Classic & Vintage - 1979 Trek 530

Well, I gambled and I lost (sort of)!

In my search for a relaxed "day touring" frame, I came across this beauty on ebay. Though I was looking specifically for Reynolds 531 DB, I thought I could settle with full Ishiwata 022. I also hoped that the seller's uncertainty about the serial number and measurements might mean this was actually a 510 model. In fact, none of the brochures on vintage-trek.com list the 530 frameset with an Ishiwata 022 fork and Campagnolo dropouts.

The seller, however, was correct with the S/N and his measurements, and vintage-trek.com was correct with it's S/N database. So I'm left with a race rather than sport touring frame.

The frame is gorgeous with only a few minor chips in the deep charcoal metallic paint. The seller was the original owner, having purchased it in Milwaukee, but he obviously didn't ride it much.

At any rate, I think I'll stick with it and build up the poseur-Rivendell I've been plotting for a while. I'll post photos as soon as I complete the build.

P.S. Does anyone know what type Campagnolo hubs these are? They are laced to galvanized (!) spokes and Rigida rims, one of which has a large gouge in the sidewall.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/dissident75/Trek%20530/trek_530_driveside_original.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/dissident75/Trek%20530/campy_hub.jpg

Hubs are Nuovo Tipo. They polish up very nicely!

Very Nice and Congrats!:beer:

Nice purchase. Even though you wanted touring you still have steel for comfort.

Are those flat-handled skewers or is that just the picture angle? If so your wheelset (or skewer) is older than the frame. I also couldn't tell if the skewer nut is Tipo or something else. The reason I'm asking is I have Tipo skewers but am looking for a flat Record front skewer.

Well if you are a little displeased, what size is the bike and do you want to sell it?

Are those flat-handled skewers or is that just the picture angle? If so your wheelset (or skewer) is older than the frame. I also couldn't tell if the skewer nut is Tipo or something else. The reason I'm asking is I have Tipo skewers but am looking for a flat Record front skewer.

They do have flat levers. The nuts look like this one (http://cgi.ebay.com/Campagnolo-120mm-Axle-Skewer-for-1971-Rear-Tipo-Hub_W0QQitemZ150094743420QQihZ005QQcategoryZ7295QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) on ebay, so they might be Tipo.

I'm guessing the hubs are a later upgrade, though the Rigida rims and Suntour freewheel may be original. It seems to have gone through a few "upgrades", as it sports a first generation Cyclone GT RD (but a Suntour Vx FD), Suntour power Rachet DT shifters and SLR aero brakes levers. Appears to have the original SR stem, bars, laprade seatpost and Dia-Compe 500G brake calipers. It also came with some Profile aero bars and the Blackburn rack.

Not the most exciting stuff, but it's all in excellent condition.

Well if you are a little displeased, what size is the bike and do you want to sell it?

I paid through the nose for shipping, so unless someone comes with a ridiculous offer, I think I'll keep it.

OR...

Buy this Mercian (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=110096744459&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=001), and I'll trade you!

[QUOTE=Buy this Mercian (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=110096744459&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=001), and I'll trade you![/QUOTE]

You should not have shown me that bike. I really am considering buying it now. That looks so beautiful. Man I wonder how much I would have to pay for it. Oh yeah, I ride a 57cm road bike now. I am 6 foot even. Would this bike be too big? I feel pretty comfortable on a 57 flatbar. But this bike on ebay is a 59.

If you're going to lose, that's the way to do it.

You should not have shown me that bike. I really am considering buying it now. That looks so beautiful. Man I wonder how much I would have to pay for it. Oh yeah, I ride a 57cm road bike now. I am 6 foot even. Would this bike be too big? I feel pretty comfortable on a 57 flatbar. But this bike on ebay is a 59.

What's your riding inseam? I'm 6 foot as well, but much of my height is in my torso. I have a 34" riding inseam, and I have just enough standover clearance on this Trek frame (it's a 24" c-t, or 61 cm, with a 33.5" standover height with 700x25 tires). When standing, I'm right on the bar, though there is a slight bit of cushion room if I'm careful! I'd probably prefer a frame a centimeter or two smaller, but the vintage Treks of this era jump from 22.5" to 24", with no in-between.

Another problem is, different frames with the same seattube lengths may vary on standover height due to frame design. You should ask the seller to measure standover height if that concerns you. My guess is that the 58-60 cm range is appropriate for you.

Generally, I'm convinced that the biggest frame you can find to fit you is the best in terms of comfort.

There's a great fit calculator here (http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CCY?PAGE=FIT_CALCULATOR_INTRO). It might help.