milehile

I found this bike on Craig's List for $200 and got the price reduced to $180. Do you think it was worth it? It's actually a nice size for my 6'6" body. It rides really nice. Brakes need to be reworked, and there is some surface rust on the rear sprocket. Don't like the color all that much, but I think I can live with it.

Also, maybe you guys can tell me a little more about it.

10 Wheels

Get some blackwall tires and you will like Yellow much better.
Neat that you found your size on CL.

Tom Stormcrowe

Nice find.

https://www.bikeforums.net/archive/in.../t-144370.html

Patience has it's virtues. That may be from the 1970's, by the way. Very nice vintage score.

Tom Stormcrowe

My bad, it's a 1988 model.

https://www.vintage-trek.com/model_numbers1.htm

Good above entry level bike.

milehile

Yup. I just found it myself. I was 6 when this bike came out. Still, I'm thinking I found a "diamond in the rough". Yeah, it needs a few blemishes taken care of, and maybe some tuning up, but that's about it.

Any hints or tips for me?

Tom Stormcrowe

Yeah, git it tuned up and ride it like you stole it.

It's race geometry, though, so it will be twitchy and really snappy. You'll get used to that though and I suspect you'll fall in love with the bike.

milehile

Now, I just need to figure out where to get new parts for it. Like I said earlier, the rear sprocket is kinda rusted, the handlebars wrapping is coming off, I would like to get a new seat put on, and new (cranks?). If I can find some black wall tires that go good with the bike then, yeah. I would also like to repaint it. There are a few places that are chipped or faded.

By the way, 10 wheels, it is very amazing that I was able to find a bike that wouldn't get lost in my anus when I sit on it. The guy said that he is 5'10" and this bike was too big for him . Score one for me!

zpl

Is that a Girvin Flex-stem? I haven't seen one of those in ages.

Tom Stormcrowe

Parts won't be that hard.....7 spd cassettes are fairly easy to find, ot if it's freewheel, there are lots of NOS Suntour and Schimano freewheels floating around. It won't be 8 speed compatible though.

milehile

I'm sorry, but you are speaking a language not of this world to me. I'm still very new to this new craze.

milehile

Nevermind. God bless Google. I do believe that it is a flex stem. No matter how tight I make the bolt on the handlebar, it still has a little bit of give to it. There are 5 numbers on the side (0,15,30,45,60). I thought that was angle, but now I'm not too sure.

Should I create a list of the parts for you guys? I'm starting to wonder if there are any parts that aren't stock on this bike.

Tom Stormcrowe

Yeah, that's stem angle.

It really doesn't matter if all the parts are stock from a rideability standpoint, though.

If you want to, though, go ahead and compile it. I know it has Weinmann wheels, though (Original). Likely the either cassette or freewheel is as well, but that's a consumable item andf if not original, not a big deal.

I'll bet it has Suntour, or Schimano 600 dérailleurs, though, but likely Suntour. It's too new for the Helicomatic Maillard hub, fortunately (A good idea that was screwed up by the French. :0)

milehile

I guess it's something I would like to know. I guess it really isn't all that important.
the handlebars say Post Moderne in the middle
Brakes - Dia-Compe 5000
Shifters - Suntour Accushift
Cranks - Sugino VL
Front derailleur - Suntour 4050
Front cassette - Sugino 52
Rear derailleur - Shimano Ultegra
Rear cassette - Sugino
Tires - Specialized 700X20c
on the axle there is a little lever that looks like it could be a release and that says Maillard

milehile

Almost forgot the Schwinn speedometer. lol. It seems cool. Works ok. Need to figure out how to use the damn thing.

Tom Stormcrowe

Yep, Maillard hubs, but I'm99% sure that rear isn't the helicomatic. I think that was phased out in 82 or 83.

The rear derraileur is probably a replacement upgrade on the derraileur.

milehile

The axle itself says "Maillard 500, Made in France, Sealed Mechanism". Same with the front.

Tom Stormcrowe

Yeah, the Maillard 500 is a pretty decent hub.

milehile

What's your final verdict? What should I get for this bike to make it run a little better? I know I'm going to get new tires. The tires on the bike now seem like they are original (a little dry cracking). I might also try and match the color of the frame as best as I can, maybe repaint it and add some clearcoat to keep it from scratching or fading.

Tom Stormcrowe

Keep the paint original if you can. It's part of the character of the bike. Tires, definitely.

You might look at these tires...available in Yellow.


https://www.amazon.com/Maxxis-Detonat.../dp/B000MVYCJM

milehile

It says on the side of the tires that are on the bike now 700x20c. The brochure that I found on vintage-trek.com says that they are 700x25c. The tires you linked, are 700x23c. Which should I go with? The tire size that is on there now, the tire size that is listed as in the brochure, or what you recommend?

Bill Kapaun

Depends on several things, like how harsh of a ride do you want vs relatively insignificant rolling resistance increases. The 20MM will have to be pumped up hard as a rock to prevent pinch flats and require topping off FREQUENTLY.
To me, 25MM is still ultra skinny, but I wide a MB with 1.5" tires (37MM)

milehile

Ok, tell me this. Can I put just about any road tire width on my bike? Or, do I absolutely have to use what is shown on the brochure for my bike, 700x25c?

c_m_shooter

Any 700c tire will work on the rim, but frame clearance is where you may have a problem. You need to look at your bike and decide if there is enough clearance to run bigger tires. I would bet that 28's will work, but you need to figure that out for yourself. The tightest spot is usually between the chainstays, but make sure you check the fork as well.

Tom Stormcrowe

I'd suggest also, maybe some Soma Everwears in 26 mm. These are what I run and thus far, they've worn like iron and handle well.
https://www.somafab.com/tires_ev.html

milehile

Ok. I thought that the sizes were kind of like car tire sizes. Where, 195/60/15 were 195mm tire thickness, 60 mm wide, 15 inch rims....I was thinking that the 700x25c was 700mm rims and 25mm width. The 25mm is the tire thickness is what I'm getting from you.