byrd48

Just picked up a '97 Trek 700 MultiTrack with Shimano Altus 7spd components. I've tuned it up about as best as I can, but I think it needs an upgrade.
The chainring does not have a guard on the outer ring, which grabs pants quite easily. Other than that, it seems to be ok.
The rear derailleur appears to be warped. It shifts ok for the most part, but in spots, the chain runs against the side of the FD and others it clicks as it goes through the RD pullies.
The cassette had to be cleaned and oiled to get it working, it was allowing the wheel to turn freely in both directions until we took it apart and oiled up the freehub.
So long story short, I'm looking to upgrade. I priced out the Altus line on Amazon and it looks like I can replace all those parts around $100. I was wondering if I should go a notch higher than the original equipment.
I'm looking for mostly commuting purposes, probably no more than 25 miles round trip on any given day.

The back forks are 135mm, so I could go with 8 speed or higher, knowing it would get more expensive. I feel like 21 gears is plenty, so I would probably only consider going above 7 speed if it was the only way to get better components. It would also require changing the shifters, which I could do, however they operate fine now.

But keeping in mind that the bike retailed for $300 back in '97, I probably should not go crazy on the components for this frame. I paid $65 for it.

So I'm interested to know what others would recommend, stick with the Altus or go a notch higher, and if so, which components would you recommend?
Thanks,
Jon

wrk101

On a bike like that one, rather than upgrade, I would just seek out a higher level hybrid. Older hybrids and MTBs go cheap, real cheap. The trick is to aim high, as the high end ones, that might have originally sold for 3X the price (hundreds and hundreds of dollars), on the used market might bring $50 more.

Keep an eye out for a higher level one, grab it, then sell your 700 for a nice profit.

FWIW: I think the older vintage MTBs make terrific commuters: room for fenders and racks, can handle almost any tire size, effective cantilever brakes (on the better ones), etc.

For instance, in 1997, the top of the line Trek hybrid was the 750. MSRP was $560 (almost 2X), double butted cromoly frame, much nicer STX components, etc. The 700 had a high ten steel/cromoly mix frame, entry level components, etc.

oddjob2

Thrifty Bill's recommendation is a good one. The parts between a Singletrack and Multitrack Trek are pretty much interchangeable.

You could also hunt ebay for a used Shimano Deore crankset ($30) and RD ($20). I recently hung those on my Trek 700.

byrd48

Thanks and good points. I notice your chainring does not have a guard, do you ever ride it with pants?
Also, in terms of 7 speed, will front and rear derailleurs that say 9 speed work?

oddjob2

Not recently, other than sports pants. You can find bicycle clips or velcro straps. My former partner just rolls up his pant leg.

You would need new shifters because the cable movement required to shift is different.

wrk101

Pant leg clips (see below). Very rare to see chain guards on bikes, and they are usually only on three speeds or cheapy bikes.


https://www.amazon.com/Pant-Cuff-Clip.../dp/B000MM5MSQ

kaliayev

My lugged '90 750 updated with XTR,XT,LX 9sp components and other goodies. She's a great city bike/grocery getter. I've got 35s on her with room for putting fenders on this fall.

GordoTrek

i hate you all, i had a 98 multitrack miss it everyday... i just bought a 99 for the parts, the frame was a 14" and it had huge crack on the rear stay...

byrd48

Thanks, I wasn't so much talking about the chain guards that run along the top of the chain front to back, I was talking about the outer ring of the crankset that is a little larger diameter than the largest chainring. Do they call that a bash guard? It would keep the pants legs from floating over into the teeth

byrd48

That is a beautiful bike. I saw an 850 SingleTrack today for $250, wanted to get it, but probably need to unload the 700 first or the wife will kick me and the bikes out of the house

oddjob2

Your signature shows a 1997 7500 Trek MT aluminum, what's so bad about that?

