It would be nice to have an old bike set up with contemporary equipment for
touring. And by old I mean before the Queen's Coronation!
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Stuart Tallack surrounded by obsolete everything in West Sussex
You know Stuart I've been thinking about setting up my '38 Bates for distance touring using an FW single cog coupled with a double up front. It's not quite "modern" in the sense you mean, but without a hanger a derailleur's out. With, for example, a 44/40 the range would go from 84" to 40". Given the topography of my area, I would be limited to lighter loads and motelling it, but what the hey, it'd still be a kick in the pants. I love that 70 degree seat tube angle, especially for climbing, and the 531 plain guage makes a good stiff frame for hauling loads. Besides, it's fun to putz around when you have more bikes than you need.
Craig Montgomery
Tucson