Originally Posted by
bargo68
I think that's a sideways move at best. If you're looking for a different feeling ride and still want all the braze-ons for racks, try a vintage (late 70's into the 80's) Japanese sports tourer. Specialized Sequoia or Expedition, Miyata 1000 or 610, Centurion, Lotus, Bridgestone, etc...
The vintage frames were hand made and in some cases might use lighter, butted tube sets.
I regularly ride a Cross Check and I also ride a 79 Miyata Gran Touring (early 1000 model) and it is a completely different feel. I think you will appreciate the difference too!
I think you're correct about the lateral move. This vintage of 520 is a touring bike- it's got thicker, oversized tubes to handle weight- and it's designed around carrying a load, not for being spritely. I think this version of Cross Check is designed to be a little more of 'touring lite' compared to the Long Haul Trucker... so more responsive than that, but along those lines.
I think you're kind of stretching the 'sports tourer' term, but you're correct about the lighter, butted tubing.
Generally, the 'sports tourer' is that place between a tourer and a racing bike after the advent of the tourer. Generally, compared to a tourer, they're going to have a shorter wheelbase, longer reach side pull brakes, eyelets on the dropouts and fork ends, rack mounts on the rear, and a double crankset (generally). So to use your examples- a 1984 Specialized Sequoia is a Sports Tourer and a 1984 Specialized Expedition is a tourer, and a 1984 Specialized Allez is a racer. A Miyata 1000 or 610 are tourers through and through. Of course, it can be a bit confusing where before tourers- a Trek 710 WAS a touring bike- but there were no real touring bikes at that point, but then a 710 became a sports tourer after the 720 came out...