Is a Trek 760 Too Racy for a 650b Conversion?
A BF member has a Trek 760 frame and fork for sale. I like 650b, but with 415mm chain stays and mid-80's race geometry, do you think 650b x 38 with fenders would work for this frame and fork?
Full spec. and geometry for this bike can be found here: http://www.vintage-trek.com/images/t...TrekRacing.pdf I figured I'd ask others who might know before requesting that the seller take measurements. http://www.pedalroom.com/p/1985-trek-760-36356_39.jpg |
You may have seen this but this link is pretty good in terms of the measurements you should be thinking about when doing a conversion.
https://www.bikeman.com/bikeman-blog...sion-guidlines |
I doubt this would fit. I question whether I could fit 700x28 in mine.
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Originally Posted by hazetguy
(Post 20908039)
oh god, please don't do that to that bike.
If I were going to do any kind of "conversion" to a 760 frameset, it would be to build it up with a modern road group and wheels. That was a heckuva race bike in its day and it could still be today. |
Hey its the OP's bike and this is no big deal. Someone else can turn it back into a racing bike. I am skeptical that this is a good 650b candidate though.
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What a hideous thought.
-Bandera |
Originally Posted by hazetguy
(Post 20908039)
oh god, please don't do that to that bike.
Originally Posted by caloso
(Post 20908045)
This.
If I were going to do any kind of "conversion" to a 760 frameset, it would be to build it up with a modern road group and wheels. That was a heckuva race bike in its day and it could still be today. 650b with fenders, floaty tires, 10 speed Gevenalle shifters, etc.on a race frame - now that sounds like fun! |
I seriously doubt you'll get 38s in there.
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In answer to your question, no. There are other vintage Trek models that would work.
Unless you remove the fork blades and stays, braze new ones in, then sure! |
Had one. Could fit 28's in, but I don't know what you'd do for brakes.
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Originally Posted by hazetguy
(Post 20908162)
except it's not his bike. he's interested in purchasing it and mutilating it.
"Neutering" or "emasculating" might be more appropriate. I try to "tour" up my bikes- and I've gotten as far as putting a rack and triple on my 78 730. I don't think even I would do that to a 760. That bike is special- and this would, IMO, be disrespectful to that frame. |
Originally Posted by gugie
(Post 20908149)
In answer to your question, no. There are other vintage Trek models that would work.
Unless you remove the fork blades and stays, braze new ones in, then sure! Since I've got your ear.... I converted a 1985 Trek 410 to 650b x 38 with fenders, Daija Far Bars, etc. - great bike with a True Temper frame that fits me very well and I can hammer on that bike (or what passes for me hammering!) . I also have a 1984 Trek 620 that I cleaned-up over the winter and have ridden a few times - Reynolds 531CS with a more relaxed geometry - seems a little too mellow and since it has canti brakes I'm stuck with 27" or 700c wheels. So, I'm looking for a Trek frame and fork with 126mm rear spacing that uses butted 531 steel and is suitable for 650b. I now understand that a race geometry will not work. So.... the 400 Elance uses 531 steel...? Any suggestions? Thanks! |
Originally Posted by jlaw
(Post 20908191)
A simple answer from a voice with experience. Thank you.
Since I've got your ear.... I converted a 1985 Trek 410 to 650b x 38 with fenders, Daija Far Bars, etc. - great bike with a True Temper frame that fits me very well and I can hammer on that bike (or what passes for me hammering!) . I also have a 1984 Trek 620 that I cleaned-up over the winter and have ridden a few times - Reynolds 531CS with a more relaxed geometry - seems a little too mellow and since it has canti brakes I'm stuck with 27" or 700c wheels. So, I'm looking for a Trek frame and fork with 126mm rear spacing that uses butted 531 steel and is suitable for 650b. I now understand that a race geometry will not work. So.... the 400 Elance uses 531 steel...? Any suggestions? Thanks! FWIW- the geometry of the 85 620 was identical to the 85 660 race bike- with the exception of the chain stay length and fork rake. I don't know about the 84 model. If you're that on the idea of cushy tires- I'd do 700C and Compass Bon Jon Pass tires on the 620. FWIW- my 86 400 Elance has the most aggressive geometry of all of my bikes- with the exception of the chain stay length at 42.5. I've toyed with the idea of doing 650B on my 400 Elance. While I don't have the tires I really want on it- I do have the brakes I really want on it. |
I'm less critical of your thoughts on converting the bike to 650B. However, I think I would be aesthetically critical of any attempt to "fender-ize" it given the lack of eyelets. Seen some ugly hacks out there.
