Vintage MTB - Which One Would You Keep & Why?
05-05-15, 07:32 PM
#26
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Thread Starter
@fender1 - is it because of the seatpost showing or ??? I have an 18" Hard Rock Ultra & the top tube touches me very "intimately". 
I still may keep it, but if I slid off the saddle for some reason, I'd hurt myself. It's hard to know without seeing me on it though too. But good to hear your opinion.
Thanks!
I still may keep it, but if I slid off the saddle for some reason, I'd hurt myself. It's hard to know without seeing me on it though too. But good to hear your opinion. Thanks!
05-05-15, 07:41 PM
#27
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@fender1 - is it because of the seatpost showing or ??? I have an 18" Hard Rock Ultra & the top tube touches me very "intimately". I still may keep it, but if I slid off the saddle for some reason, I'd hurt myself. It's hard to know without seeing me on it though too. But good to hear your opinion.
Thanks!
I still may keep it, but if I slid off the saddle for some reason, I'd hurt myself. It's hard to know without seeing me on it though too. But good to hear your opinion. Thanks!
05-05-15, 09:23 PM
#29
Still learning
I'd keep the Trek if you only want one mtb, bombproof, versatile, comfortable, and they really hold their value. Sold a 930 last summer for over $200.
05-05-15, 09:30 PM
#30
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Same.
There's better out there for what I think your applications are.
Once you get into the sloping TT time period, there's a lot of seat post exposed on bikes that fit. For bikes that are not doing aggressive "mountainbiking" it's an awkward look.
There's better bikes out there than both of these two (not that they're bad), but you're always looking and trying new ones out. Unless you're up for the time, money and effort to have the fun of building up and tearing down- you're going to find a better bike before long.
If I'm not mistaken- I recall you're doing the kind of riding I dig- the street, MUP, non-technical trail stuff that a "business" touring bike would be at home on. That Schwinn Cimarron or High Sierra is going to drop into your lap and THAT'S where you're going to find money. IMO and stuff...
There's better out there for what I think your applications are.
Once you get into the sloping TT time period, there's a lot of seat post exposed on bikes that fit. For bikes that are not doing aggressive "mountainbiking" it's an awkward look.
There's better bikes out there than both of these two (not that they're bad), but you're always looking and trying new ones out. Unless you're up for the time, money and effort to have the fun of building up and tearing down- you're going to find a better bike before long.
If I'm not mistaken- I recall you're doing the kind of riding I dig- the street, MUP, non-technical trail stuff that a "business" touring bike would be at home on. That Schwinn Cimarron or High Sierra is going to drop into your lap and THAT'S where you're going to find money. IMO and stuff...
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05-06-15, 02:41 AM
#31
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@The Golden Boy - One thing I thought to mention is that the reason I buy so many bikes, revamp, ride then sell is because growing up I had exactly 3 bikes from age 10 to age 25. So I don't really know where my true fondness lies. Is it a 3-speed? Is it my Cross Check or the like? Is it one of my late '80's Japanese Mixtes? Something else? And in what size? So many geometric variables involved in comfort and an inspiring confident ride.
My my riding likely won't change too much in regard to where I like to ride, but it's nice to have a few different choices to suit the mood. Like having more than one car. Don't really need one, but it's nice to have options and have fun exploring. I'm also creative and I love trying different "looks" on a bike until I get it just right. A deciding factor as to whether I'm keeping a bike or not does involve aesthetics. So even if it rides great, if it's not interesting to look at then I won't want to ride it.
So, yeah....I've got time on my hands and I like to tinker with bikes.
My my riding likely won't change too much in regard to where I like to ride, but it's nice to have a few different choices to suit the mood. Like having more than one car. Don't really need one, but it's nice to have options and have fun exploring. I'm also creative and I love trying different "looks" on a bike until I get it just right. A deciding factor as to whether I'm keeping a bike or not does involve aesthetics. So even if it rides great, if it's not interesting to look at then I won't want to ride it.
So, yeah....I've got time on my hands and I like to tinker with bikes.
