Hybrid Bicycles - Trek 7.2 transformation to touring commuter

I have all the parts here so this weekend I am going to do the transformation of My Trek 7.2 into more of a distance touring & commuter Hybrid. The most significant change will be the bars. I will be going to Butterfly Trekking bars after much thought & discussion in my century thread. The bike has come a way since I originally purchased it for a simple exercise bike that I barely used the first year. Last year I had a very successful year commuting 20 miles a day 4 to 5 days a week. I am planning a 130 mile century ride in June & will start commuting again after March 15.


This is the original configuration & mods I made to the bike. Nothing special here, just fenders,seat and post rack

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n235/Timber_8/Bike%20pics/009640x4802.jpg

This is the current incarnation of the bike

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n235/Timber_8/Bike%20pics/biketransformation004640x480.jpg

These are the parts that I will be adding or changing to the bike. I will be useing the stock index shifter/brake combination,
my only concern is the cable length. I will be moveing the forward & up onto the lead position on the butterfly bars

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n235/Timber_8/Bike%20pics/biketransformation001-Copy640x480.jpg

nice bunch of new toys to play with! :D i hope you enjoy the century ride. are you doing anything special to prepare for that ride aside from the new gear?

The century ride is the goal I set for myself this summer. I will move my commute from my normal 20 mile round trip to 26+ mile and then to 36+ mile round trip daily 4 to 5 days a week beginning after daylight savings March 15th. I am sure I will work in some 70 and 80 mile trips in as well & as I have been advised too. I like to set goals for myself to inspire my motivation.

The butterfly bars went on very well as did the shifter/brake combination. I pegged the aluminum clamps open just enough to slide them around the bar without marking it up. It wouldn't take much to snap the clamp though. The cables are tight on turning the wheel as far as you can but they have room to live through a crash. I am getting ready to tape them now. I am using Bar Phat tape with jell pads under the tape. I am also caping the bars with ergonomic grips.

Very nice! I'll be watching to see how those trekking-bars work for you. Please do update when you have some feedback to toss. And photos, too. I have a set of those bars in stock - but haven't gotten around to trying them out.

Forget about the bike. That gym of yours is pretty damn sweet!

Forget about the bike. That gym of yours is pretty damn sweet!

Thank You, I posted pictures of it some time ago but I forget where, Probably in foo. I have had a gym in the house for the last 15 years or so. I was into the bodybuilding thing when I was younger. These days I just try to stay healthy & in decent shape.

Thank You, I posted pictures of it some time ago but I forget where, Probably in foo. I have had a gym in the house for the last 15 years or so. I was into the bodybuilding thing when I was younger. These days I just try to stay healthy & in decent shape.
I remember those pics that is why I had to make the comment. Heck, if my house were any larger, I may have the same if not similar set up.

Finally finished it


http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n235/Timber_8/Bike%20pics/butterflybars006.jpg

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n235/Timber_8/Bike%20pics/butterflybars010.jpg

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n235/Timber_8/Bike%20pics/butterflybars008.jpg

I mounted the light onto the front rack instead of the aero bars.

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n235/Timber_8/Bike%20pics/butterflybars015.jpg

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n235/Timber_8/Bike%20pics/butterflybars016.jpg

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n235/Timber_8/Bike%20pics/butterflybars012.jpg

I used jel pads under the bar tape

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n235/Timber_8/Bike%20pics/butterflybars001.jpg

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n235/Timber_8/Bike%20pics/butterflybars002.jpg

You'll love the trekking bars. Nice set up.

wow, with that many places for that many hand positions, i dont think you're ever going to stop the century ride! lol! nice setup, it looks like there is no way your hands can be uncomfortable on there.

You do realize, of course, that your Ergon grips are on backwards. Otherwise great setup! Check this (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?391219-Pics-of-my-new-Trekking-Bars-on-my-commuter) out for the correct grip configuration.

Yea I know, I considered turning the around and still might. I missed the link in your post. I definitly like the way that looks, I am going to flip them around today. Thanks for the link

With the extension and the trekking-bars, it looks like some extra-terrestrial landing-craft! I love it! :roflmao: :eek:

Nice setup. I had my 7.2 set up similarly to yours originally, and it was very comfortable. However, I found it preferable to flip the stem and bar the other way; allowed for a better aero position. I can take a picture and post if anyone is curious.

