Comfortable older steel frame recommendations please
07-09-16, 05:32 PM
#26
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The Lemond 853 frames from the late 1990s to early 2000s are very comfortable - they have a slightly longer than normal top tube and a less steep seat tube/top tube angle to accommodate this. Plus, 853 itself is a very good tube set at damping vibration - much superior to most other OS tube sets, in my experience.
The various Trek touring frames from the late 1970s and 1980s also have relaxed geometry that makes them very comfortable - but they are nowhere near as responsive as the 853-based Lemond frames.
The various Trek touring frames from the late 1970s and 1980s also have relaxed geometry that makes them very comfortable - but they are nowhere near as responsive as the 853-based Lemond frames.
07-09-16, 06:03 PM
#27
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Think that there was some miscommunication here. I like my bike... a lot. However, it's the only bike I own now. It is extremely clean and in pristine condition, due the first 10 or so years of babying and then cold storage. I like clean original gear. So it is prudent that I have another bike to or two or three etc... to ride when not riding the Raleigh.
I also like the older bikes now... like muscle cars I guess? Makes me think I am back in the Duran Duran days.
I also like the older bikes now... like muscle cars I guess? Makes me think I am back in the Duran Duran days.
07-09-16, 06:16 PM
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Diplomat.
Do you generally let other folk dictate what you operate/not-operate as a matter of course in cycling hardware choice?
Having "owned an orange 1976 Raleigh International since new" you might well have an opinion on it's suitability for day to day operation by now, or should. It rarely takes more than a single decade of use to make this decision for most of us and what one is "told" would be ignored due to actual experience w/ the machine and it's capabilities.
As far as a preference for any drivetrain of choice the International that you already own is remarkably adaptable.
Note the pics of modified machines provided: a Suntour device or three will fit quite nicely if that is desired or pretty much anything else of the period and mods well beyond it.
Ride what you have modified as you please "daily" use or peruse c-list for endless overpriced junk that doesn't fit.
Full disclosure: I ride my '74 International modified for town bike use more often than any other bike: 42 years of continuous service in a variety of roles and still going.....
-Bandera
Having "owned an orange 1976 Raleigh International since new" you might well have an opinion on it's suitability for day to day operation by now, or should. It rarely takes more than a single decade of use to make this decision for most of us and what one is "told" would be ignored due to actual experience w/ the machine and it's capabilities.
As far as a preference for any drivetrain of choice the International that you already own is remarkably adaptable.
Note the pics of modified machines provided: a Suntour device or three will fit quite nicely if that is desired or pretty much anything else of the period and mods well beyond it.
Ride what you have modified as you please "daily" use or peruse c-list for endless overpriced junk that doesn't fit.
Full disclosure: I ride my '74 International modified for town bike use more often than any other bike: 42 years of continuous service in a variety of roles and still going.....
-Bandera
07-09-16, 06:19 PM
#31
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Yep. Just go to the racing machine level, and back off in steps. For older bikes, that generally increases the comfort level. Even in the 70's, there were relaxed geometries for those of us only going fast in our minds.
07-09-16, 06:49 PM
#32
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Early PX10's are 72º parallel with long chainstays and are virtually identical in geometry to a touring bike. Peugeot abruptly went to steeper angles in 1973 though - or maybe it was 74. I forget.
It wasn't terribly uncommon for older (ie 70s) road racing bikes to be designed for a fairly relaxed ride. Even my Masi is pretty mellow for all day riding.
I'd also look at high end 80s touring bikes specifically the Miyata 1000 and Univega Specialissima, as well as the higher end Trek touring machines like the 720. During this era high end touring bikes were often much like racing bikes WRT weight and materials, but with more laid back angles and a longer wheelbase. IOW they weren't 29lb trucks like now. Oh, the Bridgestone RB-T was pretty much the last hurrah of the Japanese light tourer. That would be a good one.
It wasn't terribly uncommon for older (ie 70s) road racing bikes to be designed for a fairly relaxed ride. Even my Masi is pretty mellow for all day riding.
I'd also look at high end 80s touring bikes specifically the Miyata 1000 and Univega Specialissima, as well as the higher end Trek touring machines like the 720. During this era high end touring bikes were often much like racing bikes WRT weight and materials, but with more laid back angles and a longer wheelbase. IOW they weren't 29lb trucks like now. Oh, the Bridgestone RB-T was pretty much the last hurrah of the Japanese light tourer. That would be a good one.
07-09-16, 07:02 PM
#33
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Any 80s, 90s, or 00s bikes with Road Sport or Sport Tourer geometry should fit the bill. These typically have ~73° HTA and STA with chainstay lengths in the 430mm - 440mm length range, and have fork and chainstay clearance for 700c - 28mm tires.
07-09-16, 07:12 PM
#34
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Mid to late 70' Centurion Pro-Tour is my favorite! Extremely well made, and extremely comfortable 
Cheers,
Chris
Cheers,
Chris
07-09-16, 07:34 PM
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The Lemond 853 frames from the late 1990s to early 2000s are very comfortable - they have a slightly longer than normal top tube and a less steep seat tube/top tube angle to accommodate this. Plus, 853 itself is a very good tube set at damping vibration - much superior to most other OS tube sets, in my experience.
The various Trek touring frames from the late 1970s and 1980s also have relaxed geometry that makes them very comfortable - but they are nowhere near as responsive as the 853-based Lemond frames.
The various Trek touring frames from the late 1970s and 1980s also have relaxed geometry that makes them very comfortable - but they are nowhere near as responsive as the 853-based Lemond frames.
Another mention if you can find one is a Giordana. I did a century on my XL Super (superleggero) a couple of weekends ago and it was a pure delight.
