difference between touring and road bike
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In addition to what has been already mentioned, touring bikes usually have a lower bottom bracket, providing a lower center of gravity and stability when loaded.
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#27
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Not the best pictures but they will have most of their pieces and wheels, and as for sport touring does that mean i need to have smaller or lighter pannier bags?
Let me know what you guys think.
Thank you
It would probably require more speeds tho as they are usually 14 or 15 speed
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My touring bike
This bike has a relaxed ride and just cruises along. You can see the distance between the rear tire and the seat tube. I will probably put fenders on this one, even with 27” tires there’s plenty of room.
One of my road /race type bikes
This is more like the rest of my bikes . It has a tighter wheel base shorter top tube and is more lively. This geometry is what I prefer . I have long legs for my height and the race type bike has always worked for me. You can see, even with 700 x 25 tires, there would be no room for fenders. Excuse the interruption of Yoda , he is always patrolling the house .
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https://imgur.com/a/Ayg2lsd
Not the best pictures but they will have most of their pieces and wheels, and as for sport touring does that mean i need to have smaller or lighter pannier bags?
Let me know what you guys think.
Thank you
It would probably require more speeds tho as they are usually 14 or 15 speed
Not the best pictures but they will have most of their pieces and wheels, and as for sport touring does that mean i need to have smaller or lighter pannier bags?
Let me know what you guys think.
Thank you
It would probably require more speeds tho as they are usually 14 or 15 speed
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Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
#30
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Many bike models made do not fit perfectly into one category of "racing" or "touring". It can be helpful if you more precisely describe what kind of riding you want to do. For example there are several ways to go touring including being self contained with tents and cooking gear. This kind of loaded riding requires a frame with heavier tubing or the bicycle will feel to flexy. Some like to do credit card touring staying in motels and eating out but still want to carry changes of clothing and snacks and maybe some camera gear. The kind of frame for this kind of riding doesn't have to be so stout and probably falls under the category of sport touring. And some like a sport touring frame just for day rides because it provides a more comfortable ride with a wider range of gears. Once we know more specifically what kinds of plans you have for your bicycle we can maybe give more precise suggestions.
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#31
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The bike I ride every day with rack and panniers has a 425mm chain stay
#32
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Many bike models made do not fit perfectly into one category of "racing" or "touring". It can be helpful if you more precisely describe what kind of riding you want to do. For example there are several ways to go touring including being self contained with tents and cooking gear. This kind of loaded riding requires a frame with heavier tubing or the bicycle will feel to flexy. Some like to do credit card touring staying in motels and eating out but still want to carry changes of clothing and snacks and maybe some camera gear. The kind of frame for this kind of riding doesn't have to be so stout and probably falls under the category of sport touring. And some like a sport touring frame just for day rides because it provides a more comfortable ride with a wider range of gears. Once we know more specifically what kinds of plans you have for your bicycle we can maybe give more precise suggestions.
#33
framebuilder
I plan on riding long distances for 3-4 weeks around 50-100 miles a day and ideally I’ll have tent (ideally under 2 pounds) with a sleeping bag, and I will probably will need basic cooking tools but I’ll have only one weeks of food at a time and have someone send me food and I will pick it up. I’m not sure how I can fit a month of clothes tho, that’s something I’ve not figured out yet.
Heavier tubing keeps the frame from being whippy (and possibly scary) when you are not going in a straight line. Long chain stays (like 450 + -) keeps your heals from hitting the rear panniers. And balances the load better over the rear axle. And of course having rack mounts is convenient and more secure holding your load.
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#34
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Seems your just getting started on this adventure and perhaps you should consider something like this:
Any bike will do. That Milwaukee is traditional 73 degrees ST & HT AND 42.5 chainstay. I've taken it up and down a very significant climb on a fishing trip and will one day ride to TX but with drop bars.
Any bike will do. That Milwaukee is traditional 73 degrees ST & HT AND 42.5 chainstay. I've taken it up and down a very significant climb on a fishing trip and will one day ride to TX but with drop bars.
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I plan on riding long distances for 3-4 weeks around 50-100 miles a day and ideally I’ll have tent (ideally under 2 pounds) with a sleeping bag, and I will probably will need basic cooking tools but I’ll have only one weeks of food at a time and have someone send me food and I will pick it up. I’m not sure how I can fit a month of clothes tho, that’s something I’ve not figured out yet.
