Vintage Trek Road Bike Gets Index Shifting! PLUS...BB & HS overhauls, bar end shifters and leather!

[@FLUSHER822]

In the interest of full disclosure, I did add the Panaracer Pacellas and the Brooks B-17. The last time I broke in a Brooks seat was in the 70's. Now being in MY 70 I'm not sure I'll live long enough to fully break this thing in, but we'll see. I've now ridden the bike about 300 miles and it is absolutely sweet. A little bigger low gear would be nice, but it rides really sweet, and I'm really glad Andy did the extra stuff to make the little things show up in the ride. 😎😎

[@hrdcpy]

It's mint!

[@FLUSHER822]

Ok, we did go back and add a 13-42 super freewheel. Did this on this bike as well as its younger brother, the 87 with 105 goodies on it. That bike also got a Ritchey Beacon short drop set of bars 52 cm I think, great hand position. That bike has 25mm vittoro tires so it’s strictly a road vibe.

[@lurker-mq4fp]

I love Brooks and also have the B-17. All that stuff about them wearing in after a month is lies!! 🤣 They are great when they form, but it takes aaggeesssssss.

[@dalton-at-work]

great taste sir. i hope you get many hundreds more miles out of it

[@FLUSHER822]

@@dalton-at-work Already several hundred miles this season (just ended), and with a little work over the winter, we'll continue to ride it. I have several in this category of Treks, so I spread the miles around between bikes.

[@Raymond-Farts]

Reminds me of my first bike in 1978 which was a ROSS Grand Tour. It too had Friction shifting. I rode the BJesus out of that bike for 22 years and it just worked. I don't remember changing any parts other than brake pads and cables. They sure don't make them like they used to.

[@tommyb2129]

Old treks deserve only the best, especially in their ancestral homeland, eh? Thank you for sharing your shop and knowledge. Way better than a park tool video!

[@rashad8509]

This my favorite bike channel on KZbin

[@rudolphguarnacci197]

Easily the most fun and interesting to watch. He has a relatable personality, down to earth, practical, and he talks to the audience in ways we understand the content.

[@Hoosier_cycling-mz4je]

Anyone else love watching these videos while stuck inside on the trainers… so good man keep up the work, if I ever get to the area I would love to stop in the shop!

[@bkefrmr]

I watch the other guys’ channels on my trainer!

[@brucewmclaughlin9072]

Stuck inside on the trainers? Never . I ride my bike when it is warm out and when it is raining I get dressed for it and get a hike in . this keeps me in shape for those warm days ahead.

[@donhuber9131]

I also hike on days off the bike. Face time with my dog!@@brucewmclaughlin9072

[@richardchaney6990]

This is a awesome channel. Feels like hanging around my local bike shop and watching the magic! Bike Farmer ROCKS!

[@burmajones803]

Yup. Love it!

[@bloodonthesnow]

YT algorithm got me into your shorter videos, but these long ones are so nice and relaxing to watch. keep up the great work!

[@bkefrmr]

NNNNNIIIIIIIICCCCCCCEEEEE…..🤑

[@thecinimod]

This bike needs those Pasela tires (tan sidewall) and a brown Brooks saddle to match the bar tape and hoods! Plus the whole ride would become as buttery as those shifts ++

[@bkefrmr]

I totally agree

[@gerhardw.933]

+1 for agreeing on your tan sidewall and brown saddle suggestion...

[@FLUSHER822]

See above - added per suggestion

[@emilycs8823]

Lovely bike. I would have moved the brake levers down a little bit, to make them more usable in the drops but its cool if that is how the owner likes them.

[@gerhardw.933]

You are right, the brake levers are way too high for braking from the drops. But maybe the owner 'grew' with the 'old' bike...

[@emilycs8823]

​@@gerhardw.933 Some people also want a specific bike because they like it and it happens to have drop bars And maybe their riding style is more upright, and they only ride from the hoods, or flats. And if that what is fun and it isn't interfering with rideability or riding goals then great. I presume in this situation it was probably discussed before putting nice tape on, and its what the owner enjoys.

[@marcusathome]

One possible solution is to move the brake levers to the correct position and additionally install cyclocross brake levers on the tops. Will give this bike, together with the bar end shifters a cool all-road look.

[@Raymond-Farts]

@@marcusathome Your comment makes the most sense. I had those levers on my ROSS from 1978 and loved them.

