leeinmemphis

Hey everyone,

I am in the market for a touring bike to set up for a trip next year down the Natchez Trace Parkway. I have been keeping an eye out for an older Puegot(sp), Cannondale, Raleigh type of road bike and haven't been able to find one that I really was in love with that actually was in my size(58-60cm). Is there any specific brands or models that you would suggest over another one? Ideally I would like a bike with front and rear pannier racks. Other than that I'm pretty open to brands/models. I don't particularly want to spend a ton of $$$$ on it but would like a decent set up(say less than $1k used). Any advice or suggestions on where start? I've been watching ebay pretty consistently and most of the craigslists within a 100 mile radius. Thanks.

wahoonc

Surly Long Haul Trucker, Salsa Casseroll, Trek 520 and just about any other bike with braze on fittings for racks and a long chainstay length.

You can tour on just about anything. I use a couple of different bikes, my favorite for trail touring is my converted Giant Iguana. Read VW Vagabonds for some ideas on how to purchase and convert an old rigid MTB for touring.

Aaron

DFleming

I love my cannondale t2000, now the t2 models. Great, light, solid bike. Cannondale quit making the models so you might be able to find some old-new stock at your LBS. Miyata 1000 models are fantastic, I am a junky for those though.

TheReal Houdini

I suppose you know there are several decent options new for less than $1k. Windsor Tourist and Novara Safari are two of them. I watched craigslist for months looking for a fit (same size as you) and ended up buying a new Safari. No regrets.
.
Thing is, if you're particular about your setup $1k is not very much money. I added fenders, B-17, generator lighting, front rack, and disc brakes.

leeinmemphis

yeah I know there are other options but for some reason I've always been partial to Specialized, Cannondale and a few others. I looked at the Safari and it just didn't light my fire. I know $1k isn't much in todays money for a touring bike but I've seen a lot of people do a lot better for much less. That's the main reason I'm watching the used market. That and I also have plenty of time to find something desirable in my price range that fits.

fat_bike_nut

Well if you're sticking with older used bikes, then for Cannondale I'd look for used "T" models (T600, T800, T2000, etc.). As for Specialized, the old rigid fork/hardtail mountain bikes from the 80's to early 90's would work as well. I've also seen used Specialized Expedition bikes (1980's or thereabouts) for touring. They're like the Miyata 1000 (which is also a touring bike). 1980's Raleigh models designed for touring are the Wyoming (low-end), Alyeska, Kodiak, and Portage (high-end).

bradtx

leeinmemphis, I'm jaded as I've rode Cannondale road bikes for the last 20 years. Naturally when it came time to finally build a touring bike I found a Cannondale. While it's sad that Cannondale no longer makes a tourer (which was their first frame design) there are good used ones around.

Brad

DFleming

I second the post for finding a "T" model cannondale. They are great frames. Like i said my T2000 has been from oregon to florida twice and florida to maine once, so its tough. There are some minor things i would change if you get one stock though, but definitely stick with cannondale if you are partial to them.

waxnomadic

Too small for you (or me) but here is a screaming deal: https://charleston.craigslist.org/bik/3074875868.html

DFleming

Solid find, Although im not crazy about that front fork.

fietsbob

Yea rigid fork, hard tail MTBs build up as nice tourers..

The Specialized Expedition I bought in the mid ~ 80's was nice,,
700c wheel 35 tire.

Trek 520's are still nice..

Doug64

XL Cannondale T2000 and T800 frames are larger than 55cm. I don't know about 2002 model, but the later bikes had compact geometry. Look it up on Bikepedia. I ride a 58cm and the large frame was OK when I test rode one about 5 years ago. I actually ordered it, but ended up with another bike that the shop had on sale when I went to pick it up.

antokelly

https://m.gumtree.com/thorn-sherpa-ex...Thorn%20Sherpa

there you go .

OldZephyr

What about the Safari didn't light your fire?

If you want a really economical build, I second the suggestions to buy an older rigid CrMo mountain bike. I see good mid-90s Trek MTBs perfect for conversion for under $200 on a regular basis.

leeinmemphis

well it looks like I have found an older cannon dale mountain bike. I'm suppose to pick it up tomorrow. I'll post up what we find. Thanks.