You also seem to be misunderstanding some of the ideas of bicycle touring. Yes, shelter and food preparation are important but you don’t need to carry a week of food at a time nor have someone send you more along the way. Personally, I carry 3 days of food (evening and breakfast) and purchase replacement as I travel. I find that trying to purchase food each day is difficult as I’m not near a grocery store every day. I can usually find something along the way every few days.
As to clothing, you don’t need to carry a month of clothing. Lots of people wash every day…something more to add to the list of things that are hard to do after 100 miles of riding. I can’t stand doing laundry that often. I carry 3 sets of bicycle clothes (and wear one) along with one set of “street clothes” (and some extra underwear and socks). At the end of about 3 days, I do the laundry all together in a machine at a laundromat, hotel laundry, or laundry at a commercial campground.
My clothing, by the way, is packed individually in either bags or zip locks so that all I have to do it to grab a bag in the morning to get dressed. I find organization is far better than just throwing stuff into a bag and rummaging through it.
Be flexible and experiment.
Finally, on bicycles, don’t be afraid to consider aluminum touring bikes. Cannondale has made great bikes for a long time.
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#36
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For the trip you’ve described, you could plan to stop at a laundromat every few days if there are no hotel stops.
Miyata 1000 or 615, or the Fuji Touring Series would be other excellent choices like the Treks mentioned. The ‘92 Klein Performance I used on those trips was fantastic with a rear load (18”/45.7cm chainstays!), plenty stiff but also great fun unloaded. I used it for everything for 38,000 fantastic miles over 11 years - fast solo and group rides, many centuries including a double and several Rides Around Mt. Rainier, those tours, etc. Those older aluminum Cannondale just mentioned are very similar and more readily available. All are often available in our C&V Sales sub-forum, as well as lots of used bikes emporiums.
Do a few practice trips of a few days close to home to refine your packing list, riding/camping styles and expectations.
Last edited by Dfrost; 03-26-22 at 02:34 PM.
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#37
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Hey guys, I feel exhausted trying to find a touring bike! Here are things that I found and I am thinking about Gitane or the first bike in this post, but let me know what you guys think. Either way I think that I will have to change wheels regardless of the bike to have 700x35 tires
Velosport model unknown for $100 56 cm frame and I am 5'11
here are more pictures https://imgur.com/a/2Mw5rgV, it looks rusted (not sure if wheels & breaks need to be replaced with the tires)
CCM Concorde 60 cm frame for $180 27'x1.3/8 wheels,Simplex derailleur, 12 speed,
more pics https://imgur.com/a/nWsmdIG
Raleigh Grand Prix 10 Speed Road Bike 65 cm $320, I know its a road racing bike but has the frame: here i the listing https://www.kijiji.ca/v-velo-de-rout...5cm/1610692150
Gitane Grand Sport Deluxe 57 cm $170 cad (more pics) https://imgur.com/a/WwswfA8, this looks like a touring bike but I dont know how I would put a backrack as it doesnt appear to have the holes on top.
Empire le tour $230 58 cm, 10 speed
also I found gold velo sport prestige 58 cm for $400 but I think thats more of a racing bike
Velosport model unknown for $100 56 cm frame and I am 5'11
here are more pictures https://imgur.com/a/2Mw5rgV, it looks rusted (not sure if wheels & breaks need to be replaced with the tires)
CCM Concorde 60 cm frame for $180 27'x1.3/8 wheels,Simplex derailleur, 12 speed,
more pics https://imgur.com/a/nWsmdIG
Raleigh Grand Prix 10 Speed Road Bike 65 cm $320, I know its a road racing bike but has the frame: here i the listing https://www.kijiji.ca/v-velo-de-rout...5cm/1610692150
Gitane Grand Sport Deluxe 57 cm $170 cad (more pics) https://imgur.com/a/WwswfA8, this looks like a touring bike but I dont know how I would put a backrack as it doesnt appear to have the holes on top.
