etherhuffer 

I have a Gran Tourer I retro refit and I do like it. Rides comfy although pretty dull, as a tourer should be. I found an s12s LTD. Tubing aside, it looks like the front geometry is the same. 73 head angle and a whopping 65mm rake. That is indeed lower trail.

The chainstays of the s12s are shorter, but not a lot. So......is there going to be much difference in the ride? Can't see that I get much more in the s12s unless I push for a light build overall.

Anyone have both to compare?

oddjob2

The Gran Tourer has nothing Grand about it expect the name and grand mass at 32 lbs. It is a high tensile tubeset and stock rims are steel.

The S12s LTD. Is a chromoly tubeset, alloy rims, and weighs 6 lbs less than the GT. The ride is sportier for certain.

I've refurbished both and the quality of the parts and the ride character of the S12S easily stand out over the GT.

etherhuffer 

Sounds good. Yeah, even with my rebuild with modern parts the Gran Tour is a slug. Although at 200 pounds I am part of the slug equation. I think I will shoot for a lighter build and a 700c wheel conversion. I have the cool looking Gyromaster high flange hubs that are original.

etherhuffer 

Oh, and 7 speed bar ends, not brifters, would be nice.

blart

My first bike was a '75 gran tourer. That thing was like an old buick...

bear_a_bug 

Definitely go for the S12-S LTD! Handles great, and loads of clearance for conversions.

Mine was converted to 700c back in the early 80's, rebuilt with the original gyromaster hubs as well.

Any chance yours is the elusive "Ace Brown" color from '79 as well? When I was searching for pics of my model on the web, the later black version was everywhere, but very hard to find the brown '79.

Pic of mine from the Fuji Thread:
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...-u-j-i-18.html

crank_addict

S12S-LTD: One of my faves but now long gone. Toured extensively on it. Great ride. Heavy loaded on descents, it was a flexy flyer but felt confident, probably due the nice fork.

etherhuffer 

Its black, decent shape. Has kickstand damage, but I took it into Davidson's in Seattle and they said to just go ride it. As for brown, i grew up with Schwinn bronze and was never a fan of brown. I had the Gran Tour powder coated canary yellow like my old Varsity. 40 year old dreams die hard I guess! Still need a metallic orange 1977 Schwinn Volare too.....sigh.......

etherhuffer 

Flexy can be good or bad. Not enough and you might as well tour with a stick in your arse. Verified this when touring on my cheap Raleigh R300 which is aluminum. Had I not front loaded it I would have rattled my fillings out!

cycleheimer

In your size frame, the S-12-S is the bike to get. Really nice bike in the "affordable" bike category. Here is a link to the catalogs. You can compare specs on your own.

Catalog_Covers

etherhuffer 

I have the 25" model. The smaller folks get the benefit of a smaller triangle that big guys don't get.

etherhuffer 

Oh, I am going to treat myself to a nicer rim set. Everything I have uses CR18's, thinking about a VO set or Grand Bois set. I have a Mavic MA2 front with 105 hub, but finding another rim in good shape for the rear has been tough. And they are spendy....

cycleheimer

The bigger folks get the benefit of more metal for their money, as well as more cloth in a suit for their money. Enjoy the S-12-S Ltd. They are nice bikes.