Which vintage Treks have good (28-32) clearance?
08-12-18, 12:01 PM
#1
The Huffmeister
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Which vintage Treks have good (28-32) clearance?
Hey guys!
I've been trying to educate myself on these great old Trek bicycles...the 750s, 770s, 970s, etc.
I thought a vintage 770 sounded like the perfect bike for me until I started reading about tire clearance. I haven't ventured past 25mm but I'd really like to in the near future.
I'm trying to find out what vintage Treks, if any, have decent tire clearance for some slightly larger tires. I'm looking at Treks from 1978 all the way through most of the 80s or at least bikes that have some connection to the USA factory (front triangle build, paint, etc).
Would a touring frameset (612, 613) be the way to go? Are those the bicycles that have dubious ride qualities until you weigh them down and then they come into their own?
I'd like to try enjoying a vintage American road bike in addition to the Japanese and French bikes, so any suggestions (even outside of Trek) that has decent tire clearance is welcomed or considered!
Thanks!
I've been trying to educate myself on these great old Trek bicycles...the 750s, 770s, 970s, etc.
I thought a vintage 770 sounded like the perfect bike for me until I started reading about tire clearance. I haven't ventured past 25mm but I'd really like to in the near future.
I'm trying to find out what vintage Treks, if any, have decent tire clearance for some slightly larger tires. I'm looking at Treks from 1978 all the way through most of the 80s or at least bikes that have some connection to the USA factory (front triangle build, paint, etc).
Would a touring frameset (612, 613) be the way to go? Are those the bicycles that have dubious ride qualities until you weigh them down and then they come into their own?
I'd like to try enjoying a vintage American road bike in addition to the Japanese and French bikes, so any suggestions (even outside of Trek) that has decent tire clearance is welcomed or considered!
Thanks!
08-12-18, 01:51 PM
#2
Senior Member
Alot of the mid level Treks of that era have good tire clearance. No, vintage tourers are not plagued by ill handling when empty. They're actually quite stable, with predicable (read: ever so slightly slow) steering.
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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,
08-12-18, 02:12 PM
#3
Full Member
My 1982 Trek 728 has the longest chain stays like some of the 720’s at 47cm. It clears these 700c X 38’s..... when I bought it from the original owner, he was running 40’s.
08-12-18, 02:38 PM
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I have a 1984 Trek 610 that originally came with 27 x 1 ⅛ tires. I converted it to 700c and used 700x32c Paselas without fenders, and 700x28c tires with fenders. It now has Challenge Strada Bianca 700x30c, with an actual width of 31 mm. With SKS 45 mm fenders I don't think it can take any wider 700c tires.
A friend converted a 1983 610 to 650b using long Weinmann centerpulls. He fit in (if I recall) 650bx38.
A friend converted a 1983 610 to 650b using long Weinmann centerpulls. He fit in (if I recall) 650bx38.
08-12-18, 03:26 PM
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I have a couple of the early 500 series bikes - both originally 27” wheels - and they easily converted to 700x38. They may not get the play that the Reynolds 531 bikes do, but Ishiwata tubing actually great - I think you’d have a hard time distinguishing them.
Go go through the old catalogs and see which models came with 27” wheels - they convert easily. Go big or go home - there’s no turning back once you experience the plush ride of wire tires!
Also, my ‘79 and ‘81 710s would likely have cleared 32mm tires without fenders. They both currently ride with 650x38 and fenders.
Go go through the old catalogs and see which models came with 27” wheels - they convert easily. Go big or go home - there’s no turning back once you experience the plush ride of wire tires!
Also, my ‘79 and ‘81 710s would likely have cleared 32mm tires without fenders. They both currently ride with 650x38 and fenders.
08-12-18, 03:33 PM
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[left]I have a couple of the early 500 series bikes - both originally 27” wheels - and they easily converted to 700x38. They may not get the play that the Reynolds 531 bikes do, but Ishiwata tubing actually great - I think you’d have a hard time distinguishing them.
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