Frame sourcing for new project

[Andy in Germany]

I'm looking for a frame to build another touring bike. I'm going to try one more time to build one from scrap before I go and buy a modern(ish) tourer.

So far I'm researching and hoarding frames. I'd like to repeat what I did for the touring bike photographed above: find an old Chromoly framed bike with V-Brakes that can take 3/8 gears, get lugs brazed on the main bar, and swap the handlebars for randonneur style drops.

I'm aiming for a 28" wheeled frame as one issue with my current frame is that it's a bit small: if I raise the saddle to the ideal height for my legs, it puts more weight on my wrists, and I can't raise the handlebars much.

It needs to be able to take a luggage rack at rear, mudguards, and low riders at the front.

If possible, I'd like a lugged frame, just because I think it looks nice.

So far I've got two possibilities: an old Schwinn and a Winora (German brand). I've not been able to look at the Winora that closely as it's in the bike warehouse, but one major difference I've noticed is that the Schwinn has vertical axle droppers and the Winora has horizontal droppers. My gut feeling is to avoid horizontal droppers, but given that my current bike has these and has worked perfectly well for several years, is that really necessary?

 

[EckyH]

My gut feeling is to avoid horizontal droppers, but given that my current bike has these and has worked perfectly well for several years, is that really necessary?

It depends.
If you are going to use very light "boutique" quick release skewers, then vertical dropouts are the way to go.
If you are going to use QR skewers with internal excenters and (hardened?) steel surfaces like basic Shimano Deore or similar, then I wouldn't mind horizontal dropouts. The dropouts are not exactly horizontal, but slightly sloped forward. Therefore the weight on the frame (luggage and the rider) apply a force that pushes the rear axle "backwards" while the tension of the chain pulls the axle forward. The resulting force is the difference between these two forces.

I'd use good midrange QR skewers in your situation and wouldn't overthink that.

E.

 

[88robb]

Winora with horizontal dropouts. Your current bike uses them fine, so no problem there. Vertical dropouts on the Schwinn limit your options. Just confirm the Winora is chromoly and takes 28 wheels the dropouts won’t affect your wrist position, frame size will.

 

[Punkawallah]

Horizontal drop-outs give you more tyre options before they interfere with the rear stays.

 

[davidphilips]

My thoughts are keep a watch on Ebay, facebook and any other online sites plus any second had shops, most of my bikes have been bought as frames and built but tbh its perhaps better to buy a used bike, also 28 inch wheels are the same size as 700 wheels, the older 27 inch wheels are actually larger.
Thorn bikes are great heavy duty touring bikes as are saint john bikes they are made by Thorn perhaps not as heavy duty but dawes galaxys are also great some really old galaxys are more like raceing bikes, some are alloy some titanium but most are reynolds, another thought do you move your saddle forward when you raise it? If not try moveing the saddle forward by about a third of the distance you raise it