Bicycle Mechanics - seeking advice for first time swap

Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.



PDA
BikeTales
04-03-08, 01:47 PM
Hi. beginner rider here. I got a Trek 1220 Aluminum frame & fork recently that I'll be using as a commuter/around town bike that I'll need to be able to get up some pretty good hills on. For now I'd like to get it rideable quickly though.

First I'm wondering if this old Diamond back road bike I found on CL will make for a good donor bike:
http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/bik/628230276.html I realize there isn't much info there, but thought someone here might have an idea if things would be the right sizes- namely BB, chainstay spacing.

I came across this site with specs for the original Trek bike:
http://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/BikeSpecs.aspx?Year=1998&Brand=Trek&Model=1220&Type=bike

Any details about the swap you'd like to comment on would be appreciated.

Al1943
04-03-08, 02:10 PM
If you're talking about switching the components from the older bike (Diamondback) to the Trek, no, not a good idea. those components are just too early. The rear hub would be too narrow. You need to start with a rear hub with 130 mm spacing that will accept the cassette with the correct number of cassette cogs to be compatible with whatever shifters you plan to use. I would suggest that you search for some good deals on Shimano 9-speed components, 8-speed would be OK but 9-speed components are more common and should be available for a few more years.

Al
Ex Pres
04-03-08, 03:10 PM
The 1220 frame was originally a 7s rear - so a 126mm hub is proper, but I ran a 130mm hub for a while in mine without any issues so far (now it's for sale).

Actually the DB would probably work, they both will have english BB and it would match the crankset eliminating that issue. The DB has downtube shifters, where your 1220 had STI, so you'd be taking a step back there. Seatpost on the DB may be 27.2 if it's a Tange 1 frame, but if not that may not fit. Most of the rest of the components will probably swap over, headset, stem, bars, rear derailleur but not the front, but what you'll end up with is a 1989 bike on a 1998 frame. It'll work for a city bike/commuter, though.

HillRider
04-03-08, 03:35 PM
The 1220 frame was originally a 7s rear - so a 126mm hub is proper...

My son's mid-90's 1220 came as a 7-speed (RSX) but had 130 mm dropouts.