Empire le tour $230 58 cm, 10 speed
also I found gold velo sport prestige 58 cm for $400 but I think thats more of a racing bike
#38
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Hey guys, I feel exhausted trying to find a touring bike! Here are things that I found and I am thinking about Gitane or the first bike in this post, but let me know what you guys think. Either way I think that I will have to change wheels regardless of the bike to have 700x35 tires
Velosport model unknown for $100 56 cm frame and I am 5'11
here are more pictures https://imgur.com/a/2Mw5rgV, it looks rusted (not sure if wheels & breaks need to be replaced with the tires)
CCM Concorde 60 cm frame for $180 27'x1.3/8 wheels,Simplex derailleur, 12 speed,
more pics https://imgur.com/a/nWsmdIG
Raleigh Grand Prix 10 Speed Road Bike 65 cm $320, I know its a road racing bike but has the frame: here i the listing https://www.kijiji.ca/v-velo-de-rout...5cm/1610692150
Gitane Grand Sport Deluxe 57 cm $170 cad (more pics) https://imgur.com/a/WwswfA8, this looks like a touring bike but I dont know how I would put a backrack as it doesnt appear to have the holes on top.
Empire le tour $230 58 cm, 10 speed
also I found gold velo sport prestige 58 cm for $400 but I think thats more of a racing bike
Velosport model unknown for $100 56 cm frame and I am 5'11
here are more pictures https://imgur.com/a/2Mw5rgV, it looks rusted (not sure if wheels & breaks need to be replaced with the tires)
CCM Concorde 60 cm frame for $180 27'x1.3/8 wheels,Simplex derailleur, 12 speed,
more pics https://imgur.com/a/nWsmdIG
Raleigh Grand Prix 10 Speed Road Bike 65 cm $320, I know its a road racing bike but has the frame: here i the listing https://www.kijiji.ca/v-velo-de-rout...5cm/1610692150
Gitane Grand Sport Deluxe 57 cm $170 cad (more pics) https://imgur.com/a/WwswfA8, this looks like a touring bike but I dont know how I would put a backrack as it doesnt appear to have the holes on top.
Empire le tour $230 58 cm, 10 speed
also I found gold velo sport prestige 58 cm for $400 but I think thats more of a racing bike
I know this is “Classic & Vintage” but perhaps you should be looking for something more modern. Granted it has upright bars but a Trek FX 1 would probably be cheaper than trying to fix up an old bike. A Specialized Sirrus 1.0 would also be something to look at.
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Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
#39
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For a really big bag you'll need a bit of head tube, though. I don't think I'd be able to fit this to any of mrs non-fixie's bikes:
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#40
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Any of those might work but all of them are going to take significant amounts of work to make them suitable. All of the above have lots to steel (i.e. heavy) steel parts. None of them appear to have triples which means fairly tall gears. Looking at them, about all you would keep is the frame and fork, then you would spend lots of money on new parts. That’s going to add up to a lot more than what the bike is worth.
I know this is “Classic & Vintage” but perhaps you should be looking for something more modern. Granted it has upright bars but a Trek FX 1 would probably be cheaper than trying to fix up an old bike. A Specialized Sirrus 1.0 would also be something to look at.
I know this is “Classic & Vintage” but perhaps you should be looking for something more modern. Granted it has upright bars but a Trek FX 1 would probably be cheaper than trying to fix up an old bike. A Specialized Sirrus 1.0 would also be something to look at.
Last edited by Frenzen; 03-29-22 at 01:23 PM.
#41
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@Frenzen,
Where are you? We C&Vers love to help you spend your money and will happily peruse Craigslist postings on your behalf.
Maybe I missed it in an earlier post, but what is your most comfortable frame size?
You might appreciate this thread:
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...d-sequoia.html
Where are you? We C&Vers love to help you spend your money and will happily peruse Craigslist postings on your behalf.
Maybe I missed it in an earlier post, but what is your most comfortable frame size?
You might appreciate this thread:
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...d-sequoia.html
#42
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Thread Starter
@Frenzen,
Where are you? We C&Vers love to help you spend your money and will happily peruse Craigslist postings on your behalf.
Maybe I missed it in an earlier post, but what is your most comfortable frame size?
You might appreciate this thread:
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...d-sequoia.html
Where are you? We C&Vers love to help you spend your money and will happily peruse Craigslist postings on your behalf.
Maybe I missed it in an earlier post, but what is your most comfortable frame size?
You might appreciate this thread:
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...d-sequoia.html
#43
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You’re in Marinoni land! You might want to include that information in your visible personal data.
