trek 720 multi track

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The Retrogrouch

Old is Good

Friday, March 18, 2016

Old vs. new: trek 720, 33 comments:.

Those 720s from the mid-80s certainly are great lookers and riders. Plus, whatever the new 720 is intended to do, the old 720 probably does better. I find it interesting that from about 1979 to 1986, Trek and almost every other manufacturer offered at least one fully-loaded touring bike in its lineup. But then they abandoned the genre altogether in 1987 or 1988. If you went into a bike shop and asked for a touring bike, if they didn't have leftover stock, they'd try to sell you a "hybrid" or convince you that you'd be better off on a mountain bike.

Yes, isn't that the truth! In fact, as I recall, road bikes of any kind were being pushed off the showroom floors in those days to make more room for mountain bikes -- many of which probably never left the pavement.

I hated the old 720's. They were way too flexible and couldn't handle a load. In fairness, I'm 6'3" and had the biggest frame they made and carried 50lbs. of gear, still though.. I loved riding it lightly loaded or unloaded but as a loaded touring bike not so much.

I bought a used 25" 720 way back when and found it way to flexible for loaded touring also. The larger sizes should have had stiffer tubing. I stepped down to a univega straight gauge touring bike and found it to be perfect. Many years later I have a Miyata 610 with center pulls and the aforementioned Dunapar derailleur and half step plus granny. That's my retrogrouch bike. I use a 87 Klein with a 21 speed indexed barends as my "modern" touring bike. It's a lot like the ST 1000.

I rode the trek 720 touring bicycle fully loaded across the United states in 1987. I had bought it new in 1985, I believe it was a leftover 84 model. It was a great ride and I still own the bike today. Time to rebuild it. I'd suggest this bike for touring to anyone who likes to go the distance.

Damn, now I want to go work on that old black and red lugged Trek I have sitting in the back room at the shop. Build some Camp wheels for it or sumthin', hmmmmm.... What would I choose? Old, all day long. I have litte love for the new Trek brand, the price is something that we as a nation, should be ashamed of. Thanks for the smidgen of Cannondale love there too. They were close to the last big US companies to shutter their US factories (what Trek's doing at this point could hardly be considered US production). Not that I'm happy with the new Cannondale either, but they at least have that going for them. And they did build an awfully pretty bike frame BITD, too. http://imgur.com/3bz1RPM

Cannondale made a pretty impressive tourer back then, too, in their 1000 model, which came with everything a person needed, including fenders and C'dale's own racks. All one needed to do was get the C'dale bags, tent, and sleeping bags, and they were ready to take off cross country. The welds on those bikes were smoothed very nicely.

The new 720 isn't perfect, but walking into a shop and seeing 520s, 720s, 920s, and Specialized AWOLs is a sight better than seeing a row of slammed carbon fiber road bikes with 23mm tires.

Yes -- you are definitely right there.

Just looked at the Trek website, they are still selling a steel framed 520 tourer. Is is list priced at only $300 more than I paid for my 520 18 years ago, not bad. The Bontrager components don't look nearly as interesting as the Shimano 105/DX/Avid mix that was on the '98, but all of the original components are long gone...

You're right about the 520. I think I read somewhere that it is one of the longest running models still available today (they've offered the 520 since the early 80s -- so 30+ years?) - though very different from what they were back in the day. A fine bike, I'm sure, if someone wants a new bike that has a lot of versatility, and isn't hung up on nostalgia for lugs, Reynolds tubing, level top tubes, and shiny silver components.

Thanks for the thoughtful reply, I'll now go down the internet rathole researching the 520! I see the current version has a sloping top tube, just doesn't seem right on a touring bike (sorry my first was a third-hand Dawes) but great to see that Trek has commitment to its roots.

My everyday bike is a 1984 Trek 830 Mountain bike with an Xtracycle bolted on. It's a very good frame. I can imagine the 720s were marvelous also. I have yet to see a contemporary production frame I would want, which I guess makes me retrogrouch, though I despise the term "retro." Is it retro if you never moved away from it?

