plumberroy

There is a old trek 820 locally. I looks good in the picture and is cheap $40 . I'm not familiar with trek bikes . Would it be a decent bike to slap road tires on for a bike to take when we travel or some places I don't want to leave my good bikes parked outside? I'm old and fat so I don't care about lower gearing

blacknbluebikes 

Inspect it carefully and if it's in decent shape, $40 is a steal - don't even bargain it down. I have a 1992 830 that I still ride for "utility." Things to check: frame, all over, no cracks or suspicious fissures. Shifters - I had to replace these, they weren't that great from the start. All your "wear-prone" parts probably need swap-out, like brake pads, seat, handlebar grips. Ride it and check that the steering is true, the brakes do what you expect, that the shifts are fair (der's are trustworthy) and the bike feels good when you ride it. I, personally, still find the bike really pleasant to ride - it has that "steel feel" that suggests the frame is moving in harmony with the rider. Put some asphalt-friendly tires on it and it should serve you well. Three lunches in my work neighborhood costs more than that.

blacknbluebikes 

PS, it does have some nice low-end gearing, even if you don't care. I can ride that bike up a wall.