Cycling UK Forum

The Trek is now rebuilt.

Everything has been cleaned, wheel bearing re greased, new brake cables and a few other drive train components, but most of the original bike remains.

Initial shakedown rides now needed and if I like it I will get some mudguards and rack(s). I will also get a Brooks or Spa saddle, but the original will do to start (after pushing the nose down a touch).

I shall try both options.

I like the idea of travelling light, old legs see, not so much 'GO' in them as they used to have.

I'm not worried about the strength of anything, the bike is build like a lightweight battle tank.

I haven't pulled the bike to bits yet, but at present it has a seven speed cassette. The reason for going to nine speed is because I have hubs, cassette's, shifter and mechs all in my hoard of parts, so it is an easy / free conversion.

The rims fitted are Weinmann, and seem pretty tough, but I'll look at all the options / alternatives as I start to build it back up again.

First job is to strip it down to component parts, just to check that everything is in good condition inside as well as out.

Thanks for the advice on racks, that make life an awful lot easier.

The rear wheel needs replacing anyway as I want to run a 9 speed cassette, so I will build up something nice and robust.

Well, the experiment has begun and I have bought an all original 1990's Trek 830 for the grand sum of £16.50.

Amazingly I think there is a fair amount of it that will remain as it is mostly equipped with Shimano Alivio running gear and is, typical for an mtb of its age, very slightly overbuilt.

I am currently researching racks and panniers, all of which can be reused on a 700c bike if the 26" experiment does not work.

Cool, loads more choice than I first thought.

Now all I have to do is find stockists I can visit.

Some good choices, thanks.

The Bontrager's are the kind of thing I have in mind.

I take an 8/42, but my road and mtb shoe experience shows that what will fit perfectly in one brand does not fit at all in another.

I am one of those that don't quite fit Shimano shoes, they are always just a little bit tight or a little bit loose, which is a shame, as they seem to have a great range of shoes.

So, what are the alternatives for a shoe that will take cleats and can still be walked in when needed?

ossie wrote:My average touring speed on my 700c tourer is 12.5 mph, on my 90's mtb with 1.75 tyres (travel contacts) its 9.5 mph. Both have been on longish tours (Spain back to the UK- Uk to switzerland and back amongst others ) all on road both with the same loaded pannier / tent weight of 16-20kg.

Speed isn't essential when touring but I'm easily knocking out an extra 10-15 miles a day on the 700c wheels and on a month long tour it adds up.

I actually built up the 90's mtb thinking it would be a go anywhere answer to my other bike but the truth is its heavier and far slower.

That's really useful, thanks.

Well, looks like I have opened a right old can of worms.

Lots to think about here, thanks and keep it coming.

Mention of 1990's mtb's gave me an idea and I had a dig about in the garage and found a 20" Marin frame complete with rack and mudguard mounts, so I may have a bit of a dummy run using bits from my garage stock... which is erm, considerable I hate throwing things away.

I also have a 653 Rourke frame coming my way soon, as well as a 1980's Keith Coppell 531 road bike that could easily be adapted with a triple chainset and 11-32 cassette.

I build all my own bikes from framesets and also build my own wheels so I can mess about with experimental builds to find out what fits and suits.

Hmmm, that article leans towards 26" wheels and it is the climbing in the Highlands that I have to think about.

I am tall at a touch over 6 feet and keep my weight around 12 st, so not too heavy, but as I said, I can't start thinking about proper longer rides until I retire, so I won't be in the first bloom of youth when I set out.

Having ridden mtb's on road, on slicks, my main concern with 26" wheels is that they are a lot slower, so an easy 30 miles on good road surfaces becomes a half a day, rather than a couple of hours. That said, I have never ridden a road bike with lower gearing, so the speed aspect may be cancelled out.

I'm a new member to the forum but not a new cyclists as I have been a mtb rider on / off since the late 1980's and more recently got into road riding for the first time ever.

I may be within site of retirement at 60 and fancy building a touring bike. At this stage I am thinking of traveling on the roads, adequately light but with lightweight tent, so I don't want to carry too much, but not super light either. After some prep and training I want to head to Scotland, as I have strong family ties there and have done a couple of road riding holidays in the Highlands, albeit B&B based.

I understand that in general terms I have a few options; buy something suitable and adapt it (I have seen 1990's mtb's mentioned several times), buy a touring frame and build it up to my spec, or have a frame custom built for me.

But my question is, what size wheels? 26" or 700c?