05-06-15, 05:26 AM
#32
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@The Golden Boy - One thing I thought to mention is that the reason I buy so many bikes, revamp, ride then sell is because growing up I had exactly 3 bikes from age 10 to age 25. So I don't really know where my true fondness lies. Is it a 3-speed? Is it my Cross Check or the like? Is it one of my late '80's Japanese Mixtes? Something else? And in what size? So many geometric variables involved in comfort and an inspiring confident ride.
My my riding likely won't change too much in regard to where I like to ride, but it's nice to have a few different choices to suit the mood. Like having more than one car. Don't really need one, but it's nice to have options and have fun exploring. I'm also creative and I love trying different "looks" on a bike until I get it just right. A deciding factor as to whether I'm keeping a bike or not does involve aesthetics. So even if it rides great, if it's not interesting to look at then I won't want to ride it.
So, yeah....I've got time on my hands and I like to tinker with bikes.
My my riding likely won't change too much in regard to where I like to ride, but it's nice to have a few different choices to suit the mood. Like having more than one car. Don't really need one, but it's nice to have options and have fun exploring. I'm also creative and I love trying different "looks" on a bike until I get it just right. A deciding factor as to whether I'm keeping a bike or not does involve aesthetics. So even if it rides great, if it's not interesting to look at then I won't want to ride it.
So, yeah....I've got time on my hands and I like to tinker with bikes.
I do pretty much the same thing. I just sold three long term keepers in the last month. So even the keepers come and go, although they tend to stick around a while. Its fun to work on bikes, try different styles of tires/handlebars/shifters. etc.
As long as you have the room and the funds, its a fun pastime. Buy carefully, and the funds are not so much of a problem and cheaper than many, many hobbies. Room on the other hand, is finite. Eventually, even if you have a lot of space, it will not be enough...... I am going through some major right sizing this year.
One other deciding factor to me on keeping a bike is how hard is that particular bike to find. So my chrome Katakura Silk, my 1987 red and white Prologue and one of my Cimarrons are on the long term keeper list. If I had to cut down my fleet to three bikes, these would be it. I have let some very hard to find bikes go, that either never got ridden or were marginal in size (like my slightly too large Tomassini).
Last edited by wrk101; 05-06-15 at 05:33 AM.
05-06-15, 07:06 AM
#33
Senior Member
A friend borrowed it for a couple of months. Serious dude — road or log jumping. First thing he said about the 930 when he returned it, "It's fast!" Famous weird words that are sometime lampooned, but some of my best elapsed times have been on my 930. But — SIGH — I was younger!
But wait! The 930 frame is definitely a lively frame. It lives and breathes. It's special, and as much as I have thought about selling it and gaining some space behind my tool chests, I just can't do it!
Now, has anyone thought about putting a Taiwanese Sturmey Archer 3 or four speed internal hub on one of these.
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Last edited by Lenton58; 05-06-15 at 07:17 AM.
05-06-15, 07:21 AM
#34
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You can look it up but by 94-95, 930's were welded.
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05-06-15, 07:30 AM
#35
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+1 1993 was the last year for lugged steel on the high end Trek mtbs. I have a 1994 950, TiG welded (much lighter weight than the 1992 lugged steel 950 I had).
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05-06-15, 09:33 AM
#36
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I like the look of a long post and slopping top tube on the drop bar MTB's. We are making a bike fit a position is wasn't designed for. The dirt drop stems and long posts are par for the course. They sort of define the genre for me. When I see MTB drop bar conversions with a classic road bike amount of post showing I think it looks awkward and too big or that the owner has unusual proportions.
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05-06-15, 10:41 AM
#37
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The fit on both look normal for a mountain bike of that era. They are supposed to have lots of seatpost showing. My early '90s MTB is 16.5" or 17.0" (can't recall) and I'm 5' 11" (admittedly short-legged).
Between the two, I'd keep the Trek for sure. Pretty bike.
Between the two, I'd keep the Trek for sure. Pretty bike.
05-06-15, 11:11 AM
#38
Still learning
05-06-15, 11:15 AM
#39
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Thread Starter
Good morning & afternoon! Wow, some great minds chiming in here. Thanks.
The '90 930 was the last year that particular model was lugged. I believe the 950, 970, & 990 stayed lugged a bit longer like you mentioned.
