I have my eye on this touring frame/fork. I'm undecided on whether I'd make it a single-speed or just a second geared bike. Basically I like the lugs, the color, and the touring frameness.
Any reasons not to bid on this? What's Reynolds 501 like?
lieutenantsean
Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2006 9:14 pm
Joined: 10 Oct 2005Posts: 1255
This is a decent frame. The logo and the fact that it's steel suggest it's around 10-15 years old. Has a few nice touches like the the adjustment screws in the rear drop outs and cantilever braze-ons. The rear spacing is a tad narrow, but that's about my only complaint.
Pretty good buy for the money. If it's straight and not cracked, then it should have another 10 years of use in it easily. Make it a geared bike, toss some racks and fenders on it and you'll have a choice all purpose thrash unit.
_________________ Bringing you Retro-Grouchiness since 1984
SeditiousCanary
Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2006 9:43 pm
sorry, can't make it!Joined: 26 Jan 2006Posts: 2315Location: Fremont Troll
Agreed, the only things you should do is pitch the headset, build it and ride it.
Aaron
Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2006 11:10 pm
Joined: 25 Jul 2005Posts: 4645
The frame set is easily 20 years old. The headset is a Galli I think. Plastic but hey if it turns back and forth and is not loose, WTF, it is OK. Treks from that era use a one piece head tube - Lug combination. The 2 head lugs and the head tube are all one piece. Reynolds 501 is good tubing. The numbers in Reynolds tubing refer to the percentages of alloys in the steel. Different alloys make stronger steel so they can use less of it. 531 is lighter, 753 is lighter still. The rear drop out spacing can be cold-set to anything you like. I would do it for a 6-pack! It is probably 120 or 126mm. It could be cold set to anyting from 120 to 135mm, that would cover any use you want to put it to.
Steel is Real!
Sarah
Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2006 7:40 am
Joined: 24 Jul 2005Posts: 184
Great feedback, A++++, will ask for opinions again.
Quote:
Steel is Real!
That's the idea! If I do bid, it won't be a very high amount, so I may well be outbid. WE SHALL SEE.
jillita
Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2006 8:46 am
Joined: 13 Oct 2005Posts: 744Location: the westside
I have two friends who have Treks from the early 80s and they still use them as their primary bikes. One woman tours all over the place with hers, panniers and all. I hear them give the "you'll have to pry my Trek from my cold, dead hands" speach quite often. Granted they're heavy as poop, but bombproof. Give it some proper luvin' and it'll be around forever. (Gosh can aluminum do that.......hmmmmm.....what's the message here kids....)
lieutenantsean
Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2006 9:05 am
Joined: 10 Oct 2005Posts: 1255
That rocks. I told my wife I am to be buried with my co-motion (or what is left of it).
Amazing that aaron got all of that from a look but didn't read the text (headset: stronglight, rear stay spacing: 126mm).
Treks were the shit once. Then for some odd-ass reason they decided to make their top of the line touring bike (the 520) aluminum. After that, they started doing some silly shit spec'ing their bikes.
_________________ Bringing you Retro-Grouchiness since 1984
Stanglor
Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2006 10:45 am
Joined: 28 Jan 2006Posts: 555Location: Wallingford
I have a 520 bought in 02 and it's all steel. On their website it's listed as Cro-Moly...Cro Moly is 4130 steel. If they did in fact switch to aluminum at some point then they are back to steel and have been for at least 4 years.
Old Fart
Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2006 12:30 pm
Joined: 23 Feb 2006Posts: 31Location: Cardboard box by the beach
Emerging from lurker mode and pretending I know wtf I'm talking about...
The classic Trek web site lists that serial number as a 21" 520 from '83, Not a 560 as the seller claims. The 560 was also a tri/racing bike, so cantis would be unlikely on the 560. The brochure doesn't show it having canti bosses, tho. They were added to the 520 in '84, maybe a mid-year update?
You can see old Trek brochures here:
http://www.vintage-trek.com/TrekBrochures.htm
Considering the year, I think it belongs with this group.
joby
Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2006 1:02 pm
goes to elevenJoined: 25 Jul 2005Posts: 3899Location: The Cloud
Old Fart wrote:
Emerging from lurker mode and pretending I know wtf I'm talking about...
The classic Trek web site lists that serial number as a 21" 520 from '83, Not a 560 as the seller claims. The 560 was also a tri/racing bike, so cantis would be unlikely on the 560. The brochure doesn't show it having canti bosses, tho. They were added to the 520 in '84, maybe a mid-year update?
