Decided to de convert my '87 Kuwahara Cascade from a fixed gear tourer to a fully geared tourer (and somewhere an angel got it's wings) and am getting really close to having her finished.

I have a 1988 Shasta which is almost identical that is living life as a fixed gear and could not see the sense in having two nearly identical bikes.

The Cascade really is an expedition bike with it's hand built quad butted Ishiwata frame and touring geometry and was sold / marketed as an mtb with flat bars and an 18 speed drivetrain back in '87.

I test rode a later model Miyata 1000 and found that it just did not compare in the ride department... Kuwahara made some really nice lugged frames in the mid to late 80's and this was the crown jewel in their line up.

The Cascade rides better dry, the 26 inch wheels offer a very nice ride and are bombproof, and know from experience that this bike loves to be loaded up... with a gear range of 21 to 109 it should take me anywhere I want to go be that for 100 or 1000 miles.

I always joke that as long as I have my Kuwaharas I won't need to look at a Surly.

Crappy cel phone pic...



Now...to find or fabricate some nicer racks and wait for spring.