I like where you're headed, though - a quick handling race bike converted to comfy tires. Best of luck. |
Originally Posted by hazetguy
(Post 20908039)
oh god, please don't do that to that bike.
|
Originally Posted by bear_a_bug
(Post 20908207)
I'm less critical of your thoughts on converting the bike to 650B. However, I think I would be aesthetically critical of any attempt to "fender-ize" it given the lack of eyelets. Seen some ugly hacks out there.
I like where you're headed, though - a quick handling race bike converted to comfy tires. Best of luck. |
Originally Posted by The Golden Boy
(Post 20908182)
"Neutering" or "emasculating" might be more appropriate.
Personally I think racy bikes are the best for 650B conversions. You get aggressive geometry with a cush ride--what's not to like? And it's not like this bike is super special. |
This all has my chuckling because that is in fact MY bike. Well, my old bike, I sold it a year or so back. Those are 25mm Continental Grand Prix Classics and man they barely fit. This bike also had ridiculous toe overlap. I don't know much about 650 conversion but I'm guessing no.
Happy to see this picture though. I remember it was the same day as Eroica in Gaiole so I went out looking for some gravel |
Originally Posted by lostarchitect
(Post 20908230)
650B = un-manly now? :foo:
Personally I think racy bikes are the best for 650B conversions. You get aggressive geometry with a cush ride--what's not to like? And it's not like this bike is super special. There's a point to where you take an item that had a single, badass purpose- and gentrify it into a non-threatening, leisure machine... I'm not into racing bikes- most everything I have is cushy and leisure- and I didn't understand why people took offense to my ideas of taking mid-late 80s competitive MTBs and turning them into leisure cruisers. I get it now. |
Originally Posted by hazetguy
(Post 20908162)
except it's not his bike. he's interested in purchasing it and mutilating it.
. . . |
Originally Posted by jlaw
(Post 20908191)
A simple answer from a voice with experience. Thank you.
Since I've got your ear.... I converted a 1985 Trek 410 to 650b x 38 with fenders, Daija Far Bars, etc. - great bike with a True Temper frame that fits me very well and I can hammer on that bike (or what passes for me hammering!) . I also have a 1984 Trek 620 that I cleaned-up over the winter and have ridden a few times - Reynolds 531CS with a more relaxed geometry - seems a little too mellow and since it has canti brakes I'm stuck with 27" or 700c wheels. So, I'm looking for a Trek frame and fork with 126mm rear spacing that uses butted 531 steel and is suitable for 650b. I now understand that a race geometry will not work. So.... the 400 Elance uses 531 steel...? Any suggestions? Thanks! What you're looking for are "long legs" - long chainstays will give you more width where the tire's widest point is, longer fork blades (crown to axle dimension) gives you more vertical room - fork ID is rarely an issue. BITD, these were sold as sport touring or touring bikes. A 400 Elance would be an excelent bike for a 650b conversion. |
Originally Posted by hazetguy
(Post 20908162)
...he's interested in purchasing it and mutilating it.
:innocent: |
There are ideas, and there are questionable ideas.
I think it is time to go frame shopping. |
Originally Posted by jlaw
(Post 20908191)
So, I'm looking for a Trek frame and fork with 126mm rear spacing that uses butted 531 steel and is suitable for 650b. I now understand that a race geometry will not work. So.... the 400 Elance uses 531 steel...? Any suggestions?
https://live.staticflickr.com/1828/4...f7a15a2a_c.jpg Only the main triangle is 531, and the rear brake needs a little more reach than you get with a Tektro R559. MAFAC RAIDs might do it. Otherwise, it's fender-ready and has good tire clearance. If you're dead set on ful 531, I think the 715 from this period had that with the same geometry. |
Originally Posted by Andy_K
(Post 20908358)
I've got a 1982 Trek 614 that I think would be a pretty good 650B candidate.
... Only the main triangle is 531, and the rear brake needs a little more reach than you get with a Tektro R559. MAFAC RAIDs might do it. Otherwise, it's fender-ready and has good tire clearance. If you're dead set on ful 531, I think the 715 from this period had that with the same geometry. Im in process of this now actually. I have (pretty much) all of the parts, just have to put them together. |
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