Trek/Matrix gurus - ID help requested
 

I found a set of Matrix tubulars on CL today - seller says they have SE Sansin hubs and a Sunrace 7 speed cassette. I haven't been able to find any other info on this combination. They're the non-aero Matrix wheels. What Treks bike would these have come on, and about how old are they likely to be?

I've had terrible luck finding a new rear hub for my old Trek, so I may get these for parts if they're in good condition.

Very likely 1987-1990 or thereabouts. Figure the 7-sp era as about 1986-1991, and they may well have been on the Trek aluminum bikes. I've seen Matrix on 1988 Centurions, in 7-sp, and on the early Trek 1000 and 1200.

What kind of hub do you need? I have a set of Matrix clinchers in great shape, 6-sp 600 rear freewheel, 700c.

Matrix was making wheels in Wisconsin, in Watertown, not Waterford, but wasn't all that far from Trek, and was probably able to provide plenty of wheels.

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/bik/1427507064.html

Are these it?

Yep. Seller emailed me back, and said he thinks they were mid-90's off a Trek 1000. I'm thinking they had to be earlier than that, and I've never seen tubulars on a 1000.

My 1400 came with 105 7-speed and Matrix ISO-C aero rims. In '90 or so I had the hubs relaced to Campagnolo rims, and still have the original rims in a box. I'm after a spare 126mm 7-speed hub in case mine gives up - NOS ones are getting pricey on ebay.

Assuming they're in good shape, are the Sansin hubs decent quality?

I don't know, I'd say they're about the same as Shiimano Exage/105. If they're ball bearing, they depend a lot, simply, on the cleaning and packing.

I've got one of the older cassette hubs, 7s, takes a cassette but the outer cog is the lock ring. I have the hub and cassette, and spokes. Rim is shot (too much EZ-Off when I was removing the anodize.

Waterloo, actually. In the old barn where Trek started out, just down the road from the current factory. Matrix was a Trek spin-off.

The 7 speed era for Trek started in 1988. One complicating factor is that most of their cabron and aluminum bikes in the late 80s and early 90s were not mass produced but made to order. The customer could chose components. Since tubulars were rarely specified with aluminum but often with carbon frames, I suspect that the rims came from a 88-93/94 carbon frame.

The sunrace cassette is not OEM but a later replacement part, so are the hubs. So the only OEM part you have is the rim and this is for an aluminum/carbon bike