So, late 2019 I've been without a main bike after selling my old refurbed 80s tourer. I've pootled about a little on a temporary 80s Raleigh, but am now hankering after a better build — and I can only store/manage 1 bike overall.
After a lot of to-and-fro-ing, and designing on paper, I've settled on an Elan frame to build up from. However, the next dilemma is...which size?!
If anyone feels so kind to offer their opinions/experience/expertise, I'd love to hear. I know the solution would be a trip to Harrogate, but that's a bit cost & time prohibitive right now and for a frame only.
So lend me your eyes kind community:
- THE AIM: an all-purpose (holy grail ) bike for commuting, shopping, weekend leisure and the occasional camping tour with panniers. Biggest consideration is a relaxed, more upright fit, like a city bike but with touring dirt-track potential
- THE BUILD: One-One "Geoff" bars (but I'll cut the width down) for leisurely upright city dawdling, with the option to get my head down when touring / Steel forks / 27.5" wheelset with fattest tyres possible / 160mm cranks
- MY PARTICULARS: 5ft 10.5in / 86cm anatomical inside leg / ~76.5cm BB centre to saddle top with 170 cranks (77.5cm with 160 I guess!)
I look forward to, and am most grateful for your input!