View Single Post
Old 06-12-15 | 07:08 AM
  #16  
tarwheel's Avatar
tarwheel
Senior Member
 
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 8,896
Likes: 7
From: Raleigh, NC

Bikes: Waterford RST-22, Bob Jackson World Tour, Ritchey Breakaway Cross, Soma Saga, De Bernardi SL, Specialized Sequoia

As others pointed out, few Italian bikes have what one would call a relaxed geometry. They typically have racing geometry with steep angles and short wheelbases. Some of the older Italian bikes like Legnanos might fit the bill, but that could require some diligent restoration and searching for odd parts.

Eddy Merckx century frames have a more relaxed geometry but they are not Italian (Belgian) except for very early models made by De Rosa. Merckx frames are not touring geometry, however, and will still have short chain stays, tight clearances for tires and no fender or rack mounts.

If you want a classic road bike with a more relaxed geometry and touring features, I would focus more on British bikes such as Mercian or Bob Jackson, or some of the nicer Japanese touring and sport touring bikes such as Miyata, Lotus, Univega.
tarwheel is offline  
Reply