Litespeed Appalachian -- My Trekking Bike
 

Also posted on Road Forum

However, I like to keep one outfitted for alternative road bike conditions, including bike paths, canal paths, frontage roads, etc. With this configuration, I more than double my available bike routes and add very welcome diversity.

I just picked up this 1998 Litespeed Appalachian cyclocross bike. It came with an eclectic, but serviceable set of components including the very funky Mavic CPX 14's. I ditched the old cx tires (the goatheads ate both of them less than 3 miles from home) and put on the virtually bulletproof (and heavy) Vredestein Perfect Moiree tires and the Brooks. My trekking bike is ready.

The test ride was a success. I had forgotten how much fun it is to ride a suburban assault vehicle and plow through conditions I would definitely avoid on my road bikes.

The other advantage of the trekking bike is that, unlike with my road bikes, on this one I give in to my tendency to install and hang gear junky cyclocrap.

BTW, any suggestions for bar tape -- leather, shellac, other?

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3.../IMG_0079r.jpg

Sweet find and build. I recently just picked up a used Airborne Ti cross frame. I'm looking forward to building that up.

Wow. Love it! I would put something like the Velo Orange Elk wrap. Matches that saddle nice and costs less than Brooks tape. http://www.velo-orange.com/elsebarco.html

$28. I have some I'd sell you for $20 + shipping. Don't have a bike that I'd put it on.

That is an awesome bike... I think Lightspeed marketed it as a touring bike and not a CX'er... But I'm splitting hairs. You'll love that bike - if you don't already!

Nice saddle

Actually, you have it right in a way. The Appalachian was marketed as the cyclocross/trekking bike and the Blue Riddge as the touring bike. However, the frames were the same. Sort of same difference.