You can see old Trek brochures here:
http://www.vintage-trek.com/TrekBrochures.htm
Considering the year, I think it belongs with this group.
Come ride with us tonight!
Old Fart
Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2006 1:16 pm
Joined: 23 Feb 2006Posts: 31Location: Cardboard box by the beach
If not tonight, then tomorrow for sure.
_________________ Work Buy Consume Die
Aaron
Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2006 1:59 pm
Joined: 25 Jul 2005Posts: 4645
lieutenantsean wrote:
Amazing that aaron got all of that from a look but didn't read the text (headset: stronglight, rear stay spacing: 126mm).
I did not read the text. I was going to say Stronglight, but Galli were made by Stronglight or a copy. I had one of those plastic headsets on my bike once. The plastic is just a large dust cap, the bearings run on metal.
lieutenantsean
Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2006 2:05 pm
Joined: 10 Oct 2005Posts: 1255
I remember the words Galli and Stronglight being used together in the way you discuss. At least, I do now that you bring it up.
Mostly, I was marvelling at how much detail you got just by looking at the picture.
There was nothing to make me assume the rear spacing was 126mm. Although now that I think, my 520 had 126mm spacing but the hubs they spec'd it with had 135mm axles.
I wished many maledictions on the genius that did that everytime I had to put the rear wheel back on.
_________________ Bringing you Retro-Grouchiness since 1984
the dreaded ben
Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2006 5:26 pm
Grumpy GreebJoined: 20 Aug 2005Posts: 5329Location: flavor country
lieutenantsean wrote:
Treks were the shit once. Then for some odd-ass reason they decided to make their top of the line touring bike (the 520) aluminum. After that, they started doing some silly shit spec'ing their bikes.
the shitty high end alum touring bike they made for awhile in the late 90's was the 540. the 520 has always been steel.
i contribute it to the cocaine 80's finally getting up to wisconson.
nevertheless, that frame is well worth it.
eternalignorance
Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2006 5:32 pm
Joined: 08 Jan 2006Posts: 359Location: Imaginary Places
And zee sandwich heavy portfolio pays off for the wry investor!
Sarah
Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2006 7:05 am
Joined: 24 Jul 2005Posts: 184
eternalignorance wrote:
And zee sandwich heavy portfolio pays off for the wry investor!
I like a good pastrami on wry, myself.
I got outbid on the Trek. Ah well. I'll be keeping my eyes out for a good steel SS frame... nothing like the excitement of the hunt.
Sarah
Posted: Thu Mar 02, 2006 10:01 pm
Joined: 24 Jul 2005Posts: 184
Another one to tempt me, and it's only $90 including shipping buy-it-now.
Thoughts on Sekai? I'm interested more in the frame than the parts, as it'll be converted to ss.
lieutenantsean
Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2006 8:38 am
Joined: 10 Oct 2005Posts: 1255
that bike isn't worth 90$
_________________ Bringing you Retro-Grouchiness since 1984
joby
Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2006 9:07 am
goes to elevenJoined: 25 Jul 2005Posts: 3899Location: The Cloud
lieutenantsean wrote:
that bike isn't worth 90$
If you're going to aquire random low-end bikes (A practice I approve of), stick to craigslist. You can pick things up for $20 - $40, and not pay shipping.
lieutenantsean
Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2006 9:27 am
Joined: 10 Oct 2005Posts: 1255
joby wrote:
lieutenantsean wrote:
that bike isn't worth 90$
If you're going to aquire random low-end bikes (A practice I approve of), stick to craigslist. You can pick things up for $20 - $40, and not pay shipping.
Huzzah.
_________________ Bringing you Retro-Grouchiness since 1984
Sarah
Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2006 7:19 pm
Joined: 24 Jul 2005Posts: 184
That answers the "tell me about Sekai" question nicely. Thanks. :)
All times are GMT - 8 Hours
The time now is Fri Aug 11, 2023 6:28 am
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
Joined: 24 Jul 2005
Posts: 184
Joined: 10 Oct 2005
Posts: 1255
sorry, can't make it!
Joined: 26 Jan 2006
Posts: 2315
Location: Fremont Troll
Joined: 13 Oct 2005
Posts: 744
Location: the westside
Joined: 28 Jan 2006
Posts: 555
Location: Wallingford
goes to eleven
Joined: 25 Jul 2005
Posts: 3899
Location: The Cloud
Grumpy Greeb
Joined: 20 Aug 2005
Posts: 5329
Location: flavor country
