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commuting on a trek 830

Old 12-30-04, 03:40 PM
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commuting on a trek 830

My apologies if any of this is obvious, but I have not biked since I was a teenager (35 now).

I am considering biking the 17 miles to work each day instead of driving. I've got an old Trek 830 Antelope someone gave me, and I stripped it down totally because the components were old/rusty/dried up/etc. Looks like I need to replace the chainring, bottom bracket, chain, rear sprockets (is that "cassette"?), possibly the rear hub itself, and all the bearings throughout. Probably the brakes too, though I'm thinking of putting only the front brake back on. Basically, I'm keeping the frame, handlebars, cranks, wheels, and seat.

Several questions:
Is this too outdated to pursue, and would I be better off buying another used bike somewhere?
Is there some way to identify what year bike this is?
How can I tell which new components will fit it? Are some of the components standard-sized?
Am I crazy to try to commute 17 miles through Cobb County in Atlanta?

Thanks for any help and advice...very much appreciated.
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Old 12-30-04, 04:02 PM
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17 miles is alot but if you work up to being able to do that, then it'll be no problem. You just have to make the time for it.

Could I offer a suggestion on that bike? Keep the frame and all the stuff that goes with it, or just leave it as-is for now. Go spend $100 on a used bike that fits you. Read up a bit on how to find a bike that fits you, its worth it.

The problem with a used bike in that kind of shape is that to buy all new parts for it will cost as much as a new bike, and that might not be what you want to do. Now, if that IS what you want to do, then more power to ya. I've got more money in the wheels on my commuter bike than I paid for the bike itself. It was worth it. If you are comfortable on that bike, and its what you *really* want to do, then go for it. Just prepared to $pend some cashola.

[edit] Its also worth mentioning that I have a 1990 Trek 820 Antelope sitting in my garage. It needs everything but a new seatpost and stem/handlebars. Derailers are OK I guess but it needs wheels, cranks, pedals, shifters, etc, so I know that of which I speak. Of course, now that I have a great commuter bike, and pretty soon a single speed road bike, I will start on getting the Trek back into shape. I might suggest the same for you

Last edited by rykoala; 12-30-04 at 04:09 PM.
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Old 12-30-04, 04:15 PM
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Originally Posted by peachpossumpie
My apologies if any of this is obvious, but I have not biked since I was a teenager (35 now).

I am considering biking the 17 miles to work each day instead of driving. I've got an old Trek 830 Antelope someone gave me, and I stripped it down totally because the components were old/rusty/dried up/etc. Looks like I need to replace the chainring, bottom bracket, chain, rear sprockets (is that "cassette"?), possibly the rear hub itself, and all the bearings throughout. Probably the brakes too, though I'm thinking of putting only the front brake back on. Basically, I'm keeping the frame, handlebars, cranks, wheels, and seat.
As someone who has taken apart, modified, rebuilt, upgraded and wasted too much money on bikes, I can tell you that refurbing a bike can be one of the most rewarding and frustrating activites you can participate in. Only raising teenagers competes with it.

Several questions:
Is this too outdated to pursue, and would I be better off buying another used bike somewhere?
Is there some way to identify what year bike this is?
How can I tell which new components will fit it? Are some of the components standard-sized?
Am I crazy to try to commute 17 miles through Cobb County in Atlanta?

Thanks for any help and advice...very much appreciated.
You might be able to find a year for this bike at Vintage Trek. The 830 was never a great bike. It basically a low entry level without too many bells and whistles. If you happen to have all of the parts sitting around from some other bike, I'd say make a Frankenstein bike out of it and go on your merry way. Or if you can salvage some of the old parts and make it work for a while by just replacing the chain and maybe repacking bearings, again, I'd say sally forth. But I think you're going to have to replace more than you think since you might have to replace the shifters and levers, wheels, tires, saddle, grips and several other things I haven't listed. Add to that the fact that many of the new parts may be different dimensions and the task could be come expensive indeed!

Unless this bike has some significance to you, I'd say look around for a good used bike or even a good new one. You could easily spend the amount of a low level hybrid or mountain bike and still not have a bike that performs as well. I'd suggest looking for a Trek, Specialized, or Giant. You should easily be able to find something in the $300-$500 range.

As for being crazy, all of us bicycling commuters are a bit touched. But therein lies the charm. Try talking to a local bike club or go to a bike shop, you may find more commuters than you think and most of them will be helpful. One word of advice on riding to work: Don't think with a car brain. You don't have to ride on the same streets you would drive your car on. There are usually plenty of streets paralleling your route that are quiet and go to the same spot.

