thenomad

I hope to go see a Trek 720 "hybrid" bike. late 90s old school MTB style with the 700c wheels. I've been looking to do a SS bike for cross and winter commuting but haven't pulled the trigger on a 26" bike yet.
For relatively cheap this looks like it may fit the bill. I'd bet it's heavy, but seems to be on par with something like the Fantom Cross Uno.

Anyone have one or seen one as a crosser?

fietsbob

Commute great , if you have to shoulder it and run up a hill, repeatedly for 45 minutes,
in a cross race, you would wish for something lighter.

But at least as a single speed it will be stripped down to minimal drive train.
Straight bars and levers should keep it simple.

thenomad

Think its heavier than the fantom cross uno?
I like the option of running it geared and SS instead of a dedicated SS frame.

big_heineken

I don't think it would be very heavy. I converted a mid-90s hybrid to cyclocross. It's a chromoly Mongoose Crossway 450. I can confirm that it was not the bike that was holding me back.

daveizdum

I have a 1999 Trek 700 Multitrack. The frame is durable (I used to ride it down stairs) but the fork was garbage. The frame isn't terribly heavy, but the parts Trek loaded onto it were bricks. Each time I replace a part, I weight it (the scientist in me can't help it). To give you an idea of the weight of the parts, the saddle, seat post, tires, wheels, stem, and bars weigh a combined 12lbs.

To make it cyclocross-ready, you'll probably do as I've done over the past 10 years: replace everything but the frame, derailleurs/shifters, and brakes. If you have decent parts lying around, go for it. Otherwise, buy a better bike.

Then (>30lbs) and now (~22lbs) photos attached.

Alan@TreeFort

You'd be really surprised what some people ride in cyclocross events. If you are looking to race and win, there are definitely better options - I would go more towards a cylcocross specific bike and use it for commuting also. But if you are looking to save a little cash, have a great commuter bike, and have fun at 'cross events, it should work out well for you.

thenomad

I missed out on the 720 that was listed locally for cheap.
I was hoping for a bike I can turn SS and commute on with fenders/racks etc and not have to take them all off my geared Cross bike. I'm still looking for an option, just eyeing 26" mountain bikes and 29er too as something i can use while also having it different enough to have fun in other places too.

thenomad

What are the largest tires you can fit on that? I'm thinking a monstercross with 1.8" knobbies would be a cheap 29r and then commuter on slicks.

droobieinop

It may be too late for that 720 but, keep your eyes open for others. I have a '95 750 that I bought new. It has been through many transformations and is now a 2x7 RS briftered commute/tour/backup cross bike. Still a bit heavy around 22 lbs or +/- but, still a good ride. If you want a project, have the parts and want to train for or try out cross, you could do worse.

Here's how mine came out.

Well this is an old pic with 38s and no pedals (mid build).

BTW... You would need horizontal drop outs or a chain tensioner to run ss. might as well run a 1x and have some gears.

daveizdum

The largest I've had on it were 700x38. You could easily put something larger in the rear. I'd be happy to take some measurements if you tell me what you want. I don't have the original fork, so I don't know how big you could go up front. The original rims had an inside width of 19mm, allowing them to handle anything from 700x28 to 700x44.

https://www.sheldonbrown.com/tire-sizing.html#width

thenomad

It'd be pretty sweet to run a 700x42 or 44. That'd pretty much be on par with most 29ers right? Then drop down to 30 for the commute with fenders.
A 1x7 or whatever would be fine with the right front ring and a barend shifter.
A new front fork like a Surly Cross fork with 1" threadless sounds promising.

22lb actually doesn't sound bad. Either way, I'm now thinking this may work as it'd be way cheaper than a new "cheap" 29er or SS cross frame.

Frankenbuild is more up my alley anyhow.

daveizdum

The old Trek, referenced above, originally had a 1" threaded headset. Notice that the "before" photo shows a crappy adjustable quill stem. I'm guessing you'll find threaded headsets on many low end bikes from this era.

TimJ

A Trek 720 would make an excellent cross bike or commuter, perhaps a tad heavy.



That's my 700 which I no longer have. Only the downtube on it was cromo so it was heavy but I loved the geometry. I sold it with something like 42c tires on it, iirc.