Vintage or modern for serious touring?
10-11-20, 10:07 PM
#26
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I am working on rebuilding my 81 Centurion Pro-Tour. Making it a flat bar tourer from randonneur drop bars. Keeping the 10 speed rear with Ultegra hubs laced to Velocity Dyads. Moving from brifters to SL-R770 flat bar shifters and BL-R780 flat bar brake levers. Keeping the Dia-Comp stud mounted center-pull brakes that came on it and might need to change the pads. Vintage frame with modern parts.
10-12-20, 08:30 AM
#28
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The more I think about it I’d have a hard time selling the Surly. I searched a long time for a nice used one and spent a lot of time and money making it exactly what I wanted. I’d never recoup my money to pay for another build. I get dangerous when I’m bored and no projects.
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10-12-20, 01:22 PM
#29
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I know this is a c&v forum, but if you had to pick which would it be for serious long tours? I have a very nice Disc Trucker, I love it but it’s not the greatest for non loaded rides. I’m kicking around the idea of selling it and building up a serious vintage touring bike. Thanks
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“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
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10-12-20, 01:27 PM
#30
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I really don't think there is a problem with that my touring bike takes 44's with fenders probably 48 without so obviously 25/28 aren't an issue. If I were to pull everything that makes it practical I could ride most trails, switch wheels and ride across America or Europe, with another wheel switch keep up with any slow fat guy ride.
10-12-20, 02:32 PM
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It would help to know what the OP means by a "serious" tour. Multiple days or weeks completely self-supported? Camping along the way or staying in motels and the like? Climbing mountains or keeping on flat ground? Mainly on roads or mainly off road? Answers to all of those questions would factor significantly into what I'd choose to ride.
10-12-20, 02:48 PM
#32
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It would help to know what the OP means by a "serious" tour. Multiple days or weeks completely self-supported? Camping along the way or staying in motels and the like? Climbing mountains or keeping on flat ground? Mainly on roads or mainly off road? Answers to all of those questions would factor significantly into what I'd choose to ride.
Last edited by sloar; 10-12-20 at 02:52 PM.
10-12-20, 03:00 PM
#33
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There’s still not much better than a 520 whether it’s disc or not. If money is no object then buy custom that way you have everything you want
Here’s mine but I’ve spent more than a 520/LHT/VSF on it and have “less” bike than any of the others
Here’s mine but I’ve spent more than a 520/LHT/VSF on it and have “less” bike than any of the others
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10-12-20, 03:16 PM
#34
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I toured 1100km from Calgary to Vancouver via the Rocky Mountains over 11 days with my 1991 Miyata 1000. I had no issues whatsoever. The bike performed really well and it was fully loaded from and back. I took it through some gravel trails and highways.
The only thing I upgraded was the Deore DX rear derailleur to a early 2000s XT RD, the stem to a more upright one, and 32mm Panaracer Pasela PT tires. Everything else was stock.
Whether you use a modern touring bike like the LHT or a C&V is totally up to you. In regard to gearing, 3 x 7 was plenty enough for me! I had no issues on the trip- none. I'd do the trip again if I could. The only different this time would be to use my new Tubus Tara front rack vs the Blackburn front rack the bike came with.
Touring setup
Upgraded Miyata after the tour.
The only thing I upgraded was the Deore DX rear derailleur to a early 2000s XT RD, the stem to a more upright one, and 32mm Panaracer Pasela PT tires. Everything else was stock.
Whether you use a modern touring bike like the LHT or a C&V is totally up to you. In regard to gearing, 3 x 7 was plenty enough for me! I had no issues on the trip- none. I'd do the trip again if I could. The only different this time would be to use my new Tubus Tara front rack vs the Blackburn front rack the bike came with.
Touring setup
Upgraded Miyata after the tour.
Last edited by BikeWonder; 10-12-20 at 03:19 PM.
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10-12-20, 03:37 PM
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My goal is across the country self supported. Mostly camping but a hotel every now and then is nice. I’d like to stick with roads. In 1998 I bought a new Trek 520 and rode from Indiana to Florida, horrible planning made it very unpleasant. This time around I’m taking my time and make sure I’m 100% squared away.
10-12-20, 05:29 PM
#37
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I’ve got close to that in mine.
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10-12-20, 07:12 PM
#38
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I wouldn't buy a different bike.
You have what you need for a bike atm, but just add a decent front rack and good panniers.
Do you have all the necessary accessories?
A decent tent, sleeping bag, rain gear and a Jetboil for example.
I would just start taking weekend trips to local state or regional parks.
Times a wastin".
You have what you need for a bike atm, but just add a decent front rack and good panniers.
Do you have all the necessary accessories?
A decent tent, sleeping bag, rain gear and a Jetboil for example.
I would just start taking weekend trips to local state or regional parks.
Times a wastin".
10-12-20, 07:21 PM
#39
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Yeah, if that Surly fits well, you're all set.
10-12-20, 07:23 PM
#40
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Thread Starter
I wouldn't buy a different bike.
