Randonneur

[weisan]

Has JP Weigle been brought up yet?

[mhespenheide]

Personally, I'd pick up a Soma Grand Randonneur, or something like that gorgeous Miyata upthread, to try out some of the general ideas before going full-custom.

[skiezo]

Back about 20 or so years ago we did a few years of CC touring. I was on an old German 700c bike. I think it was holdsworth or something like that. It ended up breaking at the TT/DT/HT junction.
They were the days when the CC machines were manual and they would slide a machine over your card to imprint the card onto carbon paper. Always carried lots of cash in them days.
We did tours of the Eastern shore of MD., lower slower delaware,eastern VA and eastern NC and SC.

palincss Im gonna sent you a PM.

I do have this one that I have been trying out for the last year.

[bikerambler]

For a custom rando in the 4K range, you might look at the work of Joel Greenblatt of Clockwork Bikes in Minneapolis.

[merckx]

That's cool!^^^^^

(in reference to M Sasso's Miyata)

[marciero]

Originally Posted by skiezo

Thanks palincss for that writeup. I will not be doing any type of competitions so that is a non issue. Fenders will be in the equation. Tire size will be determined. If 700c 32 will be as large as I go and 650b would be a 38. Evening/nights will come into play I am sure so gen. lights are a must. I do ride in lancaster quite a bit so I am fully aware of the issues in the heart of that county and I have been sprayed with what the amish leave behind.
I do have a low trail 650b that I ride on my fire roads that has discs and a front rack/bag so I am familiar with this style of bike. It is a 333fad ALS. I like riding it but the fit is not quite there.
I want lugs so a Ti bike is out, but with all the tubing options out there. I am in contact with a few midwest guys that are doing lugged SS. I will probably opt for SS rear with a steel front triangle.
The guy doing my fit is a rando/tourer so he know what he is doing Im told.
I did not see the Winters was in the process of moving, so the explains that.

It sounds like you have a good amount of experience riding bikes with different trail, wheel size, tire size, front vs rear load, and rim and disc brake. That experience gives you a context for interpreting others' suggestions and things you read.

As far as brakes- I would definitely steer you away from long reach with tires as large as 38 tires and fenders. Center pull, canti, or disc much preferable. Personally, I dont think discs offer an advantage on a rando bike, and require the fork to be much stiffer, negating the effect of thin, raked out blades of the traditional designs.

You mentioned achy neck and back-I think most people favor a more upright position on their distance bikes. I sure do. My distance bike has bars about level with the saddle, or a bit above. Long reach bars like the Compass Parallel will prevent you from being in sit-up-and-beg mode for the whole ride. Also, the variation in reach from tops to hood, as well as drops, may make your back less prone to fatigue.

[Ken Robb]

what size do you ride?

[palincss]

Originally Posted by weisan

Has JP Weigle been brought up yet?

Yes -- but the budget limitation.

[skiezo]

Originally Posted by Ken Robb

what size do you ride?

I am looking at a 54/55 level TT

[Ken Robb]

Originally Posted by skiezo

I am looking at a 54/55 level TT

You might find a new or used Rivendell that would work fine for you. The Rambouillet that I bought new about 25 years ago has most of the features you mentioned and a Romulus is VERY similar.

[palincss]

Originally Posted by skiezo

I am looking at a 54/55 level TT

You might find Coast's "production frames" of interest, and he's making your size.

Originally Posted by Johnny Coast

Production frame sets are made in batches, in house all by hand. All tubing is high quality Columbus (Kaisei available as an up charge). This is a classic randonneuring bicycle, made to go further, with all braze ons and ease of taking it on the road or trails as well.

The color for this springs batch is going to be “vanilla shake” as seen below…

Low trail 650BX42,

Available sizes are 52CM, 54Cm, 56CM, 58CM.

A semi production model is available, this is a pre order option. You get to determine seat and top tube length, and wheel size and tire size! (700c or 650b)

Two levels are available, a fully lugged option, and a bi lam option. Both frame sets use the same tubing, but the upgrade to bi lam offers the same stylish bi-laminate lug joinery that my full custom bicycles offer. Both frame sets come with a lugged fork.

And of course, full custom is always available… And then anything is possible.

$1875 Lugged Production frame set

+$425 Bi lam upgrade

+$150 internal wiring for SL hub on fork

+$75 Lug lining (as seen below)

Full custom frame sets start at $2500 (many options and up grades available)

Braze ons are as follows for production frames:

Two water bottle boss sets, canti boss braze ons, DT shifter bosses - all cable stops - seat collar binder - wire guides for front and rear dyno lighting

-- http://coastcycles.nyc/production-frames

[palincss]

Originally Posted by Ken Robb

You might find a new or used Rivendell that would work fine for you. The Rambouillet that I bought new about 25 years ago has most of the features you mentioned and a Romulus is VERY similar.

But most definitely not low trail.

[miguel]

Hey I’ve had a few rando bikes, custom ones too

It’s really fun to dither about on a forum but you should really find a custom builder who will ask questions and work with you to determine what you want.

[sailorboy]

Chris Bishop is a pretty legit choice to do this for you, and do it pretty soon too.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/bishopbikes/36282577803/

[Frankwurst]

Terraferma might be of interest. Mike got rave reviews in BQ .

Jan Heine concluded in his BQ review of the Terraferma Randonneur:
"the Terraferma is the first bike I have ridden that clearly performed better than my Alex Singer".

High praise given the guy doing the review.