1983 Trek 720 Touring

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10-12-17 | 07:05 PM

#51

The Golden Boy

Extraordinary Magnitude

Joined: Aug 2009

Posts: 14,087

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From: Waukesha WI

Bikes: 1978 Trek TX700; 1978/79 Trek 736; 1984 Specialized Stumpjumper Sport; 1984 Schwinn Voyageur SP; 1985 Trek 620; 1985 Trek 720; 1986 Trek 400 Elance; 1987 Schwinn High Sierra; 1990 Miyata 1000LT

Quote:

Originally Posted by devinfan

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

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

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!

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Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!

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11-06-17 | 09:27 PM

#52

audrey27

Junior Member

Joined: Oct 2017

Posts: 14

Likes: 0

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.

11-07-17 | 11:19 AM

#53

sunnyone

Junior Member

Joined: Nov 2009

Posts: 192

Likes: 12

From: Milwaukee, WI

Bikes: 1997 Trek 850, 1992 Trek 750 Multitrack, 1983 Zebrakenko Wind, 1982 Takara Tribute, 77 Takara mixte

Quote:

Originally Posted by audrey27

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.

11-07-17 | 12:54 PM

#54

52telecaster

ambulatory senior

Joined: Dec 2016

Posts: 6,451

Likes: 4,518

From: Peoria Il

Bikes: Austro Daimler modified by Gugie! Raleigh Professional and lots of other bikes.

what a wonderful bike!

11-08-17 | 06:26 AM

#55

The Golden Boy

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From: Waukesha WI

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

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Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!

"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.

01-21-18 | 10:38 PM

#56

The Golden Boy

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From: Waukesha WI

Quote:

Originally Posted by devinfan

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

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.

It might not be evident- but the upper jockey pulley is a "titanium" colored Bullseye.

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.

Suntour XC by Dave The Golden Boy, on Flickr

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.

__________________

*Recipient of the 2006 Time Magazine "Person Of The Year" Award*

Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!

"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.

01-22-18 | 12:19 AM

#57

Lovenutz

kVp & m*s

Joined: Jul 2015

Posts: 311

Likes: 2

From: Upstate NY

Bikes: Schwinn Paramount... someday

Nice

A 720 is a dream bike of mine too.

01-24-18 | 03:43 AM

#58

devinfan

Thread Starter

Senior Member

Joined: Aug 2006

Posts: 2,005

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From: Toronto, Ontario

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Golden Boy

It might not be evident- but the upper jockey pulley is a "titanium" colored Bullseye.

Suntour XC by Dave The Golden Boy, on Flickr

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!

01-24-18 | 08:56 PM

#59

jacksbike

Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2005

Posts: 1,418

Likes: 12

From: New Haven, CT area

Bikes: Trek 7.5 Hybrid, Trek 1.1 Road, Holdsworth touring,Raleigh International,Ritchey Commando,Italvega Speciallissimo,et.al.

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.

01-24-18 | 11:08 PM

#60

Bikerider007

Senior Member

Joined: Aug 2015

Posts: 2,405

Likes: 63

From: AZ/WA

Bikes: Yes

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

01-25-18 | 01:03 AM

#61

AustinFitz

Senior Member

Joined: Dec 2016

Posts: 568

Likes: 80

From: Bush, Louisiana

Bikes: 1984 Centurion Elite GT 15, 1985 Centurion Ironman Dave Scott, 1983 Diamond Back Ridge Runner, 1985 Mongoose ATB, 1987 Ross Centaur, 1986 Raleigh Marathon

Wow that's a really killer bike!

'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!