I bought a beater MT 7900 for $70, mostly to scab the Deore wheel set and cranks off of it, but the frame is clean, with minor paint oxidation at the rear brake bridge. So after getting a new rear axle today (the old skewer was rusted in and the prior owner used DUCT TAPE to keep it closed) and tossing the super heavy and rusty handlebars, it will get rebuilt.

Glennfordx4

Which is common on Trek's that live in the elements on the east coast, they get water in the frame then freeze and split the chainstays. I have five of them that did it from the 720 hybrid to a 1000sl road bike and a few 800 series MTB's.

We sell a lot of Hybrids at our shop and most have the Acera / Altus groups installed through all price ranges and manufactures, it seems to be the standard for hybrids. You could probably pick up 8 or 9spd components pretty reasonably for it to keep cost down. If you really like the bike keep an eye out for a used 750 which will net you a better built frame and then build that up with higher end components that both are lighter and perform better then the Acera/ Altus groups. My wife's DB Cro-mo hybrid sports 9spd XT on it that works great and wasn't expensive to to pick up in used & NOS condition.

Glenn

GordoTrek

if you notice after it says RIP , i had it stolen on the 14th...

GordoTrek

i stripped all the parts off, im going to put them on a schwinn world sport frame, i pulled from the garbage, it fits me like a glove and is incredibly light. , im gonna rebadge it as a "shrek"

the frame is pretty scratched and rusted in some spots, but its more theft proof then the shiny 7500 that walked away

SJX426 

Almost ashamed to admit how much I enjoy my Specialized RockHopper. DB frame etc. Put over 750 miles on it one summer going to work. Averaged over 17MPH and still under 28Lbs.

Mercian Rider

IMO the best value in upgrades would not be the drivetrain, but tires. Saddle, and perhaps uright or drop handlebars would be next.

I bought a similar Raleigh hybrid last year and put Nitto upright bars, a Brooks, SKS longboard fenders, Suntour ratchet friction thumb shifters and racks on it. But the single best upgrade was 700 x 35 Pasela TG tires. Rides like a completely different (and better) bike with those. It also has Acera drivetrain. I think the derailleurs are fine--the shifters were iffy so I installed the Suntour. It's my beater/errand bike.

byrd48

I rode a DiamondBack Ascend EX with Deore components today. Ultimately I did not buy it, however it appeared to weigh about the same as the Trek 700, but the ride was so much more comfortable (even with the knobby tires which I would change). It seemed to have a much lower center of gravity, I feel very high off the ground on the Trek. Was there a learning curve of sorts when they started introducing 7 speeds and higher? This 700 just seems to have all kinds of problems operating in the full range. Shifting from second to 3rd, it thinks for a moment before shifting. I can't get from one extreme to the other without the chain rattling against the side of the FD. I think I'll go ahead and change the RD, cogset, and chain and see where that gets me.

oddjob2

Well for one thing a mountain bike has lower CG with the smaller wheels and the tires hold a lot of low pressure air. You have a 15 year old bike with a tired low cost component group. While the frame has life, you're doing the right thing by updating the drivetrain. You can also put wider tires ont he 700c, I think I am running 35s or 38s.

I would say too, from your posts, you definitely have, "I'll have another" bike fever!

byrd48

I'm just hoping the fever doesn't cause my wife to have "I'll have another husband" fever. I have 4 bikes in the living room now.

Glennfordx4

It is pretty common on most Hybrids that I have set up to have to trim the FD as you use the rear gear range that come on them, most of the time when on the big ring in front it is the worst. The RD most of the time is for a Mega range freewheel/cassette which just isn't the best for performance.

byrd48

It would be easier if the FD was not indexed. I don't think my twist shifter has an option to take it out of index mode

byrd48

Well, last night I picked up a 1993 Specialized HardRock. What running gear are you using on your bike? It's beautiful

byrd48

I have a late 80's model World Sport, bought for the wife. It's a very comfortable bike, perhaps the most comfortable upright bike we have. Great cruiser