I have one of those 1984 720's. It's my main commuter bike. I keep it in mint shape, but alas, the only original equipment on it is the frame, seat post, cantilever brakes and levers, Simplex front derailleur and saddle (Brooks Professional - lasts forever). The 27" wheels (indestructable Wolbers) have been replaced with 700C for tire selection. I have Schwalbe 700 x35 Marathon Supremes with VO fenders. It's a little tight but works, and the original brakes reach just fine. The original chainrings were a half-step, not a triple. I've swapped them for and old Ultegra set (still polished aluminum). Handlebars are VO Grand Randonneur, with the original gumby brake hoods and Brooks leather handle bar tape. It's truly a classic bike. The frame is in great shape and it rides like a dream on the wider tires.

Dawes still makes the Galaxy and Super Galaxy which I believe has been in production for over 300 years with only a break to allow the production line to be used to make Spam cans during the war. Maybe not though... You can even buy a Galaxy Classic with steel tubing, a HORIZONTAL toptube and a quill stem(!). It might even have an umbrella clip for all I know. It makes one wonder if there are more grumpy old bike geeks per capita over there than over here... Spindizzy

Yep - the Dawes is another long-running model. Not 300 years long (I get it - that's a typo) but longer even than the Trek 520. Can't remember the last time I saw a Dawes here in the U.S. though.

You are seriously off on the dates of the Dawes Galaxy. A still ride-able Galaxy (no lugs, just hammered together in a process archeologists call "cold welding") was found in one of the pyramids at Giza. New rubber, it was good to go.

too funny, tjan.

A "touring" bike with 43 cm chainstays? 43 cm?! My 1973 and my 1960s racing bikes have 43 cm chainstays!

What's wrong with round tubing?

After I graduated from college and got my first “real” job, I looked longingly at a Trek 720 but instead bought a 614. It was a great bike, and equipped with Blackburn low-riders on the front carrying Tailwind panniers and standard panniers on the back made a fast, stable touring machine. I eventually sold it (regrets, I have a few...), and still would love to have a 720 — an old one, that is.

It's not even a competition, in my mind, between the classic and the new version. Though I will say that I am happy with any effort for a new bike to marketed as anything other than race- or mtn- biking. Those old Trek 5xx,6xx,and 7xx series touring bikes are so nice. Actually any old Trek is pretty hard to beat. Wolf.

Ah, the 1980s hay day of touring cycles. I have a Gitane Tourer bought new in 1986; long chainstays and wheelbase, lots of room for 35mm tires with fenders. Rock steady handling with 55 lbs of camping gear on front and rear racks. It was fitted from new with the Huret Duopar Eco derailleur. I had heard they were short-lived so picked up a spare new one when they were being closed out. Sure enough, recently the rear shifting deteriorated. After getting the dropout hanger alignment checked, it was OK, I decided to install the 'spare' Duopar. That did it, back to fine shifting again. And to think, the original only lasted 30 years! Cheap French junk. I love my Gitane and my similar vintage Bertin Cyclocross bike.

The old Trek 720 was a POS. My frame broke after a lousy 20 or 30,000 miles :o) And at the worst possible time. Fortunately a bike shop in Fairbanks had a 520 frame that fit me in stock.

Trek 720's back hidrolic disc brake was frozen in the low tempture (mines c grade) I rode this cycle from barcolana to turkey I took 3514 km and 16 days. Trek 720 Bycle was very fast but ıf you ride rainly days. Water fill the back brake cable. and then the brake is frozen.

What is the largest tire with fenders you can fit on your 1984 Trek 720?

I ride a 1984 Trek 420 sport touring model that I bought new in Norfolk, Va. when I was in the Navy. It feels light weight and nimble in spite of its high tensile steel fork and stays. I have enjoyed it as a commuter bike and now as a daily respite from my stay-at-home existence during the pandemic.

