YakMan

Hey all, I'm relatively new to both cycling and the forums. I've been reading here for a few months now, and I'm really enjoying riding. My father bought a new Trek 850 hardtail in the mid-90s, I think, and he gave it to me to take to college this year, since he didn't ride it much. I started having lots of fun riding it, so I started reading about cycling on the internet. I got some conti semislick tires and a pair of cheap spd pedals and shoes from Nashbar, and I'm having a blast! I want a road bike now!!! Haha

Anyway, I've got a few questions. First of all, anybody know exactly what year this bike is, or what components it has? All the Trek info I've found online is for vintage bikes - nothing that goes past 1990. The components just say "Shimano" on them; I can't find anything else written there. I haven't even been able to find the serial number on the frame! I DO know that it has Shimano components, indexed shifting, and a purple cro-moly frame. It was bought in the mid- to late-90s. You can see a pic here.

Second, I'm having a problem with the front shifter. This started happening seemingly for no reason after I'd put about 200 miles on the bike (I think my dad put only about 300 miles on it before he gave it to me). Shifting to smaller chainrings is fine, but when shifting to larger ones, the shift lever doesn't return correctly. I have to manually move the shift lever back, and it clicks into place. Is there some kind of return spring inside the shifter that has come loose? Will I have to take the shifter apart?

Third (and last), since cleaning the chain, cogs, and chainwheels extensively (my dad didn't take great care of the bike), I have started hearing a clicking sound from somewhere around the rear hub. The funny part is that it happens whether I'm freewheeling or pedaling - though it seems to be more pronounced when I'm applying lots of power - and it only happens when there's a load on the bike. Walking the bike, there's no noise, but as soon as I get on the bike or press down on the saddle, I hear it just about every rotation. Maybe the rear hub needs to be overhauled?

Thanks for any help you can give! I've really enjoyed cycling - I have gone about 300 miles in a little less than a month, with most of my rides between 15 and 30 miles, and I'm loving it! Thanks to everybody for creating a great resource for somebody just starting out!

uciflylow

Hi YakMan! and welcome.

I have a Trek 850 that I have converted to a commuter myself. This is a very good bike that will give you hours of enjoyment. I'm not really sure but I think the group is Aliveo, is on mine, unaglide. Mine shifted flawlessly untill I put drop bars and bar end shifters on mine, so the shifter should be rebounding with out your help. I had some clicking noises on mine and it turned out I had loose spokes. I had the wheels retensioned and retrued and have had no problems with the clicking since. Good luck!

YakMan

Ohh, I hadn't even thought of that! I bet I'm having the same problem. I don't think the wheels have ever been rentensioned/retrued on this bike. They don't really look out of true...but I haven't really been watching for it. Thanks!

Edit: I checked Shimano's web site, and it turns out that the Alivio group has its own logo - the same logo that's on my components! So I'm pretty sure you're right about that. Thanks for the help!

Hunter

If you were to shoot some lube in the shifter I.E. Tri Flow or Motorex NOT WD 40!! It should loosen up if not, then replace the shifter, DO NOT DISASSEMBLE rapidfire pods unless you know what it entails.

YakMan

Okay, I'll try that. Thanks so much for the help!