1984 Trek 890 City Commuter "Urban Canyon" Bike, What to make of this beast?
12-13-12, 01:32 PM
#26
one life on two wheels
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: St. Petersburg, FL
Posts: 2,552
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 18 Times
in
15 Posts
Wow the geo of that Trek is remarkably similar to my Kogswell P/R!
https://yojimg.net/bike/kogswell/kogs...%20P:R/590.jpg
https://yojimg.net/bike/kogswell/kogs...%20P:R/590.jpg
12-14-12, 01:13 AM
#27
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 360
Bikes: koga miyata road gentleman, raleigh crested butte, raleigh comp 650b
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
i am biased but.... https://www.rivbike.com/product-p/hb10.htm
12-14-12, 12:35 PM
#28
a77impala
I have a 1985 870 that I put cross bike fork on and 700x35 tire, the ride is great. Also
put V brakes on it. Then I converted shifters to Rapid Fire seven speed.
The 890 was not made in '85.
put V brakes on it. Then I converted shifters to Rapid Fire seven speed.
The 890 was not made in '85.
12-15-12, 10:31 AM
#29
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Gateway to the West
Posts: 811
Bikes: You mean this week?
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 29 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 29 Times
in
20 Posts
I will say the quality of these bikes is completely undervalued in the bike marketplace. The Trek road bikes at the same quality point usually sell for a couple hundred dollars more.
12-17-12, 06:44 AM
#30
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Posts: 29
Bikes: 1984 Trek 510 - Full Campagnolo Triomphe, 1955 Raleigh Superbe
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
The 830 was constructed with Reynolds 501 AT (All-Terrain), the 890 was constructed with Reynolds 501 road tubing. The 890 also has a slightly different geometry than the 830 and 850 from the same year.
Here are some more pictures; she is polishing up nicely. Sorry for the quality again, my camera lens is in for repair at the moment.
Here are some more pictures; she is polishing up nicely. Sorry for the quality again, my camera lens is in for repair at the moment.
I have an 830 of the same year. I thought they had the same Reynolds 501 frame but just a different component package. You're saying the 890 actually had a frame of its own? My bubble is officially burst.
I will say the quality of these bikes is completely undervalued in the bike marketplace. The Trek road bikes at the same quality point usually sell for a couple hundred dollars more.
I will say the quality of these bikes is completely undervalued in the bike marketplace. The Trek road bikes at the same quality point usually sell for a couple hundred dollars more.
12-18-12, 08:03 AM
#31
aka: Mike J.
And this is why I love the C&V forum! Thank you for the wealth of knowledge. I am not really sure what my plans are for it, I am tight on cash and its a wee big for me (I am a 54cm, this is a 23"). I'm thinking on cleaning and tuning it up how it is and we will go from there. A little day dreaming never hurt anyone...
__________________
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Life happens, don't be a spectator.
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Life happens, don't be a spectator.
12-18-12, 06:04 PM
#32
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Posts: 29
Bikes: 1984 Trek 510 - Full Campagnolo Triomphe, 1955 Raleigh Superbe
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Well I measured incorrectly and was thrown off by the geometry and it is actually a 21.5". It's still a bit big but may be manageable. I have yet to ride it yet so until then it's still up in the air. I will keep you in mind if things change as I am always interested in a new steed.
01-30-13, 05:21 PM
#34
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Posts: 29
Bikes: 1984 Trek 510 - Full Campagnolo Triomphe, 1955 Raleigh Superbe
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Not to beat a dead horse or anything... Here is a little update on the project. I have been building her up over the last month. It has become a project for my lady; at least that is how I justify it to her 
. I switched the thumb shifters from the nasty plastic Shimano EM's to some shiny first-gen Deore XT "Deer Head" shifters. I also swapped out the rear Z series derailleur for a Deore XT "Deer Head", the front remains a Z until I stumble upon a matching front. I put on a black Brooks B17 and matching grips I picked up on Craigslist on the cheap. Now only if it wasn't 15 degrees and snowing... Pictures to follow soon.
. I switched the thumb shifters from the nasty plastic Shimano EM's to some shiny first-gen Deore XT "Deer Head" shifters. I also swapped out the rear Z series derailleur for a Deore XT "Deer Head", the front remains a Z until I stumble upon a matching front. I put on a black Brooks B17 and matching grips I picked up on Craigslist on the cheap. Now only if it wasn't 15 degrees and snowing... Pictures to follow soon.
