No suspension, old Trek mtn bike that I'd like to turn into a comfort bike. What will I need besides, longer stem, higher handlebars and a softer seat?

A suspension seatpost, or if you a running skinny 26 x 1 1/4" slicks, you might want to go larger - nothing like fat tires to smooth out the bumps.

North road bars for sure. You'd probably need to switch the shifters if they are the rapid fire kind. Bar end shifters would be nice on north road bars. Wide tires are a good suggestion, just make sure they aren't knobby.

Only thing you need are Schwalbe Big Apple or Fat Frank tires. Ride smooth. Look cool.

In addition to all the above mentioned tire suggestions:
1. Taller, not longer stem. If it's a quill try one of the Nashbar brand stems.
2. Riser bars are nice also.
3. Softer seats are only comfy for a few miles. Then they become a disadvantage. Try a nice Brooks with springs. I'm using one now. It works like a suspension seatpost. Only it doesn't compress and screw up your pedal stroke.

Good luck

Tim

You mean something like this? I agree with all above. Especially the saddle part. I went though seven different types before 'settling' on this one, a Brooks B67. This bike evolved in to a very good century-maker before I finally snapped a dropout. So, I put all the decent stuff on another bike in the second pic. For strictly a comfort bike though, I agree that some fatties is all you'd need. Make 'em slicks.

https://i1.tinypic.com/2ilyqsi.jpg

https://i1.tinypic.com/43y21vp.jpg

Agreed start with slick tires and see if you really need anything else. Depending on the exact configuration and you comfort the next thing I would think about is a steaper stem. Does the bike already have (forgot the name) the little bars to give you a second hand position?

Joe

North roads and some retro reverse brake levers. Leather grip wrap. Depending on how long your fork tube is, you might need an extension. Choose a stem to get the bars up. Brooks saddle. And no one says comfort can't be practical, so get some SKS fenders and a rear rack to carry stuff.

The Ultimate comfort bike has a brooks saddle on it...

The first Trek is really nice. I especially like the U-Brake, in a sick kind of way. I have an old GT with the U-Brake mounted on the seat stays. Just bought an old Deore brake for it. They are getting a little hard to find.

Tim

Just like that! Thanks!

That's my old 1988 model 830. I still have the frame. Can't seem to get around to tossing it. Maybe because I bought it new. That U brake has the longest pads I've ever seen on a bike brake. Lotsa brake surface there. The thinking at the time was that they put the rear brake on the stiffest part of the bike. Sounded logical, but there was really not that much difference in actual performance, I suppose. I've had a lot of long fun rides on that one. This is what it looked like when it expired:

https://i18.tinypic.com/33vkks0.jpg