We have done a deal & my Tansley tourer is going to be my Dad's bike, so i am looking for a new tourer to take up the South Island west coast & then around Japan or well, anywhere.
I'm keen on a classic frame that isn't a heavy dog unloaded, but i'm not sure how suited lightwieght 'racing' frames from the 70s/ 80s will be ? This Gitane looks like it has rack mounts, clearance for 28mm tires, medium length wheel base, and i don't mind caliper brakes, but are ~60cm racing frames too dainty for touring / prone to dings if anything hits the butted tubes or otherwise ill suited? I wouldn't take the kitchen sink or load the front much.
I'd love something that still rode well unloaded, but maybe this is foolish? Should i look for a mid-range frame, to get less aggressive butting? My moser sure doesn't ding or feel fragile, and that's low- mid range i think.
I'll be speccing it with a triple, dt shifters & a ~11-32 cassette, or if an actual classic touring bike comes up with some cool old-school wide range stuff, i'll try to keep it.
Cycles Gitane | Trade Me
Can anyone help me identify this Gitane & are there any French hangups to be aware of? I don't mind finding some nice old French parts like a Stronglight triple or something if need be.
Gitane USA - Catalogues
If this is me on a 56 square frame, happy for any good rides 100km or under, what size frames should i look for to tour on? I'm 6'2
Cheers all : )