01-31-13, 08:37 PM
#36
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 2,978
Bikes: Cannondale T700s and a few others
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Cool another one! Can't believe I missed this thread. Like how you built it up.
John:
Great to hear a little of the history and ideas behind it. I bought mine as a loose frame missing its original bits and built it up with what I had around. Link to mine is posted above.
Good rider and I have enjoyed it.
The original model 890 shared frame geometry with the Trek ATBs of that day, but used standard diameter tubing and lighter-duty components. It was explicitly designed as an urban commuter bike, not an off-road bike. We actually contemplated using drum brakes but couldn't find any at an appropriate price point that still met CPSC brake standards. The Tektro brakes on your bike are not original; Dia-Compe cantilevers were the original spec. Those radial tires were my least favorite thing about that model -- they had a weird, squishy-squirmy ride that really bothered me. In any case, radial ply tires don't really make sense for a bicycle, so I suspect the use of radial plys was more a marketing ploy than anything else.
Great to hear a little of the history and ideas behind it. I bought mine as a loose frame missing its original bits and built it up with what I had around. Link to mine is posted above.
Good rider and I have enjoyed it.
Last edited by Grim; 01-31-13 at 08:42 PM.
02-02-13, 04:41 PM
#37
Senior Member
I was a Trek dealer also and only remember selling one or two of these. Did much better with the model (s) below this one. These were the days of super long 44 or so long wheelbases. Yes, a bike limousine, but a super comfortable one-racks, fenders, galore.
02-02-13, 05:12 PM
#38
smelling the roses
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Tixkokob, Yucatán, México
Posts: 15,320
Bikes: 79 Trek 930, 80 Trek 414, 84 Schwinn Letour Luxe (coupled), 92 Schwinn Paramount PDG 5
Mentioned: 104 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7081 Post(s)
Liked 901 Times
in
612 Posts
And this is why I love the C&V forum! Thank you for the wealth of knowledge. I am not really sure what my plans are for it, I am tight on cash and its a wee big for me (I am a 54cm, this is a 23"). I'm thinking on cleaning and tuning it up how it is and we will go from there. A little day dreaming never hurt anyone...
02-02-13, 09:02 PM
#39
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: santa barbara CA
Posts: 1,087
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 96 Post(s)
Liked 30 Times
in
21 Posts
__________________
Brian
Brian
02-03-13, 06:56 AM
#41
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Gateway to the West
Posts: 811
Bikes: You mean this week?
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 29 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 29 Times
in
20 Posts
If you can use an 18" frame you should PM me. I have a Trek 830 and a Peugeot Urban Express, and I have to drive to Chicagoland for work this week.
02-03-13, 04:34 PM
#42
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Posts: 29
Bikes: 1984 Trek 510 - Full Campagnolo Triomphe, 1955 Raleigh Superbe
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I can't wait to see how it feels! I am still looking for a new headset, the Stronglight plastic one is doing it for me. I also want to do away with the front reflector, but can't for the life of me figure out the name of the part I am looking for. I need replace the front reflector bracket/cable guide with just a cable holder, whats the name of that part? Still a newbie... Now just some new pedals and tires and she will be ready to roll.
02-03-13, 05:44 PM
#43
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 2,978
Bikes: Cannondale T700s and a few others
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
I can't wait to see how it feels! I am still looking for a new headset, the Stronglight plastic one is doing it for me. I also want to do away with the front reflector, but can't for the life of me figure out the name of the part I am looking for. I need replace the front reflector bracket/cable guide with just a cable holder, whats the name of that part? Still a newbie... Now just some new pedals and tires and she will be ready to roll.
https://sheldonbrown.com/harris/cable...are-brake.html
02-03-13, 07:02 PM
#44
Senior Member
My 1984 830 for comparison. I am regaining ownership of this one this Summer. I've never been happier. It weighs a metric ton it seems, but it rides like a dream. If it was an inch or so bigger I couldn't complain at all. For $39, I'll take it though hehe. Early Trek mountain bikes seem to be hard as heck to find already, seeing one of these is incredible!,,,,BD
__________________
So many bikes, so little dime.
So many bikes, so little dime.
02-03-13, 07:19 PM
#46
Senior Member
It's getting lighter weight knobby tires and a complete rebuild once I get "home".,,,,BD
__________________
So many bikes, so little dime.
So many bikes, so little dime.
02-04-13, 06:12 PM
#49
keep it simple.
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 117
Bikes: Univega Superstrada modern build
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
