This bicycle has been updated - click here for the latest version

Shown below are before and after photos of my wife's 1985 Trek 420.

The bike was a typical run-of-the-mill cheap eBay find which I knew would definitely get her back into cycling. It turns out, pleasantly, that I was right as she loves riding it. So much so that she is now planning on using it for her short commute to work.

The original group was a dated and uninspired mixture of Shimano Z series and SR 5-speed components. The rest of the bike was in such fine shape that stripping it of the older stuff and bolting on the newer components was a breeze.

Below is a list of the part list. I've noted what was saved from the original component mix and what is now new to this really cool single speed.

Frame - Trek 420 (original)
Fork - Trek 420 (original)
Headset - Trek (original)
Stem - SR, 60mm (original)
Handlebar - Nitto Moustache (new)
Handlebar tape - Profile cork (new)
Brakes - DiaCompe SVX (NOS)
Brake levers - DiaCompe SVX (NOS)
Crank - TruVativ Touro, 48t (new)
Bottom bracket - TruVativ (new)
Chain - Union (original)
Freewheel - Shimano DX, 18t (new)
Hubs - Shimano 600 (new)
Rims - Wolber Super Champion GTA (new)
Spokes - DT (new)
Tires - Panaracer Pasela TG (new)
Pedals - SR (original)
Seatpost - SR (original)
Seat - Sella Italia Norco (NOS)

As you can see, very little of the original bike remains but that's okay. It's much better in this configuration as my wife now wants to ride.

It's now simple, purposeful, and timeless.

Gary Passmore

Oswego, Illinois

eggman_1970@yahoo.com