mello velo

I'm looking for a bike for commuting 7 miles to work, exercising in hilly parks near Memphis, and light touring, maybe weekend trips.
I found an older used Trek 620 at a bike shop here in a Memphis bike shop. It's not in pristine shape, there are a number of scratches, it's been in a warehouse, lots of dirt, old tires. It has a tall frame, with the top bar about an inch clear below my crotch. Wheels are true. I took it out for 15 minute ride, don't see any real issues except these:
Handlebars are a little narrow for me, they are drop bars, they look original. Could I switch these out easily to wider bars?. Otherwise, the fit in general seems okay, full extension of my legs, the handlebars can raise up plenty high if needed.
There doesn't appear to be room enough for full fenders. For commuting and light touring, this is an issue. I looked around online, there are some narrow ones that could work.
The store wants $350 for it. I don't know the serial number, so not sure of year, or where to look on the bike. Not sure if this is a good deal. I'm not experienced enough to know if the components are good. The derailleur said Shimano 105, as did the brakes I think.

Otherwise, I'm probably going to spring for a new Surly cross check for $1150.

Any suggestions? Is it worth $350? I'm not interested in restoration, as much as a quality bike. The best part of this bike is I think I can fix most anything on it.
It has cantilever brakes, which worked fine. Color is light bronze metallic.

Soma Roark

1. It'd be pretty easy to switch out the bars but do it only if the narrow one continues to bother you. 2. $350 is probably fair... although you could probably, and should negotiate that down. What if you get the Surly cross check, and the Trek on condition that you get the Trek for.. $100. Then you can sell that Trek to one of us! I'm skeptical that it can't fit fenders... it's a touring frame afterall...

I'd get the Trek, but note that the 620 is on my "list". =)

mello velo

I better not reveal where the shop is, hehe.

I offered $250, he said he had to check with management.
I tried to put fenders in the store on the bike, no go. The front fork is really narrow, the wheels are close to the crown.

Surly is sold by other stores, it's an old, very old Schwinn store, stuff piled everywhere.

Soma Roark

Woo that's where treasures are found =P Maybe the owner put on bigger tires bc my friend's bike had enough clearance and it was probably a 28 or 32 (don't remember). Is it possible the front fork was switched out? Hmm... weird. I'm going to check back for photos =). I say get it!

mello velo

It's a dream shop for restorers, lots of old bikes covered in dust. He had an old 3 spd. internal hub Schwinn that I test rode, it's brand new, but was left in a warehouse for no telling how long, sunlight has faded the paint, that's how long. This shop is actually the oldest Schwinn store in the USA if the manager told me correctly, founded in 1917? He told me the entire history of the Schwinn company (my poor ears!). The Owner that runs the store is elderly, and super nice. Its in a sort of rougher part of Memphis, and his shop is constantly getting vandalized, poor guy. The front glass of the shop was in pieces all over the floor. He had a break in and 3 bikes stolen a week ago.
Let me know if there's something in particular on your list, I'll look next time I'm there! We can discuss finders fee :-)
Most of the bikes looked like junk, an old raleigh, some Schwinns, I didn't see any European bikes, Peugeots, Motobecanes, I'm fond of French bikes because I was born in France where my parents worked 30 years.

Thanks for responding Soma and giving me a recommendation. There are a few bikes on ebay I was looking at, but members of the Touring Forum said I shouldn't buy a bike unless I can test ride it.

Soma Roark

=O Where are the CVers?! I think they would want pics or lists ASAP! That's too bad about the break-ins, sigh, really sad. What did your parents do in France? I think it'd be interesting to document what this owner has to say, I bet he has a wealth of knowledge, and insider stories that would be highly valued here. If you ever gets pics, list, or story, post a new thread in CV and become a Facilitator, and I think that's a win win win situation =). Seriously where is everyone...

PS. I think there has been 2 other threads recently that talks specifically about the 620 if you're interested. It definitely has a history as well as name recognition, needless to say quality.

mello velo

Southern Baptist Missionaries.
Originally worked as Chaplain for the armed forces stationed in Paris.
Then began a church for the "english language community" in Paris. It's a Baptist church but open to all denominations. It's still going strong today, called "Immanuel Baptist Church".
They also helped support activities of the French Baptists, which are a very small minority.
I know, it was a hard life living in Paris!
But try coming back to Mississippi every few years, where my folks are from, talk about major culture shock. Coming back to Mississippi was always the shocking part, people were much less travelled, cultured, etc. But Mississippians are very hospitable and friendly, so there's good everywhere if you look for it.

Soma Roark

That's pretty neat!

