converting litespeed firenza to touring bike

[bicyclerider]

reply to jeanvallery@bicyclejournals.com
I have the 2005 firenza litspeed road bike with the front carbon fork.
I wanted to get some advice about changing it over to a surley steel fork with braze on's and holes for a pannier rack to mount.
I wanted to also convert the compact crank over to a 105 road triple. I will be pulling a bob trailer also.
the terrian that I will be covering will be this route,
http://www.adventurecycling.org/routes/southerntier.cfm
Please anyone please give me some guidance. I don't want to buy another bicycle.
Jean Andre Vallery


Jean Andre Vallery
www.bicyclejournals.net
Sarasota Florida

[litespeed]

Why don't you contact Litespeed about a steel fork for your bike? The one they use on their Blue Ridge might work for you. Also you'll probably be better off with mountain bike gearing than with a 105 triple. I tour on a Litespeed Blue Ridge that I personally converted from Ultegra triple to Deore XT at the crank.  Those low gears come in handy. I also had custom wheels made with Ultegra hubs and Sunrims Rhyno Lite rims so I could comfortably use Continental Top Touring 37's. The Mavic Open rims that came on the bike weren't really suitable for any tire over 28mm.

[DaveB]

I also had custom wheels made with Ultegra hubs and Sunrims Rhyno Lite rims so I could comfortably use Continental Top Touring 37's. The Mavic Open rims that came on the bike weren't really suitable for any tire over 28mm.

The wider rims and tires will probably fit a touring/cross fork if the OP refits one to his bike but they won't fit the rear on a Firenza frame. The seat tube and brake bridge won't clear them.  Your Blue Ridge was designed for touring and the Firenza wasn't.

By the time the Firenza is cobbled into a sort-of touring bike, the cost will approach buying the real thing from scratch and it will still be a compromise.  

The better way to use the Firenza would be to tow the BoB trailer packed with everything and forget the use of paniers.

This message was edited by DaveB on 10-10-06 @ 7:35 AM