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Steel is real...and comfy.
Steel is real...and comfy.
Last edited by jamesdak; 07-10-16 at 12:30 PM.
07-09-16, 07:44 PM
#36
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531 Reynolds DB. look for the J bend forks , rather than the longer radius thru out.
the short radius smaller taper tips absorb some rough patches .
the short radius smaller taper tips absorb some rough patches .
07-10-16, 08:20 AM
#37
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I don't see a reason why you wouldn't want to ride that Raleigh. That's a pretty much legendarily comfortable bike.
Keep in mind what passed for a "racing" geometry in the 70s became laid back by the mid 80s. My 1978 Trek 730 was Trek's top tier racing bike. However, my 1986 Trek 400 Elance, with a sport/touring geometry is more aggressively angled than the 730.
I'm a sucker for touring bikes; the long wheelbase, laid back geometry- it's great for all day riding, trucking to the store, just riding around the neighborhood... by their nature- they're meant to haul gear- they're not nimble, nor particularly light.
Think of a 1972 Cadillac ElDorado. 455, front wheel drive, 4 city blocks long. But it's like sitting in a cloud as you glide along in plush luxury. A touring bike is sort of like that.
My personal take... I think my 730, with it's angles and tubing- if it had a little longer of a wheelbase- it would be really similar to your International. I think you've got your bike under your nose.
HOWEVER, since this is the C&V forum of enablers... If you were looking for a 'bicycle of leisure,' nothing would be more dominant than a chrome Schwinn Paramount P-15-9. Since you're not really looking for long distance touring and gear hauling- then I'd look for a light touring bike or sport touring bike. Since I'm into that Trek thing- and I already have several top-end touring bikes... I'd love to find a 1977 TX700 or TX770- kind of what I envision as a super light version of a touring bike.
I've found that most sport touring bikes are in the middle to lower range of the companies' lineups with mid-to-lower range components. It was an in-between bike. REAL enthusiasts would choose either/or. A bike designed specifically for its purpose. In reality, for most people, a sport touring geometry is the PERFECT all purpose frame.
Since I'm making this post all about me... My 1986 Trek 400 Elance has a 531 frame with CrMo stays and fork. It's a good, quality frame. In the past 5 years or so, I've taken to outfitting it with top of the line or next to top of the line parts. The bike rides so nicely. I think it's my most beautiful bike. It shows so nicely. It's an all around great bike. It's quite the ironic juxtaposition of seeing the next to entry level 400 with top of the line Avocet and XC Pro components.
Keep in mind what passed for a "racing" geometry in the 70s became laid back by the mid 80s. My 1978 Trek 730 was Trek's top tier racing bike. However, my 1986 Trek 400 Elance, with a sport/touring geometry is more aggressively angled than the 730.
I'm a sucker for touring bikes; the long wheelbase, laid back geometry- it's great for all day riding, trucking to the store, just riding around the neighborhood... by their nature- they're meant to haul gear- they're not nimble, nor particularly light.
Think of a 1972 Cadillac ElDorado. 455, front wheel drive, 4 city blocks long. But it's like sitting in a cloud as you glide along in plush luxury. A touring bike is sort of like that.
My personal take... I think my 730, with it's angles and tubing- if it had a little longer of a wheelbase- it would be really similar to your International. I think you've got your bike under your nose.
HOWEVER, since this is the C&V forum of enablers... If you were looking for a 'bicycle of leisure,' nothing would be more dominant than a chrome Schwinn Paramount P-15-9. Since you're not really looking for long distance touring and gear hauling- then I'd look for a light touring bike or sport touring bike. Since I'm into that Trek thing- and I already have several top-end touring bikes... I'd love to find a 1977 TX700 or TX770- kind of what I envision as a super light version of a touring bike.
I've found that most sport touring bikes are in the middle to lower range of the companies' lineups with mid-to-lower range components. It was an in-between bike. REAL enthusiasts would choose either/or. A bike designed specifically for its purpose. In reality, for most people, a sport touring geometry is the PERFECT all purpose frame.
Since I'm making this post all about me... My 1986 Trek 400 Elance has a 531 frame with CrMo stays and fork. It's a good, quality frame. In the past 5 years or so, I've taken to outfitting it with top of the line or next to top of the line parts. The bike rides so nicely. I think it's my most beautiful bike. It shows so nicely. It's an all around great bike. It's quite the ironic juxtaposition of seeing the next to entry level 400 with top of the line Avocet and XC Pro components.
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07-10-16, 09:02 AM
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I can add my recommendation to get a touring bike for the ride you are looking for. I have had: Centurion Pro Tour, Specialized Expedition and Motobecane Grand Touring. All were early 80's bikes & very comfortable rides.
The Pro Tour had done thousands of touring miles for previous owners, with a resulting patina when I got it, plus I it needed a new rear wheel, but that is all. I rode it as a Winter commuter/rain bike for more than 10 years and still sold it at a profit when I retired.
Would also add a Motobecane Grand Jubile, mine is early 70's with Huret cable clamps on the top tube(think that just looks better than brazed on holders) Built it up from a frame set that came with BB, headset & bars.
I still have the Grand Jubile and Specialized Expedition and ride them frequently. Don
The Pro Tour had done thousands of touring miles for previous owners, with a resulting patina when I got it, plus I it needed a new rear wheel, but that is all. I rode it as a Winter commuter/rain bike for more than 10 years and still sold it at a profit when I retired.
Would also add a Motobecane Grand Jubile, mine is early 70's with Huret cable clamps on the top tube(think that just looks better than brazed on holders) Built it up from a frame set that came with BB, headset & bars.
I still have the Grand Jubile and Specialized Expedition and ride them frequently. Don
