Originally Posted by
j4gitr
I actually considered this bike. This was my first exposure to this model so I started to do some investigation too late. It certainly looked more appealing after the auction closed than before. So I continued to pursue this style bike as an option when I came across a shop in Maryland with the 25" for $800. I should ask if the bike in question has significant upgrades to make it worthy of his asking price. The question becomes then what are the upgrades worth. We probably could go on for hours. My struggle continues to be size. I would love to convince myself to lay down the cash for a Rivendell, but I wonder if I did if I would want to expose such a pretty machine to the elements. A bike is meant for riding as a guitar is meant for playing. If I didn't take my guitars out and play them, then how would I enjoy them? Perhaps I should consider the same as it comes to a bike. I have a 100cm PBH which according to the Rivendell site would put me on a bike with a 72cm. That sounds crazy to me, but I wouldn't mind finding a 27" Schwinn frame for a trial.
I continue to search for advice and a steed.
Upgrades can be worth $3500 (If you've spec'd SRAM Red) so that's a hard question. Take Cuda's example and put some prices to them: T.A. Cyclotouriste crank ( $125 or so, clean on Ebay), Mafac canti brakes ($80 or so), Phil wood hubs to Mavic MA2's ($400). and you can start to see some money piling on.
That said, I'd have to agree with Blue Orchid and Cuda (I'm typing your names from memory so apologize if I got it wrong) that the Alyeska frame probably isn't the proper starting point for a
bike I keep for life full on tourer; it's a mid-range bike that's stout, solid, reliable but a Singer it will never be. I would again agree with some previously given, sage advice in that there are a number of Miyata built touring bikes that are more worthy of your attention n regards to getting the best value for your money. The Univega Grand Turismo/Grand touring (That's the name right? Upper end models have diamond shaped lug cut outs) is a more finely detailed and finished frame than the Raleigh. Centurian's Pro Tour 15 is another rare, but great find. Schwinn's Voyageur SP is slightly easier to find and is a beautifully done frame and then, the Trek Reynolds 501 and 531 tubed bikes. Nashbar sold Nashbar branded tourers that can be found pretty inexpensively that were the same frame as the Schwinn and Panasonic made a few tourers over the years that were nicely done as well.
Raleigh's older English built touring frames, on the upper end (above Super Course, a racing build I know) were also better choices for your requirements. Palo Alto bicycles are another you might look for. Lastly, custom built touring frames can sometimes be found in the $1000 range, and below, if you look and once you've perused that level of craftsmanship, you'll want to experience it for yourself. On the plus side for you, extremely large sizes aren't easy to sell and typically sell for a fat discount on the market.
Take your time and learn a bit before you jump to buy. There're plenty of suitable candidates, once you've set what you really want more decidedly.
Danny
Best option