DVC45

Thanks hernick. I know I have to do those, I'm just happy with my $30 find, so I posted.
Saturday will definitely be a busy bike overhauling day, no, I might even start at midnight on Friday when I get off work.

kayakdiver

Good luck on your project! Should be a fun build.

DVC45

' did a trial run yesterday. Fully loaded (30lbs). It felt very stable, though I was only going 12mph tops on flat road. I'll try going to my local bike trail and go for a 12 miler and do some erratic turns and swerves and see how she handles (if only this rain would go away). So far all is good. Total $$ spent so far, $150. I know I still have to buy real touring panniers. These are just for commuting.


With the drop bar installed



Thanks again for all the help!

CaDan

Shwe-e-e-et!

You could jury rig another bottle cage on to the seat tube with some hose clamps.

EmmCeeBee

I'm impressed! You've come up with one of the best finds, and nicest low-cost conversions I've seen here. I don't know anything about the Trek 900 except what I see in the photo, but what I see says it's ideally suited for your purpose.

Even between the two photos above (the rise-bar version and the drop-bar version), you've obviously put a lot of work into it. Brakes, stem, shifters.... it's a nice job, and I bet by the end of it you'll know your bike inside out.

I'll just chip in with a few things I'd change.... when the $$ comes available. This is personal preference, but from a lot of time on the road. Of course, a lot depends on how you intend to use it -- for two-day tours around Illinois, you wouldn't need all of this.

-- Slicks for tires. Or at least narrow, non-knobby. It'll make a huge difference on pavement.

-- "Traditional" strutted fenders instead of the clip-ons. Anything that doesn't bolt on solid will find a way to work lose or drop into the wheels on a long tour. Besides.... you've got all the braze-ons, I'd use 'em!

-- Find a way to add one or two water bottle cages.

-- I assume you're gonna swap the pedals from your Paramount? If not, at least get pedals/straps...... it'd be a nightmare to have a foot slip loose on a bumpy downhill.

-- Kickstand = good, in my book. But the bottom-bracket mounted kind are frustrating. I've found that they allow a loaded bike to pivot. Worse, when you want to check your drivetrain off the bike, it blocks the pedals.

-- Can't really see the cassette (freewheel?) but it looks like a 28T or lower. If you expect hills or headwinds, I'd swap in lower gears (and/or a small granny). It looks like the derailleur is a long cage, so it should handle it.

-- Might as well get a front rack (knock-offs are under $20).... you've got all the braze-ons! Yep, your current panniers aren't touring models, but if they're big enough and don't give you problems, go ahead and use 'em on tour. And save up for the name brands.

No way is this meant to be critical -- you've got a stellar example of a mtb conversion, something that goes as gospel around here. And low cost, at that.

I have a Nishiki from the same timeframe (1988) and it's very similar, both in the frame and in the original components on your 900. My Nishiki is an excellent touring bike and I've used it for thousands of miles of loaded touring -- that's the way they made 'em back then.

-- Mark

DVC45

I was really skeptical when I bought the fenders, but I bought it anyway. I'll exchange it for a Planet Bike full fender set, come Monday.
I'm currently on the hunt for a nice and sturdy rear wheel (cassette type), as the spokes on mine are rusted. Next up (next month?) would be Brooks saddle, tires, front rack and panniers.
Thanks again for the tips. Please keep 'em coming!

lighthorse

Here we go again, all the reasons that this individual must buy a new, touring specific bike rather than just getting on the road with what he has. DVC, you first need to decide just where you are going to tour. If you aren't going to the Rockies then you may not need to do anything to the bike. You ask if the bike will hold up. Any bike will hold up, depending on how you care for it, how far you are going, and what route you are taking. Are you going to stay on paved roads? Are you staying in the U.S.? If you are staying in the U.S. on the paved roads and perform basic maintenance, your bike will do just fine. Then you need to decide how much stuff you are going to carry. Maybe you don't need a trailer at all. Maybe you can do with rear panniers, a rack bag, and maybe a bar bag.
It is good that you are beginning your planning with an open mind. Just don't get overwhelmed with all of the negative posts here about why your bike won't work. It can work just fine.

bhchdh 

DVC45 well done.

carkmouch

I'm a big fan of the DIY tour conversions, looks like a decent touring rig. I'd probably go for slick tires instead of those quasi-knobbies, or at least put the small, slicker tire on the rear and the knobby on front, it would be more efficient that way and you'd rather have the knobby on front for grip during turns and braking rather than on the rear.

The pedals will most likely do as they are, but I'd probably put some grippy BMX pedals on there.

Overall, not too shabby. Have fun touring!

delver

thought I would throw a pic of my treck Antelope MBT conversion at you. I did a 1400 miler on this. It was good on the rough trails. If I could find an Antelope in a larger frame(this was all I had for a rough tour at the time)I would ride it in heartbeat.

Just realized that there was a second page... nice setup.

surfjimc

deleted by me for being stupid and not reading the second page.