ericjd

Hi everyone,

I am new to the forum and to randonneuring, so please forgive me for asking such a typical question right out of the gate.

Although I am new to randonneuring, I am not entirely inexperienced with long distance riding. However all of it (including a very hilly century ride this past November) has been on a single speed bike and, at 50, I am looking at getting a multi-speed for the longer distance stuff.

Recently, I was looking at a very nicely maintained early 70s Motobecane (price: ~$400) that I was going to convert to 650b. The frame is Reynolds 531 and the components are very decent (stronglight cranks, weinmann center pull brakes, etc). However, my wife thinks I am crazy and that I should get a new bike of contemporary make, even if it is more money.

So what would you recommend? Am I stupid to consider a 40 year-old bike or foolish to pass up a chance to get a classic ride?

Thanks in advance!

--Eric