Re: Your worst touring bike

I toured cross-country in 1978 from Newport, Oregon to Newport, RI on a Schwinn LeTour, a low-to-midrange sport bike popular at the time. It was one step up from the Varsity and the Continental. It weighed about 35 pounds, and the gearing was 39/52 in the front and 24-28 in the rear (which I changed to 24-34, a big help). I still had to do a lot of walking on long climbs--I'd alternate riding and walking for about 5 minute intervals. I changed the tires to the most rugged road tires available at the time--the width was 1 3/8 inches, and there was a raised solid rubber strip along the center of the tread.

The bicycle held up surprisingly well. I had one flat, one broken spoke, and on the next to the last day of the tour I derailed the chain into the rear wheel, fortunately without damaging it. I couldn't readjust the rear derailleur, so I finished the tour without using the 34-tooth sprocket. The seat was uncomfortable and I never got used to it--it was fine for day rides, but not for multiday touring.

Howard

Original message:
Just for the sake of conversation, what's the most ill-suited bike you've ever taken on a tour?