Commuting - Trek 830

I got a Trek 830 out of the garbage and I live in CA so I want a bike for commuting. It's a fixer upper so I need advice on how to go about converting the bike.

Any advice?

Put on slick tires if it still has knbbies. Add fenders and a rack. Now you're golden. :)

Other than the above advice, you'll get more if you tell us more about the bike (particularly what you might think needs replacing).

Cheers,
Charles

I got a Trek 830 out of the garbage and I live in CA so I want a bike for commuting. It's a fixer upper so I need advice on how to go about converting the bike.

Any advice?

288650

The frame is really the only thing worth keeping.

Don't throw anything away until you have it replaced. Anything you can save you should, esp bc even little stuff will cost you if you have to buy new.

Take it all apart, clean it up and see what you need. Most likely a new chain, pads, cables, and rubber to start. Ant the slick tires is a great suggestion. Post some pics to give peeps an idea.

Not sure where you live, but you would be well served to look for a bike coop if you are in an urban area. There will be people to learn from.

It would be helpful for you to post pics so that the condition of the bike can be assessed.

The frame is really the only thing worth keeping.

if this is true, then put it back in the garbage and buy one off Craigslist. It will be cheaper then fixing the bike you have.

A good condition trek 800 series can be found for $50 - $100.

I will post pics.
The bike is only missing front brakes and the gears need fixed.

is it your size?

yeah,you are right, Don't throw anything away until you have it replaced. Anything you can save you shouldhttp://www.4948.info/xinjiechi/images/9.gif

Here's some pics of the bike.
http://s633.beta.photobucket.com/user/tateFSU/library/Trek%20830

You need quite a lot from the pictures, seatpost, saddle, shifters (7 speed, the left/front is missing the grip), bar grips, full set of cables, inner & outer to be safe, chain looks past it's best too.

The dérailleurs look OK, just need a clean, from the look of the jockey/pulley wheels, they bike hasn't been ridden too much; crank looks OK to, a little surface rust on the rings, that will go when used.

Other than that, what cplager said for a conversion to a commuter, but as your in CA, you could probably leave off the fenders

find a co-op or a donor bike for the missing parts. disasemble, clean and lube. some of the steel/chrome bits and bolts will respond well if you soak them in vinegar for a little while. rust will wipe right off. get some oil in the freewheel if you can. cranks, wheels, derailleurs and brakes all look decent so you're just needing shifter and seats along with consumables. it will take a little time but should be worth it.

Instead of worrying about the shifter I was thinking of maybe making it a fixed gear. Is that applicable?

Should be a fairly easy conversion, noticed the SS/FG lot didn't think much to the idea, but it's doable, check out Sheldon Brown for info http://sheldonbrown.com/singlespeed.html. If it's cost effective, thats another matter.

Looks like a good commuter project bike!