Hello, I found one used but good bicycle that I believe to be for touring purposes because of tour bike handlebars and some other features. But frame looks like city bikes, design is beautiful but how good this construction is for frequent riding, bad roads and touring? Maybe construction acts like suspension or these curves are just for style?

They say you can tour on anything...

I don't see a lot of attachments for waterbottles or other gear, and there would not be a good way to secure loaded panniers on that rear rack. I'm guessing the odd thing on the rear brakes is a generator of some sort for the front light. The seat and pedals don't look particularly great for long rides.

I'd say it is a commuter. You could do an overnight on it, but may want something more conventional for a long tour. It is pretty neat, though, and it would be worth having just because it is cool.

The reason I'm interested in this bicycle is because of touring handlebar that is rare and is require for long rides. It also has stem suspension and it seems that bicycle is designed for maximum confort. Do not know much about seats and pedals. Looks like it is well preserved bicycle, that's second reason I want to get it. But I'll probably need to test thebicycle.
Also wanted to know if this is male or unisex bicycle?

sauroman1, My impression is that of a city bike. The trekking bars are becoming more popular in N. America so they're not as rare of a sight anymore. As lanahk wrote, there are some limitations as a loaded tourer, but should work well as a light tourer or on overnight trips using a rack top bag.

I vote for a unisex design and find the frame attractive. The head tube is very short and a lot of leverage can be applied to the head set, but I really don't know if that's critical.

Brad

Found an old link (thanks Google Images). This bike was named "Future Comfort". I'm curious as to how they would have defined "trekking" in 1999, but I don't think they meant "ride across a continent".

So, for 1999, the handlebars were rare, but they are more common now. Try the bike. See if you like it. If you do, get it and do some overnights, or some credit card trips.

Have fun!

it sounds like you like the bike. so buy it. take a tour. and let us know how it goes.

Somebody loves their tube bender , and uses it to make their own design

the beam rack was part of the frame , rather than attached to the seatpost.

I wouldn't read too much into the wished for suspension ..looks well triangulated .

Fit a top of the rack bag , and some front Panniers.. and you can certainly B&B tour .

Haul More? tow a trailer with your stuff in it ..

touring is the activity .. any bike will get you a ways down the road ..


couple guys from Sweden rode thru here mid11/13 on 8 speed step thru city bikes
they started inAlaska .. headed to Florida via So Cal.

+1. I would not count on this bike as comparable to modern "touring" bikes. Could you probably tour on it, I'd say yes.

If you want suspension get a bike with suspension. If you like that style of bars there you go. The curves are for style and low step over height. You can't hang panniers off that rack but if all you need is one set of panniers put some on a front rack. Most important is if you like how it rides.

I see the interest in this design being mainly for those who want something unique. It certainly looks like it would work ok, but has some significant drawbacks. As noted, the rear rack isn't suitable for panniers and is not removable so you can't easily replace it with anything else or if it gets in the way when packing the bike. And I'd expect the frame design to be at least a bit heavier than a more conventional frame of the same strength.

That's an interesting looking bike, alright. Looks like a highly styled commuter. How heavy is it?

Treking bars are a bad design in my mind. They produce multiple bad hand position, and on many bikes that they are seen on, they create a more upright position than I prefer, and I don't bend that easily at the waist. There isn't anything new about them though. Nashbar has had them in their catalog for decades. Unlike stuff that comes, conquers, and is widely used. Trekking bars have been around for a long time and made few friends. The best thing about them is their name. Of course some people like them a lot.

I thought the bars were an addition, and was surprised to see that they were standard. They don't really go with the wide seat. There certainly isn't any suspension in that frame. I really like seeing innovative new ideas in frames, but it is pretty hard to do because the standard frame is so good.

Oh, and the seat post clamp needs to be reversed

... you can ride only in your mind if you wish .. and state your Personal preferences ..

in my hands, on 2 very Nice bikes they work perfectly (Rohloff Grip shifter slips on easily)

though I rotate mine flatter than the one in the picture , then I can lay my open palms on the sides ..
the far reach is equal to going low into drop bars so I can lean over more into headwinds


reach may be a bit far for the bike owner's upper body .. a reasonable adjustment to anatomical differences of riders .