I like buying new bikes as much as the next guy but I'd just build up the Trek without all the mods. Use it for your sprightlier adventures and keep the LHT (nice setup there by the way) for other times. The Soma looks like it'd ride quite nicely but my guess is that it splits the difference between the Trek and the LHT in some ways.
I had a heavily-modded (by others) 650b'ified Trek 520 frame, which was fine but I don't know that all the work that went into it necessarily made it a better ride (but it was a cool project). The Treks that took 27" wheels can fit 700c x 32s and fenders. Ryan On Feb 7, 6:05 am, trek610 <tspin...@gmail.com> wrote: > Hi all, > > I am at a cross roads and need some help deciding on how best to spend my > money... > > I am looking to get a nice all around bike for commuting, perhaps a century > or two, 2 day bike overnight credit card, and light trail (crushed > limestone/dirt) type riding. In the summer I wind up with 50 - 150 miles > per week. I am currently using a Surly LHT for this type of riding, and > really like it, but am longing for something a bit more .....sprightly. > Here is a picture of my current LHT to give you an idea of how I would > like to setup this new ride. > > <http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b110/e_merlin/LHT%202010/IMG_0016.jpg> > > I am not the tallest guy and ride a 50 - 53cm frame depending on the setup. > I would outfit his new bike in a similar fashion with fenders, racks, > rando bag etc... > > Here is my problem. I found a 531cs Trek 610 from 1984 that has (IMHO) > nice geometry for my needs. Some specs - 430mm chain-stay, 52mm rake, 72mm > bottom bracket drop, and i think 72 for so seat and head tube angles. Trek > does not publish the geometry for anything but 22.5" frames that year... > > Trek Upgrade Path > > 1. 700C or 650B wheel conversion - bigger tire, better ride, more fender > clearance (I already have a nice set of velocity 700c wheels for this > project....) > 2. complete powder coat > 3. Canti brake studs added > 4. brazeons for various items > 5. cold set the rear end > 6. etc... > > I guess in the end this will require many new parts, some of which I have, > but will be a considerable investment nonetheless. > > Now here comes the San Marcos.... It seems to be a nice solution as well > and may very well similar in price to the trek by the time I am done with > the frame parts. The San Marcos may be a bit more, but may be a better > choice in the long run. The San Marcos seems to have perfect geometry for > my kind of riding... > > What would you do if you were me? What bike will better serve me in the > long run. I have to admit, since I live in Madison WI the Trek has some > sentimental value to me. The San Marcos lugs look really nice however! I > am torn with which direction to go, and since this is a big outlay of cash > for me I am looking for some advice before going one way or the other... > > Thanks in a advance to any/all help. > > Thanks -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
