Which vintage for a loaded tour?
07-27-19, 06:59 PM
#28
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If by bike paths you mean gravel, go with the widest tires.
No to the 720. Too flexible. Love Cannondales generally but the 1000 will give you more comfort and some nimbleness IF you're confident in the reliability! Tough choice. Love them all.
No to the 720. Too flexible. Love Cannondales generally but the 1000 will give you more comfort and some nimbleness IF you're confident in the reliability! Tough choice. Love them all.
07-28-19, 01:15 AM
#29
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I...
1) 1991 Miyata 1000LT, A size small at 57cm but works well with the riser stem I've got on it. I'm hesitant to take it on a 4 day trip without fine tuning the rise and reach a little more, but we have a couple weeks.
2) 1990 Cannondale ST600, like the Miyata it has a good stiff frame and also like the Miyata a strong rear rack. The featherweight of the group.
3) The Trek Triplets. '84 520 and 620, and an '83 720. All sporting original racks, but the wheels on the 620 and 720 have been replaced so no Helicomatic to worry about.
....
What say you?
1) 1991 Miyata 1000LT, A size small at 57cm but works well with the riser stem I've got on it. I'm hesitant to take it on a 4 day trip without fine tuning the rise and reach a little more, but we have a couple weeks.
2) 1990 Cannondale ST600, like the Miyata it has a good stiff frame and also like the Miyata a strong rear rack. The featherweight of the group.
3) The Trek Triplets. '84 520 and 620, and an '83 720. All sporting original racks, but the wheels on the 620 and 720 have been replaced so no Helicomatic to worry about.
....
What say you?
So, obviously, the Cannondale, duh
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● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
07-28-19, 07:54 AM
#30
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I rode a 720 in 25"(or 25.5"?) and even unloaded it flexed more than Hans and Franz. Goofy amount of flex, even when sitting. Hadn't experienced that before- odd sensation.
The Cdale or Miyata would be my choice- whichever of those fits best. Toss the widest possible tires on the bike that fits best and have fun.
**and if you haven't tried before, get a multi mount front rack(jandd extreme, for example) and load rear panniers on the front low position. Then use a compression dry bag(they exist) lashed atop the rear rack.
This setup holds a lot, especially for summer touring, is lighter(dry bag instead of more panniers), and is really stable due to the large front bags.
The Cdale or Miyata would be my choice- whichever of those fits best. Toss the widest possible tires on the bike that fits best and have fun.
**and if you haven't tried before, get a multi mount front rack(jandd extreme, for example) and load rear panniers on the front low position. Then use a compression dry bag(they exist) lashed atop the rear rack.
This setup holds a lot, especially for summer touring, is lighter(dry bag instead of more panniers), and is really stable due to the large front bags.
07-28-19, 11:54 AM
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07-28-19, 12:04 PM
#32
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I have an 85 Trek 620 and a handful of ST Cannondales and from my experience either would do the task. Although I have never owned or ridden a Miyata tourer, I am sure it would as well but the "size too small" thing would concern me. Nothing worse than a bike that doesn't quite fit.
07-28-19, 01:20 PM
#33
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Sorry. Didn't mean to insult your 720. I rode one with about 50 lbs. of gear from Portland to San Diego. It was in the 63cm size. It was very very wobbly. On an overpass with a strong wind, I got off and walked. Lightly loaded the big frame was fine but with the same tubing as the small frames it just didn't work for me. Maybe the rider being 200lbs. didn't help. Again, sorry to besmirch the 720. I meant no insult.
07-28-19, 02:18 PM
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No. No insult taken. I just think all of these bikes would handle this trip easily and be an enjoyable ride a that. Well, maybe not a Schwinn Varsity.
I just think all of these bikes would handle this trip easily and be an enjoyable ride a that. Well, maybe not a Schwinn Varsity.
08-06-19, 09:38 AM
#35
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I took the 720
It is noodly. 😄😄
The 720 had 1 1/4 tires and fenders, and it had been gone over most recently, plus I wanted to try out the famed grande dame of touring bikes.
I started with weight evenly distributed among my bar bag and two panniers, but once I moved the heavy stuff to the bar bar it did MUCH better. Mine is a 24" model (61cm) and I think I'm and the limit with about 30lbs of gear. It would benefit a LOT from some front panniers.
