engineerbob

The build is just about complete. After I decide if I like the lever locations, I'll tape the bars. Now, I'm waiting for the snow to melt.

The final weight is 24.2#. One pound of that is the 12-36 cassette.

mountaindave 

Nice touch-up work!


What bars are you running?

cyclotoine

this is a good solution in my opinion. Note that in your previous post the cable is not properly affixed to the derailleur, it should be seated in the small grove which can be seen in the photos.

lostarchitect 

Well... I hate to say it but now that you're just about done, is that where you're keeping the saddle and stem? Because it looks like this bike is quite a bit undersized for you based on that photo.

engineerbob

Thanks. The touch-up doesn't look all that good within five feet, but it will do. The bars are Nitto "Grand Raundoneur".

Bob

engineerbob

Good catch. Fortunately, I corrected that when I did the final cable installation.

engineerbob

I think that you are correct. Although I initially believed a 21" frame was my size, I now would prefer a 22.5" frame. I'll ride it and continue to look for a larger 700-series frame.

It's been a learning experience.

Bob

mountaindave 

If you get crazy and want to sell it, let me know. Unfortunately I don't have any 56cm bikes on hand at the moment. But if you like nice riding bikes, check out RobbieTunes' Ironmans. They aren't made for touring, but could be built up as 650b rides and you could get some pretty fat tires on there. Tange #1 is a pretty sweet ride.

Thought those might be Nitto bars.

kc0yef 

JUst make sure you get a good powdercoater because there is amazing work being done today. Forever powdercoating in Olympia Washington does perfect jobs yes I said perfect almost indistinguishable from paint even hand striping. The powdercoat should show the lugs with sharp edges.
I have a 910 and well I am going to wax it and keep the paint as long as possible. But if I had to repaint I would powdercoat for sure. https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...rek-910-a.html

lonesomesteve

You may want to even try a 24" size Trek. You have a ton of seatpost showing there. I ride a 22.5" 1982 Trek 614 with the top of my saddle at 72 cm from the center of the BB spindle. The fit is perfect for me. You might want to measure your saddle height and see how that compares. A "fistful of seatpost" suggests a pretty ideal fit on a frame like these old Treks.

engineerbob

What height I have, is in my legs. My torso is short. On my Univega (about 24"), I got a stem that brought the bars back significantly. Otherwise, I'm too stretched out. My ideal BB-to-saddle measurement is 29" or about 74cm.

engineerbob

Although the roads are a muddy/icy mess, I was able to ride the bike in front of my garage (small circles and very small figure-eights). There are problems with the headset. I suspect that its parts are from multiple headsets and that they don't play well together. A new Tange-Seiki headset has been ordered.

engineerbob

The 710 was completed two days ago. After a few miles of testing, I taped the bars today.

At the risk of bragging, I really like how this build turned out. The frame is stable on the fast descents I encounter around here, but it also feels responsive. I doubt that anyone would describe the frame as feeling dead.

As has been pointed out, a larger frame would probably be a better fit. The current seat post and stem appear to be extended too far. OK, but it does not feel cramped.

The crank is a Sugino with 26-36-46: even spacing that with a Sora triple FD shifts better than I expected. I’m glad that I routed the cable under the BB.

The cassette is a nine-speed 12-36 Hyperglide controlled by a long-cage Deore RD and DA bar-end shifters. Again, better results than I expected.

The dual-pivot Tektro calipers are strong and quiet. No complaints.


I will be eager to see how the 720 compares. Yes they both have full 531 frames, but it would not surprise me if the 720’s is stiffer due to its intended use as a touring bike.

mountaindave 

Looks beautiful!

The Golden Boy 

My 720 and my 730 are ENTIRELY different.

Where the 730 is much more 'lively' and 'springy' the 720 is much more stable, as much as you can compare them. Compared to my 620, the 720 is more "springy," and it's a bit more of a fair comparison- with pretty much the same geometry.

I find that Trek geometry to be ultimately comfortable, to the point that bikes with shorter top tubes feel 'alien' to me. It takes a while to get adjusted.

If you do run into another Trek frame that fits you- I'll take you up on the offer to buy the frame/fork it!

engineerbob

Thanks.

Jmpierce

Resurrecting an old thread.

I have a 24" 1981 710 serial number 002263. I've had it since it was new and it's repainted a darker blue metal flake.