I got this bike and I’m wondering if you guys think it would work for a bikepacking tour through Denmark. If so, what would you recommend upgrading. So far I’ve been thinking about moving the gear shifters up to the steering wheel and changing the seat, any other recommendations?
by mkkel
6 Comments
Beautiful bike, but wouldn’t be very fun on anything that’s not paved roads.
I’d say no. The shifters are blocking valuable bage space and the gearing is definitely lacking range.
“Bikepacking” typically refers to off-road use, though it gets mixed up so often that it’s almost become accepted to mean on-road trips as well. Road usage, like I assume you mean with this bike, is typically called “touring”.
This bike doesn’t appear to be *designed* for touring, but it would certainly work for simple trips (not carrying a lot, not a ton of climbing, good quality roads) if you wanted it to. It all depends what you want to do with it.
Anything is possible. People used to tour long distances on bikes like this. Heck, have you seen the bikes pros used to race on and the roads they were riding?
Today, however, it’s a rather impractical choice. For one thing, many of today’s bikepacking bags aren’t designed for older bikes like this.
The other thing you should consider is the durability of these components and the parts supply, should you need something while on tour.
And, as someone else pointed out, that gearing is going to be a real drag if you hit any climbs or strong headwinds while loaded with gear.
Still, it would be a heck of an adventure.
I have a vintage bike like this and find the brakes _appalling_. First thing I’m doing (when the cash is handy) is upgrading the wheels and brakes.
I’ve toured on a road bike, I had to use a clamp on pannier rack and everything was rear loaded. It was my first stint and I managed. However, I’m much happier with 32 or 35c tyres that’ll cope better with trails and weight.
Sure I would bike pack with this bike. A much bigger rear cluster ( check the rear derail can handle it and chain length is long enough ). I’m not a fan of dropped bars… so replace with higher bars bars and brake levers . Essentially you could get a bunch of things to make your ride better from the parts bins of most bike shops. If you carry less and go from hostel to hostel… buy food on the road etc. If you got some lever adapters to put your gear levers on the bars… or got nice flashy shifters… I personally think any bike is good, you just ride to it’s strong points. In this case you have it. It works. Medium fatness tyres is good. etc. People rode all sorts of bikes all over the place so there is no “right bike”, though this might annoy the bike camping purists… meh. Ride it. have fun. It’s a cool frame, interesting. It would be shame to just leave it at home. Or go hardcore and ride it as is. A rack, panniers and BOOM! you are on the road.
Have fun !