More to the point, I bought the inexpensive 420 instead of the 720 because someone had just stolen my cherished Centurion, and I didn’t want to risk losing another expensive bike. I didn’t test ride the 720, but I suspect its handling is not as lively as the 420’s, or am I praising sour grapes?

Hello good day! May i know what is the speed or cassette of the vintage trek 720? Is still possible to find it? Thank you!

Hi, would anyone be able to tell me the stack and reach height on a 48cm trek multitrack from the 1990s?

Could be a tough one -- that kind of info isn't often in the catalogs, and is most accurately measured first-hand off a frame you might have in your possession.

https://milwaukee.craigslist.org/bop/d/milwaukee-trek-maroon-bike-frame/7320295170.html Here's a brand new one posted May 11th if anyone is interested. I'd say $200 for a brand new unused frame is a great bargain. Of

My 60cm? (actually measured as 23.5") '83 trek 720 weighs in at 22.5 pounds... with midweight (32mm) tubular wheels. Lots of extra room for fenders or larger tires. If I take the rack off and put on my light wheels, it saves another pound... Best production bike I've ever seen, I do anything with it, I even brought home a steel, double kitchen sink on the back of it today. Wish I could post a picture of it here.

Trek 720 1997 Technical specs and features

General specs of trek 720 bicycle, wheels and breaking system, frame and body specifications, gearing specs, trek 720 fork system data, other specs of trek 720, trek 720 picture, 720 bike comparison.

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Trek 720 bike review

Trek produced the 720 bike in 1997 and can be classified as a Hybrid bicycle, this exact model costs in american market arround $369.99. 720 bike is available in many sizes such as 15 (inches), 17 (inches), 19 (inches), 21 (inches), 23 (inches), womens 17 (inches) and womens 20 (inches). Trek Hybrid 720 can be found in a few colors, among these colors Dark blue and red . This bike is equiped with 700 x 35c Trek MultiTrack tires and Marwi stainless steel spoke wheel while the rims are manufactured by Matrix Vapor, 32-hole. Trek equiped this exact model with Shimano Altus brakes, Tektro RBP-376A levers braking system and Shimano Alivio hubs. To guarantee the comfiest ride Trek used Chromoly material for the frame. Steel high strength material is used on the handlebar of this 720 to ensure the perfect handling while the stems are made of Steel. For the smoothest biking experience Shimano Altus, 24/34/42 teeth is used on this bicycle linked to Shimano CN-UG50 chain that is easily replaceable as stated by Trek , the whole system is connected to a high reliability Grip Shift MRX-170 gear shift levers.

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4 comments:

Good morning... beautiful Trek! Question for you... I'm looking at buying a Trek 720 for just this kind of build. I already have a nice Soma steel hard tail mountain bike that I love, but I want something that I can hit the streets and bike paths around here. I haven't gone to check out the bike I have my eye on, because I'm concerned about the frame size. Can you tell me the size of your Trek's frame and how it compares to other bikes you own? I've owned a 56cm road bike and my Soma is a 19". I'm confused on what size I should be looking at for the Trek. Any input would be appreciated!

My frame is a 58 (would have been labeled a large?). I generally consider myself a 55-57cm frame size. I run zero setback on the seatpost on this bike, a 100mm stem and short reach "cyclocross" bars these days. When it was built with flat bars I needed a 130mm stem to have it fit right (I'm stuck with zero setback on the seatpost because it's better on my knees). My regular mountain bike is a size L cannondale flash carbon.

Thank you for the previous reply. I was able to track down and purchase a very clean Trek 720 last week. Now to start collecting the parts for the conversion to a light tourer. Another question(s) for you... which shifters are you using on your drop bar setup? Any recommendations on where I might find a set? Thanks...

Awesome- maybe link to some pictures when you get it done! I am riding singlespeed this winter on this bike, but the bar end shifters that I prefer are the older suntour ones in friction mode. They trade for $40-70 it seems- so still a bit cheaper than modern shimano DA. Otherwise you can't really go wrong with 7700 or 7800 Shimano.

