Is my bike suitable?

Watchouse

I need some advice on bike type/suitability. My days of cycling pre-date mountain bikes etc and it all seems more complicated now.
I want what I understand to be a touring bike for longish country cycle rides and possibly commuting. My neighbour has given me a long unused bike (in good condition, however) which is a 'Peugeot Vitesses 12 Speed' (this is what is wrtten on the frame. Is this suitable or is this more of a racer or does it matter?

The tyres look to me to be tubeless and narrower than I would have expected for a touring bike. The rim has 'Michelin Select 23-622' written on the side.

Any advice would be most welcome.

redddraggon

Sounds like a racing/road bike. 700x23 are roadie size tyres.

ash68

Don't know the bike myself,sorry. Main question as to suitability, well only you know what you want from the bike. But is the gearing suitable for your needs and fitness? Can you fit mudguards/pannier racks if required? Is the bike in a safe condition? if it hasn't been used for a while may need new cables for brakes/gears, check the gears/brakes actually work, are the tyres perrished etc? Sorry if you've already checked these things over, but for your safety they do need to be checked before you use the bike. IMO.Hope this helps.

Watchouse

Thankyou. Yes I have checked the bike over and all appears to be working well. There are mudguards already fitted. What will I look for to see if panniers can be fitted.

What about the tyres? If tubeless racing tyres are not sutiable will I have to change the wheels?

I want the bike for cycling on roads but not for going as fast as I can.

redddraggon

I don't think it's tubeless, 23-622 is a clincher size tyre. Tubeless use different ways of representing the size.

Watchouse

What is a 'clincher size tyre'. Does it have an inner-tube?

redddraggon

Yeh, a clincher is a 'normal' rim, taking a 'normal' tyre and inner tube. Poke a tyre lever under the edge of the tyre and you'll see its probably an inner tube setup.

Watchouse

Thanks Reddraggon. The fact that they are skinny racing tyres, is this likely to affect comfect or effectiveness for my purposes? Are punctures more likely, for example?

redddraggon

Watchouse wrote:

Thanks Reddraggon. The fact that they are skinny racing tyres, is this likely to affect comfect or effectiveness for my purposes? Are punctures more likely, for example?

I've been using tyres slightly wider than the 23-622 you mention for my daily 13mile round trip commute. I've had panniers on aswell, but I've not been carrying heavy stuff.

What do you want to use the bike for? Commuting - it should be fine, fitness riding - probably more than fine. I've actually just fitted tyres that are 23-622 on my bike today and I plan on commuting with them.

With tyres that size though I recommend getting a track pump as it's really difficult to get the really high pressures required from a small pump.

redddraggon

Forgot to add about the punctures. Punctures are not more likely, at least as far as I can tell. Hitting potholes is not recommended though.