Commuter. Built. Pics.
03-14-11 | 09:46 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Steel is real, baby!
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,532
Likes: 8
From: Boise, ID
Bikes: 1984 Pinarello, 1986 Bianchi Portofino, 1988 Bianchi Trofeo, 1989 Specialized Allez, 1989 Specialized Hard Rock, 2001 Litespeed Tuscany
Commuter. Built. Pics.
So the alley find that my son made a little over a week ago went from this:
To this:
To this:
03-14-11 | 09:57 PM
#2
Thread Starter
Steel is real, baby!
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,532
Likes: 8
From: Boise, ID
Bikes: 1984 Pinarello, 1986 Bianchi Portofino, 1988 Bianchi Trofeo, 1989 Specialized Allez, 1989 Specialized Hard Rock, 2001 Litespeed Tuscany
With a Topeak Explorer rack and Topeak MTX trunk bag:
And with a pannier:
I have the matching pannier for the other side, just didn't photograph it!
So now I've got a SERIOUS commuter
I may add fenders, but since we get so little rain here in the Phoenix area, I'm undecided.
I'll also likely add pedals that are SPD on one side, platform on the other side.
If I decide to turn it into a dedicated tourer, I'll change it to a drop bar and add road bike shifters. And fenders, if I haven't already added them. I'll also add a front rack of some sort. But this is way down the road (no pun intended, LOL).
And with a pannier:
I have the matching pannier for the other side, just didn't photograph it!
So now I've got a SERIOUS commuter
I may add fenders, but since we get so little rain here in the Phoenix area, I'm undecided.
I'll also likely add pedals that are SPD on one side, platform on the other side.
If I decide to turn it into a dedicated tourer, I'll change it to a drop bar and add road bike shifters. And fenders, if I haven't already added them. I'll also add a front rack of some sort. But this is way down the road (no pun intended, LOL).
Last edited by frpax; 03-14-11 at 10:33 PM.
03-14-11 | 11:16 PM
#4
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 11,373
Likes: 8
From: Columbus, OH
Bikes: '08 Surly Cross-Check, 2011 Redline Conquest Pro, 2012 Spesh FSR Comp EVO, 2015 Trek Domane 6.2 disc
Badass!
__________________
"I feel like my world was classier before I found cyclocross."
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03-15-11 | 04:51 AM
#7
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,978
Likes: 4
From: Atlanta
Bikes: Cannondale T700s and a few others
Those were always some interesting bikes. I think Trek failed to market it very well. It for all intents was a straight bar touring bike but they lumped it in with the Mountain bikes and missed a lot of sales I think. Sort of the precursor to the more aggressive style Hybrids. Swap drops and you got a Cross.
Nice find and clean up. Should make for a great commuter.
Nice find and clean up. Should make for a great commuter.
03-15-11 | 05:57 AM
#10
Thread Starter
Steel is real, baby!
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,532
Likes: 8
From: Boise, ID
Bikes: 1984 Pinarello, 1986 Bianchi Portofino, 1988 Bianchi Trofeo, 1989 Specialized Allez, 1989 Specialized Hard Rock, 2001 Litespeed Tuscany
140, I think. LONG, though. But that's how I like my stems! I've got a long torso...
700x35. I got some Forte "Metro-K" tires from Performance for $14.99 each.
Yeah.. the "before" pic is a little misleading, in that the bike was in much worse condition than the pic indicates!
The shifters were not working; only the front brake was barely operable; the rear wheel had a missing spoke and was WAY out of true; the hubs & BB felt ghastly bad, but fortunately, they were salvageable... if I had to replace the hubs, I would have just bought a new wheelset, and that would have made the cost more than I would have been comfortable with.
700x35. I got some Forte "Metro-K" tires from Performance for $14.99 each.
The shifters were not working; only the front brake was barely operable; the rear wheel had a missing spoke and was WAY out of true; the hubs & BB felt ghastly bad, but fortunately, they were salvageable... if I had to replace the hubs, I would have just bought a new wheelset, and that would have made the cost more than I would have been comfortable with.
03-15-11 | 06:09 AM
#11
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 317
Likes: 0
From: Western NY
Well done! How long are the chainstays on that bike? Look fairly long in the pannier picture. I usually go out to Tempe twice a year for work...beautiful city. Coming from Buffalo the heat feels great in the middle of winter.
03-15-11 | 06:18 AM
#12
Thread Starter
Steel is real, baby!
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,532
Likes: 8
From: Boise, ID
Bikes: 1984 Pinarello, 1986 Bianchi Portofino, 1988 Bianchi Trofeo, 1989 Specialized Allez, 1989 Specialized Hard Rock, 2001 Litespeed Tuscany
Not sure... I've not taken a tape measure to them. Yes, we have very nice Winters here... but that comes at a price: HOT Summers. But I'd take the high heat over snow, any time!
03-15-11 | 11:30 AM
#17
Thread Starter
Steel is real, baby!
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,532
Likes: 8
From: Boise, ID
Bikes: 1984 Pinarello, 1986 Bianchi Portofino, 1988 Bianchi Trofeo, 1989 Specialized Allez, 1989 Specialized Hard Rock, 2001 Litespeed Tuscany
Origin 8. Not sure what model. I don't care for the rails much, but it is comfy.
03-15-11 | 12:54 PM
#19
Full Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 279
Likes: 9
From: NorCal
Bikes: 1992 Trek 950, 1994 Canondale M600, 2000 Cannondale C300, 2004 Santa Cruz Juliana, 2010 Salsa Vaya, 2013 Jamis Dragon - Team Issue, 2019 Salsa Timberjack, 2020 Tern Vektron
Very cool! Awesome looking bike! 
Now you've got me thinking I should keep my 930..... hmmmmm....
Now you've got me thinking I should keep my 930..... hmmmmm....
03-15-11 | 02:35 PM
#20
12mph+ commuter
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 863
Likes: 1
From: Oak Park, IL
I have either a 1990 or 1991 multitrack (I can't remember the exact number, 700 something). I used it as my winter beater this past year, so most things are shot unfortunately. What's the tire clearance like on your bike? Mine can only handle a 700X35C with full fenders. I'd spruce mine up into a nicer ride, but it's a bit small for me.
