Originally Posted by
bark_eater
...
Next time I try a loaded tour it will be on a mid 90's T700 Cannondale frame. Touring was deprioritized with Covid. I haven't built it up yet, but it will have some sort of Shimano 3x7 index/friction drive train, perhaps with a 94/58 bcd crank. ....
I would strongly recommend an eight speed instead of seven. The hubs are more readily available, the Sram PG-850 11/32 cassette is readily available and is cheap. I have that Sram 850 cassette on three different bikes, plus a few spares on the shelf too.
If you want to stick with Friction, go ahead, but the Shimano indexed bar end BS-64 shifters work great, the rear is either friction or indexed. But, because they work great, unfortunately they fetch good money on Ebay which is a downside to them. The Shimano eight and nine speed derailleurs were interchangeable, lots of them out there. I am using 1990s vintage XT rear derailleurs on three bikes and have a few spares on the shelf.