What to do with 90's hybrid bike
 

Hi all!

I have a 1992 Trek 820 Antelope, which has a rather heavy cr-mo steel frame and a Shimano 200GS groupset. The drivetrain components are slowly but surely failing after nearly thirty years, and the canti brakes aren't holding up too well either, especially compared to modern side-pull brakes. The bike gets used for very short distance rides and light gravel, but nothing more.

I'm willing to spend $150 or less on refurbishing it, not including paint and sandblasting, if it comes down to that. I have already replaced the tires, tubes, and cables.

So, I'd like your opinions! (And I know what a risk it is to ask the Internet for an opinion)

• Is this bike simply past its prime and not worth salvaging? If it is, should I just bite the bullet and get another bike to replace it or just keep riding it 'til it don't ride no more
• If you think it'd still be cool to restore it back to its former glory, should I:
  • Go used-parts hunting: a Shimano 200GS for less used Shimano 200GS
  • Replace like-for-like: a Shimano 200GS for a modern-day equivalent, like Shimano Tourney - I'm not leaning towards this option to begin with, and I don't like 3x
  • Replace with a tier-up: A Shimano 200GS for a mich-mash of components like V-brakes, a new cassette, and a 1x chainring on the front
  • Replace with a complete groupset: A Shimano 200GS for something complete like a Box Three or Box Four groupset, along with V-brakes and a 1x chainring on the front
  • Go all out: Tear down the bike (I already have the tools), get it resprayed and laquered, and replace everything with a Box Three or Box Four groupset

Thank you for your opinions! I'll have a poll on this post so you can reply that way, or provide other ideas!

You left out the most important data point of all - if and how you use the bike now.

It doesn't make any sense to me to spend a lot of money on a bike that you don't like anymore. It also makes no sense to me to ignore or even replace a bike just because you've enjoyed and loved it for a long time.

To elaborate more, I do ride this bike very regularly, but never more than a few K's at a time. However, I do use this bike on a daily basis.

I see little value in making a bike into what it wasn't intended to be when it involves more cost then the used value of the bike. Unless this bike has some intangible value and is already very close to what one wants, after sinking $ into it, I say move it along to someone else. Andy

Hybrid bikes started out as a cross between an off-road mountain bike and a road bike. I can only see that as a bike with less than desirable qualities for either genre of cycling.

If you ride off the paved roads and trails, you need something for off road. If you ride paved roads, even paved roads in the mountains, you need a bike for paved roads.

If you wish to combine the two, then maybe a cross bike or gravel bike might fill the need, but I'd still buy a bike for the specific type of riding I'm going to do the most with it.

Though the geometry of Hybrids might at a glance look like you can just put drop bars on them and have a road bike, that isn't so all the time. Tube lengths and stuff is a little different on them.

Totally agree. That Trek is my clunker, commuting bike. I have a superbike that I use for actual decent rides on the road.

I'd get it into the best possible state of lubrication and adjustment, then leave it and go for N+1. The problem with gradual upgrades is you're stuck with the component standards of that era, and whatever odd parts you can find that will fit. Don't overlook brake pads.

Perform a tune up, replace cables and pads, and call it a day; leave the rest as-is for a nice grocery getter or a lender. Splurge on a newer bike with the specs desired; it'll be cheaper in the long run. Good luck!

I just acquired 2 Trek 820's.
The first I found in a neighbor's trash. It was clapped out and needed new gears, brakes, wheels, bearings and cables. And the seat-post was stuck like Excalibur's sword. But I found another MTB with 3x7 Sram parts and got it going and gave it to a friend as an urban go-getter/gravel bike.
Another friend commented on how good this bike rode so I got another for $40. This one was fine and had original GS200 components and it rides great after a quick tune up and new cables (it already had kool-stop pads).
My verdict? This model is a keeper.
Another friend just bought a $1700 Surley Troll and there's not much between them. Sure, it has disc brakes and a modern 1x drivetrain but they ride similar and the weight is not that much different. I concur with others here who say new cables, good brake pads (like kool-stop) and replace the derailleur with whatever you can find but its worth looking for a 2nd hand Deore or similar quality. This bike is from the golden era of bikes when they still had unbreakable, no-suspension CrMo frames, modern drivetrains which shift and brake well and parts that are still super easy to source and work on.

10 years ago I would have said to go buy good (XT, LX) used 1990’s components and build it back up. Unfortunately the price of older parts has become obscene; and tough to find. I was floored recently when I went looking for some Avid SD7 V-brakes, actually any higher quality V-brakes.

The biggest issue is what are you going to spend on a new bike, and what is your return in use if the new bike is used a few K’s at a time.

I would probably test out a few newer bikes, if you can, to see if you prefer the ride and newer components. Then just decide where you want to put your money.

John

Poll selection #1 and #2 should not be mutually exclusive. Actually, per Bike Forums wisdom, selection #2 should not be mutually exclusive with any of the other selections.

It shouldn't be that hard to keep an old Trek 820 going. Whatever parts you can find, old parts bin, NOS or equivalent new gear like Altus should all work. FWIW, I don't see anything wrong with Cantilever brakes. Just replace the cables if they are frayed or worn, and new pads and you should be good to go.

You've already put new tires, tubes and cables on it so those costs have been made. I'd clean up, lube and adjust the bearings, add new brake pads and ride it until something really major need to be replaced.