engineerbob

Tonight, I rode a 1985 Nishiki Cresta, a bike that felt good but had more patina than I wanted. The 27" wheels and five-speed freewheel did not add to its allure. The frame was lugged and made of double-butted Tange chromoly. It seemed light. I did not take any measurements, but the chain-stays were obviously longer than average. I suspect that the rake and trail were similarly "relaxed."

It seems that by definition, current touring bikes are heavy so that they can carry significant weight, a feature I don't need. However, once load-carrying capacity is reduced, the geometry changes and the steering gets quicker.

My ideal bike would have geometry and weight similar to the Nishiki Cresta, a 3x9 drivetrain with a 20" bottom gear, 700C wheels, rim brakes, and bar-end shifters. Does this bike exist?

Bob

nun

Yes...

CC Bicycle Gallery: Clive Standley's Rivendell Rambouillet

There are plenty of endurance and adventure bikes that have reklaxed geometry and will be lighter than a luged frame

DonValley

Other than the gearing , that sounds like my new to me 1991 Miyata 1000 LT.

bikemig 

There are so many bikes that can fit the broad outlines of what you are looking for. A soma double-cross is a fine bike and you can set it up as you wish. This is mine set up with 3 x 9 gearing. I'm running shimano bar end shifters, a sugino xd 600 crank, a shimano deore rear derailleur, and the wheels are deore xt hubs laced onto mavic A719 rims. This is a really sweet riding bike, not as light as a pure racing bike obviously but lighter and quicker handling than a touring bike:



If you want a lugged frame, however, the price will go up and your choices go down. Grant Peterson still likes lugs and you can check out the soma san marcos which he designed if you want a lugged frame. Also check out the Rivendell Sam Hillborne.

irwin7638

++1
The Sam Hillborne would be a great light touring bike. I have one and it's considerably lighter than my Hunqapillar which is the heavy duty touring model. The San Marcos is a lighter version of the same geometry and less expensive.

Marc

MassiveD

This is the ideal candidate for something custom.

mdilthey

Eh.. I'll second the Soma Double Cross. 25lbs with a steel fork, disc brakes, and pretty heavy components.

mstateglfr 

You can take any one of dozens of 80's touring and sport touring bikes that have lugs and cromo tubing(typically double or triple butted and Tange brand), add 3x9 shifting, and swap the wheels out for 700s(if they aren't already 700s).
In all- bike plus shifting components plus wheels- you would most likely have $400-700 in the bike. That range depends on what bike you buy and for how much.


There are plenty of new frames that can be built up, but they will almost for sure be welded so no lugs.



Another option for modern- one without lugs- VO Campeur Frameset - Frames

robow

What about a Soma Stanyan, beautiful chrome lugs and nice sport touring geometry. Just not sure if they're still producing these but I do see a few floating around out there.

Marc40a

The Double Crosses and Stanyan are nice, but I don't know if I would rock panniers on them.

The original post is a little confusing in that he mentioned longish chainstays but then mentioned that he doesn't need to load down the bike. I can't really tell if he wants them or not.

fietsbob

Mercian are still being hand made in England , Right? seems so.. Mercian Cycles - Custom Cycle Frames & Cycle Shop

mdilthey

I've loaded down the DC. It's definitely a bit whippy, and with a load on the front I can't ride with no hands. No speed shimmy as long as I've got hands on the bars, though.

I wouldn't load it down with more than 30-40lbs. Then again, I never carry more than 20, so it's the right bike for me. I have a Surly KM for hauling if it's that kind of tour, or if I'm carrying gear for others.

engineerbob

I mentioned longish stays because I think they will contribute to stability, not for pannier clearance.

engineerbob

That might be the bike for me. Other than the 650B wheels, it checks all of the boxes. Thanks, Marc.

Bob

martianone

Consider the Waterford ST-22 ?

irwin7638

I wouldn't fret about the 650B wheels, I use them on my Buena Vista commuter and don't really notice the difference except they accelerate more quickly and can accommodate wider tires.

Marc

robow

If you were to go this way, definitely consider carrying an extra tire because I can guarantee you won't be finding those tires at any general sporting goods dept. and even many bicycle shops won't have a replacement for you.

fietsbob

650 b will be a utility bike tire in France , which is where they were common before getting the hipster notice.

robow

This from Sheldon; "The 650B size was never common in the U.S., and it went into decline even in France with the advent of the mountain bike. However, there is a dedicated group of fans of this wheel size, who have been diligently working to restore it to its former glory."

fietsbob

heine is one promoter.

irwin7638

I always buy tires in three's because I will wear out the rear twice as fast as the front, and, most importantly, none of the 5 LBS in my town carry tires I like in any size . If you look at the 650b's available now, the only problem you have is making a decision, but you will have to buy them online.

Marc

mdilthey

That's funny, I always buy tires in one's because I can never justify dropping more than one tire's worth of hard-earned scratch at any time. So they're always mismatched.

robow

I think this is an excellent idea.......that is if you've got the "scratch"

engineerbob

How would you spread the rear triangle to accommodate a nine-speed cassette?

Tandem Tom

A frame builder can cold set it. It is basically spreading the rear triangle. I have had it done twice and paid about $20 each time.