Originally Posted by
jsidney
I wonder if I am taking some of the posts the wrong way?
The quality of the ride can be better on a gas piper? The weight is often in the components.
I wonder what components are the most reliable then.
For short trips I am starting to wonder if the gas piper with the right components is actually superior or at least just as good?
I think I will want my touring bikes for long trips but maybe I need to completely rethink what is good for short trips.
Vintage Suntour is great, and Sekais usually came with a 7s, I think, for the Sekai 1000, those component groups are classic and reliable.
For short trips, I'd say just as good. As to quality of ride, I think some gas pipe, like the Sekai had, was better than other, lower quality bikes. At least in my neck of the woods, Sekai were sold as a LBS "budget" model, and are better than department store bikes in general. And you can always find a used Sekai for parts. I repainted my Sekai 1000 in a truly big frame, then got a wrecked 2000 for wheels and components.
2000s had alloy wheels. Great bike.