ElliotSF

I dream of a Bridgestone XO-1 (or XO-2 or XO-3) -- or a Sam Hillborne, for that matter -- but I don't have the budget for it. So I'm wondering about other vintage, lugged steel bikes that offer a similar ride at a lower price. Below are some of the bikes I'm considering. Please tell me three things:

1) Am I on the right track to seek touring or "sport touring" bikes such as those below? (I don't plan on touring, but I like the idea of a slightly longer wheelbase for comfort, and a somewhat sturdy frame for sometimes rough city pavement that I plan to ride.)

2) What are the rough prices for each of these bikes? (I know that prices vary widely, but a rough guess for a good-condition bike on CL in the SF Bay Area would help. I don't plan to scour garage sales for a $20 steal.)

3) Any bikes I should drop from my list? Any I should add? Please cap the budget at $300. That restriction may help to narrow the field.

Thank you!

Nishiki Continental
Nishiki Cresta GT
Nishiki International
Nishiki Riviera GT
Nishiki Seral
Fuji Del Rey
Fuji Touring Series IV
Fuji America circa 1980
Panasonic PT-3500
Panasonic PT-5000
Miyata 610
Univega Gran Tourismo
Centurion ProTour

nlerner

The XO-1 took 559mm/MTB wheels but with road geometry (73 degree head and seat tube angles) and lighter tubing than a typical MTB (at least according to the specs for the 1992 model). I'm not sure any of those bikes you've listed are in that vein, whether they're 27" or 700c wheel tourers or similar sport-tourers. And is it $300 for a complete bike that you want to spend or a frameset?

Neal

EjustE

The XO series where hybrid/cross bikes. Your list is touring bikes mainly. I would seriously look at late 80s, early 90s hybrids with a road bike geometry (no slopping top tubes) like:

Univega Via Carisma, Via Montega, Via de Oro (a bit biased about 88-91 Uni hybrids as great cross and touring bikes) As close to the XOs you can get for a fraction of the price.
Trek 750
Cannondale SH400 (if you like aluminum)
and anything else that fits the bill. Not much versed into the japanese offerings in hybrids that time.

wrk101

In San Fran, you can drop all of the touring bikes from your list, unless you get really lucky. Even the Del Rey, depending on the year, will exceed your budget in San Fran. I had a 1984 version, a really nice bike.

Given the red hot San Fran market, I would drop the list entirely and instead focus on components and features you want. Probably any Japanese vintage bike with a cromoly frame, alloy crankset and alloy wheels will be at or over your budget.

If you want a hybrid, you should easily be able to get a nice one well within your budget.

akcapbikeforums

To reiterate, you have a list of very nice, first class, vintage touring bikes -- with one bike that's altogether different: the X0-1.

If you are looking for a full blown vintage touring bike on a $300 budget, there's hope for you: I just picked up a 83 Centurion Pro Tour 15 in unbelievably minty original condition off Craigslist... for $300. I used Searchtempest.com to regularly search Craigslist nationwide for my "list of bikes" (which overlaped yours considerably) and lucked into a bike very near one of my company's construction sites. Naturally, I had to go on an "emergency field visit" the day after I found the bike on CL. The seller had taken poor photos, wasn't descriptive in his listing, and essentially didn't realize the market value of the bike... it could happen to you.

Also, add the Schwinn Voyageur to your list (Voyageur comparison chart), particularly, the 83-91 models, the Schwinn Super Sport of 1981 (which was for that year the full blown touring bike) the 1986 Schwinn Passage, as well as the Raleigh Portage, Kodiak and Alyeska . Good luck! Here's a useful list of vintage touring bikes:

Bridgestone RB-T
Bridgestone T-500
Bridgestone T-700
Centurion Pro Tour 15
Centurion Elite GT 15
Fuji Touring Series IV
Fuji Touring Series V
Lotus Odyssey
Miyata 610
Miyata 1000
Nishiki Continental
Nishiki Cresta GT
Nishiki International (note, not all years are full CrMo or full touring)
Nishiki Riviera GT
Nishiki Seral
Novara Randonee
Panasonic PT-3500
Panasonic PT-5000
Panasonic Pro Touring
Panasonic Touring Deluxe
Raleigh Alyeska
Raleigh Kodiak
Raleigh Portage
Raleigh Super Tourer
Raleigh Touring 18
Schwinn Paramount P15-9 Tourer
Schwinn Passage
Schwinn Super Sport, 1981
Schwinn Voyageur/Voyageur SP
Specialized Expedition
Trek 520
Trek 620
Trek 720
Univega Gran Tourismo
Univega Specialisima

jtgotsjets

Alternatively, you might look for early MTBs. Switch out the bars for some moustaches....