Ok, so I've gutted the 930, except for the headset, seat post & Black B17. I've installed Pasela 26 x 1.5" tires and mounted the front/rear brake calipers. The bike already looks better without quite so much black. I'm installing the components onto the "rainbow" bike - hot pink/purple fade Hard Rock and it actually looks good. The black components on that wild colored bike sort of "calms" it visually.
Ill post some photos later.
The '90 930 was the last year that particular model was lugged. I believe the 950, 970, & 990 stayed lugged a bit longer like you mentioned.
Ok, so I've gutted the 930, except for the headset, seat post & Black B17. I've installed Pasela 26 x 1.5" tires and mounted the front/rear brake calipers. The bike already looks better without quite so much black. I'm installing the components onto the "rainbow" bike - hot pink/purple fade Hard Rock and it actually looks good. The black components on that wild colored bike sort of "calms" it visually.
Ill post some photos later.
05-06-15, 06:18 PM
#40
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@noglider & frantik - yes the Suntour X-1 is a little tricky. I does seem to shift a little better with the "rapid fire" type under bar shifters it came with vs the Bar Cons, but Shimano is spot on. So I really haven't ridden the Trek 930 much due to being unhappy with the drive train. That's why I think I will use some Shimano M735 (early '90's) components on the 930 then ride it to see if I like it better.
@Grand Bois - I always thought that when you refer to a branded "group" that came out to compliment each other (like Suntour X-1 or whatever) it was called a "Gruppo". Is that commonly applied to road/race bikes? Like, for example, Ultegra or Dura Ace, etc.? If so, then apologies. Good to know so I can use appropriate lingo.
@frantik - could you explain a little more what era would Shimano have made "centuron" pulley? I did a quick search & couldn't find what it referred to, but I'll do a more in depth search. Would my Shimano RD-M735 Deore XT rear derailleur be considered "centuron"?
Thanks you guys. I really appreciate it.
NOW....to throw another variable in. I have some 2011 Shimano Deore hubs. Rear is for a 9 speed cassette with 135 OLD. The Trek 930 rear dropouts are 135. The current trek stock wheel for the 930 is a 7 speed FREEWHEEL. I could use my new 2011 Deore hubs and make the bike a 9 speed, or if I didn't want to have to get a narrower chain, etd. could use a spacer & make it an 8 speed and could use a cassette. If I use the current wheel I'd have to keep it a freewheel. Thoughts?
I have really been agonizing over this. I've bought these bikes as "good deals" and have fixed them up and ridden them, and as I learn what I prefer in regard to style & especially size, I have sold off the others. So Thanks again for all of your ideas. Only other "bike people" will understand this.
@Grand Bois - I always thought that when you refer to a branded "group" that came out to compliment each other (like Suntour X-1 or whatever) it was called a "Gruppo". Is that commonly applied to road/race bikes? Like, for example, Ultegra or Dura Ace, etc.? If so, then apologies. Good to know so I can use appropriate lingo.
@frantik - could you explain a little more what era would Shimano have made "centuron" pulley? I did a quick search & couldn't find what it referred to, but I'll do a more in depth search. Would my Shimano RD-M735 Deore XT rear derailleur be considered "centuron"?
Thanks you guys. I really appreciate it.
NOW....to throw another variable in. I have some 2011 Shimano Deore hubs. Rear is for a 9 speed cassette with 135 OLD. The Trek 930 rear dropouts are 135. The current trek stock wheel for the 930 is a 7 speed FREEWHEEL. I could use my new 2011 Deore hubs and make the bike a 9 speed, or if I didn't want to have to get a narrower chain, etd. could use a spacer & make it an 8 speed and could use a cassette. If I use the current wheel I'd have to keep it a freewheel. Thoughts?
I have really been agonizing over this. I've bought these bikes as "good deals" and have fixed them up and ridden them, and as I learn what I prefer in regard to style & especially size, I have sold off the others. So Thanks again for all of your ideas. Only other "bike people" will understand this.
Last edited by Paramount1973; 05-06-15 at 06:51 PM.
05-06-15, 08:00 PM
#41
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Another vote for the Trek. I love mine - and the other one has a U-brake?
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05-06-15, 10:18 PM
#42
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Thread Starter
I'm selling it - putting it back to the original state & on CL. Hard Rock Ultra too big - selling it too. I may even end up selling the trek. None of these bikes fits me like I want.
