So, when my '85 Trek ripped in half last month, I lost my main ride and needed a replacement ASAP. Naturally, I ended up with two new bikes. (I understand this is a common problem for bike people. N+1 is almost always the answer.) I'm still getting to know both of them, but here's the first--a 1983 Trek 600.
This was my first ebay buy--I wasn't patient enough to find the right size bike locally. It still shocks me that a world class 35 year old bike costs less than a crappy new department store bike. A lot less if you're willing to cobble it together with used parts yourself.
Made in Wisoconsin, the 600 has basically the same "sport" geometry as the 500, although I think the chainstays are just a little longer. It's made with Reynolds 531 steel instead of 501-- technically an upgrade, but I can't really feel much of a difference. In '83, the downtube shifters were clamped on instead of brazed like they were in '85, so the downtube shouldn't have any weak spots.
I built it up to be fixed gear, of course, using a lot of parts from my old Trek. I added fenders and picked up some cheap bullhorns and cork tape at Mr Michael Recycles Bicycles, a true St. Paul treasure. I'm in there all the time scrounging parts.
This was my first ebay buy--I wasn't patient enough to find the right size bike locally. It still shocks me that a world class 35 year old bike costs less than a crappy new department store bike. A lot less if you're willing to cobble it together with used parts yourself.
Made in Wisoconsin, the 600 has basically the same "sport" geometry as the 500, although I think the chainstays are just a little longer. It's made with Reynolds 531 steel instead of 501-- technically an upgrade, but I can't really feel much of a difference. In '83, the downtube shifters were clamped on instead of brazed like they were in '85, so the downtube shouldn't have any weak spots.
I built it up to be fixed gear, of course, using a lot of parts from my old Trek. I added fenders and picked up some cheap bullhorns and cork tape at Mr Michael Recycles Bicycles, a true St. Paul treasure. I'm in there all the time scrounging parts.
The wheelset is from the 500, but the tires are brand new 28c Gatorskins that I picked up locally for a song. The crankset I salvaged from another old Trek I'll be building up to sell. The pedals have straps instead of clips, which I kind of like. The gear ratio is 42 x 16 instead of 44 x 16, but because it has 165mm cranks instead of 170mm and slightly larger tires, the overall gain ratio is almost exactly the same. Math!
I think this will be my new daily ride. My other new whip, well...for some reason it seems to be just a little too special and possibly temperamental. More on that later.
When this bike was made, I was tooling around on my first ten speed, a Huffy Sante Fe, which is hardly collectible. These vintage Treks are quite collectible, tho. Many now live in storage or on display and aren't used much. I plan to put plenty of miles on this Trek in all kinds of weather. After all, bikes were made to be ridden.
I think this will be my new daily ride. My other new whip, well...for some reason it seems to be just a little too special and possibly temperamental. More on that later.
When this bike was made, I was tooling around on my first ten speed, a Huffy Sante Fe, which is hardly collectible. These vintage Treks are quite collectible, tho. Many now live in storage or on display and aren't used much. I plan to put plenty of miles on this Trek in all kinds of weather. After all, bikes were made to be ridden.
From the 1983 Trek catalog
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