[@shaunbrowne3963]

I, oddly, find your channel on bike maintenance and repair captivating. As many have already said, yours is a favourite channel. I can only describe my time here as ‘peaceful.’ Thank you!

[@caveman_rock]

Man, I didn't even realize I actually sat still and watched all 51 minutes start to finish. It felt like way less time had gone by haha. I always get sucked into your videos. I'm also a big fan of your "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" approach to most things and re-using as much stuff as possible. 👌

[@blainemartin7881]

Great quote- "Brakes only slow ya down..." Cheers

[@MattBova-w2j]

Bonus point for using the word "haptics."

[@mikem3695]

You are the Bob Ross of bike builders. I enjoy you more because i can't draw for beans but know enough about bikes to put the skewer springs in the right way.

[@peternaughton3301]

I've watched a number of these videos and this is my favorite so far. Thanks. BikeFarmer gets the prize for being outstanding in his field.

[@dalton-at-work]

this is my fav. too. seeing a great piece get a new life. They do NOT make them like they used to!

[@simonbailey2151]

‘This headset is kinda indexed’, great line, made me chuckle.

[@markmartello]

My first grown up bike was a Trek 520 from about 1985. Great bike. It was a little big for me so I sold it. I have a Trek 560 I picked up a few years ago. I love the way those externally lugged bikes look, and I love how the steel bikes ride! Nice to see one brought back to top working order. Well done!

[@anthonymohammed5014]

Thank you for sharing I own a 1979 Peugeot racer and 1985 Raleigh 27" wheels it is hard to get 27"×1 1/8" in Trinidad and Tobago it will cost approx $500:00 TT dollars for continental panaracer not available easily Kenda c Cheng Shing some shops have amd service is like tooze here i love my bikes and love to ride my boys ride every day

[@yisraels4555]

I love my 560. Bought it new in 1984. Upgraded to 11 speed 105 and ridden almost daily.

[@danggerraham]

It’s so nice seeing someone who knows how to work on a bicycle working on a bicycle. There are so many KZbinrs out there that have no idea how to work on bicycles and it pains me to watch their videos. I keep thinking “Don’t do that” and “That’s not the right tool for that!” It just stresses me out. This video however is great. Keep up the good work.

[@jeremynorth]

He did screw up a couple of the parts so don't do what he does or what he says

[@Jacob99174]

Man, really beautiful job on that bike!

[@norman6595]

Lovely old bike - very nostalgic for suntour which I had on my teenage bikes. Also miss stripping down and re-greasing those old BBS - none of the faff of modern BBS, no creaks, no torquing etc

[@dondonner1095]

Wife's book is great.' So is this video.

[@hrdcpy]

Ha! I read this comment as he mentioned the book reading part.

[@williammrdeza9445]

Loved this overhaul. I have a Trek 620 that I bought new in 1984 (1983 model) in Dubuque, Iowa. I still have it and ride it occasionally. Love that bike, mostly from a sentimental standpoint. I used to ride it a lot in SW Wisconsin when I lived in Platteville. It has since gone through several iterations and now sports 700c wheels, Chris King headset and BB, long reach brakes, 130 mm rear spacing, and indexed 10 speed shifting with SRAM Force shifters and derailleurs. I still have the original vintage parts. Your work on the bike in this video brought back a lot of my own memories working on my 620; I am very familiar with the adjustable BB and headset, Diacomp brakes, Suntour parts, etc. Thank you for respecting this old steel Trek and for the memories you generated for me during your work on it! Also, thanks for leaving the plastic dork disc off the rear wheel. The bike will love you for that decision--it looks so much better! The bike ended up looking fantastic. I am sure your customer loved it.

[@johngrossbohlin7582]

I've got a couple 1983 Trek bicycles. The 850 I bought new. The 620 I found a few years ago in little used condition. Someone bought the 620 with good intentions and never used it--the original brake shoes weren't even broken in! Of the 40+ bikes I've had the 620 is my most loved. The '80s was the high water mark for beautiful steel frames!

[@robertlewis3712]

Makeovers of a modern classics are some of my favorite video topics. Nice job

[@matsim0]

42:00 - Yes, I totally get it. For years I wouldn't touch indexing, only last year I started doing it myself - and now watching the chain smoothly glide up and down the cassette is really really satisfying.

[@jaspervanestelfeen2173]

For me one of the best episodes. I’m totally into vintage road bikes.

