Which bike would you keep for touring?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
#2
Senior Member
I think you should just ask Meryl Streep.
what are your thoughts, tell us about the Marin and why we should keep it, or even consider it to stay on the island?
what are your thoughts, tell us about the Marin and why we should keep it, or even consider it to stay on the island?
Likes For djb:
#4
Senior Member
I'd choose the Marin. All of my pre'90s touring bikes had traditional diamond frames with level top tubes. All of them were somewhat noodly handling when loaded heavily. I've been riding a Bruce Gordon Rock&Road for the past 25 years. It has a sloping top tube similar to the Marin and handles much better loaded.
Also, being a little guy, nothing makes me feel smaller than a bike with a high standover height. The sloping top tube with more exposed seat post makes me feel like a big guy! Yes, less real estate for water bottles but you'll find a way around that. The Marin has a taller head tube than my BG bringing the bars up to a comfortable touring height without much stem/riser extension.
You may wish for lower gearing than the stock 30x34.
Also, being a little guy, nothing makes me feel smaller than a bike with a high standover height. The sloping top tube with more exposed seat post makes me feel like a big guy! Yes, less real estate for water bottles but you'll find a way around that. The Marin has a taller head tube than my BG bringing the bars up to a comfortable touring height without much stem/riser extension.
You may wish for lower gearing than the stock 30x34.
#5
Banned
slow loading pictures...
I don't have either of your bikes, I'd keep the ones I have..
LBS sells Trek , we had a 520 there.. have a 920 in stock now..
Do Tell, what are your touring plans ? where are you planning to go?
...
LBS sells Trek , we had a 520 there.. have a 920 in stock now..
Do Tell, what are your touring plans ? where are you planning to go?
...
Last edited by fietsbob; 04-22-19 at 09:08 AM.
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,867
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 595 Post(s)
Liked 282 Times
in
193 Posts
If you really really have to rid yourself of one, and you can't make up your mind, then IMO, you should keep the newer Marin since it will be less frustrating to find parts in the future. (And I'm a brifters kind of guy)
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 18,063
Bikes: Stewart S&S coupled sport tourer, Stewart Sunday light, Stewart Commuting, Stewart Touring, Co Motion Tandem, Stewart 3-Spd, Stewart Track, Fuji Finest, Mongoose Tomac ATB, GT Bravado ATB, JCP Folder, Stewart 650B ATB
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4197 Post(s)
Liked 3,849 Times
in
2,300 Posts
I'd choose the Marin. All of my pre'90s touring bikes had traditional diamond frames with level top tubes. All of them were somewhat noodly handling when loaded heavily. I've been riding a Bruce Gordon Rock&Road for the past 25 years. It has a sloping top tube similar to the Marin and handles much better loaded.
Also, being a little guy, nothing makes me feel smaller than a bike with a high standover height. The sloping top tube with more exposed seat post makes me feel like a big guy! Yes, less real estate for water bottles but you'll find a way around that. The Marin has a taller head tube than my BG bringing the bars up to a comfortable touring height without much stem/riser extension.
You may wish for lower gearing than the stock 30x34.
Also, being a little guy, nothing makes me feel smaller than a bike with a high standover height. The sloping top tube with more exposed seat post makes me feel like a big guy! Yes, less real estate for water bottles but you'll find a way around that. The Marin has a taller head tube than my BG bringing the bars up to a comfortable touring height without much stem/riser extension.
You may wish for lower gearing than the stock 30x34.
I do agree with smaller bikes and stand over though. Andy (who's 5' 6")
__________________
AndrewRStewart
AndrewRStewart
#10
Senior Member
Yes, I'm sure the modern level top tube frames (such as Surly) have addressed the stiffness issue. I believe I can make out a Reynolds 501 sticker on the '83 Trek in question (slightly heavier than 531) so indeed, it may not be a noodle!
#11
Behold my avatar:
Join Date: May 2006
Location: SW Colorado
Posts: 1,034
Bikes: 2019 Gorilla Monsoon, 2013 Surly Krampus, Brompton folder
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6941 Post(s)
Liked 444 Times
in
289 Posts
Marin.
More versatile for different types of roads.
Better riding position for touring, imo.
More versatile for different types of roads.
Better riding position for touring, imo.
#12
Macro Geek
I have two touring bikes, one purchased 34 years ago, other 16 years ago. Both are awesome for touring and commuting. But if I had to choose between the two, I would opt for the newer one. Now that both bikes are old-ish, it's becoming challenging to find replacement parts -- but moreso for the 1985 model!
