Bike Forums - Specialized Expedition

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S24O to Kanasket Palmer State Park

I got to ride my first overnighter of the year, out to Kanasket Palmer State Park. 38.5 miles going (I took the long way) then 29 miles home. The weather was absolutely perfect.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...160e87f058.jpg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...7a347a4d54.jpg

I’ve not ever seen an ‘86 Expedition, but that’s not to say that some weren’t built that year. The advent of mountain bikes surely put a dent in dedicated touring bike sales. I purchased a new ‘84 Expedition in early 1985 on close out at the bike shop. Dealer was trying to get them off their floor and wasn’t going to order more. I paid $250 out the door as I recall…

Quote:

Originally Posted by orcas island (Post 23265055)

Since starting this thread and reading anything I could find about this bike, I've come to believe that they were made from 83-85. How to tell them apart:
• 83: Suntour symmetric downtube shifters (like mine)
• 84: downtube shifters mounted to brazed on mounts (this is the most common on any bike with DT shifters) and plain fork crown
• 85: same shifters as 84; "S" on the fork crown

I originally got the idea they were made in 86 too because I saw one in a CL ad (or something similar) where the seller claimed it was an 86. I now believe that was a mistake.

$250 is a heck of a deal! Still have it?

so who made them?

Has that been established?

Was the first year (starting with "K") made by 3Rensho followed by someone else for L, M, etc? That is the rumor I heard.

Robert

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robvolz (Post 23273378)

so who made them?

Has that been established?

Was the first year (starting with "K") made by 3Rensho followed by someone else for L, M, etc? That is the rumor I heard.

Robert

Yes, I covered that earlier in the thread. This thread was intended to be a documentation of my journey with my Expedition, and a repository of information about the bike.

The Expedition was designed by iconic frame builder Jim Merz aka PortlandJim and built by Miyata in Japan. Jim was working for Specialized at the time and actually chimed in on this thread earlier and confirmed it.

Edit: it was on another thread as I can't find it here.

I knew it was Merz. I was simply asking which Japanese firm made it.

sequoias first gen were 3rensho but 2nd year was somewhere else.

I know the history of the expedition, based on his own touring bike.

I’m from portland, own a Merz and also know Jim. Plus his son works on my Vespa.