we have two 1980s vintage treks and are trying to figure out whether it makes sense to retrofit them or buy new bikes such as the Rivendell production models. One is a 1982? 600, 531 db main tubes and nice craftmanship include rack braze ons on the upper rear stays. The other is a 1988? "tri series" with even nicer lug work, also 531 db main tubes and chromolly forks and stays, but no rack braze on on upper stays. Frames are in good condition. Should we spend the $500 to $700 per bike to get triple cranks, new gearing, wheels and wider bars with tip shifters. (Shifters now are on downtube) We could even spend another $300 on Joe Bell paint job to get the lug work highlighted and personalize each bike and that would be well below the $2,400 for a complete Rivendell production bike. Our plan is 30-50 mile rides to hotels and b&Bs with loads of not more than 30 lb. Are these old trek frame worth anything on the vintage market? Thanks for all thoughts. OCJERRY

Two thoughts here.

One, as I understand it, there's quite a waiting list for Rivendell's. I don't know if you can buy one from off the floor there or not, but if not, you could be waiting upwards of a year.

Two, have you given any thought to purchasing vintage touring bikes (with triples already there)? You could certainly find some very nice ones, have them tuned up, add bar-end shifters, and spend less than the $500 - $700 per bike figure you mention in your post. I suspect you could even recoup a good portion of your expense by selling your Treks.

I like your plan. If only I could get my wife to try riding.

I really don't think they are worth that much...there are so many of them around. Like old 800, 830 and 500s. I would just fix it and ride...maybe spray it with some nice cans of black spray not the cheapo stuff. prep and paint etc.

I think he was referencing the non custom stuff made in japan and marketed by Rivendell.

They are ok frames,but not worth putting that kind of money into. I have a better older vintage one that needs paint,but it will be a rattle can job and will end up as a single speed or maybe get some retro parts stuck on it. At best, it's worth an inexpensive powdercoat.And I don't think you'll get the job as mentioned from JB for $300 either.

I have three old Treks. The 1987 and 1988 models with Reynolds 531 were in almost "like new" condition when I bought them, except for numerous paint chips and scratches. So, I had them tuned up, and will keep them as "original" as possible. A "poor guy's" Rivendell.

My 1983 Trek has a wonderful frame, but a prior owner stripped the original parts and trashed the bike with DIY spray paint and odds and ends components. So, I converted that Trek to a one speed neighborhood bike. It has no decals and looks like a $10 junker. A crook would never guess it has a hand-made Reynolds 531 frame and fork, and wheels good enough to race on.

The best Trek road bikes made from 1986 to 1989 combined "hand-made" lugged Reynolds 531 frames with light, high quality components. I'd view ANY changes to the original bikes to be downgrades, not upgrades. Virtually every "advance" in road bikes since 1989 has been motivated by marketing, not by the actual needs of recreational cyclists. STI, carbon this and carbon that. Don't need it. Don't want it.

For loaded touring, the best way to go is to get a bike designed for loaded touring. Putting large bags on a bike with short chainstays is likely to lead to a variety of problems, beginning with your heel striking the bags. I have a 1983 Centurion Pro Tour that was designed for tourning...no compromises are necessary. Similar bikes are often on E-Bay for far less than comparable 2005 touring bikes.

And so also says Grant Petersen,card carying Retro Grouch, wool wearer and reputed mutton head.

What's wrong with mutton? I finally threw out my old wool shorts from 1978. Too many moth holes. The whole thing was a tissue of darning.

Even though the Riv bikes are production, there are often waiting lists for them stretching over several months. They are nice bikes, but not cheap. (A bit overpriced IMHO.)

Having done the modernization of an old Trek, I can speak a bit about it. First, here's the initial thread: https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...light=trek+620

Your cost estimate is realistic. And for that price, you will not likely find a comparable new touring bike.

The 600 will probably be fine for light touring, the "tri series" a little less so. You could probably get by with the tri series if you carried a big Carradice saddle bag and a handle bar bag since you aren't camping.

I am 100% satisfied with the results of my 620 upgrade and I wouldn't want any other touring bike. It works extremely well and I don't have a lot of money in it so I don't get upset at touring wear and tear.

As far as market value is concerned, a lot of it depends upon condition. I've paid from $25 locally to $150 on ebay for old Treks with worn paint and worn parts. Some go for significantly more, but they don't have the cachet of vintage European rides.

Here's the BIG question: How do they fit?

"And so also says Grant Petersen,card carying Retro Grouch, wool wearer and reputed mutton head."

Awww, syd, sounds like wuv. Either that, or a cage match. Go to it, tiger, you're wearing our colours. Rah! Rah!

"Here's the BIG question: How do they fit?"

Yep, that it. This is the entire crux of the matter, not GP's alleged muttonheadedness. How do they fit? How comfortable are they? If you find them comfortable rides that do what you want them to do, just keep 'em. Despite the Trek's low value, they're well made and in my experience very nice rides. You like it, keep it.

sydney actually likes Grant and some of the stuff he peddles, and is a card carrying Rivendell member of long standing. Some Grant's spin is over the top. It's uglier when someone else just regurgitates it.

early in the year i was given an old 400-something trek with a pile of parts of that vintage. after putting it all together and some sorting out, i've ridden a century, club rides, commuting and just general exploring. it's probably gotten more miles than any of my other bikes including my rivendell. much of bike selection for a given ride can be done depending on who you're riding with rather than what's needed for the job. i've riding with a new rider this year and watched them progress. the old trek has been a perfect platform.