Originally Posted by
TexAmi
Normally, when replacing a rivet, one would drill it out and just replace it. These rims are probably double walled. I am not sure if the rivet goes through both walls or is just on the outside wall. If it is on the outside wall, part of the rivet will be trapped between the layers when I drill it out.
If I like the black look then I could always buy a 27" aluminum (must be solid(only) aluminum to anodize because the process will eat other materials) rim and have it anodized.
I could also switch to 700 rims but that would require modifying the breaking system and probably a few other things.
It seems like you're worrying about a lot of stuff you don't need to be worrying about.
Any year of Trek 610 is a fantastic bike- a great bike. But it's just not going to be super collectable or worth a considerable amount of money or rare enough that people would shank their own mothers for. There's no overwhelming *need* to keep it stock. The value in these bikes is as riders- you can change out a huge majority of the components with "better" stuff and still maintain that "vintage Trek" aesthetic. By "better," I mean more higher end "vintage" parts as well as modern parts. Things like cables, housing, brake pads, chains... they're just SO much better than they were 30-40 years ago. Unless you have an absolute museum piece- it makes no sense to not use the classically styled modern parts. Any 600 series bike is a solidly mid-level bike- it's going to have some good parts and some middle of the road parts...
I like 27" wheels. But I like 27" wheels because that's what's on my bikes. Give me the opportunity to replace my 27" wheels with equal or better 700c wheels- and it's done. I've even set aside a set of super-adjustable canti brakes for JUST such an occasion if any of my stock canti brakes won't work on a 700C wheel (which I think they will). The most cost effective thing to do would to be clean up your wheels and ride. A little oil and a toothbrush around the eyelets will make a world of difference aesthetically. Your tires are in bad shape- replace those before doing any riding- it doesn't matter if they hold air now- wait until that sidewall gives way- you'll have a "thumb" of inner tube sticking out and it'll blow. But it is kind of neat to watch, as long as you're not on it.
To make that a badass bike- if the rims/hubs aren't dominant- get a decent set of new wheels. Go with 700c, there's no real reason not to.
So many more tires available to you. (I love Panaracer Pasela TourGuards- but give me a chance to try out some other nice tires... I will.) If you want 'em black- get black, otherwise silver (aluminum color) rims are classy. The idea of getting silver rims anodized is... not good. Really, as long as they're not crazy deep V rims you should be OK.
For real, unless your wheels and rims have big problems, they'll be fine. 2 hours of riding and you'll forget about all the silly stuff you were fretting about.
Been there, done that, bought the t-shirt and the little snow globe.
Best wishes!