#13
Clark W. Griswold
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: ,location, location
Posts: 13,493
Bikes: Foundry Chilkoot Ti W/Ultegra Di2, Salsa Timberjack Ti, Cinelli Mash Work RandoCross Fun Time Machine, 1x9 XT Parts Hybrid, Co-Motion Cascadia, Specialized Langster, Phil Wood Apple VeloXS Frame (w/DA 7400), R+M Supercharger2 Rohloff, Habanero Ti 26
Mentioned: 54 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4342 Post(s)
Liked 3,978 Times
in
2,659 Posts
I like the look of the 520 and some of the parts on it are quite excellent for touring however probably the Marin is going to be a more practical bike as it is more modern. I wouldn't get rid of either bike or if I was keeping the Marin I would do a lot to it to work well for me.
#14
Senior Member
I have had similar thoughts about my 1990 520 and 2017 Vaya. It came down to where I live and ride. If in a rough area with lots of theft, or if I need money, I'd keep the less expensive 520, otherwise it's the newer Vaya.
I did purchase the Vaya first and copied a lot about it when I restored the 520 so the fit is similar on both bikes.
I did purchase the Vaya first and copied a lot about it when I restored the 520 so the fit is similar on both bikes.
#15
Senior Member
The only thing the Marin has going for it is the disc brakes. Otherwise it's all about the Trek.
__________________
My bikes: '81 Trek 957, '83 Trek 720, '85 Trek 500, '85 Trek 770,'81 Merckx, '85 Centurion Cinelli, '85 Raleigh Portage, '92 RB-2, '09 Bianchi
My bikes: '81 Trek 957, '83 Trek 720, '85 Trek 500, '85 Trek 770,
#16
Senior Member
Thread Starter
#17
Senior Member
If you actually tour on it, you can look into if its possible to change the 30 granny to a 26 or something, this change makes a big difference if carrying a moderate load and in hilly terrain.
I just dont know if this crankset can do it, its all about the bcd and bolt pattern-which determines if a smaller granny can be put on.
Ive done this on a few bikes with 50/39/30, and an experienced mechanic will be able to give you a proper answer, although I would get more than one opinion and inform yourself about the details before asking, some stores and mechanics are notorious for not bothering with something "non standard" and or are not knowledgeable and or misinformed and or just dont want to spend the time.
enjoy it, nice bike. The spyre disc brakes are supposed to be good, and at least are not no name low end brakes.
#18
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Right now it will mainly be used for high mile all day rides. I love the 6 bottle cage mounts. Most my miles are in the country away from water supplies. The gearing will be fine for my flat area. Touring plans later this summer, not sure where.
__________________
Semper fi
Semper fi
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Eugene, Oregon, USA
Posts: 27,547
Mentioned: 217 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18369 Post(s)
Liked 4,507 Times
in
3,350 Posts
I'd choose the Marin. All of my pre'90s touring bikes had traditional diamond frames with level top tubes. All of them were somewhat noodly handling when loaded heavily. I've been riding a Bruce Gordon Rock&Road for the past 25 years. It has a sloping top tube similar to the Marin and handles much better loaded.
I've been riding a Tricross and a Coda conversion a bit lately, and both seem to do much better with at least moderate loads.
I'm planning on doing some more experimenting this summer, but my guess is that the flex comes from several sources from a vintage rack to thinner tubes. And, perhaps tubing specs not designed for loaded riding.
The bike choice will really depend on where one is riding.
My riding seems to do well with narrow tires. So, I'd lean towards the Trek (depending on how it actually rides).
However, the Marin is quite an interesting bike.
Likes For CliffordK:
#20
Senior Member
Correction: low and mid level steel Treks are easy-ish to pick up. The high end stuff still is, and will remain "keeper" worthy. I plan to pick up a new Trek 520 later this year, but none of my good steel Treks are going anywhere, including the 720.
__________________
My bikes: '81 Trek 957, '83 Trek 720, '85 Trek 500, '85 Trek 770,'81 Merckx, '85 Centurion Cinelli, '85 Raleigh Portage, '92 RB-2, '09 Bianchi
My bikes: '81 Trek 957, '83 Trek 720, '85 Trek 500, '85 Trek 770,
Likes For nesteel:
#21
Senior Member
Thread Starter
I seem to find a lot of them. Also I own a few others as well.
__________________
Semper fi
Semper fi
#22
Senior Member
It would seem that this is a good example of the "trickle down" thing with shimano, and hopefully the should last a good long time if taken care of properly.
the shifting is "soft" compared to 105 and up, but I certainly cant complain about using my tiagra shifters from 2010 (touch wood)
have fun learning the new tricks with disc brakes, not overly hard, but still, new tricks to learn and to get used to the few foibles that come with very good braking.
But all learnable if you have the interest.