Rivendell Fleriot framesets
 

http://cgi.ebay.com/Frame-Fork-Riven...QQcmdZViewItem

What do you think? It is 150 dollars less than on the Rivendell site. It takes 650B wheels. Can you make an excellent touring bike out of one of these?

The simple answer is yes!

I would say no. Even Rivendell would say no, unless your tours are supported and you don't need anything on the bike except a small saddle bag and a maybe a small handlebar bag or a top rack.

The Bleriot and Saluki are more general road riding bikes that just happen to have clearance for bigger tires than a normal road bike. For heavy duty haul it all yourself touring I would get something else.

From their website:
Ways to Use It
Road/trail riding
Centuries and brevets
Light touring
Commuting
Just about anything

(Emphasis mine.)

The Bleriot is not an expedition touring bike and if you are over 200lbs and want to carry 100lbs of gear it would not be a good choice, but for regular road touring it's as good as anything and better than most.
Put a couple of panniers front and rear and you will be fine. Here's an example

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/p..._id=60266&v=D4

Both the Saluki and Bleriot have nice touring geometries with long chainstays and are solid bikes good for long distance touring

I may be too heavy. I weigh 255 and am 6'3" tall. How long do chainstays need to be? I've got a nice Jamis Coda Comp and they are 410 mm.

Toss in the $50 or so shipping.

My bet is the $50-100 won't pencil out by the time you've had the frame prepped, gotten parts, etc.

And it is 650B wheels. What advantage is that off in the hinterlands?

Caliper brakes, I don't see rack eyelets; So I'd wonder about the handling. But it would make a neat rando or century bike or maybe CC touring.

The 650b is not much of an issue, the only inconvenience maybe having to wait a day or two if you need a new rim or tire. The Bleriot has eyelets, what Rivendell doesn't?, the handling is fine for touring, look at the geometry 44.5cm chainstays, and long reach calipers work just fine on a touring bike.


Durward_Kirby, the Jamis 410mm chainstays are too short to make a stable tourer you want something at least 43cm. Also Rivendell suggests that the max load on a Bleriot (rider plus gear) should be 230lbs. So I'd recommend something sturdier like an Atlantis, a Bombadil or a Co-Motion Mazama, they are all made for big riders wanting to carry stuff.

Thanks, guys. I am glad I asked.

"The Bleriot has eyelets, what Rivendell doesn't?"

The copy description and the photos don't talk about or show upper mounts for rear rack or mid fork mounts for the front. Misspoke saying just eyelets.

If you are looking for a budget build a Surly Long Haul Trucker can't be beat. Also if you wanted to kit it out yourself, you could go through any Local Bike shop as they can get a LHT from QBP and help you build it up.

The Bleriot has all the brazons required to m ount front and rear racks. there are no mid fork brazons
for mounting smaller front racks so you'd have to use the clamp on versions for that.

I agree that the LHT is a great way to go for the large rider