Show your classic sports touring bicycle
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3 Blue Sports Touring bikes
I have no idea how I ended up with 3 blue sports touring bikes, but I did: a 1985 Cannondale ST 400, a 1979 Trek 510, and a 1970s Fuji Newest. Each is set up with a triple and 700 x 32c or 35c tires. I like how these bikes ride a lot.





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All super nice bikes but I really like that Fuji. What size tires do you have on that bike?
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Our “His & Hers” Vent Noirs. Originally listed in the brochures as “fast touring” bikes but we’re still slow.

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I go back and forth on whether or not this is a sports tourer. It is an 84 Paramount Touring but compared to its younger cousin (my 85 Schwinn Voyageur, which is definitely a touring bike) it is lighter and more responsive so it is sports touring for me.

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I stumbled across this thread, so I thought I would show off my 1983 Fuji Royale II, which I have owned since new:

This bike originally had downtube shifters. A few years ago I changed over to period correct Barcons, which I decided I like better. The rims, original to the bike, are gold anodized, as was done on a few Fujis in 1983.

This bike originally had downtube shifters. A few years ago I changed over to period correct Barcons, which I decided I like better. The rims, original to the bike, are gold anodized, as was done on a few Fujis in 1983.
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Fuji really had a great thing going there in the late 70s and early 80s for sport touring bikes. Very nice, bike_tom! What tire size have you gravitated towards over the years?
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Fuji really had a great thing going there in the late 70s and early 80s for sport touring bikes. Very nice, bike_tom! What tire size have you gravitated towards over the years?
This bike originally had tires (and rims) labeled 27 x 1 1/8. They actually measured 1", so when I replaced them, partly out of vanity, I got 27 x 1" Paselas, which measure a true 1". Those folding Paselas are very responsive, but now that I also have an all-road/gravel bike with 40mm tires, those 25mm tires on the Fuji seem rather harsh. The bike will easily take true 1 1/8" (28mm) and possibly 1 1/4" (32mm), so I plan to upsize next time around.
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I stumbled across this thread, so I thought I would show off my 1983 Fuji Royale II, which I have owned since new:

This bike originally had downtube shifters. A few years ago I changed over to period correct Barcons, which I decided I like better. The rims, original to the bike, are gold anodized, as was done on a few Fujis in 1983.

This bike originally had downtube shifters. A few years ago I changed over to period correct Barcons, which I decided I like better. The rims, original to the bike, are gold anodized, as was done on a few Fujis in 1983.
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I like these, lovely green. I overhauled an 81 Royale for a friend years ago, solid bike: https://flickr.com/photos/189036692@...57715089156166
The other color for the '83 was a blue, which was a nice color on its own, but I've always thought the green went much better with the gold rims and highlights.
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I think this one qualifies. It is an F.W. Evans, made in a London bike shop of the same name sometime in the late 1960s or early 1970s. They were never officially imported to the United States, but a number of them were bought by tourists who toured around England and then brought the bikes back home. I found this one in an antique shop in Alabama. Most of the components were in pretty rough shape, so I had to dig into the parts bin to get it back on the road. It is made with Reynolds 531 tubing and has Campagnolo dropouts. Today was my first ride on it. The ride is sporty, but comfortable. After I put on a few more miles, it will get fresh paint and decals.

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Those are Dugast tubulars (33mm I think). The Super Sport has been my "tire lab." It's now sporting some Gravel King SS tires and previously had GK slicks. At one point I also fit it with cut down Nokian 700Cx42 studded tires for winter riding. To make them squeeze between the chainstays, I sliced off the outermost parts of the outer row of studs which brought them to around 40mm. (I also removed the center studs altogether to improve the ride on dry asphalt.)
Last edited by smontanaro; 04-03-23 at 07:07 PM.
#591
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Just picked up this 1985 Norco Magnum GT - will be adding RH 35 or 38mm tires, Honjo fenders , wider Nitto Noodle handlebars and a few other items but trying to keep it as stock as possible.

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Motobecane Grand Jubile, built from frame up. Long-reach brakes: check. Eyelets:check. Clearance for 32mm tires: I raise it to 34mm.



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Picked up this made for CDN market, Japanese Sakai Select during covid but always thought it would make a better touring bike so finally got around to picking up some fenders, a back rack and some components from Velo Orange. I have to say, I like the way it's turned out.
Can't imagine I'll take it anywhere to tour but maybe some vintage panniers to pick up a bottle of wine and a loaf of bread with cheese.
Can't imagine I'll take it anywhere to tour but maybe some vintage panniers to pick up a bottle of wine and a loaf of bread with cheese.


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Somehow I've never posted to this thread, and how on earth did that happen?

1976 Puch Royal X. These apparently sold poorly when new - my father bought it for me new in March 1978, and the dealer made comments that indicated he got it from a warehouse where it had been sitting, AND it was significantly discounted. Stock, it came with 42/52T chainrings and a 14-22 Regina Oro 5-speed freewheel and the standard short cage SunTour Cyclone rear derailleur. This one has been modified through the years and today wears a 13-28T 6-speed narrow SunTour Ultra freewheel mated to a standard Cyclone fitted with a Vx cage to work with the larger rear cog. When it was new I ran it with 27 x 1 1/4-in tires and white Bluemels mudguards that I wish I still had.

