Clumzi

Howdy! First post. Here we go...

I'm getting a mid '70s Motobecane Grand Record or Le Champion (not sure which, frame shows up in January) that I'm looking to build up as a 700c Rando bike. I live in Portland and I want something to go beboping around the Cascades with on multi-day, 30lbs max additional weight rides (camping stuff, more than brevet stuff) but the bike will surely be used around town and to/from work as well. I have a Carradice long flap that I can fit all of my camping gear in (tent, pad, bag, everything) as well as all necessary tools and am planning on getting a boxy rando bag for the front as well.

So. Velo Orange. Really like the look of their prices compared to Rene Herse, Compass, all that. Can anybody here compare the quality of the VO stuff to the prices you typically see everywhere else for this kind of gear? Specifically, lets say, their rando bars. $50. Their handlebar bag. $105. Beautiful looking cranks for $200 vs. $479 for fancy ass TAs. Touring saddle w/ ti rails for under $200. What looks like hella reasonable prices but do they make good stuff?

Other question is about low trail forks. I contacted long leaf in NH but they no longer make them. Does anybody know of a manufacturer who makes a low trail fork? Should I be wary of folks claiming to sell a low trail fork b/c it depends heavily on the geometry of the frame? Or no?

I've been drooling over Rando bike porn for quite some time and have a decent picture built in my head of what I want this bike to be but I've zero experience when it comes to building a rando bike. How's this for a question... think back on your mistakes; compromises in quality you regret, things you thought you needed and didn't, things you really did need but didn't realize till much later - share the knowledge love . Help me build this thing right .

Thanks for any help/input.

jcmkk3

According to the their add in the Autumn 2011 edition of Bicycle Quarterly, Rene Herse sells low trail forks. They list the price at $350 in the add, but I don't see them listed on their website.

As to Velo Orange's gear, it seems like a good price per performance (at least for french rando stuff). I would personally choose their cranks over the TA cranks, but I would rather have the Rene Herse cranks that are coming out. I think one of the biggest reasons for the price differences is that the VO equipment is made in Taiwan, wheres most of the equipment from Compass is from Japan.

Clumzi

Alright, so good to know if I cant find it elsewhere, I can spend too much and get what I want . What about some of the 80s treks that I hear about the have 40-45mm worth of trail? Have I gotten that right or am i misinformed? Really wish that longleaf still had more of their low trails for $79.

jcmkk3

There are a small number of Treks that have low-trail forks. thebulls posted a list in this thread. Keep in mind that to be a direct replacement for the fork on your bike, it would have to have the same headtube length. That being said, they seem like they're pretty desirable these days themselves and are fetching pretty decent prices. If you were to find one, you might be better off just using the whole frame and not worrying about the Motobecane at all. Possibly the cheapest option if you really want low trail geometry would be to have a framebuilder reset the rake of your current fork.

Clumzi

Hmm. Well, I really want the Motobecane to work b/c my father bought the bike new in the mid '70s. So there's that. But if it doesn't work, I'll likely try out Velo Orange's Rando frame. I like the price.

I like the rerake idea, but sadly the original motobecane fork has disappeared. But considering all the amazing shops around Portland with oddles of used bike parts, shouldn't be too tough to find a good replacement fork and a frame builder who can rerake it for a reasonable price.

The treks listed are 531 but they're not lugged, correct? I'm not wholly against this trek idea, if that's what it comes down to.

jcmkk3

All of the Treks in that era were lugged.

Clumzi

Wow. Those old Trek frames are LOVELY. So if for whatever reason my father's old bike doesn't work out, there are things likes this on ebay

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1980s-TREK-6...4#ht_500wt_951

$325 looks like an AWESOME place to begin.

Sounds like Velo-Orange is a good way to go.

Alright, more questions... but separate post .