Good luck,

Stuart Black
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Old 12-31-04, 01:19 AM
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I commute 6.5 miles to work each day, and I'm usually racing to get there on time. Unless you are slogging through snow, you might think of eventually getting a light bike with a rack for paniers, and more narrow tires. Panniers allow you to cary workclothes, lunch, lawn darts, ect. Most of us like to have lights for when it's dark. All this can cost a bit, but it's nothing compared to daily public transit, or owning a car. If you begin bike commuting, you will soon be much richer than your coworkers who drive. I suspect you'll be happier and more fit as well, but that's just accidental.
Anyway, start riding whatever you can afford, and eventually, you'll have the cash to buy whatever rig you want.
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Old 12-31-04, 06:44 PM
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Welcome to BikeForums peachpossumpie.

Originally Posted by peachpossumpie
I am considering biking the 17 miles to work each day instead of driving. I've got an old Trek 830 Antelope someone gave me...
Probably the brakes too, though I'm thinking of putting only the front brake back on.
If you're in good shape you can do it. If not, you can work up to it by taking Cobb County transit (if that's an option) and biking, or riding 2-3 days a week and working up to 5 days.

I'd rethink the front brake only idea. If someone cuts you off and you have to stop in a big hurry, you may go over the handlebars with only front brake to stop you.


Originally Posted by peachpossumpie
Am I crazy to try to commute 17 miles through Cobb County in Atlanta?
Yes.
I was 56 when I started commuting from Decatur to Norcross in 2001-2003, 14 miles each way. I now have a different job and commute from Decatur to Va-Highland area, only 8+ miles one way.
Traffic can be very bad. If you're not used to riding on the road with traffic you may want to take an Effective Cycling class to learn the skills needed. If you want more information about the classes send me a PM.
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Old 01-01-05, 07:22 AM
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Is this too outdated to pursue, and would I be better off buying another used bike somewhere?


I was in your situation last year with the same model and apparent condition. I bought a new Trek 820 at the LBS for $169.00 on sale and it has served me well for my 20 mile round trip commute. Buying the new bike was cheaper than repairing the old one. I also might add that I maintain this bike and plan to update components as needed so it will not be as expensive as an entire overhaul at one time. As for the old bike I have been accumulating parts on sale and salvaged from doner bikes to get that one on the road as a back up ride.

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Old 01-01-05, 08:25 AM
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A few points: first, if you're thinking of commuting regularly via bicycle, a second steed is a good idea. Personally, I would put fenders on the old 830, fix it up a bit, and use it as a secondary/rain bike. Then, given the length of your commute, I'd find a good older steel road bike (preferably with a double butted frame set) and make that my primary commuter. Figure out your sizing first, as others have pointed out.

Second, whatever you do, keep the rear brake. If there's one thing on a commuter you want to be a redundant system, it's the brakes. You'll be in traffic and will need to stop a lot. A second brake is always a good idea.

You can work on the bikes yourself if you're mechanically inclined (as you seem to be), but definitely make sure you carry a few tools for roadside repair. I'm of the school where I actually like to work on bikes, and there are few better ways to learn about them than to do a complete overhaul/rebuild. As others have said, it can be frustrating, but it is also rewarding.

As to the crazy point, we're not really crazy, it's just everyone else thinks we are. We're actually crazy like the fox, if anything. Commuting is fun on a bike, and drudgery in a car. But then, what else would someone on a bicycling forum say?
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Old 01-01-05, 09:40 AM
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Originally Posted by jfz


...I bought a new Trek 820 at the LBS for $169.00 on sale and it has served me well for my 20 mile round trip commute. Buying the new bike was cheaper than repairing the old one...
One of the "odd" things about the bike industry is that a brand new $200 bike has about $600 worth of parts on it. I enjoy buying twenty year old bikes and fixing them up. But, if one of the old bikes requires new wheels, new tires, new brake levers, new brake calipers...it is easy to spend $400 fixing up an old bike.

This time of year, many bike shops are "clearing out" the last of their 2004 models, and any "overstocks" from the holiday season. A bike such as the Trek 820, or a Trek hybrid can be found for around $200. And, there will be some bargains in the $400 range - bikes that ride as nicely and reliably as a $1,000 bike.

So, as much as I enjoy fixing up older bikes, if I needed ONE reliable bike, a bike that my bike shop will have spare parts in-stock when I need them, a new bike is often the cheapest and most dependable solution.
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Old 01-04-05, 10:11 AM
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Thanks for all the advice! I bought a new '04 GT Nomad for $280, and will be turning the Trek 830 into a beater bike as cheap/free parts become available. Great forum, appreciate it much!
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Old 01-04-05, 11:06 AM
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Congrats! Sounds like you made a great choice.
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Old 01-04-05, 01:02 PM
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I think that's a good choice (buying new and using the old Trek for a backup bike).

I'm "converting" my old 830 into a commuter (meaning, slicks and some fenders - just waiting on the fenders now). I do have other alternatives should the 830 become unrideable.
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