Bianchigirll 

I don't see any older Bianchi Volpes or Eros listed while not true vintage bikes they are great day, sport, randoneuring or whatever you want to call it.

there is/was a nice 59cm Bstone RB1(?) in the for sale thread

ElliotSF

I'm looking for a complete bike, in good condition, for $300 (unless of course that wish is insane!). The only must-have is lugs. Other than that, I'm just looking for a bike that rides well and shifts smoothly and gets me up big hills in SF. The XO-1 sounds ideal for that. And maybe the Sam Hillborne? But once again, I seek a somewhat similar bike for a much lower price. Thanks.

mickey85

Since you mentioned the Sam, and the larger sizes (i.e. my sizes) are 700c, you might want to check out early Hybrids. Here's mine:



I've recently put drop bars and bar end shifters on it, with a Brooks B17 saddle. It has geometry that's in-betweenish and can take tires up to 700X40 or so - I'm running fenders and 38's and it's comfortable. It's got canti brakes and 21 gears stock. Cost me $80. It's not lugged, but the frame and fork is completely Tange 4130 chromoly. With 700X28 it'll go as fast as the roadies in the club group and with 700X38's I'm not scared to take it offroad or on the roughest of country lanes, which is a rather good thing given my commute. IT's also got one set of front braze-ons and two rear sets, not including the rack braze-ons at the top of the seatstays. It's from 1993-1994.

So, I'd start looking for 80's-90's hybrids if you're wanting to rebuild something to be like an XO. You probably won't get the 26" wheels with road geometry, but you'll get a bike with touring geometry and super wide clearances. BTW, the bike cost $80, tires cost $40 and the drop bar conversion (including bar tape) cost me about $30 using a used bar. Not a bad bike for $150.

As far as your requirements, this particular bike is set up with 48X38X28 chainrings, 170mm crank arms and 13-28 gearing in back. I find that first gear is completely useless because it's so low (probably not the case in SF) and top gear allows me to spin out at about 35 mph.

ElliotSF

Thanks, everyone, for your input. You've confirmed my suspicion that an XO-1, being an urban hybrid, differs (sometimes markedly) from those touring and sport touring bikes on my list. Ergo, I'll seek an urban hybrid--with lugs!

Muttleyone

A few weeks ago I got a '90 Miyata Triplecross and I freck'n love it. I mean this bike rocks. I bought it for an around town do anything and everything bike and it does this like a champ. I really wanted a XO-1 or XO-2 but had a hard time dropping that kind of coin for a commuting/city type bike. I then found the Triplecross on CL. I test rode it and 40 bucks later I'm taking it home. This bike was like it had never been ridden, hardly a scratch on it. It's built with Miyata splined triple butted tubes, close to the same geometry as my Miyata 1000, lugged and 700x38 tires. I've seen Triplecross for sale in the $100-$200 range. I would put this frame up aganist a XO-1 anyday of the week and if you factor in the price the Miyata wins hands down, unless you just want the Bridgestone name. I love this bike more everytime I ride it (biopace exclueded) and I'm looking for one for my wife right now and would have no problem dropping $200 on one right now. This bike is a keeper for me and has it's spot right between my Paramount and Miyata 1000. I love this bike.

clickies below






Mutt

ElliotSF

Muttlyone: Your Miyata looks great to me! Great price, too. Thanks.

Everyone: Just spotted this on San Francisco CL: A Gran Turismo for $200.

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/bik/1479377041.html

Duface

I have an XO-5 that I love, I got it for $100 on the sac CL. I also saw an XO-3 go for $50 the day after I purchased my XO-5, luckily it was too small and 2 hours away.
Anyways, heres my XO-5.



It's not top of the line, but I love the ride.

Just be patient and maybe expand your search to a few other cities. Good luck!

-edit-
I fail at adding pictures?

wrk101

That Gran Turismo is a low end bike, it sure does not look like a Gran Turismo to be at all. With that high ten steel frame, I would forget about it.

The Gran Turismo I had came with double butted cromoly frame, good Suntour Blue Line components. It was a much better bike.

mercator

+1 on Muttlyone's bike - glad to hear you finally found a miyata!
As for that gran turismo on CL, it looks almost identical to the miyata 110SP I bought last year for $50 (canadian).

sonatageek

I have had a few Jazz (low end Taiwan built Trek line) models that reminded me of my XO-2 in basic character. The XO-2 I have is a tig welded frame, so you don't need anything lugged or fancy to be like most of the XO line.

Bianchigirll 

you should see the beautiful '93ish Via Montega I got a few weeks ago.

Bianchigirll 

while that gran tourismo has a lugged frame I do not see index shifting. also in SF you may want a triple. I think "justE" has it right. an early '90s hybrid is perfect for you.

EjustE

I bet it does not beat my originally purchased 1990 Via Carisma

Bianchigirll 

Oh that is beautiful. 500EX?

EjustE

Thanks! Yup, full 500LX (M500); and probably the only bike in this universe that lives life with an aero bar (attached since 1991) and a rear rack 90% of the time (and not plugged bars to boot). Your Via Montega is probably 91ish not 93ish

XR2

My Bridgestone T-700.Just finished it up.Haven't made time to ride it more than up and down the street.

From this.


To this.

Needs a couple more items.Like a triple and a saddle.I live in the mountains and it's geared a bit to tall.And my tail doesn't like the saddle.I believe it's screamin' for a Brooks.

top506

+1 on the Triplecross. I acquired mine as a frameset and built it up somewhat differently:





Top

schwinnderella

I have never ridden an XO-1.I have a Miyata Alumi cross which of course is an aluminum hybrid.It has drop bars and bar con type shift levers from the factory.I believe this bike is very similar to an XO-1 in terms of ride.I ride mine a lot and would recommend this bike to anyone.

cs1

What about a lugged MTB frame. Old Stumpjumpers are priced from $200 on up. I just picked up a nice 19" one less derailleurs. Which isn't a problem because the original were SunTour Mountechs. I'm going to build it with a vintage Deore XT group.