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(05-08-2021, 05:10 AM) Frankie Belfast Wrote:   Hi guys this is my first post as a member on here and hope I can get a little advice ,,, anyway , I wasn't very well last few years with a surprise brain tumour we got that sucker out ok an im still alive and kicking but ive been wanting to set off on a bit of adventure to gather myself now that im fit enough . So I been looking online at advice at touring bikes and noticed that the Trek 720 was mentioned as a good option to set up as a touring bike , well my brain being the way it it I bought a like new Trek 720 Multitrack , I later notice that the actual bike I wanted was the touring model , realising my mistake my question to you guys is , do you think it was a total waste of money ?Ive noticed that some people have said that the Trek 720 Multitrack has the same geometry as the Trek 520 touring bike thats not too bad performer , im hoping to be able to salvage this 720 as it hasn't got a scratch on her and maybe update a few parts towards being more like the 520 ??Any advice would be greatly appreciated , hope everybody is healthy , happy an safe best regards from Belfast Ireland !!!

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1990's TREK Multi Track shifters

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Looking for a little help on this one. I have a 1990's vintage TREK 720 Multi Track with regular handlebars that I would like to switch out to drop handlebars with STI shifters. The current setup is: SRAM Grip Shift SRT3001-32 shifters. Rear Derailleur is a Shimano Alivio with a 7 cog cassette. There is a triple on the front. The bike has cantilever brakes. My questions is: Will the SORA, Tiagra or some lower end Shimano STI shifter work with the current two derailleurs or would I need to replace them too? Thanks!  

Money Pit I've already done this. Any Shimano shifter should work, providing that it is 7 speed. I upgraded another bike and took all the parts and put them on a '96 Trek 720. Went from low end MTB parts to a 105/Ultegra/XTR blend with a whopping 27 speeds! Drop bars give it a completely different feel. I assume you are also going to change your stem? Of course to change to 9 or ten speeds you also have to include a wheelset. Then there is money to buy this, money for that and it just won't stop. Did I mention the stem? Anyway, at the end of the day, I wish I'd just left well enough alone and still had my complete 720 the way it was. Don't upgrade - just ride.  

Leave the set up the way it is, just a money pit. My girl (girl's frame of course) has this same vintage bike. This bike is set up for a more "upright" style of riding and drop bars and STI won't work well for this geometry. If you have the micro-drive front crank set (I'm assuming you do) the front derailleur will not work properly with the STI lever. My girl's bike came with all the same componants that you have and flat handle bars. I swapped out the bars for "down hill" style handle bars with "clip ons", big differance for her and better hand positioning. You can still buy a lot of replacement parts for this bike if you decide to keep it as is. I have a complete replacement set of parts for this bike that I purchased off the internet. I recently saw a brand new Schwinn Hybrid that had a 7 speed cluster out back with Grip Shift. As Bosax mentioned, you will have to buy another wheel set if you upgrade to 8/9/10 speed gearing. This is a pretty good bike overall, I would clean her up and ride her as is. If you must change the gearing on her what about going with a "Dove" style bar or Mary One Ones with bar end shifters? The left bar end shifter is not indexed so it would work with your current front derailleur.  

Modified 720. I set this 720 up for my wife some years ago. Replaced the grip-shifts with Shimano under-the-bar thumb shifters. Some Rivendell stuff, some stuff from the garage parts box, one of the first ever Blackburn racks, and a 1975 Brooks B-15. Saddle is at my height—I use the bike to run errands. Trouble-free and comfortable. Definitely a keeper.  

keeping things as they are . . . . . . Thanks to bosax, thommy, and wim for your replies. The more I thought about this, and the expense, the more I decided to keep things the same. I have 5 other bikes in the stable that all have drops, STI, etc. etc. After giving the 720 a overhaul, I took it out for a spin and actually liked the feel of the bike the way it is. Keeping it this way will give me a little "diversity" in my rides. retiredbiker View attachment 139518  

Put a rack on it So, just put a rack on it and go get some beer! Think of all the money you'll save not driving the car on beer runs.  

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