Are you sure about 56cm? That might be a bit small for many of your height. FWIW, I’m a very leggy 6’0 and ride 63cm frames. Bigger frames, especially with horizontal top tubes, make it easier to get the bars close to level with them saddle, which you’ll appreciate on the kind of trips you’ve mentioned.
Are you sure about 56cm? That might be a bit small for many of your height. FWIW, I’m a very leggy 6’0 and ride 63cm frames. Bigger frames, especially with horizontal top tubes, make it easier to get the bars close to level with them saddle, which you’ll appreciate on the kind of trips you’ve mentioned.
#44
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https://imgur.com/a/Ayg2lsd
Not the best pictures but they will have most of their pieces and wheels, and as for sport touring does that mean i need to have smaller or lighter pannier bags?
Let me know what you guys think.
Thank you
It would probably require more speeds tho as they are usually 14 or 15 speed
Not the best pictures but they will have most of their pieces and wheels, and as for sport touring does that mean i need to have smaller or lighter pannier bags?
Let me know what you guys think.
Thank you
It would probably require more speeds tho as they are usually 14 or 15 speed
Edit: Just saw your comments on frame size. Sounds like you have it in mind!
#45
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You’re in Marinoni land! You might want to include that information in your visible personal data.
Are you sure about 56cm? That might be a bit small for many of your height. FWIW, I’m a very leggy 6’0 and ride 63cm frames. Bigger frames, especially with horizontal top tubes, make it easier to get the bars close to level with them saddle, which you’ll appreciate on the kind of trips you’ve mentioned.
Are you sure about 56cm? That might be a bit small for many of your height. FWIW, I’m a very leggy 6’0 and ride 63cm frames. Bigger frames, especially with horizontal top tubes, make it easier to get the bars close to level with them saddle, which you’ll appreciate on the kind of trips you’ve mentioned.
#46
Junior Member
Thread Starter
You’re in Marinoni land! You might want to include that information in your visible personal data.
Are you sure about 56cm? That might be a bit small for many of your height. FWIW, I’m a very leggy 6’0 and ride 63cm frames. Bigger frames, especially with horizontal top tubes, make it easier to get the bars close to level with them saddle, which you’ll appreciate on the kind of trips you’ve mentioned.
Are you sure about 56cm? That might be a bit small for many of your height. FWIW, I’m a very leggy 6’0 and ride 63cm frames. Bigger frames, especially with horizontal top tubes, make it easier to get the bars close to level with them saddle, which you’ll appreciate on the kind of trips you’ve mentioned.
I think I found something at last!
#47
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Low gears are important for touring bikes which often use mountain bike cranks and derailleurs in order to have low enough gears to get up big hills. This Bertrand was built in Hull Quebec and has been set up like that. This bike is the stiffest steel bike I have ever ridden and unless you have at least 700x 30 tires it will rattle your fillings out
#48
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After a few months, you're still looking. That's good - it means you're waiting for just the right machine to come along.
You started off saying that you're "looking into doing long distances of riding a bike" but that can mean a lot of things. If you're really thinking of loading up and hitting the open road, I'd suggest a bike that was originally sold as a dedicated touring bike, like the Treks that have been mentioned or a Miyata 1000, something like that. I owned and toured on an '84 Trek 720, and can tell you that a purpose-built bicycle designed to carry loads of stuff, makes all the difference. But, are you really going to do that? There's a lot more investment in gear that you need to make if you're going to do loaded touring. Assess your true needs. You definitely need a triple if you see yourself trying to haul a heavy bike up a long hill. Or you can just walk, which I've done plenty of times even with a granny gear.
As an aside, I had a second set of lightweight wheels with skinny road tires for my 720, which I put on when I wasn't touring. It turned it into a fun everyday bike and the low center of gravity made it handle really well. Very comfy of course with that nice long wheelbase and Reynolds 531 frame - I could ride that bike all day.
You started off saying that you're "looking into doing long distances of riding a bike" but that can mean a lot of things. If you're really thinking of loading up and hitting the open road, I'd suggest a bike that was originally sold as a dedicated touring bike, like the Treks that have been mentioned or a Miyata 1000, something like that. I owned and toured on an '84 Trek 720, and can tell you that a purpose-built bicycle designed to carry loads of stuff, makes all the difference. But, are you really going to do that? There's a lot more investment in gear that you need to make if you're going to do loaded touring. Assess your true needs. You definitely need a triple if you see yourself trying to haul a heavy bike up a long hill. Or you can just walk, which I've done plenty of times even with a granny gear.
