The Frek Story | an 82' Trek 650b conversion

The creator of 'The Frek', Steve Frey, builds his 8th 1982' Trek 614 - 650b conversion.
Steve built his original Frek years ago and it was covered in the winter 2016 Bicycle Quarterly magazine, which gives more detail on his original vision/inspiration accompanied by in-studio photography. www.renehersec...
Also featured in a Rene Herse Journal article here - www.renehersec...
Special thanks to Thomas Kolb at SoDo Powder for the smooth finish - www.sodopowder.com & Jordan Kay for the illustrated thumbnail + motion graphics - www.jordankay.com
Build specs:
Crank set - Sun XCD Exceed (Crust)
Chain rings - 44/28 (included with crankset)
Cassette/Freewheel - IRD 11 speed
Front derailleur - Campy vintage 84’
Rear derailleur - Campy Centaur 11 speed
Shift levers - Campy Centaur 11 speed
Brake calipers - Mafac RAID
Front derailleur adapter - IRD
Bottom bracket - IRD QB55
Head set - IRD Headset RollerDrive 1" Silver Zinc threaded
Stem - Nitto NP
Handlebars - Nitto Noodle Bar
Seat post - Nitto S65
Saddle - (Hahn Rossman's first PBP) Brooks special
Cable housing - Campy
Bar tape - Brooks black leather
Cables - Campy
Cable Cherries - Forager Cycles
Wheels
Front Wheel - Crust rim brake wheel set 650b
Rear Wheel - Crust rim brake wheel set 650b
Tires - Rene Herse Baby Shoe Pass XL (tubeless)
Accessories
Tail light - Velo Lumino
Fenders - Velo Orange Zeppelin
Front rack - Tubing, rack tabs
Decaleur - Rene Herse Decaleur for Nitto stem
Head light - SON Edelux II
Bottle cages - King cages stainless x3
Pump - Zefel HPX
Frame Work/Powder
Frame and fork - 82' Trek 614
Powdercoat - SODO Powder (Terra Cotta)
Centerpull brake pivots - Mafac
Taillight braze-on - Included with light
Downtube shifter bosses - Framebuilder Supply
Front rack mounts on fork - Framebuilder Supply
Mid-fork bosses - Framebuilder Supply
Top tube brake cable housing stops - Framebuilder Supply
Water bottle bosses on seat tube - Framebuilder Supply
Fender mount on chainstay bridge - Water bottle boss
Fender mount on seatstay bridge - Water bottle boss
Pump mount on NDS seatstay - Framebuilder Supply
Tailight wire port on downtube - Water bottle boss
Star reinforcement for H2O bottle bosses - Framebuilder Supply
Silver solder brazing alloy - Harris 56% brazing alloy
Flux - Harris Stay-Silv
Other supplies - Sandpaper, etc.
#randonnée #bikepacking #custombike #brazing #randonneur #gravelbike #thatsrando #pbp2023

[@tuamaer]

I wish I could like this twice.

[@yusuf5316]

Take mine, did it on behalf of you 👍

[@Hazball]

Wowsers, beautifully thought out bike builder. This guy really cares about every nook and cranny- Redundant shifter bosses, the frame dimpling for an optional fat tire, the pump holder. I mean jeez, not even modern day bike often have EVERY tinker piece. Fantastic craftsman.

[@adumb789]

Proud Frek owner 🤙

[@Happy_Biker]

How to contact Steve?

[@andyzacek9760]

@@Happy_Biker Register for RUSA and show up to some Seattle Int. Randonneur rides! There's the ACP 200k comin up in March, probably a decent chance he'll be there...

[@sohowsoon6652]

a sentient broadcast from a shed full of creativity WOWZAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

[@anomaly3460]

Anyone who knows bikes will tell you, nothing rides as gracefully as a vintage steel bike, but when you pair it with well thought innovations & craftsmanship like the Frek you end up with a beautiful piece of art.