How about a fixed-gear sports-tourer? When I ordered this Vincitore custom road fixed-gear from Mercian in 2002 I was really thinking more along the lines of centuries and brevets, but since it takes 28s with mudguards and 32s without AND has fender eyelets and 72 x 72 angles and 57mm reach sidepulls, I suspect it counts. I've ridden this bike more than any other bike, and I think it's a lifelong keeper - but man, I wish I had known then what I know now. Shoulda had it built with long forward opening "horizontal" dropouts perpendicular to the seat stays to allow a wider range of rear cogs without adjusting the brake pads, clearance for 32s with mudguards and maybe lower trail fork with fittings for a rando rack and bag. I also regret not having the driveside chainstay indented, as I can't cheat and run a double chainring and Surly Dingle, there is just exactly enough room to run a single ring ONLY up there. Live and learn.

The latest prize - I really wish I could get in contact with Tim Neenan about this one. I am guessing late 70s-very early 80s because it came stock set up for nutted brake calipers and as I understand it he switched from Reynolds 531 to Columbus tubing relatively early on. This one has some rando/brevet tendencies that bleed over into sporty touring. The angles and the ride quality are very zippy, kinda like an old Allez, but with clearance for 32 mm tires and mudguards (there are fittings for the rear to be through-bolted), interesting rack mounts at the top and bottom of the seat stays, separate fender eyelets, what appears to be a generator mount on the left seat stay and little loops to run wiring from the generator to the headlamp. This is a shockingly fun bike to ride, and I am enjoying it very much and hope to ride it a lot more for many years to come.

1976 Puch Royal X. These apparently sold poorly when new - my father bought it for me new in March 1978, and the dealer made comments that indicated he got it from a warehouse where it had been sitting, AND it was significantly discounted. Stock, it came with 42/52T chainrings and a 14-22 Regina Oro 5-speed freewheel and the standard short cage SunTour Cyclone rear derailleur. This one has been modified through the years and today wears a 13-28T 6-speed narrow SunTour Ultra freewheel mated to a standard Cyclone fitted with a Vx cage to work with the larger rear cog. When it was new I ran it with 27 x 1 1/4-in tires and white Bluemels mudguards that I wish I still had.

How about a fixed-gear sports-tourer? When I ordered this Vincitore custom road fixed-gear from Mercian in 2002 I was really thinking more along the lines of centuries and brevets, but since it takes 28s with mudguards and 32s without AND has fender eyelets and 72 x 72 angles and 57mm reach sidepulls, I suspect it counts. I've ridden this bike more than any other bike, and I think it's a lifelong keeper - but man, I wish I had known then what I know now. Shoulda had it built with long forward opening "horizontal" dropouts perpendicular to the seat stays to allow a wider range of rear cogs without adjusting the brake pads, clearance for 32s with mudguards and maybe lower trail fork with fittings for a rando rack and bag. I also regret not having the driveside chainstay indented, as I can't cheat and run a double chainring and Surly Dingle, there is just exactly enough room to run a single ring ONLY up there. Live and learn.

The latest prize - I really wish I could get in contact with Tim Neenan about this one. I am guessing late 70s-very early 80s because it came stock set up for nutted brake calipers and as I understand it he switched from Reynolds 531 to Columbus tubing relatively early on. This one has some rando/brevet tendencies that bleed over into sporty touring. The angles and the ride quality are very zippy, kinda like an old Allez, but with clearance for 32 mm tires and mudguards (there are fittings for the rear to be through-bolted), interesting rack mounts at the top and bottom of the seat stays, separate fender eyelets, what appears to be a generator mount on the left seat stay and little loops to run wiring from the generator to the headlamp. This is a shockingly fun bike to ride, and I am enjoying it very much and hope to ride it a lot more for many years to come.
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'87 Trek 400T, 650B conversion. Bought this when it popped up locally for very cheap, wasn't sure if I'd keep it or not, but it's really grown on me. It's become the bike I usually use for longer rides.
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What front rack is that? Might be just the thing I need my Fuji America.
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Picked this up a few weeks ago, and have been thoroughly enjoying it. It looks like it'll be a keeper despite being a larger size than I usually ride. Time to start throwing some money at it.

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The first photo of my Manufrance was taken on the final training ride before this year's Trek Across Maine, where the bike performed admirably. Steel hubs, steel derailleurs (Huret Eco rear is current and permanent), steel touring shifters and steel Simplex seatpost. Vitus 172 tubing. I use the bike for day rides from 40-100 miles locally. The bike gives a fantastic ride.





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Last edited by 1989Pre; 09-01-23 at 05:54 AM.
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As you probably know, your saddle is at it's extreme rear-ward position. If you bring it up an inch and a half, the bike is going to probably feel a much better fit. I like the traditional contrasting head-tube.
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