As an aside, I had a second set of lightweight wheels with skinny road tires for my 720, which I put on when I wasn't touring. It turned it into a fun everyday bike and the low center of gravity made it handle really well. Very comfy of course with that nice long wheelbase and Reynolds 531 frame - I could ride that bike all day.
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A touring bike is simply a bike that one tours on. There are no rules.
My circa 1985 heavy duty touring bike has 48 spokes 4x rear and 40 spokes 3x front with a long wheelbase and front and rear racks. It is bulletproof but not something I would tour on anymore. I do like a long wheelbase, lots of trail, and no more than a couple inches of drop from saddle to the bars. Barcons over DT shifters. Long wheelbase usually gets you the clearance for big tires and fenders. I also like a stiff frame, most wont
My preference now is much, much lighter gear with bikepacking bags and "Brifters"
My circa 1985 heavy duty touring bike has 48 spokes 4x rear and 40 spokes 3x front with a long wheelbase and front and rear racks. It is bulletproof but not something I would tour on anymore. I do like a long wheelbase, lots of trail, and no more than a couple inches of drop from saddle to the bars. Barcons over DT shifters. Long wheelbase usually gets you the clearance for big tires and fenders. I also like a stiff frame, most wont
My preference now is much, much lighter gear with bikepacking bags and "Brifters"
#50
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Based on his other posts, the OP seems to be finding a lot of bicycles that aren't well suited for grand touring. So, I went to Kijiji Montreal and without going through the thousands of bicycle listings, I simply searched on "Touring". Most weren't grand touring bicycles and those that were, are too small for the OP's 5'11" height, with one exception, a Velosport Alpin.
This is a true grand touring frame. It has relatively slack angles and a longer wheelbase and chain stays. It accommodates two sets of water bottles and has eyelets for both racks and fenders. It even comes with fenders and two Blackburn racks. The frame appears to be Tange Mangaloy 2001 which was a double butted carbon-manganese alloy.
It does have a triple crankset, though it is swaged and it does have cantilever brakes. It appears to have been upgraded to indexing with a new rear derailleur and some cheap clamp-on shift levers. The pedals are touring appropiate quasi-platforms with toe clips and straps.
It appears to be the 1984 model, so the wheels would only be 27", which would make spares more difficult. Still, it's a good, mid-range, grand touring bicycle, that appears to be close to the OP's size and doesn't break the bank at $350 CDN, in what is an expensive market. It's been on the market for 1-1/2 months, so could probably be acquired at a discount. I think it is worth a visit to check out the condition and fit. It has the potential for being a great grand touring starter bicycle for the OP. However, I would ditch those shift levers for some bar end shift levers, to complete the transition.
Here's the link to the Kijiji ad; https://www.kijiji.ca/v-velo-de-rout...cle/1613495612
This is a true grand touring frame. It has relatively slack angles and a longer wheelbase and chain stays. It accommodates two sets of water bottles and has eyelets for both racks and fenders. It even comes with fenders and two Blackburn racks. The frame appears to be Tange Mangaloy 2001 which was a double butted carbon-manganese alloy.
It does have a triple crankset, though it is swaged and it does have cantilever brakes. It appears to have been upgraded to indexing with a new rear derailleur and some cheap clamp-on shift levers. The pedals are touring appropiate quasi-platforms with toe clips and straps.
It appears to be the 1984 model, so the wheels would only be 27", which would make spares more difficult. Still, it's a good, mid-range, grand touring bicycle, that appears to be close to the OP's size and doesn't break the bank at $350 CDN, in what is an expensive market. It's been on the market for 1-1/2 months, so could probably be acquired at a discount. I think it is worth a visit to check out the condition and fit. It has the potential for being a great grand touring starter bicycle for the OP. However, I would ditch those shift levers for some bar end shift levers, to complete the transition.
Here's the link to the Kijiji ad; https://www.kijiji.ca/v-velo-de-rout...cle/1613495612
Last edited by T-Mar; 06-09-22 at 08:25 AM.
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