[@eddieallen6401]

Great bike a visual storytelling. ❤

[@ericmarth]

Hi Ben, very pleased to see this pop up in my feed. I've been reading about bikes like these, often older Raleigh and Trek frames modified by Peter Weigle, Brian Chapman, Steve and Gugie. It's great to see some of the process. Nicely done, thanks for sharing with us. I also appreciate the titles are a nod to the old Trek catalogs. And now the question on everyone's mind: Does it "plane"?

[@josuezuniga6776]

What an incredible bike enthusiast,i wish I could take my 92 Trek to him

[@brianhagan4728]

Love the work, and a good video. My take away here, you can never have too many braze-ons or threaded bosses. I also modernized my old 80’s frames to use a a modern drivetrain, except I worked with a builder. Bikes with 6/7 rears on steel frames can easily be converted to 10 speed, and you get a lot of satisfaction when they are all finished.

[@ethanbolze7164]

This is awesome in so many ways. Thanks for capturing the story of Frek, hope you ride the living daylights out of that rig!

[@sebastianm2381]

This is so cool. As much as I love the Rene Herse stuff, the pricing is just way out of my reach. This shows, that you can go the DIY way with absolutely astonishing results. Well done! I've done about everything on bikes except taking up the brazing torch. This might just finally convince me to do it. I have an old Peugeot frame laying around that is just begging me to convert it.

[@theostauder6624]

Knew the FREK from Bicycle Quarterly. Great to watch that video now! Need to start with my first conversion…

[@isthiskyle]

such a well made video and a beautiful story of Frek. this is amazing and I would love to see more videos like this!

[@ronchambers7972]

Yes! So cool. Modded old frames are awesome!

[@msjordankay]

This is amazing-such an inspiring story and well put together ❤

[@a1yallop]

Frekking brilliant!

[@user-db6cb8nc1y]

Hi Ben, i have just seen you on tuesday finishing PBP 2023 in 46 hours or something, riding your Frek machine. You were maybe one of or the first in autonomy. Very impressive. Thanks to you and Steve for keeping the flame with élégance. Frédéric (Toulouse, France)

[@tehgangstadawg]

Great video, I appreciate the time taken to show the actual process of fixturing all the new parts and stuff.

[@robwhite461]

Man. I never thought of this, what a great way to not only save bikes but actually improve them. Your a genius. I love the French randonneur bicycles, living in Australia as usual we miss out on all the euro and USA interesting good stuff being so far away from everything. I have a 78 Claud Butler Majestic I fancofiled because that’s the closest I’ll ever come to owning one. You have inspired me to build one of your creations for myself.

[@tgoodmann]

This is so enjoyable that I've watched it more than once; thanks for creating this video, Ben Schauland, and kudos to Steve Frey. Frek, yeah!

[@quinntaw]

Many years back, I followed Steve’s blog Randonoodler and his progression into randonneuring, as well as his previous bikes. Seeing this video with him is like finding a long lost friend.

[@riskyrax]

So good. Great concept and feel of old to modern bet it shreds 👍

[@kashfulazimmuhdhamdan4213]

I share the same beliefs as him, his purpose of doing this and his passion but I don't have the money to spare for this endeavour. One day I will do it!

[@adammendel5572]

Great short film on a great bike. The original frek story inspired me to get an early trek 710 and try 650b wheels. I didnt quite fall in love with mine, but loved the process of putting it together. Thanks for the inspiration!

[@767bob]

Awesome story 👍. These are my favorite bikes....I have an 1989 Trek 420 that I have owned since 1993. In 1996 an S&S coupling were "retrofitted” and in 2016 I did a 650b conversion. I built the wheels and made sure the front had a dynohub. It has been a blast to ride in this format. It looks great in its Random/front bag with rack look. The 650b's really makes this bike usable not just for the rando rides but for many long rides on dirt roads and trails. Your bikes must feel great!

[@mitchellconnell7893]

Literally, the coolest project I've seen in a long time.

[@obndivsfsfisnpfoiwnf4995]

pls make more like this, as an enthusiast this is actually awesome..