[@denverspin]

Yeah, the old Mavic MA40 rims was a solid rim in its day. I miss that old school engineering. Old Suntour stuff is lovely too.

[@xvermeerx]

Thanks!

[@xvermeerx]

I was busy with my Trek 7.3 from 2016 and by watching your videos I got a lot of good tips. Thanks and I like the vintage vids as well. Keep it up. Regard Marcel from the Netherlands (bike country number one)

[@bloodonthesnow]

God I love this channel. Thank you YT algorithm.

[@stuartm3684]

Beautiful bike. I would need to put a matching Brooks saddle to the bar tape if she were mine, just to finish it off. Great video

[@zoeymelf8924]

I love it when you need to refresh a bottom bracket and you find a BikeFarmer video of the exact bike and model! Rad!

[@styverdyver]

I enjoy watching your bike builds. I will be trying to tune my Felt road bike for the first time. I hope it is as easy as you make it look!

[@johnsheetz6639]

I'm about 6 months ago I bought a used giant off marketplace. I just needed maintenance so I started watching your videos. after binging them I learned I really like fixing bikes to the point if I hear a friend mention something's wrong with their bike I can't wait to show off my new skills. My advice to anybody starting out. Get you a decent basic bike tool kit and LOTS of cables! It takes a few tries to get familiar with the tension and derailleur adjustments. And it drives me nuts when one gets kinked! I can't have it, not on my watch!

[@rudolphguarnacci197]

Good man!

[@Dutch-vj2eg]

Ride my 1989 Raleigh Pro Race (bought in the UK) daily whenever temps are above 65F, pretty much April thru October in mid-Atlantic. It is highly modified: carbon fork, different wheels, 8-speed rear, etc. The only original items are the frame, drop bars, brakes, BB, crank set, pedal and front derailleur. My son says it is the ship of Theseus :). Most of the knowledge for this, and several builds for my family members, was obtained during Covid. We biked a lot at the time.

[@jimmysqueezyronin5623]

'The headset is, kinda, indexed'😂😂😂😂 great line 👍

[@tonyalewis9053]

That’s a gorgeous bike. Good job!

[@erics6177]

I love it! How in your videos you put captions for all the fun Wisconsin speak like "ope!" But seriously, watching you gives me some ideas to help increase my skills at bicycle repair and restoration. Greetings from the Philadelphia area, where scrubbing rust off of bikes has become a little bit of a hobby. Especially the ones that were kept at people 's shore houses in New Jersey.

[@joehart3826]

The quality of gear shifting after the chain and freewheel change was phenomenal. We are talking perfect. Nigh on as slick as any modern day Di2

[@burmajones803]

Loving this video. After a long, miserable day in front of the idiot machine (computer, phone, take yr pick) this is the type of stuff that helps me wind down. Well, and a beer, of course. Thx for these videos.

[@JohnnytheBikeGuySLC]

Frame clamper 😊

[@gregzeszotarski9927]

Nice build. I certainly would be happy riding it.

[@papalegba6796]

Yeah that's a slick drivetrain, good work, nice to see.

[@gromultimas2224]

Things might get weird if I’m lucky made my day haha. I’ve been binge watching your channel for a couple weeks now

[@HanShotFirst100]

Looking forward to the book YOU write titled STILL TRUE, about a set of wheels you did a really good job on. (Apologies if 100 people have already made this joke, I don’t have time to read all the comments)

[@stephenbrown1136]

Wasn’t sure about the wheels… until you spun them in the truing stand.. bearings were meant to roll. Great build! Now I want a bike to fix!

[@guythecookingsam2588]

I'm tuning up and cleaning my Raleigh Scott Tinley Trilight to sell. No way I'm road biking anymore. It's a death wish. Those SunTour components are gold.

[@myshihtzudontstink]

When I was 16 I got a cannondale 3.0 criterium series and I found some modolo morphos Brifters at performance bike in the clearance bin for $50. I got some little things so th barrel adjusters that went into the downtube shifters. I was hooked on repairing and upgrading bicycles after that. I was the only junior in the races who restricted my own gears. Good times.

[@s.j.5850]

What a joy it is to watch a master technician at work. I am glad I found your channel. I learned a lot about the finer points of bicycle adjustments & maintenance just by watching you do your thing. A real craftsman!

