trailmix

I am going to look at an 84 Trek 610 tomorrow and I am wondering how this particular model rates. I currently am riding an 85 500 model and I like it very much and I am curious how the 610 will compare. According to the owner it was built up from a frame set with Shimano components instead of the complete bike that came with Suntour. The owner says it is as near mint as you can get but I know how that goes. If anybody would like to share their opinion, I would love to hear it.

bikemig 

The bike came with a shimano 600 group and Reynolds 531 cs frame (531 double butted main triangle and Reynolds chrome moly frame and fork). I own one. It is a very fine bicycle.

trailmix

Oh yes, you are right, they did come with Shimano 600. The owner told me the complete bikes came with Suntour...hmm.
I am wondering if I will be able to tell much of a difference between the 610 and my 500. I also have an 87 Elance 400T and I think I prefer the 500.

Road Fan

Yes, the owner is wrong. I have one I bought new. I've always thought the frame is a little too stiff, a little jittery of a ride. It's Reynolds 531, but the DT is 10/7/10 rather than the 9/6/9 or 8/5/8 used by other ocmpanies that built with 531 db back then. The 500 is a more supple frame, being built with 9/6/9 for both TT and DT. That gives the 500's the same main tubing configuration as Columbus SL, which has always been recognized as one of the best all-around ride/handling combinations.

I think the 1984 610 also has too much trail - it handles a front bag load rather badly at low speeds. I expect the 500 to have similar front-end geometry since Trek maintained a lot of frame parameters the same from year to year. Trek marketed the 610 as a sports/tourer, but it's much more on the sports side. Not that it can't tour, bit it isn't a real touring bike.

trailmix

Thanks for the info. I looked at the brochures and I think the geometry is similar if not identical but the tubing differences could definitely change the ride. Honestly I doubt I would notice the stiff ride, I grew up on early 90s Cannondales and never found them too stiff so...

Classtime 

I had a 710 for a while. Nice rider and I might have kept it if there was a little more room under the brake bridge. The 610 might have similar limitations. 28s and fenders were very tight. Doable, but too close for keeping as a versatile all rounder.

Chr0m0ly 

I LOVED mine, it was stolen out of my garage in Chicago. Mine was a 24” frame, might be why I didn’t find mine to be too stiff. Never used a front rack so no experience with the jitters. 28’s with fenders is true, but I ran mine with 32’s and race blade clip on fenders.
For me it was zippier than a touring bike, but more predictable than a racing bike. Toss a lunch and a sweater into some small rear panniers and it was my favorite long day in the saddle/commuter bike.

When it was taken I ended up replacing it with a ‘79 510 in full Ishiwata 022. For me the rides are pretty comparable, but I never had the chance to ride them back to back.

Full disclosure, this was my best condition bike. Everything was original and in beautiful, shiny condition. If that colored my impression of the ride I wouldn’t be surprised.

Damn I miss that bike.

Road Fan

On mine now I'm using 700c CR 18 rims, 6-spd friction, 53-39 vintage Campy Chorus double, Huret friction shifters (duopar), a Rivet saddle, 45 mm fenders with Strada Bianca 30 mm clinchers. I also had a high rake fork made for it, so it has enough smoothness now for longer rides. I did this because despite everything I don't like (post #4 ), the frame angles and tube lengths seem to mimic the Rene Herse that Jan Heine used as his "great bike" reference in the early days of his publication. Front brake needed longer reach and I found a Mafac had adequate reach. Gearing now is 7 sp 13-30 and 53-39 and the Duopar rear mech behaves extremely well if I'm careful. I'll be changing the chainset to 50-34 pretty soon. It's turning into a pretty good distance bike, with these changes. I dont really need a 650b any more.

trailmix

Well I haven’t seen the bike yet. The seller is an older gentleman who didn’t want to get out in the rain today but he is going to hang onto the bike until I get a chance to look it over. Still not sure if I am willing to give $225 for it unless it really is mint.

bikemig 

$225 is a very decent price for the bike assuming it has its original gear and is in good shape. It is one of the best riding bikes I have owned. It is very fine long distance machine.

coolkat

I had one and was not a fan. Felt stiff and slow. Built it up slowly and super nice as a keeper and sold it about a month later. Looked nice though.

Lascauxcaveman 

Mine was an '85, and it felt stiff and fast. I was a fan, rode it off and on for six years but shuffled it off eventually as I had (have) too many similar bikes and wanted to make room. Upgraded the RD and shifters to indexed 600 and CLed it for $225. It was nowhere near mint.