Have you tried different tires yet? I recently tried those stock Bontragers again for giggles after getting used to 700x28 slicks; I had to work much harder to maintain my usual pace. For your increasing commute lengths and centure, I think you'd find a new set worthwhile. I plan to do my first century this summer as well, good luck!

Ruffy Tuffy - Rivendell - and excellent tires the are 17C. They fly and have a tough Kevlar belt.

And yes! I'd love to see your set-up - trinamuos. Please do post photos - they will go in my massive archive on customized machines.

I have thought about changing tires but their is nothing wrong with the ones I have. It isn't top on my list, I still occasionally take my bike out on the trails. Clip in peddles & shoes are my next big investment. I'll take the bike outside today and take better pictures without the gym in the background. It is hard to see much of the detail. I also need to make the camera mount for the front rack. I want to try to keep the bars clear if I can, I still don't know about my Blackberry.

Great ideas there! I plan on doing a metric century this summer - tour de cure for diabetes....may I ask what type of seat you have in the Trek? It looks comfortable and I'm currently in the market - the one on my 7200 starts hurting at the 30 mile mark - I know I have to toughen my butt - but...........do you like yours/comfortable etc?

Ron

I have thought about changing tires but their is nothing wrong with the ones I have. It isn't top on my list, I still occasionally take my bike out on the trails. Clip in peddles & shoes are my next big investment. I'll take the bike outside today and take better pictures without the gym in the background. It is hard to see much of the detail. I also need to make the camera mount for the front rack. I want to try to keep the bars clear if I can, I still don't know about my Blackberry.

While I agree that there is nothing wrong with those tires, as I use them when the situation calls for a little tread and more air, I think new tires will serve you better on a century than clipless pedals. New tires and plain ole toe clips could be purchased for around half of the cost of clipless pedals and shoes, and provide a more measureable benefit IMHO. That's the route I took: ties and clips first, then the plunge into clipless later.

OK, here's the pictures! I tried multiple options before selecting this one as the final. The stem can be flipped or flopped, as can the bar (with the "ends" always closest). The shifter cables bump the stem in some positions. Here, they fit neatly under it. One of my to-do's today is to trim the cable slack.

For any who may have seen the thread where I was bashing my 7.2 FX a bit, I have found that I like it much better in its current incarnation. This trekking bar setup is great, I added clipless (my other bike had and this didn't previously), and I replaced the stock crank with this nice Sugino XD600 (which is much smoother). I have the treaded Bont tires on now since we've been having snow, but the 700x28 slicks will go back on when there is no snow around (this is my rain bike). At some point, I may get a set of 700x32 Marathons that will hopefully be a compromise between the qualities of both tires.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ENuQByJK0Tc/S27NLGetYtI/AAAAAAAAADk/iPCQ27q2mZ0/s912/DSC_0498.JPG
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ENuQByJK0Tc/S27NLap-pNI/AAAAAAAAADo/cnET98SyEZM/s912/DSC_0499.JPG
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ENuQByJK0Tc/S27NLidPbII/AAAAAAAAADs/VHQel1Jocf0/s912/DSC_0500.JPG
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ENuQByJK0Tc/S27NL0BTB2I/AAAAAAAAADw/orJVWbq36kM/s912/DSC_0501.JPG
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ENuQByJK0Tc/S27NMDlifkI/AAAAAAAAAD0/dhekqbOcEKE/s912/DSC_0502.JPG
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ENuQByJK0Tc/S27NMgdtarI/AAAAAAAAAD8/1jdAsPQlD4o/s912/DSC_0504.JPG

Great ideas there! I plan on doing a metric century this summer - tour de cure for diabetes....may I ask what type of seat you have in the Trek? It looks comfortable and I'm currently in the market - the one on my 7200 starts hurting at the 30 mile mark - I know I have to toughen my butt - but...........do you like yours/comfortable etc?

Ron
Hi Ron, The seat is a Bontrager & I do not know the model. It is very comfortable but it was one of the last things I changed before the season ended. It has yet run the test of time, but so far so good. I do like the style and the padding in the seat. The fact that it is Bontrager is a coincidence and simply caught my eye on the wall.

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n235/Timber_8/Bike%20pics/bikeseat001640x480.jpg

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n235/Timber_8/Bike%20pics/bikeseat002640x480.jpg

I did decide to to flip the ergonomic grips, lost the end caps though. They do look and feel much better. I will also clean up the bar tape so it looks better. I am also considering tapeing part of the aero bars with what is left. I still have 2 gel pads and plenty of tape. I think anyway.