You have what you need for a bike atm, but just add a decent front rack and good panniers.
Do you have all the necessary accessories?
A decent tent, sleeping bag, rain gear and a Jetboil for example.
I would just start taking weekend trips to local state or regional parks.
Times a wastin".
You have what you need for a bike atm, but just add a decent front rack and good panniers.
Do you have all the necessary accessories?
A decent tent, sleeping bag, rain gear and a Jetboil for example.
I would just start taking weekend trips to local state or regional parks.
Times a wastin".
I still need a front rack, but I have everything else. I did several weekend trips and one week long trip this summer.
10-13-20, 05:54 AM
#42
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Do I sell or part out a vintage French tourer/rando?
Recently I got a 1983 Peugeot tourer that isn't in any of the brochures (at least any of the ones on the net - been looking for days).
It's in fabulous shape; bearing races immaculate, some very small rust nicks (frame is in an oxalic acid bath right now), but has some wierdness - Vitus frame, cantis, Stronglight 99 with a 28-40-52, Helicomatic 14-30, Rigida 700c eyeletted clinchers.
I don't live in the US (where I think likely buyers - you? - are) so shipping the whole thing is a big cost. More than likely I will part it out, but before I do I though I'd post in this thread in case anyone is mad on French tourers and would cry if they miss this. Dry your eyes and pm me.
It's in fabulous shape; bearing races immaculate, some very small rust nicks (frame is in an oxalic acid bath right now), but has some wierdness - Vitus frame, cantis, Stronglight 99 with a 28-40-52, Helicomatic 14-30, Rigida 700c eyeletted clinchers.
I don't live in the US (where I think likely buyers - you? - are) so shipping the whole thing is a big cost. More than likely I will part it out, but before I do I though I'd post in this thread in case anyone is mad on French tourers and would cry if they miss this. Dry your eyes and pm me.
10-13-20, 07:05 AM
#43
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10-13-20, 07:06 AM
#44
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10-13-20, 07:21 AM
#45
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It shouldn't be a big decision. I don't think vintage or modern would make or break your enjoyment of a tour. The new stuff has a few advantages which you wouldn't want to give up, and you now have them in the Surly. I just fixed up my Super Course, and it feels so solid that I realized it would be good for a tour. But it's what I have. If I had a LHT, I would take that.
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
10-13-20, 07:29 AM
#46
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It shouldn't be a big decision. I don't think vintage or modern would make or break your enjoyment of a tour. The new stuff has a few advantages which you wouldn't want to give up, and you now have them in the Surly. I just fixed up my Super Course, and it feels so solid that I realized it would be good for a tour. But it's what I have. If I had a LHT, I would take that.
my wish for bike manufacturers would be to get away from electronics and complexity and back to simple bicycles for Every Man. bicycling for me is not about mechanics even though i can overhaul most of my bikes...it really is about bicycling. LOL.
10-13-20, 07:33 AM
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eventually my brifters are gonna head south on my more 'modern bikes', so am interested either in bar ends or DT. perhaps some light at the end of this mechanical tunnel. hmmm.
10-13-20, 08:07 AM
#48
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That looks pretty sweet to me. 90's tourers like others have said are pretty nice as well and have close to the same level of utility and features minus disc brakes, but if this fits and is "done" I'd take it. I have tried and owned several LHT and Cross Check's and they just have awkward geometry for me, so I ended up with a Jamis Aurora and a Trek 750 lugged that I play around with. I'm planning on buying a Black Mountain Cycles Monstercross next to sort of be a replacement for the Jamis.
Do you like the Paul's clampers? Are the wheels 26"?
Do you like the Paul's clampers? Are the wheels 26"?
10-13-20, 08:08 AM
#49
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wow, didn't know you can get 10 speed to work with DT shifting...next trick is to get the thing to do Index Shifting, but probably not?
eventually my brifters are gonna head south on my more 'modern bikes', so am interested either in bar ends or DT. perhaps some light at the end of this mechanical tunnel. hmmm.
eventually my brifters are gonna head south on my more 'modern bikes', so am interested either in bar ends or DT. perhaps some light at the end of this mechanical tunnel. hmmm.
- 10-speed downtube indexed + micro-index
- 10-speed bar-end Index / Friction transferable + micro-index
- 11-speed bar-end Index + micro-index
- 11-speed carbon bar-end Index + micro-index
- 12-speed MTB bar-end Index / Friction transferable
- 11-speed MTB bar-end Index / Friction transferable
- 12-speed bar-end Index / Friction transferable
Last edited by JaccoW; 10-13-20 at 08:18 AM.
10-13-20, 08:20 AM
#50
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My vote is for modern - except some of the niche choices such as boost and what have you. But, yeah, lots of mounts, (mineral oil) disc brakes and so on.
I'd also choose a Rohloff (or pinion) and a belt, so the frame (stay) would have to split.
I'd also choose a Rohloff (or pinion) and a belt, so the frame (stay) would have to split.
