Bicycle Mechanics - Suggestions for new stem/wheels?

Yo all,

I recently purchased a near antique to commute around the city on. Its a 1990 Trek 950 Singletrack and it has a remarkably clean frame with just a little rust on some mounting bolts, etc. I was thinking about replacing the stem with a newer possibly adjustable one(as I don't think its original anyways) and/or getting some bars that aren't straight. Recommendations? What determines what will adapt/fit?

I was also thinking about getting another set of wheels that are maybe better/lighter and putting 1.5"s on some new rims since most of my riding will be on pavement. I initially was thinking about just buying new 1.5" tires and mounting on my existing rims, but thought if I wanted to ride off road trails it might be more of a PITA to switch tires than complete wheels.It has the original Matrix rims.Thoughts or recommendations?

Another thing I was debating is whether to eliminate the quick release seat/tire bolts. Most of the existing q-release hardware is whats rusty on the bike anyways. They function fine though. Good places to find them online/sizes? Worth it?-keep seeing bikes locked up w/no seat. Thanks.

Ben

Hello Ben. I do not know what you paid for your 'near antique' but when you start looking for wheels you may be willing to put up with changing the tires. also you may have to buy 8spd wheels and put a spacer on them to use a 7speed cassette.

as for the stem. any 1" 'quill' ATB stem should fit. if the bike is comforatable to ride like it is I would not switch stems right away. I am not a big fan of 'adjustable' stems. one more thing to losen up and cause problems

look at performance and or nashbar for skewers. you can get a type that tightens with an allen wrench to make them a bit more secure. you can also get one like this for the seat.

A 1990 Trek 950 is a very nice bike with a lugged frame and butted Tange Cro-moly tubes. They don't make them like that anymore and it's worth fixing up. You can use new 9 speed wheels with your existing 7 speed components if you add a 4.5 mm spacer behind the cassete.

I don't trust adjustable stems. You could try something like Nitto Albatross bars if you want to bring the position of the grips up and back.

A 1990 Trek 950 is a very nice bike ...

I don't trust adjustable stems. You could try something like Nitto Albatross bars if you want to bring the position of the grips up and back.

I put an adjustable stem on a 1990 Trek 790. Didn't like the stem much, although I did get more rise. I would have prefered a taller fixed quill stem with shorter reach. But you have to know what you want (in advance) with a fixed stem.

I put an Albatross on a mixte. I like that bar a lot, and will probably be buying a 2nd. Rivendell has the cro-mo version for $44.

Thanks all for the replies to my noobness.

I guess I figured adjustable stem would be a good bet since I don't know exactly what I want yet(noooob!).Part of the stem change is superficial, as I don't think its original because the black is either pretty faded or was intended to be charcoal not black(lighter than bars).

I will check out the bars as that was my first thought, until I saw my friends new Fuji with adj stem, and thought it would give more possibilities.

I probably will go with new tires now and switch them out when needed. Any suggestion for a good quality narrower tire for mostly short commute road use? I was thinking something less than the 1.95 without getting too roady, that would take a little more psi and have a little more tred on edges for loose sand on bike path, etc.

So far I really like the bike. It set me back a mere $160, which is maybe a bit much, but he had put on new Vbrake shifters and brake levers, seat and grips. Very little rust and the fact that the seller is a local mechanic who was high school friends with my brother helped me fork over the dough, as well as knowing he has owned and maintained for the last four years.Thanks.

Ben

...It set me back a mere $160, which is maybe a bit much....
Maybe more than you wanted to spend, you did get a very good deal, esp if everything is right with the bike. I'd put some nice Michelin City tires on it and ride few weeks to have a better idea of what needs to be changed.

Definitely not more than I wanted to spend, but a bit more than I have seen for on other CL postings. I'm really happy with it so far. My friend would hardly believe its near 20 years old,.... and made in the U.S.

I'll check on some Michelins soon, once I decide if I want to go to a narrower tire or not. How do they do on paths with a little sand/gravel?