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n235/Timber_8/Bike%20pics/bikeseat003640x480.jpg

I have also moved the light back to the aero bars of a few reasons. I am going to use the mount on the rack for a camera mount and if film at night I want the light above and behind the camera. I think the light looks kinda cool on the aero bars too. They certainly work well there.

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n235/Timber_8/Bike%20pics/bikeseat004640x480.jpg

Clip in peddles & shoes are my next big investment.

Check Jensen USA! Last weekend you could get a set of Shimano PDM 324 pedals, and a pair of Shimano MTB shoes for less than $100, total..... A steal!

Well I am done with this part anyway. The camera mount needs more work. I am getting to much vibration. It might be better on a smooth road.

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n235/Timber_8/Bike%20pics/006640x480.jpg

I think I can reconfigure my mounting bracket so that it in much lower & bolt the main plate to the top of the rack under the bag. I will give that a go & see if it takes the vibration out.

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n235/Timber_8/Bike%20pics/008640x480.jpg

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n235/Timber_8/Bike%20pics/009640x480.jpg

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n235/Timber_8/Bike%20pics/010640x480.jpg

Your descriptions and setup is wonderful! Would you say the aero bar elbow/forearm pads are necessary? Or would you be ok wrapping the butterfly bars further and resting your arms on them?

Your descriptions and setup is wonderful! Would you say the aero bar elbow/forearm pads are necessary? Or would you be ok wrapping the butterfly bars further and resting your arms on them?

Well they are part of the aero bars & I don't think I have ever seen a set without them. To answerer your question though I would say yes, all your wt sits in those pads & have a great deal of impact on controlling the bike. I couldn't imagine spending much time resting on the bars with my elbows. Aero bars take a bit getting use to, I am very comfortable in them but they can be shaky around traffic if you are not comfortable. There certainly are conditions when you do not want to be in the aero bars. You do not have the same control over the bike that you do in a more upright position & you are not near your brakes. I drop into them on a down hill run for the thrill & on flat open runs where I can increase my average cruising speed. Aero bars are not really more hand positions as I originally thought they would be but they will pick up you average cruising speed as well as your top speed. Your not going to be dropping a skilled road bike but you can give it a good chase.

The photos keep getting sweeter and sweeter.

Nice work... I can't say enough about how much I like the t bars I put on my extrabike and am now thinking of swapping the drop bars on my Trek to t bars.

With a new touring bike was thinking I could increase my Trek's off road abilities and will be looking at fitting 29'r tyres and will go as wide as the frame and rims will allow while I retain the ability to run my 700c touring wheels.

Hybrids are fun platforms to build on and when I got the bike I thought it could serve multiple duties... the frame has insane amounts of lateral and vertical wheel / tyre clearance.

The Butterfly bar is very comfortable on my initial test ride. I still have some more work to do on it. I have to cut & make the shims for the Aero bars & the camera mount still needs work. I think the rubber pad might be too thick & is letting the camera move too much.

I also agree that hybrids are a nice platform to work with. It appears their is very little you can not do with it. The more I do to it the more I want to be on it. I think my pickup will spend a lot of time parked this year.

Yup! A Hybrid isn't just a bike. It's a project.

In the drop bar conversion thread someone posted a comparison between a 7.3 and an LHT and the frames are remarkably alike.

I've been scoping out new tyres... the 700:40 Schwalbe Hurricane and CX Comp are topping my list as I have had such a good experience with these ion other bikes.

:thumb: Totaly agree with the switch to the "Trekking Bars", did that on both mine and the Mrs., Jamis Trail-X, converting them of more, "road/touring" hybrids, couldn't be happier!:D

These are the shims I made for mounting the aero bars to a smaller diameter bar. These are sleeves I found at my local hardware. They were cut on 1 side & I cut the opposite side to make 2 halves. I then dimpled both sides to bite into the bar. I the had to spread them with a piece of pipe & hammer so the fit the taper


138470138471138472138473

Well I let the paint set up for a week on the shims for the aero bars & of coarse I dropped them playing with the fit

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n235/Timber_8/Bike%20pics/bicycleandbatterypacks015640x480.jpg

Here they are after the bars are mounted

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n235/Timber_8/Bike%20pics/bicycleandbatterypacks023640x480.jpg

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n235/Timber_8/Bike%20pics/bicycleandbatterypacks016640x480.jpg

And the whole picture. The are nice and tight with plenty of room to tweak as time goes on

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n235/Timber_8/Bike%20pics/bicycleandbatterypacks017640x480.jpg

And finaly here she is

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n235/Timber_8/Bike%20pics/bicycleandbatterypacks019640x480.jpg

This is what I did with the Break/shifter combination

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n235/Timber_8/Bike%20pics/bicycleandbatterypacks022640x480.jpg

I just bought my 7.2FX two days ago and this thread is going to cost me a LOT of money. :)

You have a nice looking set up and I'm going to steal a few of your ideas.
Keep up the good work!