[@darrelhoyt4205]

Started getting teary eyed remembering doing those old adjustable B/Bs in the mid 80s and wishing I could go back to that time😢

[@tomlangleydesign]

Another nice one! I think I’ll look for a nice old steel Trek

[@jojoadeyemi8239]

That derailleur is dancin'.

[@sonalmalhotra07]

Lovely Bicycle. Well Done. I have never ridden a steel roadie.

[@tonyjennison3199]

Used to swear by Suntour VX when I was a kid in the 80's. Fantastic pieces of kit.

[@chuckwalla2967]

You could shift so much faster with friction shifters once you get the feel down.

[@phillockwood8414]

Incredibly smooth shifting!!! ❤️😎

[@jaymorin7131]

Love it! I used to ride years and years ago and just trying to get back into it too. Have a few bikes on hand which kind of fit into this project. Univega Gran Premio with similar Suntour tech and looking at it, it is rough and I will likely sell it. A Tommaso SL tube bike with all Shimano 600 and it is mint! Got the bike at the tale of of my riding in the mid/late 80s. Got a Cervelo Soloist Team and that will be the ride even though it is some 16 years old. Plan is to update the Cervelo to get it proper and move the wheels to the Tommaso. The oriinal wheels on the Tommaso are Campy Strada Hardox with 600 hubs. They have to be worth some money but they are so damn narrow. LOVE that you put the Brooks on the bike in the video!! I have white Brooks on my Cervelo and it is awesome, though I do wrap top down old school. Had a Miyata 912 back in the late 70s and looking back I was an idiot to sell it to buy the Univega. That Shimano tech has been great on all the bikes I've had it on. The one cool thing that Suntour did was an auto shiim of the front deraillier when shifting the gears. The bike you have in the video did not have that. That indexing thing I have with the Tommaso on the down tube shifters and it is selectable between index and friction. Thanks for the video since it does help to reinforce that I'm going down the right road.

[@WildlandExplorer]

Keep wrenching on old bikes and take my money

[@bkefrmr]

Thanks hey!

[@johnschwartz5]

I just got into cycling and completed my first sprint triathlon on Friday with a hand me down Trek 1100, this video is the coolest thing I've watched in a long time! I learned so much and I can wait to use some of what I saw to try and improve my bike! Really great video I'll be watching more!

[@anthonymohammed5014]

Sir at 28:54 you said 27"×1 1/4" you have room for that is so cool

[@chuckaluck123]

What a pretty machine. So glad to see love put into it.

[@jeffandersen6233]

Reminds me of my early 80s Trek 710 with Reynolds 531 and 700c wheels. I replaced the original Rigida(with Campy hubs) rims with those same Mavic MA40 rims with Dura Ace hubs. Built by Schwinn for me. 40 years of smooth no problem wheels. Unfortunately it's a 6 speed FW. Looking at Velocity 8 😅speed cassette wheels as they slot right into those dropouts. Beautiful old Trek steel frames. Terrific shots of the parts you serviced.

[@IncogNito-gg6uh]

I’m only on page 26 of “Still True” and already don’t want it to end.

[@bkefrmr]

It’s such a good book! Thanks for the comment. Maggie loves to hear this stuff!

[@daveclark8788]

Yo, Bike Farmer-Everybody's Doin That Rag, eh? Love your channel, and the sticker on the van.

[@bkefrmr]

You know it! 🤩🤯🥴

[@samtatge8299]

Before I start the tear down, very first thing is break loose the pedals, headset nut and crank bolts. I do this while the bike is whole so I can muscle them if I have to. That way it’s most stable out of the work stand if need be. These can be a bear to get loose.

[@gusnuk68]

love the old Trek

[@jbikemoore]

So jazzed about this build and the BikeFarmer in general. Sorry I let my steel '95 Miyata with 600 grupo go, a silver and black beauty. I'm getting my late '90's steel Bianchi down and getting it ready to ride before long just because of this vid.. Thanks BikeFarmer!

[@kylenorris5391]

This is a good video!!!!! thanks ANDY!!!!

[@fredrappley6960]

Needs a brown saddle too.

[@slomotrainwreck]

That's almost exactly like my 1982 Trek 736 road bike, a road rocket that came with 19mm clinchers. 👍

[@can-it-all]

I’ve got an ‘84. Had it for 40 years! 👌

[@astronomical13]

They don’t make them like they used to. Now you pay $3000 and up for a disposable bike.

[@Kelekona_808]

Great visual aid for the springs. Made me think of E.T.

