I am planning to go on a fall tour this year. Will be my first one after getting out of touring when my kids were little. Next year my oldest son will be coming along and the year after that there will be three of us when the youngest is ready.
I have been collecting some older bikes as of late and this Velo Sport is the latest additon to the old touring fleet and joins my Nishiki Continental and an International which is undergoing restoration.
I am really exited about my solo tour coming up and this winter we will be working on the Nishiki's.
This is the $50 Velo Sport which came complete with the bags, generator, wiring ect. I had to install new tires and repack the BB and headset. It has sealed bearing hubsets.







This is the $20 Nishiki International. It has been stripped and will be my youngest boys bike. Should have it on the road next spring after powdercoating. He wants 700C wheels.


This is my Continental which I bought new in 1984. It will go to my oldest son who is obviously going to be much taller than me. Should do him for a few years. This bike needs a new parts group which I am hunting for.



I have always wanted to tour with my sons and next year we will begin.
It is very hard to be driving on the highway during vacation with your young kids screaming in the back seat when you pass a few guys on loaded touring bikes. You are thinking that should be YOU out there.
Next year it will be.

Nice bikes. I'm using an old Trek hardtail mtn bike.

Everything looks good to me if mechanicals are in good order and fit is okay, and it sounds like they are. People have done epic tours on a lot less.

Comfort is the most important thing in determining what bike to use. If it feels good, you'll enjoy the ride a lot more. Looks like you got a good deal on the bikes.

Beautiful!

Where do you find your bikes?

Very nice set of bikes! Good luck and have fun.

Oooh excellent bikes, bargains! Congrats.

That Velo Sport is quite a find. Looks the tires need replacing though. Nashbar has Panaracer Pasela Tour Guard kevlar tires on sale right now for $20, plus they're offering 20% off on orders over $80. Might be worth ordering a few tires for all of your bikes.

I had a Nishiki just like that when I first got out of college. It was a nice bike but ultimately bit the dust. I had sold it to my brother who sweats like a storm, and it rusted out.

The tires have been replaced on the Velo and I have a set of Specialized touring for the Continental. I need to get a set for the International.
I blew the bike budget on a new MTB a while back so I have little left for 3 touring bikes. I want to go look at a new ride but this $50 Velo will do for now. It does ride very well. The kids aren't coming on the fall tour so I don't need any camping gear for them until next year.
Once I get the new bar wrap on I will have invested only $85 in the Velo and I still have all my gear.
The fall tour will only be a 350km ride with two nights camping so I am getting exited about it.