1991 Trek 950 POLICE
10-26-22, 01:59 PM
#1
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1991 Trek 950 POLICE
I’ve been looking for a vintage lugged Trek 950 or 970 to turn into a commuter bike. I just picked up this 950 POLICE bike in fair condition. This will be my winter project.
It’s comes with Deore LX components which I think was standard on the 950.
It’s comes with Deore LX components which I think was standard on the 950.
Last edited by Chriscraft760; 10-26-22 at 02:26 PM.
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10-26-22, 03:21 PM
#2
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Very nice. Oversized True Temper? I’d like to find a bike like that to put my IGH wheels on
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10-26-22, 11:22 PM
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De do do do, de da da da.
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10-27-22, 06:16 AM
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Ha ha ha.., and that’s why the police decals are coming off.
these thumb ratchet shifters were stuck. I removed the 7speed side and soaked it in degreaser then ran it through hot water. Works fine now
these thumb ratchet shifters were stuck. I removed the 7speed side and soaked it in degreaser then ran it through hot water. Works fine now
10-27-22, 06:43 AM
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Here's the Trek catalog from '91. You can find the original spec for that model there and I'm sure the "Police" model would follow suit. Have fun with the project, that's a great frame to build on.
https://www.vintage-trek.com/images/t...rekCatalog.pdf
https://www.vintage-trek.com/images/t...rekCatalog.pdf
10-27-22, 07:53 AM
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One of my favorite bikes that I let go (not the police version and was too small for me anyway). LX components are not the very top, but I find LX, DX, and XT from that era to all be quite good. Lower model Shimano brake calipers had the dreaded plastic spring housings which are to be avoided.
I continue to always look for a 950/970/990 from the late lugged era.
I would not call this one "fair" condition, I'd call it very good to excellent. Figure any 30 year old bike will need service and consumables.
I continue to always look for a 950/970/990 from the late lugged era.
I would not call this one "fair" condition, I'd call it very good to excellent. Figure any 30 year old bike will need service and consumables.
10-27-22, 08:31 AM
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10-27-22, 09:13 AM
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Funny. At a local co-op, a whole case of rear bags to sit on a rear rack came in. All embossed with POLICE on them.
10-27-22, 12:01 PM
#10
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Here's the Trek catalog from '91. You can find the original spec for that model there and I'm sure the "Police" model would follow suit. Have fun with the project, that's a great frame to build on.
https://www.vintage-trek.com/images/t...rekCatalog.pdf
https://www.vintage-trek.com/images/t...rekCatalog.pdf
looks like the main difference is just the stem and bars. I’m keeping them since I’d like the upright riding position.
10-27-22, 12:38 PM
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In Old Italy, the urban police would often ride 60's Lambretta scooters with POLIZE on the sides.
My scooter buddy in NYC who happens to also be a NYC policeman bought and restored it to perfection.
He would get pulled over for impersonating, of course he would flash his badge and sent on his way, but that got to be a hassle.
His answer.... He changed one letter do it read "POLITE"
My scooter buddy in NYC who happens to also be a NYC policeman bought and restored it to perfection.
He would get pulled over for impersonating, of course he would flash his badge and sent on his way, but that got to be a hassle.
His answer.... He changed one letter do it read "POLITE"
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10-27-22, 01:24 PM
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Interesting that the 950 model was used for police work.
10-27-22, 01:41 PM
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In Old Italy, the urban police would often ride 60's Lambretta scooters with POLIZE on the sides.
My scooter buddy in NYC who happens to also be a NYC policeman bought and restored it to perfection.
He would get pulled over for impersonating, of course he would flash his badge and sent on his way, but that got to be a hassle.
His answer.... He changed one letter do it read "POLITE"
My scooter buddy in NYC who happens to also be a NYC policeman bought and restored it to perfection.
He would get pulled over for impersonating, of course he would flash his badge and sent on his way, but that got to be a hassle.
His answer.... He changed one letter do it read "POLITE"
10-27-22, 07:26 PM
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I’d like to install a set of gravel tires. Does anyone know what’s the biggest size I can fit? These come with 26” wheels.
10-27-22, 07:29 PM
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10-27-22, 07:42 PM
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10-28-22, 07:27 AM
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I would leave the Police decal on. Makes it a little more theft proof.
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10-28-22, 08:25 AM
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How does it ride with that stem and bars? I would that that would be way more comfortable then being stretched out over the top tube like most 90's mountain bikes are. Really nice find.
10-28-22, 09:33 AM
#20
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It’s a good riding position so far. One less thing to swap out if it had the standard bar. I’ve only taken it around the block a couple times since my thumb shifters were stuck. I’ve just repaired these shifters and will be installing new cables.
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10-28-22, 03:59 PM
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I have a 1993 970 that I did a drop bar conversion on..I use it as my touring bike. Very comfortable and able bike. This model & year lends itself well to drop bar conversions as the top tube is shorter than the same 900 series from 1994 and up. I run 2.1 inch Schwalbe Big Ben's on mine..very fast and comfortable tire. The 2.1 inch tires still have lots of room..you could go bigger I think, if needed.
I'd love to come across a Police version. I'd definitely leave the Police decals on..and do a drop bar conversion. Nice ride.
I'd love to come across a Police version. I'd definitely leave the Police decals on..and do a drop bar conversion. Nice ride.
10-29-22, 08:31 AM
#22
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This 950 has 26x 1.6 inch tires. Thanks for confirming that a 2.1 inch tire fits with plenty of room left. I was thinking of using Maxxis or Schwalbe tires. We do a mix trail riding where it’s 80% asphalt and 20% gravel.
10-29-22, 10:22 AM
#23
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What’s the best way to remove decals?
Will a regular blow dryer work to soften up the decal before attempting to peel it off?
the fork Police decal is pretty scraped up. Paint on this bike isn’t perfect, has plenty of nicks and scratches which is why I say the condition is fair.
Will a regular blow dryer work to soften up the decal before attempting to peel it off?
the fork Police decal is pretty scraped up. Paint on this bike isn’t perfect, has plenty of nicks and scratches which is why I say the condition is fair.
10-29-22, 10:29 AM
#24
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I'd leave the decals, for "historical" purposes. The "Police" model was an actual model offered through Trek, not just some random decals that a local pd put on.
10-29-22, 11:31 AM
#25
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Ill leave them on. It’s near the end of the riding season here in Wisconsin so I won’t be doing much riding till April. Hadn’t thought of it as a historical aspect in that it’s okay to keep the decals. Hopefully it will be okay to ride it as is without issue.