Ok, I've decided to start a commuter project. I relocated to a small town and have a very short commute to work so why not ride.

So here's the bike. It's an old Trek 7000 that I bought in 1991 in North Carolina. I rode it for years on trails in the Carolinas and Tennessee and when I moved back to Ca. It was my go to bike for years. I moved to Visalia, bought another bike and this one sat. I gave it to a neighbor kid who,used it for awhile and now that he's 19 he doesn't use it so now I've came back into possession.

I'm sure it'll need some TLC but very solid and has a lot of factory braze-on's that you don't normally find on most MTB's.

Never built a commuter type bike before....suggestions/recommendations..**********?

Slick tires and a rear rack. You're pretty much there.

Yeah, that's pretty much it. You might want fenders if you imagine you'll be riding in the rain. A light for riding in the dark, etc.

Was there something else you imagined you might need to do other than replacing any worn parts and the odd adjustment?

No not really.....type of tire, rack, bags etc. been out of the bike scene for awhile. I know it'll need a tune up. I'll need fenders for sure not sure what kind yet.

I would replace those brakes if possible. Yuck, I hate canti's. Or at the very least, put some new Koolstop salmon-colored pads on them. The old ones are likely dry rotted and hard as bricks.

Maybe lose the aerobars if you won't use them on your short commute. I use one of those blade fenders that strap to the seat post- take it in with me so it won't be swiped. 5 second install/removal once you get the hang of it and you don't need it when the weather is good. Yes, tune up, brake pads. If the tires are shot then some less knobbie ones? You'll certainly have the chance to adjust the rig as you go and see what's what with your commute. Happy pedaling!

Nice bike! That should make a great commuter.

Here are some suggestions of specific products that I use, and on the lower end of the price spectrum, mostly.

Old school rear rack, perfect for 26" wheel MTBs. I just bought one for my wife's bike at a local Sports Authority store. It's an exact copy of the old Blackburn "Mountain Rack" that used to be so popular.

DIAMONDBACK ATB Rear Bicycle Rack - SportsAuthority.com

Rack bags that strap to the rack with velcro. I own both of these. One is usually on my bike and the other on my wife's. Decent quality, no complaints.

Large: TransIt Epic DX Rack Trunk

Small: TransIt Metro Trunk Bag

Tires: These are heavy, but tough, roll fast on pavement and fine gravel/dirt, and they're cheap, too. You want the 26" x 1.75" size.

Forté Gotham ST Road and Mountain Tires, 700 x 32, 700 x 35, 26 x 1.75

Good luck and have fun.