[@55whiplash]

Count me among the impressed, taking the time to braze on everything you did is cool. I took a basic 613 and just used it as it is. I put 650bx38 Compass tires on it, VO fenders, and a Marks Rack. I'm also running Rivendell Bosco Bars so more of an upright bike right now, but these old Trek frames are very responsive. I still use the old Suntour drive train, It works with an 8 speed cassette just fine. Once I had an expensive Specialized Roubaix with Di2 and all that, I sold the carbon bike, kept the old Trek.

[@alexandrebarron5735]

I love it all! The bikes, the story, the video,… I heard about these Frek, I am glad to know all the details know.

[@landonthings]

Beautiful story!!! Great work, on the bikes and filming too

[@thedukesadventures4323]

Excellent video ... i love old treks giving them new life is fantastic 👍🏻

[@wyattsurges5647]

frekilicious

[@andrewprieto1164]

I cannot thank you enough for this. So very good. I have been using Steve’s Freks as inspiration for a long time for my own, ever evolving vintage Trek. There is no questioning why Jan has said that his bikes are some of the most asked about of the BQ “what we ride” series. A pragmatic cheapskate with an aesthetic streak a mile wide, an Americana counterpart to Weigle’s dreamy Francophilia, an inspiration.

[@photooutdoor2574]

I upcycled an old Koga Miyata pro racer, but without welding. It‘s such a nice feeling, I can see in your eyes too. Thanks for sharing!

[@underacheiver2000]

Awesome work, I am building out and old Specialized Rockhopper as a touring rig. May experiment with welding Disc brake mounts to it and going 650B. Thanks for the inspiration.

[@ErrybodyGetTypsy]

Lovely piece of film, and what a nice, creative and resourceful man!!

[@davidlindeman1012]

Bravo Zulu! Resurrecting the most useful bike material, steel. And wonderfully thought out improvements.

[@MaceLanz]

Amazing and inspiring work! Congratulations! The frek has a new fan 😂🎉

[@AVAV-jl1hi]

Beautiful motive and even better story, loved it. We live in a disposable world mentality and this is definitely defies this!

[@davidflaningan2214]

What a beautiful bike(s)! I absolutely love the angles of this story - the why, the what, and the how. I gotta admit, I got a little choked up near the end thinking of these bikes ending up in a landfill. Not ecologically as much as thinking of the good being tossed aside. Thanks Steve for making them go from good to great and thanks Ben for bringing us this story.

[@tuckermccormick6728]

Cool story, thanks for making the video!

[@robaast]

Great video, great story, great bike. Learning these skills and collecting all of the tools is on my bucket list

[@DIY-DaddyO]

That’s such a cool way to approach bike building. Reusing and adapting. Nice work.

[@christophermoyer6103]

outstanding

[@anthonyharris483]

Incredible ingenuity got me thinking to do some tinkering of my own

[@alanlainez3149]

I just love every aspect on the video!

[@Brackcycle]

This guy makes me think even I could do this...I love that he isn't an expert. I modified my Miyata seven ten to 650b but maxed at 38c. I needed to get it dimpled but have it hanging in the shed as I tore the rear dropout when I caught a stick awkwardly in the derailleur. Wish I had the guts to tackle the repair and upgrades.

[@JohnMcQueen]

Loved the lighting in the shop. Great story and an incredible bike transformation!

[@raybohn9886]

Just beautiful. All of it.

[@treal512]

Amazing!!

[@walterbright1396]

Great video. We share the same interest. I like long duration rides. Used to keep a bike in SLC to commute to Jackson WY. You inspired me to play with my old Trek 520 to see what If anything interesting I can do with it.

[@christiansanta]

Great video!

[@leochen591]

Amazing story, love it!

[@BruceChastain]

love this

[@vwrockstar21]

well made video. I am here for more, and Steve you are an inspiration, can't wait to see the 9th or 10th or 11th 1982 Trek or whatever else bike you are building, thanks

[@torbenvangsted9807]

Super cool

[@Handletaken4]

Love this

[@DanCave]

Its a great video... Ben's a man after my own heart. What a lovely idea.

