Originally Posted by
kyledr
I posted in the commuter section, but I'm realizing that what I really want is a touring bicycle. Here's a rough idea of what I'm thinking: very light steel frame (I'm used to late 70s to early 90s Colnago/Rossin/Bianchi or custom frame weights) with touring geometry, Rohloff Speedhub, then the rest is a mystery. Should I use vintage components or modern ones to reduce weight? Should I use vintage wheel making styles (32-36 lacing) or a modern wheel? Disc vs cantilever vs road brakes? Carbon fork? What style bars (I'm used to classic bars but open to other options)? I'm kind of open to whatever is lightest and works best for both commuting, road rides (unweighted), and light/not light touring (potentially up and down mountains). Priorities are getting the job done, weight (I have to lift it onto the wall for storage and carry it up flights of stairs), looking low key (lots of theft in the area).
Five years ago I spent a fair amount of time and money building up a lightweight touring bike. Aluminum frame, carbon fork. XT drivetrain. The total came to something like $1,500 The second I took the bike on a loaded ride - cruising up a hill in the granny gear with 30+ lbs - I realized I should have just bought an old steel MTB and been done with it.
If you're planning to do a real loaded tour with it I'd say save your money, get a used 90s rigid cro-mo MTB like a Specialized Rockhopper/Stumpjumper - with a nice wheelset, leather saddle.
If you want a commuter/sometimes tourer, a newer Trek 520 is steel but pretty light.
I have old Cannondale T-1000 that I use as a commuter and it's great. Something like this with a carbon nashbar fork on it:
