Originally Posted by
Barrettscv
My top pick would be a 198x Miyata 912. This bike has Shimano 600x (early Ultegra) 12 speeds, 700c wheels, 72 or 73 degree head tube angle depending on size, 420mm chainstays. Eyes for fenders & racks. Room for 700x28 or larger tires. The bike would weight about 23 lbs with a modern saddle and pedals. A good mid-level sports/touring model was common back in the eighties and every good manufacturer had a model like this. They can be found on Craigslist today for about $250 to $350 in good condition.
Also in the same price range are my first choice: pre-'85 Trek sports tourers. Available in several flavors of tubing: Ishiwata 022, Reynolds 501 (both comparable to the Miyata tubing, and over built for LD, IMO), and Reynolds 531 - the Gold Standard for comfort and performance. They tend to be a bit longer than the 912 (which was sold as a racing bike, IIRC) both in the chainstays (43-45cm) and fork rake (5-5.5cm) both of which make 'em more amenable to long distance and carrying a front load. And they have more clearance for big tires (well, 28's anyway) and fenders.
I just scored an '84 Trek 610 that'd been converted to SS for $150. That's not such a great deal for just a frame, until you consider that it's hand-brazed 531. I'd have had to swap out everything anyway, and after I sell off the SS stuff, the frame price should drop below $100 - much mo' bettah. Should be a nice brevet bike once I'm done fiddling with it. Who knows - I may end up riding it in PBP next year.
SP
Bend, OR