[BOB] $1200 Randonneur Bike for the masses

Brad	view: flat \| tree

Subject: [BOB] $1200 Randonneur Bike for the masses
Date: 4/7/2011 9:19:57 AM
List: Internet-BOB

What are we modelling with this idea?
Custom built randonneur bikes have never been for the masses,
anywhere.

However, the general ideas developed in building those bikes worked
their way out to mass production machines.

I am thinking the Peugeot UO-8 for example.
It's drawbacks, other than anxiety of the "Tube Allege Special
Peugeot"
which may, in fact, have been of quite good quality, were Rigida steel
rims
and cottered Nervalr cranks (52 x 36).

There is at least one upgraded UO-8 which the owner enjoys
http://www.cyclofiend.com/cc/2007/cc403-billslater1107.html

see also
http://www.cyclofiend.com/cc/2006/cc219-plynnmiller1206.html

$1200 is also kind of an odd price point. Running it through the
inflation calculators backwards
it would be more expensive than a PX-10E was in the early 70's.

I would suggest that if there were a bike in the $600 to $800 range
that someone could comfortably ride 100 km on multiple days, or 200km
on a special day and 300 km once in a great while, that that would be
the ticket. Racks and fenders and lights make money for shops. They
don't have to be part of the package, just part of the shop owner's
personal bike on display.

I think the big battle is getting the guys at Merry Sales and in
Taiwan to make a fork with a nice curve and 60mm or more of rake.
That being done, a lot of easily made frames can be made to fit the
bill. At the very least an option on fork rakes, with an explanation
of the differences, would be a good thing.

Once upon a time there were affordable bikes that you could ride a
long way all day and it was fun. And that is what a randonn=E9e is all
about, wandering about for fun.

http://dictionnaire.reverso.net/francais-anglais/randonn%C3%A9e

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