Bicycle Mechanics - Please advise on old Trek 930

I just replaced my '88 Trek 830 with a '93 Trek 930. Not knowing anything about swapping out this-for-that, I thought I'd inquire at the Oracle of Cyclosis as to how to best proceed. This will be my first attempt at actually digging into a bike. Normally, I just ride 'em, clean 'em, then ride 'em again.

So, if no one objects, I'd like to list what's currently on the two bikes as a comparison of qualities. I'm trying to get some collective opinion on what I can use off the 830. The components have proven themselves to me under tough, heavy duty loaded conditions. They are all in great shape except for the broken drop out, which has killed the bike. I'm very dissapointed, but clearly, the 930 is a far better frame. I just don't know a thing about those components. The 930 was a low-end model in the otherwise very good 900 series.

Note: 90% of my riding is on paved roads on rides between 40 and 100 miles. I ride often and tend to carry around 10 - 15lbs of water, food and the kitchen sink.

830:
C-rings/Crankset: Sakae OvalTech - I love this. It must go on the 930, but can it?
Deore front and rear with Deore Light Action thumbers set to friction: Works as well as my 105 stuff.
Brake Levers: Cheapo Shimano, but large and handy with winter gloves. They work well.
Wheels: Original Araya 36 spoke. Been told by my local MTB shop that they are decent, strong rims. Spokes like fence posts.
Hubs: Original SA hubs which I have rebuilt recently.

930:
Brake levers/Shifters, Crankset, Rings, RD, FD, all Shimano Altus A10. Should I keep it? Seems to work well. I think it has the Rapid Fire thing - sort of like my Sequoia, only thumb type. They are integral with the levers, too.
Wheels: A mis-match here. And, 34 spoked, not 36.
Hubs:Exage FH-HG50. Better than SA? I think so, and less weathered, too. Still, not 36 hole.

Here's a stumper for me: The 830 is a 6speed freewheel - 930 is 7speed casstte.
Because it's a new freewheel, and the SA hubs are rebuilt, and the wheels are decent, I'd like to use them to replace the old 7speed on the 930. But the spacing is about 1/4" wider on the 930. Can I just add a spacer on each side to take up the space?

Do I have to swap out all the shifting guts to accommodate a switch to the 6speed? Should I just take this thing down to the MTB shop and say, "I give you the boy. Give me back the man."

I know I'm asking alot, especailly in writing, but any comments would be very welcome. Thank you.

First things first. There are other resources, but these are essential:
http://www.parktool.com/repair/
http://sheldonbrown.com/repair/index.html

Both bikes should have square taper bottom brackets, so the cranks should transition with no problem. You'll need a crank extractor to take the cranks off the spindles. Check the Park site for tools needed and instructions.

Decide which wheels you want to use. Your choice.
The friction shifters will work with either. The indexed shifters will only work with the 7 speed.
BTW, I think you mean 32 spokes, not 34. Unlike on 27" or 700c wheels, 32 spokes are way strong on 26" wheels. I would not be concerned about the strength of the wheel for that reason alone.

My suggestion is to try doing most of this yourself. It is very satisfying to do the work yourself and it can save you some money. But it does require a few basic tools. If you can't borrow them, you'll have to buy them. The ones you'll need for this are not expensive. Don't be shy about asking questions here. People here are very helpful and most who regularly post are more knowledgable than I am. If you are not sure, ask before you act.

One thing for sure, you're gonna love that frame.

Thanks Bluesdawg.
On those rims: there are definitely 36 spokes on the old Arayas off the 830. It looks like they didn't skrimp on those. The wheels off the 930 are Front: Matrix 32 spoke (very narrow walls almost like a 700c rim), and Rear: Sunrims RYNOLITE made in USA with 32 spokes. Like I said, a mis-match.

Question: Since the Arayas have been indestructible, I can have a new rear hub laced-in to fit the wider spacing on the 930 frame. Right? I would also go with a 7spd Mega-Range 11-34 cassette at that point.

What hub would you recommend?
Any recent Shimano?
Do they even make 36 hole hubs anymore?
What hubs do you have on your 970?

I'll go over to Lord Sheldon of Brown's site and look at hubs...

Ok, with a 7spd I'll have to stay with the original Altus A-10 stuff. Never heard of it, but it works pretty good.
The question here is: Can I split the setup and use my old friction shifter/Deore FD for the Sakae OvalTeck front, while using the Altus for the 7spd rear? Seems plausible since one has nothing to do with the other.

Dang! That forces a change in the front brake lever, since the levers are integral with the shifters. This thing could end up being a true Frankenbike. I'd have to put my old Shimano 830 lever on the left with the 930 Altus lever/shifter on the right. Good grief! Next it'll be ribbons in the spokes and a parrot on the bars... Stay tuned. I'm heading to the MTB shop for some abuse tomorrow morning

The '93 Trek 930 is a very nice frame, with True Temper OX II butted tubing, investment cast lugs and Imron paint. They were the last of the U.S. built 900 series. I have one that I've converted to a single speed street bike.

Question: Since the Arayas have been indestructible, I can have a new rear hub laced-in to fit the wider spacing on the 930 frame. Right? I would also go with a 7spd Mega-Range 11-34 cassette at that point.

You should be able to re-space (and maybe re-dish) the old Araya wheel. if you're real lucky you won't need to do either.




Ok, with a 7spd I'll have to stay with the original Altus A-10 stuff. Never heard of it, but it works pretty good.
The question here is: Can I split the setup and use my old friction shifter/Deore FD for the Sakae OvalTeck front, while using the Altus for the 7spd rear? Seems plausible since one has nothing to do with the other.

Should work fine.
Top

I don't understand why you want to go to all that trouble and expense on the rear wheel. Either respace the wheel from the 830 and use the Light Action shifters, or use the rear wheel from the 930 and the Altus shifters. A 32 spoke Rynolite rim is plenty tough. I have 32 spoke Rynolites on LX hubs on my 970.

Dirtdrop:
BluesDawg guided me to the 900 series. I'm glad he did. It's clearly obvious that the frame is very well made. This particular frame is pretty roughed up, but it has no dents or bends anywhere. I got it from the original owner who used it heavily while in college, then basically hung it up. Shows lots of bike rack scrapes but not much actual component wear.

Top506 and BluesDawg:
MTB shop says the same. I'll change the 6spd freewheel to a 7speed MegaRange 11-34 on the Araya rim. A longer axle with spacers will do the rest. I just had them remove the original 7spd cassette off the RynoLite so I can clean and repack the bearings. That'll get me on the road right away while I wait for the MegaRange cassette.

On the FD:
I'll change to the Sakae OvalTech C-rings and try using the Altus FD to see if it will clear the lobes on the rings. I can't use the Deore FD off the 830 as the tube on the 930 is much bigger. Shop seems to think the Altus shifter will work so I won't need to go friction for the front. We'll see.

Should be a good teaching experience for my first actual tear-down. Very much looking forward to it. Thanks to all and stay tuned for the Follies...