Help me build a bikepacking bike!

[bikeworkshop]

Would you say 97% was low?

Yes with ebay 99%+is ok to good,
98%and under is bad.

Frameset used to be worth 200 though, and if the wheels, bb, headset are shot you can raise a case with ebay.
Everything else you'll be replacing with your budget.
You'd want new transmission tyres Cables and pads to ride to Croatia, with a touring chainset 26 36,48 for road speed.
200+60+30+10=300
Saddle and racks could be 100

Maybe BB, and grease the hubs and headset

Are you going to include the cost of 2 pairs shorts, gloves, a pair of cycling shoes in the budget?

You want to use cycling shoes even if you don't want spds - protects your foot from the leg pressure - as a rule go a euro size too large. Plenty on ebay good used condition from 20£ or so

 

[Takingabreak]

This might work… as long as you like blue

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/33577399...KJ6dne7RhC&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

 

[bikeworkshop]

This might work… as long as you like blue

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/33577399...KJ6dne7RhC&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

The orbit is a bargain
(used to sell these new, although the switch to campag made touring gear choices a pita and possibly signaled the demise of the brand)

but the OP says he wants to build a tourer, not buy one, and leads towards the great versatility of the mid 90s rigid steel classics
A superb choice.

I'd buy the orbit if he offered postage, although the wheels are foul.
Deep section does nothing for ride quality, and slightly different blues give me a headache.

 

[highlandsflyer]

This might work… as long as you like blue

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/33577399...KJ6dne7RhC&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

That would be well worth a train trip. Wow! I don't think you'd find a better bike for a thousand miles across Europe. Ridiculously cheap!

 

[originsoundd]

This might work… as long as you like blue

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/33577399...KJ6dne7RhC&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

Damn, I do like blue but those wheels are not it! Thanks for this!

 

[Takingabreak]

Damn, I do like blue but those wheels are not it! Thanks for this!

I figured at that price you can afford to swap out the parts you don't like

 

[highlandsflyer]

I figured at that price you can afford to swap out the parts you don't like

The stand over height raises a question.

 

[doctor-bond]

4 pages in, I think you need to be clear on your requirements or us retro folk will spam you with loads of bonkers options …..

Size/fit is the most important. Sounds like a 16” or 18” might work; but best to go by the horizontal top tube length (you will not want to be too stretched out). What is the top tube measurement on your current bike as a start?

Steel (not because it’s cool or real, but because any workshop can fix it); not suspension because it’s unnecessarily complicated - the good advice above has already brought you to that conclusion I think.

Once you’re clear on size, then it’s down to details: lots of braze on eyelets for mudguards and racks; forks that are not too fat (makes fitting racks and stuff a PITA); make sure your wheels are good: loads of hardly used ones on here for sale rather than worn out ones that came with the bike.

Everything else is straightforward common sense: lots of bar and stem options to get comfy; whatever saddle you like (go for comfort over looks/cool); tyres that won’t puncture rather than tan wall retro classics.

You should be able to put the bike together for much less than your stated budget, leaving cash for other camping kit, boring stuff like locks and lights, and fun.

 

[Tootyred]

Agree totally as above.

I sold a guy the frame and most bits cheap to build a 89 Marin bear valley.

Nothing flash....

Its been ridden from essex to the far side of russia and is now somewhere in the bloody middle of knowhere heading for somewhere i can't pronounce...

£300 plus some bags should be easy.

Just go for strong, easy to fix, ample spares available, comfortable. That's pretty much any half decent early 90 mtb.