Tende

I've got an '83 630 (same frame). I believe it originally came with 27" wheels, with quite a bit of tire clearance. I converted mine to 700; so now it has loads of room for 45's and fenders. I too wonder if your bike has the original for - is there more room at the rear triangle?

mello velo

yes more room at rear ttriangle

The Golden Boy 

1983- Sidepull brakes
1984- Canti brakes
1985- Blue and crazy desirable.

The 1984 is the best of both worlds- it's got the cantis and it's got proper chainstay length- AND it's not obsessively searched over like the 1985s are.

mello velo

I have pics, see below. I got the serial number, it's an 83'. 25.5" frame, 35 inch standover.
They want $329, with new tires.


Otherwise I'm considering:
Raleigh Sojourn=$1100= nice leather saddle
Surly Cross Check- $1150, dealer will throw in fenders and pedals
Bikes Direct website Windsor Touring Bike- $599, plus cost to have LBS put together.

Any thoughts?

mello velo

p.s.
Which brakes should I put back on this Trek to allow more room for fenders? It had Diacompe sidepull brakes originally.

mainstreetexile 

Thats an 84. It is supposed to have cantilever brakes, you can see the posts are still there. Pretty weird that they chose to build up a classic touring frame with sidepulls and a double crankset.

I would try to buy the frame separate and build it up on my own since you'd be changing quite a bit to get it back up with touring kit.

TimmyT 

That's a great bike. I have a man-crush on Treks like this.

It looks like the posts are missing on the fork, hence the change (?). If you move back to the canti's, then you would be able to fit fenders.

Personally, I'd go with this or the Cross-check, fwiw. Is there a reason that the LHT isn't on your list?

mello velo

I guess I have not considered the LHT as much because it seems like it would be more sluggish? I am not touring most of the time, mostly will be using it for exercise and commuting. Since I made that post I also ran into the Bianchi Volpe, which is very similar to the Cross Check.

I'm torn between getting a dedicated touring bike, and getting a bike that can occasionally take touring.



Here's my thoughts on Pros/Cons of bikes I'm considering

Old Trek 620 pros:
-inexpensive
-not as much concern about theft
-older parts and construction are familiar to me, I know how to raise handlebars, etc
-Good bike to build up some, get familiar with what I really need before spending much

Old Trek Cons
-Will need more work probably, re grease bearings, new cables, etc.
-My time is limited as I work full time and paint and sail on weekends
-Why invest in old bike when I can get a new one?




Cross Check and Bianchi Volpe pros:
-Can take big tires, so could go down dirt roads or on trails
-New bike would not require overhaul
-LBS would help with any issues hopefully
-New technology

CC and Volpe Cons
-Expensive (though I can afford it)
-I am not as excited about the look of the Cross Check as some other bikes
-No way to test ride as no one carries locally, custom order



Dedicated Touring bike Pros, like LHT, Fuji Touring, new Trek 520, Raleigh Sojourn
-long chainstays, I have size 14 feet, good to avoid heel strike with panniers
-Still good bike for commuting, getting groceries, exercise

Dedicated Touring bike cons:
-Possibly more sluggish, heavier, therefore not as fun for kicking around town?
-I have not found any to ride at LBS except Sojourn, so hard to tell really



Raleigh Clubman sport touring bike pros:
-Good looks
-Includes fenders
-I imagine it will be peppier than all the above, therefore maybe more fun to ride

Raleigh Clubman cons
-Max tire size is 32 I think, stiffer ride?
-Gearing not as suited for touring?
-Tires not built for loaded touring?



If any have experience that might help me make a choice, i'd appreciate it....

Boyd Reynolds

At least one of the cantilever posts looks bent to me. That, along with the replacement (?) fork means that I would be looking elsewhere.
All of your options seem like good ones to me. Pick the one that rides the best, or the one that your favorite shop is selling, and don't worry to much about it.

wrk101

Bike is a mess, keep looking. Too bad, as the 620 was a great bike. Looks like someone ground off the front canti studs.

cpsqlrwn

Maybe you should take a quick look at this (not my bike and no interest whatsoever)...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/270824831786...84.m1438.l2649

It's been listed at least twice at $600, so $575 will probably take it, but you might want to contact the buyer to see if he'd go a little lower on a Buy-It-Now. Remember at least twice it hasn't sold at $600! I'd bet he'd consider $500 and the specs seem pretty good to me although I don't know much about touring bikes.

mello velo

What is the cantilever post? Why is a replacement fork needed?

mello velo

Too small for me, this would be a 57cm bike I think. I need 60cm minimum.... thanks tho