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Which "vintage" touring bike would you look for?

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Which "vintage" touring bike would you look for?

Old 04-03-15, 09:28 AM
  #51  
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Originally Posted by dbg
I've been building up light touring bikes for years (resto-mod style) --too match an annual trip we do in Wisconsin. My favorite donor frames seem to be late 90s LeMond frames. .

Have to ask- where are you picking up so many frames like this?- it would seem to be fairly limited in availability, given the qualifications- specific brand that wasn't exactly high volume, specific few years, specific size needed.
Always curious where projects are found.
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Old 04-03-15, 09:54 AM
  #52  
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I hope I'm not being a jerk, but sometimes you just have to take a chance on something. I've had quite a few bikes and I've never felt that I've found "the one". I've had fun just picking up bikes that fit a basic idea of what I think I want at that particular time, fixing them up, riding them, and selling what wasn't really suitable.
There has been a lot of good advice here with lots of good recommendations. The thing is, everyone came to those conclusions based on first hand experience. If I had to guess, I'd say many of the other posters bought bikes that just didn't work out for them even though they " knew" what they wanted.
I am of the mind that there are many bikes that would work for what you have in mind. First you need to decide if you want vintage or more modern. Vintage is a little tougher for the novice to modernize due to rear spacing, braze ons, brake drilling/boss placement, 27 inch wheels, etc. Not saying it can' t be done, just more involved and can get pretty expensive. Another thing to consider is whether or not the bike is one you truly love to ride. It's not worth all of the effort to modify a bike you dont love, believe me, I've made that mistake.
Maybe you could look for a bike with decent tubing, long chainstays (+/- 17 inches), dropout eyelets, rear rack eyelets, stock triple crank, in your size. You can then fix it up, ride it, dial in the fit, and figure out if it's a keeper. Provided it has the basic elements of a tourable bike, it should be fine to do what you talked about.
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Old 04-03-15, 08:06 PM
  #53  
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Originally Posted by likebike23
I hope I'm not being a jerk, but sometimes you just have to take a chance on something. I've had quite a few bikes and I've never felt that I've found "the one". I've had fun just picking up bikes that fit a basic idea of what I think I want at that particular time, fixing them up, riding them, and selling what wasn't really suitable.
I certainly don't think you're being a jerk in any way shape or form. To the contrary, you've made some good points here, and IIRC, in other threads where I've asked questions.

At some point I'm sure I'll take the plunge. I would have bought Steve W's Voyageur, but I hesitated just a bit. As I've noted, if I had an immediate plan to do a tour, I'd already have the Randonee in the garage--at it's price, there's hardly any way I could lose anything even if I didn't like it.

There has been a lot of good advice here with lots of good recommendations. The thing is, everyone came to those conclusions based on first hand experience. If I had to guess, I'd say many of the other posters bought bikes that just didn't work out for them even though they " knew" what they wanted.
Absolutely. I've learned quite a bit just from this thread. And I appreciate all the contributions!

I am of the mind that there are many bikes that would work for what you have in mind. First you need to decide if you want vintage or more modern. Vintage is a little tougher for the novice to modernize due to rear spacing, braze ons, brake drilling/boss placement, 27 inch wheels, etc. Not saying it can' t be done, just more involved and can get pretty expensive. Another thing to consider is whether or not the bike is one you truly love to ride. It's not worth all of the effort to modify a bike you dont love, believe me, I've made that mistake.
Maybe you could look for a bike with decent tubing, long chainstays (+/- 17 inches), dropout eyelets, rear rack eyelets, stock triple crank, in your size. You can then fix it up, ride it, dial in the fit, and figure out if it's a keeper. Provided it has the basic elements of a tourable bike, it should be fine to do what you talked about.
One of the attractions of Steve's Voyageur, or a bike that Doc Cannondale has prepped is that it's already refurbished, maybe modernized, etc. And those come up from time to time. Given my level of experience I'd really hesitate to take on a project unless it were a good frame and dirt cheap. On the vintage side, I'd be far more inclined to buy something like this. With all the points made about the pluses of a modern bike, I'm giving the Randonee another thought--there's still ONE available.

But you are entirely correct that there really isn't any substitute for actual experience/trial and error. And even that should be a lot of fun.

STP
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Old 04-08-15, 01:58 PM
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'88 Cannondale ST on eBay

Here's an '88 Cannondale ST on eBay for $525, shipping included.

Questions:

Could this:



be turned into this:



and how much would it cost to do it?

$525 seems high, since Doc Cannondale's refurbished one is ~$1k all in....and MNMKPedals found a frame like this for $20.00.

One other question--I've gone through the pix thread in the Touring forum and see a lot of bikes with bags that attach to the top tube. Obviously couldn't do that with DT shifters (???? right???). Can a bike like this be converted to brifters?

TIA for any tips.

STP

P.S. I just saw there is a more complete description in the eBay listing. Seat tube 58 cm, top tube 56. Might be just a bit too small for me.

Last edited by Porschefan; 04-08-15 at 02:13 PM. Reason: Add'l question
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Old 04-08-15, 03:50 PM
  #55  
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Stephen, I'll weigh in here directly instead of responding to your PM.

First off, the blue Cannondale on eBay pictured above is not an '88, it's somewhere between '83 and early '86. Giveaways are the sloppier filleting, the metal top tube cable guides and the components. Would have to see the serial number to be sure (e.g. AA,BB,CC or one that starts with 23). Still, a solid bike that could be built up nicely as long as you like 27" wheels, DiaCompe brakes and friction shifting (although that SR Apex crankset is particularly worthy stuff).

My personal preference is for the '87-'88 ST series with the sidepull brakes. They have it all- the braze-ons, three bottle cage mounts, low rider mounts on the steel fork, simple color shcemes and decal sets, not to mention terrific ride qualities. Plus, they are tough. I did the 352 mile C&O/GAP trail trip last year on one, never missed a beat.

I'm not sure you really need the 24" ST, any more than you need a 24" Voyageur. Your preference for a more upright riding position allows you to use a 56cm top tube, which both of those bikes have. Once you put on the higher stem, either of those should fit just fine.

Sidebar: that '88 Cannondale of mine you pictured above is powder coated gloss black, not navy blue. It's 9 speed triple, FD/RD is 105 with DA shifters and an MT series triple crankset. Wheelset is 105 hubs laced to 700c Velocity Aerohead rims with Vittoria Rando tires in size 32 (the largest that will fit). Bars are double wrapped, brakes are Tektro 539's with Tektro R200l levers. Jagwire housing, Shimano stainless cables, ToPeak rack and bag. As you mentioned, it was rather pricey to build but either that one or the Voyageur should go (feel free to PM, people), as I don't really need two dedicated tourers in the stable. Well, actually three, if you count my '88 ST 10 speed travel bike that gets hauled around on the airplane:

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Old 04-08-15, 07:38 PM
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I have a 1985 Cannondale ST500, A 1988/89 Schwinn Voyageur and also a 1996 Trek 520. All very nice touring bikes. The ST500 is a blast to ride unloaded as well as loaded. The Voyageur is probably the best/smoothest at hauling big loads. The Trek 520 does it all, loaded unloaded doesn't matter. The one that always puts a big smile on my face is the Cannondale. Smooth with the steel fork. Climbs superbly and by far the lightest of the bunch. I can honestly forget it's under me sometimes. My 2 cents.
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