Feel lame posting this but I can’t decide what to build. Want something for light touring, fire roads, hauling and shit. Want it to be lightweight w/ canti bosses, front load happy, fat tires, canti bosses, rack mounts.
I’m selling the La Cruz by the way.
Should I just build up a fucking cross check?
Ideas:
Soma Stanyan
Cross Check
VO Randonneur
Kogswell
Old touring frame.
[quote=E-ROCK]Feel lame posting this but I can’t decide what to build. Want something for light touring, fire roads, hauling and shit. Want it to be lightweight w/ canti bosses, front load happy, fat tires, canti bosses, rack mounts.
I’m selling the La Cruz by the way.
I should just build up a fucking cross check.
Ideas:
Soma Stanyan
Cross Check
VO Randonneur
Kogswell
Old touring frame.
The Cross Check and Soma won’t be front load happy bikes. The VO, Kogswell, and some vintage touring would be A-OK with a front load. But, the VO takes long reach road calipers and limits tires to a 30mm W/ fenders or 32mm without I believe. With either a Kogswell or a Vintage tourer it might take a while to find. Kogswell was only 700c in 59cm and 64cm with everything else being 650b. As an current 700c Kogswell owner (64cm) and a current vintage touring frame (83’ Nishiki Seral) I like my Nishiki better. The Kogswell is fucked since it was made with too small of a downtube. I can get the BB to flex so much it ghost shifts horribly. Plus, Kogswell basically isn’t really a company anymore so you can’t get a new frame/fork anymore.
If you can find one to fit what about the VO Polyvalent mini build kit for $595. It is a pretty good deal for what you get with it.
I’d love to find an old (or new) Mercian or Bob Jackson to build up but that will probably prove difficult.
I already have a VO porteur rack, paul touring cantis, a pair of ruffy tuffys, a saddle bag and a saddle bag support. I also have some old school xtr stuff and some 8 speed bar end shifters, but I’d ideally like to get some alloy campy brifters.
I guess I should maybe just keep on the look out for a nicer, old frame.
nothing wrong with a xcheck (headtube notwithstanding), but in my experience they are NEVER found cheap. they’ve become like the ubiquitous commuter bike. always in high demand, and those who are selling know their value. seems like 300 is the going rate for used frameset, 800+ for complete.
FUUUCCCK V/O and their overly ornate psuedo-classy fusty old man bullshit. Keep a watch out for a funky old touring frame. Alternately go for the Soma. The Crosscheck is a nice bike but you’ll be glad to have something you don’t see every third guy in the street riding.
I’d buy a stem or a bottle cage from them, but most of their stuff is Aerospokkery for dudes with prostate issues, non-union Mexican equivalent or both.
[quote=toastycat]nothing wrong with a xcheck (headtube notwithstanding), but in my experience they are NEVER found cheap. they’ve become like the ubiquitous commuter bike. always in high demand, and those who are selling know their value. seems like 300 is the going rate for used frameset, 800+ for complete.
also, why can’t the philippe do this?[/quote]
I get deals, yo.
The Philippe has 0 rack mounts, the front fork is not drilled to accept my porteur rack and it has a very tight wheel base.