Another question, where did you get your trekking bars? I am having trouble locating ones that are similar to yours.

Thanks

I just bought my 7.2FX two days ago and this thread is going to cost me a LOT of money. :)

You have a nice looking set up and I'm going to steal a few of your ideas.
Keep up the good work!

Picked up my new trekking bars for $20.00 and converted from drop bars and friction shifters to indexed in under an hour... :)

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/trekker5.JPG

Am running my brakes / shifters in the rear position as this is better suited for urban assaults and off road... this position is nearly identical to my hardtail mtb.

This is not where I bought mine, The place I got them doesn't have them listed anymore. I did find them for you but I have not used this vendor myself
oddly enough this place is about 45 minutes from my home. I didn't know they were there when I bought mine

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/handlebars/index.html

I broke down today and bought some clipless peddles and slippers. What a difference, I had my LBS put them on this morning. I came home with the bike & played with them for about 15 minutes and then went on a 46 mile ride. I found the very easy to get use to. I was amaised at how they find there own way into the clips. I did find myself staying in the clips most of the time. I have to say I love the bike in this latest configuration.

PM sent.
Thanks
Bob

That thing is coming along nicely -

Also, I pop rivetted a piece of rubber roofing (very flexible) to the bottom of the PB "mudflap." (get a roofer to save a scrap for you, a friend gave me a piece 2' X 3', and it should last me the rest of my life) I used a "fatter" pop rivet, with a back up plate(washer) on the inside.

It is about 6-8" long, and about 3" wide.

It really keeps the mud, dirty water, grit, goose poop, off the bottom of my bike, (BB, pump, water bottles) and the FD. And, because it's so flexible, toe strike would never be an issue. Another benefit, is that the same flexibility lets it "sail" in the wind - thereby negating any wind resistance (You don't really need it when you are doing 30 MPH, anyway!

Some new mods

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n235/Timber_8/Bike%20pics/Bikebeuro012.jpg

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n235/Timber_8/Bike%20pics/Bikebeuro013.jpg

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n235/Timber_8/Bike%20pics/Bikebeuro025.jpg

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n235/Timber_8/Bike%20pics/Newbikepics007.jpg

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n235/Timber_8/Bike%20pics/Bikebeuro029.jpg

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n235/Timber_8/Bike%20pics/Newbikepics004.jpg

I like it --- butttttt, isn't it heresey to have your bike in a picture with your snowblower??????

LOL there is a plow on the front of the tractor behind me

New peddles & shoes

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n235/Timber_8/Bike%20pics/CarridiceBikeBag018.jpg

Looking good, Timber! But I must ask...how much does the bike weigh now?

Looking good, Timber! But I must ask...how much does the bike weigh now?

I'm not sure what it weighs, but I don't think it is very much different than any other commuter. I know it looks different than any other Hybrid commuter & I kinda like that but I'll break it down. Everything is aluminum. The steal is just nuts bolts and clamps. The front bag is smaller than a Bar bag and holds Tubes, Oil, Battery pack for light, Rain Poncho & a small medical kit. The trunk caries my camera, wallet, ear muffs, gloves, glasses, paper towels, Zip lock bags, and a couple of small 30 gallon trash bags, safety vest, Chain & Lock. The Pannier carries my computer, paperwork, wind pants & jacket, maybe clothes once in a while. Keys, Blackberry, Mouse & Tripod. I carry a basic multi tool and patch kit, & Knife in the seat bag. My U lock is integrated into the rear rack.

To be honest my commute is 35 miles a day round trip, as a commuter I was thinking I was kinda modest in what I toted along with me. I keep food stocked in my Kitchen at work as well as cloths. I have a hair drier and anything I need clean up with to be presentable at work.

Thank you for the compliment, I am curious, I should check what it weighs

By the way on another note, the front rack & bag let me ride no handed now, something that Hybrid geometry did not allow to happen prior to that installation. I can't tell you how much I enjoy the ability to do that especially on long rides when I want to sit upright for a while