Bike Forums - 1983 Trek 720 Touring

Bike Forums (https://www.bikeforums.net/forum.php)

- Classic & Vintage (https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vintage/)

- - 1983 Trek 720 Touring (https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vintage/1124388-1983-trek-720-touring.html)

Quote:

Originally Posted by devinfan (Post 19926085)

The derailleur is a Suntour Cyclone 3-pulley derailleur, it was Suntours solution to the demands of touring and Mountain bikes to handle massive chain wrap, such as the half-step plus granny set up on the 720. It allowed for said chain-wrap without a long cage, which has the potential to snag on rocks, stumps etc. I think it's a great idea but it never took off.

While Suntour was figuring out how to go over rocks, Shimano was developing reliable indexed shifting. :(

Quote:

Originally Posted by nesteel (Post 19924394)

My '83 720 (60cm) is by far the "flexiest" bike I own. It took awhile to get used to it.

I wonder how much really changed when the bike was redesigned for 1984... Granted, I ride a 54/21" so that's going to make a difference. I figure there's only so much stiffness you can expect out of a bike with 47cm long chainstays.

Quote:

Originally Posted by devinfan (Post 19926179)

I had a bad dream about the saddle last night. Woke up still feeling it. I think it is going...

There's loads of awesome saddles out there- it's not like that was stock to the bike. Get something super cool!

I really like riding an old fashion bicycle, it's just awesome to ride one of those that are obsolete and antique. Well, fortunately I had a 1983 bicycle and i had a lot of fun riding it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by audrey27 (Post 19976930)

I really like riding an old fashion bicycle, it's just awesome to ride one of those that are obsolete and antique. Well, fortunately I had a 1983 bicycle and i had a lot of fun riding it.

:foo:

what a wonderful bike!

[MENTION=64748]devinfan[/MENTION] what did you end up doing for a saddle?

Quote:

Originally Posted by devinfan (Post 19915653)

That's hilarious I was actually thinking of Bullseye pulleys for this derailleur! Great minds think alike I guess. Good to know about the fenders, I'm on the fence as to whether to add them or not at the moment.

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Golden Boy (Post 19915676)

Notice your front pulley is small- I didn't have any problems with it- but... I think there's a reason it is a small pulley. I'll have to re-upload pix since photobucket pooped out.

Hey [MENTION=64748]devinfan[/MENTION]-

I was finally able to get into PeeBucket to download the pix of my XC RD with the Bullseye pulleys.

I really like the red pulleys- they stick out. IMO- if you're going to spend the bank to upgrade something that makes such a little difference as bearings instead of bushings on your RD pulleys- you should at least showcase it. :D It might not be evident- but the upper jockey pulley is a "titanium" colored Bullseye. :D The stock Suntour pulleys are 11T and the last pulley is 9T. The Bullseyes are 10T pulleys- so there's enough room for both pulleys- the only time I can see it getting really hairy is in the big/big combination if the chain is too short- and the elbow might go high enough for the last pulley to contact the big cog.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4627/...18942000_b.jpg Suntour XC by Dave The Golden Boy, on Flickr

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4674/...f2c50771_b.jpg Suntour XC by Dave The Golden Boy, on Flickr

I'm in the process of building up another friction machine right now- I kind of wanted to use either a Cyclone GT or MII Cyclone GT- but, finding these pictures reminded me of how cool that RD is.

Nice :thumb: A 720 is a dream bike of mine too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Golden Boy (Post 20123640)

I’m sorry I missed this post! Thank you for posting these pictures- your pulley combo looks AMAZING. I am inspired. What a cool way to highlight an unusual component!

I never knew that SunTour made the Cyclone in the 3 pulley version . I have only ever seen the LePree 3 pulley one. Shifting always worked fine.

I'm late to the party, but want to say congrats on finding a classic, top notch tourer!

Wow that's a really killer bike! :love: '80s touring bikes always get me excited! It gets bonus points for the awesome 3 pulley RD as well! I've been wanting to find one of the various 3 pulley designs to try using on my tourer, but haven't come across any at a reasonable price yet. If you ever decide to get rid of the RD please let me know!