[@aq7705]

Shoulda put a hybrid handlebar with some sweep for more comfortable riding. Very nice bike and the bar tape looks spot on, just needed a brown brooks saddle.

[@davidhakes5141]

I had a cable, on one of my bikes, that had one of those "end knobs" that was in pieces, but somehow still in its place. The cable itself was a bit rusty, and was binding up in the housing. It took me, seemingly forever, to dig that cable knob out, due to one of those pieces was jammed in the hand lever. It's a second hand bike, treated roughly before I got it, and it was that way when I got it.

[@tongalizia3175]

I got a trek frame that I’m converting to an 11 speed, I opened the rear triangle to fit the Dura ace wheel and coming along….great video..

[@BB-tx7tq]

Bike farmer does a lot of videos on hybrids and mountain bikes. I enjoyed seeing a video on a classic steel road bike like this old Trek. There was no mention of what model this is? I'm a big steel Trek fan and would love to know. I have a 83 Trek 730 that has the same color scheme. Full Reynolds 531 frame. Rides beautifully.

[@codybroken]

such a hard working bike mechanic. customers are getting every dime of the price they pay in superlative value.

[@jeremynorth]

You should have kept the original SunTour rear mech It would have worked perfectly with the Shimano lever

[@613.Rooster]

Really nice. Hopefully he'll go for the Paselas someday. Maybe a honey B17 too.

[@Kaspar1893]

Beautiful built! Thanks for giving us the chance to see it!

[@caseypavek1553]

That "keyed" notching to the headset is called Burnelling I think. Don't remember why, or where I read it. Or who the hell Burnell is... but yeah. Nice work!

[@Enrique521]

You make it look so simple. Awesome work. Keep the videos coming.

[@dalton-at-work]

steel is real! love mine still

[@JeffErdman]

I recently came across your channel after I acquired an 80s Fuji Gran Tourer and a 90s Trek 1220. I'm in the process of fixing them both up and have learned a lot from watching your channel. The Fuji looks almost exactly like this vintage Trek. Now I'm thinking I want bar end shifters and brown bar tape!

[@decleafs4]

Don't you EVER hammer on the fork tube threads with a wrench again! LOL. Fantastic videos. Beautiful rebuild. You are my biggest fan. ;)

[@markkasick]

Cripes. I remember when those bikes were new. Looks great, but I think road bikes have come a long way in comfort, at least for me, especially in terms of handlebars and brake levers.

[@gunnarkoss9262]

Great built! - Until: Minute 46, when you didn't adjust handelbar and brake levers! Why the hell? 😱

[@GregWacker-p8h]

My favorite video thus far! Great job !

[@bkefrmr]

Same

[@johnsheetz6639]

I've got an old bottom bracket just like that on my 88 trek 900, got it all apart looks Rush free inside even the little rubber tube is in great shape so I'm about to put the music on crack a cold one and get to finishing up reassembly. Thank you for your inspiration!

[@lojeda]

Oh man friction shifters work AMAZING!

[@ronaldmadican2393]

I always start the tape near the stem! No tape is needed as the tension keeps it in place, and you don't get the annoying ridges near the outside. Failing that, use the foam bar grips. If you use washing liquid to push the foam on, then you get clean hands every time it rains.

[@danarello2563]

I have the Mavic MA40s on my Super Sport. Love em!

[@stevefirth6472]

That is one beautiful bike.

[@petermommsen4655]

That is one sweet bike! Enjoyed the video

[@slideman.]

another great video! It's great to see your passion and enthusiasm for bikes.

[@kenlang6672]

Beautiful bike, great vid, outstanding dexterity, really good thinking. I accompanied the guitar with my ocarina for a short time but it started sounding like the Campbell's soup jingle.

[@patthewoodboy]

I dont put those "end cable" crimp things , I clean the end of the cable and apply quick set epoxy

[@jstar1000]

I got that exact frame, same color, probably that size too Its got a bent top tube if I remember right but the fork is still good. Its been hanging on my garage wall as art for years.

[@jonathancrincoli6263]

Now all it needs is a b17

[@aq7705]

definitely shoulda wrapped the shifter cable housing under the handle bar tape for a cleaner look.

[@justincapek1132]

Great video! That bike looks amazing. Due 10% to the Shimano 600, 20% to the bar tape, and 70% to the lack of dork disc. 😉

[@A_Real_McCoy]

Really enjoyed that refurb and your enjoyment of the process.