...and OS tubing 😄👍
It does soak up road chatter, and I think with better weight distribution (we're about to pack up and head to Chain O' Lakes) I think I can dial it in. Next time I think the Cannondale or the Miyata.
This would be epic if I were more ruthless with my gear though! And it's got a lot to teach me about spinning!
It is noodly. 😄😄
The 720 had 1 1/4 tires and fenders, and it had been gone over most recently, plus I wanted to try out the famed grande dame of touring bikes.
I started with weight evenly distributed among my bar bag and two panniers, but once I moved the heavy stuff to the bar bar it did MUCH better. Mine is a 24" model (61cm) and I think I'm and the limit with about 30lbs of gear. It would benefit a LOT from some front panniers.
...and OS tubing 😄👍
It does soak up road chatter, and I think with better weight distribution (we're about to pack up and head to Chain O' Lakes) I think I can dial it in. Next time I think the Cannondale or the Miyata.
This would be epic if I were more ruthless with my gear though! And it's got a lot to teach me about spinning!
Likes For Chr0m0ly:
08-06-19, 12:54 PM
#36
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I took the 720
It is noodly. 😄😄
The 720 had 1 1/4 tires and fenders, and it had been gone over most recently, plus I wanted to try out the famed grande dame of touring bikes.
I started with weight evenly distributed among my bar bag and two panniers, but once I moved the heavy stuff to the bar bar it did MUCH better. Mine is a 24" model (61cm) and I think I'm and the limit with about 30lbs of gear. It would benefit a LOT from some front panniers.
...and OS tubing 😄👍
It does soak up road chatter, and I think with better weight distribution (we're about to pack up and head to Chain O' Lakes) I think I can dial it in. Next time I think the Cannondale or the Miyata.
This would be epic if I were more ruthless with my gear though! And it's got a lot to teach me about spinning!
It is noodly. 😄😄
The 720 had 1 1/4 tires and fenders, and it had been gone over most recently, plus I wanted to try out the famed grande dame of touring bikes.
I started with weight evenly distributed among my bar bag and two panniers, but once I moved the heavy stuff to the bar bar it did MUCH better. Mine is a 24" model (61cm) and I think I'm and the limit with about 30lbs of gear. It would benefit a LOT from some front panniers.
...and OS tubing 😄👍
It does soak up road chatter, and I think with better weight distribution (we're about to pack up and head to Chain O' Lakes) I think I can dial it in. Next time I think the Cannondale or the Miyata.
This would be epic if I were more ruthless with my gear though! And it's got a lot to teach me about spinning!
If you take the M1000, I guarantee you that you'll have an incredible experience. It's lively loaded and I honestly didn't notice at times when I had the rear load. It was fun to manuever and go quickly.
08-06-19, 04:36 PM
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It's funny, the vague-ness feels like it's in the steering. When I turn the bars it takes a second for the input to get down to the front tire. Is that a symptom of anything like a headset adjustment? Makes me wonder how the 5 or 620 would behave. I've just dropped the steering stem a little, might help with the feel...
BUT, that's just a tiny bit of the trip, we're having a blast!
BUT, that's just a tiny bit of the trip, we're having a blast!
08-06-19, 06:18 PM
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It's funny, the vague-ness feels like it's in the steering. When I turn the bars it takes a second for the input to get down to the front tire. Is that a symptom of anything like a headset adjustment? Makes me wonder how the 5 or 620 would behave. I've just dropped the steering stem a little, might help with the feel...
BUT, that's just a tiny bit of the trip, we're having a blast!
BUT, that's just a tiny bit of the trip, we're having a blast!
08-07-19, 12:03 PM
#39
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Solution: motorcycle style turns. Push right to go right.
08-07-19, 05:21 PM
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Hmmmm....
I took the bathroom scale down to the garage just now, and put it under each tire....
The rear tire (bike loaded) reads 45lbs, and the front tire (with loaded handle bar bag) reads at 20....
I'm not sure how weight at the tires translates, but I seem to have overloaded myself a bit! 😳
The rear tire (bike loaded) reads 45lbs, and the front tire (with loaded handle bar bag) reads at 20....
I'm not sure how weight at the tires translates, but I seem to have overloaded myself a bit! 😳
