I have been thinking of which forum to post this and i guess this will work. If there is a better area, please advise.

I am in the process of attempting to build up what i hope will be my all rounder. Sort of a tour/rando type project. To be used with some touring, probably daytrips, one to three day overnighters. Eventually longer, longer rides. I am Struggling with decisions to make. Here's what i have right now that i am considering:

I have a 90s Bianchi Cyclocross frameset. It was the last year of the Cro-moly frameset, curved seat stays. lugged design. Very nice frameset. I am only considering this bike because i have it easily available and the parts are quite acceptable to my overall plan of what i believe i want for a complete bike package. With a nice riser stem and bars. I believe it would be very comfortable to ride. The wheelset is 700c and is a tough set with Shimano 8 speed rear wheel. LX hub rear, CODA hub front. The wheels are straight and smooth. The bike itself is around a 58 cm. I would put a nice stem and some rando style bars. The geometry is probably not great as a loaded tourer, or so i am assuming ahead of the game. It has a triple crankset and i want a triple for the final bike in this project. I believe the top ring is only a 46 and i am more inclined to use a 48t. The components are reliable shimano of LX and XT. 8 speed bar end shifters. It has cantilever brakes. Room for wide tires...but...

Here's the negatives, besides the possibility of geometry, which i am not sure if it will be a factor. Which is why i am asking the expers here. no additional braze ons for any racks or fenders. This is what is the biggest problem overall when i am trying to make my decision. I want fenders but i can tell from the limited room between the seat tube and tire. So how big of a pain would it be for me to get some type of retro fit fenders and racks? Or is it easier for me to get my hands on a frameset that is more appropriate and use these parts?

Here's what i am considering if i do not use the Bianchi. I am thinking of the SOMA Saga. The Soma comes equipped with all the braze ons for fenders, racks, 3 sets of water bottle bosses. And the geometry. A few extra tidbits in between. I like the fact it is well built and thought out design. I would either build it up with a variety of parts that i have available such as. Some Zeus derailleurs, some bar end shifters. Zeus centerpull brakes and levers that i have available. It would still leave me to find a selection of other parts to acquire. I have even thought of getting the Soma frameset, and getting the Rando Maxi Build kit to use on the frameset. It would have almost all parts together for a complete build.

Any feedback would be appreciated! thanks,

Walter

Braze-ons for fenders and racks are really nice, making it very simple to add or remove them. However, you can work around the lack of braze-ons if the bike is suitable in other respects -- eg, geometry, clearance for larger tires, room for pedaling with panniers, etc. Regarding fenders, SKS makes several types of fenders designed for bikes with no mounts, including their new long version of the Raceblades. Not as good as total coverage fenders, but certainly better than nothing.

Regarding a rear rack, you can install just about any rack with P-clips. The more important issue is whether the bike's chain stays are long enough so your feet won't hit the panniers when pedaling.

The most important issue: Is the Bianchi Celeste green? If so, it might be worth the adaptations. If not, maybe not. (Just kidding.)

That said, the Soma Saga is a great frame for the money and would probably be my choice if buying a touring frame right now. They weren't available when I bought my Bob Jackson several years ago or I probably would have gotten the Soma.

I would go with the Soma, chances are if it does not have braze-on's the geometry/tubeset is not the greatest for carrying a load on the bike so it might be kind of noodly when loaded although it would probably make a good rando bike.

I also really hate p-clips, they do work but they never feel as solid as I would like. You can work around with this an old man mountain rack but then taking the wheel in and out is a little more of a pain. In the long run the Soma compromises a lot less and if you can make it work with your budget you will be much happier in the end. With bikes like this if you do it right the first time they tend to stick around for a long long time so might as well not cut corners.

I am almost positive i am going with the Soma Saga. For the same reasons mentioned above. After some reading and the tale of the tape...i think the chainstays are more cross racing related and will not be so pleasant under load. So rather than mess around...i will get it right from the start and go with the soma. And many of my feelings on P-clips are related well above. I don't feel the solid feeling...i always feel like there is a 'vibration' feeling...even if it doesn't exist. I still have that thought. So i think the 'do it right the first time' will keep me in the long haul game longer and probably leave a good impression!

Oh, and to answer one question from above...it is celeste! But as you can see from the photo. The chainstay length is a factor as well as trying to get P-clamps to work effectively on the curved chain and seat stays would be a interesting task.

The Climbing on dirt and grass is Enhanced by putting the rear wheel under you,
just not as far as the Road bike,
which uses skinnier tires and less clearance for mud is needed..

Touring and hardtail MTB setups will tend to have less bag kicking..
by having a longer chainstay..

18"good.. at least in '76..

Hang onto that Bianchi, even if you get the Soma. I love those old steel Bianchi cross bikes and would love to own one. My first nice road bike was a Bianchi and I've always had a soft spot for Celeste green.

I have 4 celestes in my stable now. Plus a Mondiale that i will be selling soon, an old Project 5 from 92. I really need to think some of these out to finance the Saga...it's just a tough decision. And I agree with the wheel being under me for riding the grass, quick climbs, etc. It rides like a dream in cross riding. But i know the potential for a long hauler just wouldn't be there. and 76 was a good year...especially for the bike boom.