Krov9

Inspired by these threads
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...nversions.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...nversions.html
and the Bridgestone XO series, I'm considering getting a cheap 80's-90's diamond frame MTB as my next project. I've got some components I bought for the Mercier Mixte (still WIP) that I ended up not using, including a set of Suntour Vx derailleur, a wacky Thun Aero Coronado 52-42 double crankset, a moustache handlebar etc. Besides those, I'd be using the old 26 wheels, given that they are alloy and salvageable or building a new set around some 650B rims, which should fit just about any 26" (559) MTB with 35mm slicks.

Here are some candidates I've been looking at, please chime in on which one I should pick!
I'm not entirely sure about frame sizing... I don't mind having the saddle and the stem in the lowest position as it also lowers the center of gravity, as long as it's comfortable. I'm a shortie at 5'3" / 162 cm, so I guess a road frame 48 to 51 would generally do, but how about old MTB geometry?



Trek 820 Mountain Track, 1995 to 1997. 50 €

Mystery bike with lugged frame, 40 €

Another mystery, 40 €

"Blue Voodoo", mystery too. 10 €

Bottecchia, seatpost propably stuck. 10 €

Asama, 10 € (gf made it clear she hates the color scheme I like it in some perverse way)

daverup 

I've converted a couple. I only kept one with a lightweight frame, Diamondback Axis.

bikemig 

The Trek is likeliest the best of the lot.

Clang

I think hands-down it should be the Trek (which is no earlier than '97 since that's when they changed logos). The quality of the frame and components is noticeably higher than the other candidates. While it's more expensive, it'll also need a lot less.

On a purely emotional level though the Asama's paint job is amazing. It's a shame it's a low-end bike with a tacoed front wheel. Preserve the peace with your GF and don't buy it.

madpogue 

Paint scheme on mystery bike #2 resembles that of a Univega. If that's what it is, it'd be a semi-close second to the Trek. But agreed with the above, the Trek is the best bike, in apparently the best shape.

Krov9

I see these things have a following!

I know Trek's got a nice pedigree, but considering this was (and remains with the '21 820 model) their cheapest entry into the market, I wasn't sure if it would be in any way above the no name brands. The seller hasn't responded to me yet but neither has he deleted the listing

Great to hear from others that have an eye for crazy 80's paintjobs too! Yes that's also what I figured about it.

Univega sure would be nice, but afaik they were never imported here and so tend to be few and far between. I've never seen one for myself. Dunno if it means anything but I expect a bit nicer construction if I see lugs on a bike from an era when most frames came welded

Krov9

The Trek 820 is 19,5", do you think that would fit someone who's 5'3"-5'4" ?

Bear in mind I'm not going for a mtb kind of riding, more like light touring and errands around town.

daverup 

I'm not sure if that will work. I ride about a 23 inch road frame and a Trek 21" MTB frame was maxing me out standover. I'm 5'10".

Krov9

I'm not very familiar with sizing and how it differs between different types of bikes.

I found a 1997 catalog which lists that particular bike as having a virtual top tube of 22,4" (57cm) and a stand over height of 29,8" (75,8cm) which seems tall for my physique. Actually, my crotch is an inch or so closer to the ground so might well be it's just too big.

Kinda confusing that if it were a road frame, 49,5cm (=19,5") should fit me just fine.

Edit: here someone 5" taller is told that size of that bike is too large for them, I wasn't aware MTB and road sizes are that different! https://www.******.com/r/bikewrench/comments/fqlnq9/trek_820_frame_size/

zukahn1 

For a compact MTB hardframe 19.5 is going to be too big I i'm 6' and one of my bikes that I ride comfortably is 19.5 MTB. Actually all these bikes are too big fro what you want you should be looking 17 " or 18" frame sets for this style MTB. Even with MTB's sizing can very a lot depending on the style and geometry of the frame set.

Krov9

Well, better to get this straight now than later.
Actually, I think the Bottechia is a bit smaller than the others. I think I should go back some day and try mounting and standing over it to see for sure, maybe take a tape measure too. (Of course I can't actually mount it because there's no saddle!).

zukahn1 

If you measuring also measure the effective top line the distance between the center of seat seat knuckle for no seat at about the right seat hieght for you and the center bars you should be looking for about 21"-22".

madpogue 

Actually, their entry level BITD was the 800, and even it was a notch or two above the no-name brands.

jdawginsc 

Definitely...the top tube really is the determinant of a solid fit...I have found them wildly different even at the same seat-tube and virtual seat tube sizes...especially since stem geometry is a bit limited on MTB quills.

jdawginsc 

And for the record, the Trek is the best candidate...I have rehabbed and refurbished several of these for the students.





...on the other hand, since I am a bit daft, I’d probably go for the Bottecchia, or mystery bike 1!