[@antoniocorigliano68]

Good job end amazing bicycle 🧡🧡💪🏻💪🏻👋🏻 Ciao da Milano Italy

[@texarama]

This is a beautiful story.

[@pauldunne1434]

Wow sooo rad! One of the best bike build vids on YT!

[@bearded_borg]

Oh, What a fantastic video. loved every second of it.. would love to build my own bike like this.

[@Radelbande]

This is absolutely beautiful! Both the bike and the video. Thanks for that!

[@ChrisHuisman1963]

Thinking the same thought...ya im cheap but love old bike making stuff new and playing. Saving pennies to buy a torch. Thanks great video

[@NWforager]

Steel Is Real . 🔥

[@damiangonzalez7876]

SIIIIICK, LOVE IT

[@user-bd2cl3tg1l]

so nice rides😍

[@yoggmcgogg9096]

absolutely awesome...

[@darrenbomer1129]

Outstanding! Great job!!

[@rezilla1]

If anything this video is underselling Bens Frek. He managed a sub 50 hour PBP on it, totally unsupported.

[@andrewkelk8414]

I love hearing how people's cycling addiction starts. Once it does start, there's no going back.

[@bluesitedoc]

so love it, i hope i have :)

[@Jasmine-zi2qh]

This is just beautiful! What an amazing video.

[@joemcnamara7934]

Frekin’ awesome video.

[@chrissd08]

Well done, the bike and the video!

[@amacedonieto]

Amazing video and story! I have an 88 Trek 400 true temper frameset and want to make the same conversion to 650B as well

[@_Tristan_]

Great work (video and bike)

[@jylevincentl.pielago2091]

This is lovely

[@mattdrange4219]

Radical practical. Cheers!

[@WSBR707]

This is wild. Someone just sent this to me because lately I'm modifying a gray Trek! Very cool. Almost uncanny.

[@ThomasMcFarland]

This is so excellent!

[@Kyleridesbikess]

This was great bicycle content

[@TREEfool]

Inspiring. I love modifying old bikes into "xbikes" and now have the motivation to research brazing!

[@mitch8210]

this dude snapped

[@johnmelcher1778]

Very well done!

[@sjtaylor128]

That was awesome!

[@jstar1000]

I'm an old steel bike guy and over the last 20+ years I have bought and sold/flipped around 200 bikes, maybe more. I love the old steel bikes, love Treks, Specialized and a lot of the Japanese bikes from the 80s and early 90s. Miyata, Bridgestone etc. I've converted a lot of bikes like you from 27 inch to 700c etc. I actually took a Trek 400 Elance and did a 650b conversion on it and it was a great bike but I noticed with the lowering of the bottom bracket It was prone to pedal strike and it was a 700c bike. I would think a 27 inch frame would be even worse. What are your thoughts on that? I never did any welding/brazing on a bike but have drilled some holes in a few frames lol. You did a fantastic job on this one for sure!

[@sergiografbike]

AMAZING!!!!!!!Regards from Brasil

[@yardsalecycles]

brazing is on the list i want to learn to do and hopfully i will some day....... sick build

[@manicfidelis99]

beauty b!

[@jacobg1988]

Awesome!

[@tlister67]

Could you describe the torch setup you are using? A video detailing that would awesome, next time you do a build.

[@eibes]

Oh I loved your video!

[@paultaylorbikes]

Ahhh I love it “FREK”. Please tell me you’re in NW still!

[@linusgoblin]

I guess i need to learn how to braze now :)

[@hendrikl.3731]

Inspiring ❤

[@mxims97]

Sweet builds! How did you make the Frek decal? I'd love to have some decals custom made now that Velocals closed down.

[@SuperOrcy]

I have an old Dodson Executive frame from the early 90s that i've been toying with converting to a gravel bike, but the chainstays are very close. never though of dimpling them.

[@mehagel65]

Thats funny STP was my first ride too.

[@meteorsgeese7192]

🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