by lukasz
I'm talking about Reynolds 631, 853, True Temper Platinum whatever, etc. No plain ol' cromo--getting a steel bike made of that is easy.

Saying that a touring frame would be good is tricky because the OP and I are looking for bikes that work with crazy things like fenders and racks, but are likely built to be lighter and a bit more aggressive than your average touring bike. Yes, I know you can get fenders and racks that don't use eyelets, but why compromise?
Jamis makes a model called the Aurora Elite that is made out of Reynolds 631 and is a few pounds lighter than their base-level Aurora model. The Aurora Elite is billed as a touring model, but it's really a "lightweight" touring model - the wheels, etc., aren't quite as rugged/heavy as an all-out tourer.

However, for 2010 they have added disc brakes, added fenders, etc., and it's gotten a few pounds heavier.

There are still some 2009's around if you're interested.

In terms of older steel frames with eyelets, try finding a used Japanese bike from the 1980's - Univega, Miyata, Centurion, Lotus, Fuji, Panasonic, etc. They made all-out touring bikes, but also some "sport touring" bikes that were a little lighter, sportier, shorter wheelbases, but still with eyelets in the front forks and dropouts. I had a Univega Gran Rally, for example, that was a really nice bike that I could mount a rear rack on for credit card tours.
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Old 10-07-09, 03:10 PM
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Also take a look at Salsa and Kona. They both have a few selections of steel road bikes with eyelets.
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Old 10-07-09, 03:18 PM
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My 1991 Specialized Sirrus is set up like that, it even has eyelets on the tops of the seat stays. Great bike if you can find one.

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Old 10-07-09, 04:25 PM
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Bianchi Brava
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Old 10-07-09, 06:39 PM
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Lots of older steel bikes with "road sport" geometry

The new ones that come to mind are:
Surly Pacer
Raleigh Clubman
Salsa Casseroll
Soma Fab Stanyan, Smoothie, Smoothie ES

$$$ Indy Fab Club Racer
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Old 10-07-09, 06:44 PM
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https://bikesdirect.com/products/mercier/galaxy.htm

BD has others, also, that's just the first one I saw.
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Old 10-07-09, 06:56 PM
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Many bikes, especially Italian and similar road bikes intended for actual racing did not have eyelets. I always looked at a bike with eyelets much the way somebody looks at a station wagon instead of a Porsche. One is a pack mule, the other is a thoroughbred.
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Old 10-07-09, 07:28 PM
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My Rickert has eyelets.
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Old 10-08-09, 05:18 PM
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Originally Posted by MONGO!
Most of them.
+1
Sport bikes were big back in the early 90s. I've also noticed that many used a 7 speed hyperglide (normally 126mm), but the rear dropout is actually 130mm. Makes upgrading to 8, 9, 10 speed easy.
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Old 10-23-10, 03:50 AM
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Bike manufacturers are listening. Road bikes today come equipped with rack and fender mounts so one can commute or install fenders to ride in the winter or where it rains frequently.
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Old 10-23-10, 06:42 AM
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Just look on Ebay. There are lots and lots of them.
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