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Redline Metro Sport for touring?

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Redline Metro Sport for touring?

Old 01-10-13, 12:17 PM
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Redline Metro Sport for touring?

I'm thinking about buying a more touring-friendly bike than the Giant OCR1 I've been using (pure road bike with a pretty aggressively compact frame). I set off on Craigslist to see what was out there and came across this bike.

Things that drew me to this bike over other touring bikes I saw posted are:
Disc brakes - we did a tour through the Cascade mountains near Eugene Oregon last summer and this would have been a major plus.
Brifters - I have no experience with bar end shifters but I don't think I'd like to either.
Triple on the front - I'm not sure how to tell if I could put a granny gear on this thing but at least it's a triple
Looks - I know it's silly but this is a consideration and I really like the look of this bike... it would look even better with a Brooks saddle on it
https://www.redlinebicycles.com/media/1495


I was initially put off by the price of $800 and started looking for a used one on eBay but I see they've just closed these out for $500 which has me seriously considering purchasing one. I'm still pretty noob-ish when it comes to touring though and I was curious what things I might be overlooking?

The specs can be found here: https://www.redlinebicycles.com/uploa...etro-Sport.pdf

Any input would be greatly appreciated.



Edit: It just occurred to me that the type of touring I do might be important. The two tours I've done were fully loaded ~300 miles in 5 days. I've only done the two but anticipate doing more. I would also use the bike for commuting ~16miles/day in the summer.

Last edited by lennon_68; 01-10-13 at 12:30 PM.
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Old 01-10-13, 12:57 PM
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lennon_68, The drivetrain gearing and 32H rims aren't ideal for a loaded tourer. I like Redline bikes and if it has F/R fender/rack eyelets I'd modify it if I bought one a $500.

Brad
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Old 01-10-13, 01:00 PM
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Though, if it takes racks and you got panniers , give it a go, just bring funds with you
to replace damaged parts as they happen..

You could Buy a beefier 36 spoke wheel set if you want, or just get it on the road
if the ones on there actually get banged up.
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Old 01-10-13, 06:08 PM
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For $500 I would jump on it and plan on upgrading the wheels. I have a couple of Redline bikes and have been very happy with them.

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Old 01-11-13, 06:39 PM
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Thanks for the input guys. Sounds like I'll need to figure out how much $ I'd have to put into this to make into something I'd want then compare that to the price of a built-up LHT. After posting I noticed the Redline does have brifters but they're the lowest end Shimano with the thumb button (can't downshift when in the drops) so that would be another upgrade expense.

I asked them about 36H wheelset options and the cheapest they had to offer was $300 but that was a 29er set... cheapest 700c they had was $600 Are there cheaper 36H disc wheelsets out there that would be worthwhile?
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Old 01-12-13, 07:29 AM
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Originally Posted by lennon_68
Thanks for the input guys. Sounds like I'll need to figure out how much $ I'd have to put into this to make into something I'd want then compare that to the price of a built-up LHT. After posting I noticed the Redline does have brifters but they're the lowest end Shimano with the thumb button (can't downshift when in the drops) so that would be another upgrade expense.

I asked them about 36H wheelset options and the cheapest they had to offer was $300 but that was a 29er set... cheapest 700c they had was $600 Are there cheaper 36H disc wheelsets out there that would be worthwhile?
There's no need to immediately update/upgrade anything 'till you've put some miles in as you intend to use it. Whose to say that what's on the bike now won't stand up. If the wheels are retensioned and trued by a good wheel builder there's a good possibility they'll do better than anyone expects.

Brad
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Old 01-16-13, 09:20 AM
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I'm still waffling on this purchase. I was about to go for it until my brother pointed out the Windsor Tourist on bikesdirect (https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/windsor/tourist.htm). I didn't mention it earlier but the Redline isn't local (so I can't ride it) but is being sold by a bike shop that would ship it. The problem with that is it's another 40 to have it shipped and another ~$40 for tax bringing it to $580. So $580 for the Redline vs $599 for the Tourist.

Unfortunately I'm not familiar enough with the components to do much of a comparison. I know the Tourist has some better components where I know to look but I suspect BD puts higher end shifters/derailleurs on their bikes and skimps elsewhere just to get people like me to bite... On the other hand the only parts I know about on the Redline are Shimano's lowest end so it makes me think all of the components it might be low end anyway. Any thoughts on how these two bikes compare component wise?

Aside from the components here's some things I like/don't like about each:

1. Tourist has Tiagra level brifters instead of 2300 (the bike shop selling the Redline said they could put Tiagra brifters on for $310! that's half the price of the Tourist lol)
2. Tourist has 36H wheels already
3. Redline has disc brakes (I'm still not sure if this is actually important to me or if it's just something that would be nice... I honestly have no experience with disc brakes)
4. Redline is much much better looking to me... also I have a bit of a brand stigma problem with Windsor (I know this stuff is silly and shouldn't matter but I can't help it)
5. Although I want a more touring-specific bike than my Giant I don't know that I want a full-on touring bike. I've only done a couple tours and although I anticipate doing more it will likely be only one week a year. For the rest of the time I'll be using the bike for recreation and commuting. I feel that's an endorsement for the Redline over the Windsor.

Last edited by lennon_68; 01-16-13 at 09:24 AM.
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Old 01-16-13, 10:56 AM
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That Redline in your link looks HORRIBLY short, especially the front. Zero toe room.
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Old 01-16-13, 02:50 PM
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That's a good point, hadn't noticed that. I've got big feet too... I think I've talked myself out of this purchase. I think I'd just end up wanting to upgrade right away so I wouldn't end up saving any money in the end.

My new plan is to target a Salsa Vaya if I can afford it or just buy the Windsor if I find that I can't. I spotted a 2012 Vaya 2 for $1300 with Brooks B17 saddle and BB7 calipers but that's quite a bit more money than $500... It's also exactly what I'm looking for though.
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Old 01-17-13, 03:47 PM
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lennon_68, One trueism is that no matter how perfect the bike is, it will be changed to some degree. It is best to start with what's closest to what you want, not that a Tourist isn't a proven platform. The Nashbar touring bike is also a good economy bike.

Brad
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