Originally Posted by KenshiBiker

Hi all,

I'm still riding my "old" Trek road bike. Bought it in '78 or '79. It's still an incredibly good ride. I just wish it was a couple of cm smaller (I'm what people used to call "short", not sure what the current PC term is nowadays), 'cuz when I straddle the bike the TT gets awfully "familiar" with certain parts of my anatomy - if you know what I mean.

I've been thinking about getting a new, probably custom, road bike, but don't know what I should do with my old Trek. Thought about converting it to a fixed gear (don't worry, it doesn't have any braze-ons to cut off), but I think I'll just get a purpose-built FG frame that fits. Thought about setting it up as a winter/commuter bike, but not sure how much I'd use it (yeah, I'm a wimp/fair weather rider). Thought about painting or powder-coating the frame (doesn't look bad now, but let's face it, it is 30 years old), but didn't know if that would be considered a big "no-no" among the C&V crowd.

Anyway, the old Trek is one of the sport touring models, with Ishiwata 022 tubing, I can't really return it to stock form, because when I bought it I had my LBS replace the BB with a Phil, the crankset with a TA triple (the old half step plus granny gearing using a 5-speed freewheel), wheels with some Avocet hubs, brakes with some Mafac Racers. Can't even remember if the Suntour Cyclone GT derailleur (replaced with a Shimano Deore sometime in the 90s) was original or not. So this bike never really was "stock". Also, back in the 90s I had some new wheels built up with Chorus hubs and an 8-speed cassette, and the rear triangle spread to accomodate.

So, I'm open to suggestions. On the one hand, I'd like to keep this as "original" as possible. On the other hand, it's already been heavily modified, and i't not as if this was a similar vintage Colnago or Masi.

If this was your bike, what would you do?

Thanks,

KenshiBiker

P.S. I know, I know, "Pics or it doesn't exist". I'll try to get the pics today or tomorrow.