Outdated Things...my old Trek

"Highlander-Datsuns are Forever" (jamesbowland)
03/12/2016 at 19:10 • Filed to: trek, softride, bikeoppolike

This is my 1996 Trek 990 zx Series Single Track. I bought it new and then special ordered the parallel link Softride suspension stem with the dampening cartridge for front suspension duties. This is one of those suspension ideas that really gets your head scratching when experienced in real life. The stem moves up and down but does very little to help the front wheel track over the ground or reduce vibration in you hands. I haven’t ridden it in about 18 months so I’m going to try to sell it on my local craigslist for $300-400. More on the bike below.

The frame is OXIII chrome-moly steel-heat treated after welding (tig welded). It is similar to steel bikes by Thomas Ritchey and Keith Bontrager at the time, maybe a bit more robust than the Ritchey’s. It was welded up by Trek welders in Treks Waterloo Wisconsin factory. The next year the only bikes Trek manufactured in the US were their luged carbon fiber bikes (OCLV).

The original build was a Shimano XT 8 speed group with SRAM grip shifters. In 1997 I got some XTR trigger shifters to replace the grip shits (as we called them). In 2000 or so I put an entirely new shimano 9-speed xt group on it-and is still there today. For two years I ran a specialized FSX air oil fork extended to 70 mm then I got a Marazochi bomber at 80 mm of travel and I think ran that for another 2 years. I wore both of those forks out, utterly and completely, put them in the garbage when done. The only reason I put the Softride back on is for shits and giggles, it gets lots of looks an comments.

DISCUSSION (28)

Xyl0c41n3 > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
03/12/2016 at 19:35

I’d never seen a shock for a stem before. That’s... Interesting.

I’ve got a Trek from a similar vintage. Got it for $40 bucks from CL. Some Google sleuthing tells me it should be a 1992 850 Antelope MTB. It was in fairly rough shape when I got it. The frame and rims were in excellent condition, but the tires and tubes were dry rotted, the brake and shift cables needed replacing and retuning, the cranks, chain rings and cassette all needed thorough cleaning. Chain needed to be replaced. Seat post was stuck so well in the seat tube (it had been hammered in) that my bike mechanic had to use lye to melt it out.

Eventually, he restored it back to better than new. Even got it powder coated for me (the lye ruined the sour grape purple paint). Now it’s neon pink and sports road slicks. :)

Kinja'd!!!

Justin > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
03/12/2016 at 19:43

You’re missing a pedal.

Also some sort of engine.

TheRealBicycleBuck > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
03/12/2016 at 19:44

I always wanted to try that stem. The other suspension I always wanted to try was the girvin/proflex fork.

http://m.ebay.com/itm/Noleen-Cro…

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Xyl0c41n3
03/12/2016 at 19:44

Nice, the 850 was a good seller back then. Looks like a solid commuter, and you have those reflective michelin tires too.

Xyl0c41n3 > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
03/12/2016 at 19:52

Oh, I’ve got more than just reflective tires. :D

http://oppositelock.kinja.com/hey-oppo-i-did…

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > TheRealBicycleBuck
03/12/2016 at 20:47

Oh man that fork brings back memories, OEM on the proflex bikes, what a hunk of crap. I guess back then bicycle mfr’s were trying to figure out where the suspension game was going. The Softride is way over rated. I replaced it as soon as I could afford it.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Justin
03/12/2016 at 20:48

I use shimano clipless pedals on all my bikes. I only have three pairs so the one I don’t ride doesn’t have pedals on it.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Xyl0c41n3
03/12/2016 at 20:51

Ha, those lights are awesome. I always use a night rider on the front, and a LED blinker on the rear. The night riders are as bright as a car headlight.

1111111111111111111111 > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
03/12/2016 at 20:58

Looks great. I just retired a bontrager from the same year. A shame they all moved to offshore fabrication.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > 1111111111111111111111
03/12/2016 at 21:03

That bike was $1400 msrp with no suspension, can you believe it?

Frank Grimes > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
03/12/2016 at 21:42

How many scars do you have on your knees from that stem?

1111111111111111111111 > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
03/12/2016 at 22:15

Yup. My bontrager was 1200 before pedals.

TheRealBicycleBuck > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
03/12/2016 at 22:49

What a disappointment. I still want to try it out....

TheRealBicycleBuck > Xyl0c41n3
03/12/2016 at 22:51

It’s hard to beat an old mountain bike with slicks for commuting duties. Big tires make a huge difference in comfort. I had an old throwaway MTB that I used the same way. It died an untimely death when I hit a dog. The impact was so hard it bent the down tube.

HammerheadFistpunch > TheRealBicycleBuck
03/12/2016 at 22:55

My brother had a proflex and so long as the urethane was soft it was great...and light...but the urethane got hard fast. As for softride...you werent missing much, it was a dumb idea

Kinja'd!!!

Xyl0c41n3 > TheRealBicycleBuck
03/12/2016 at 22:55

Heh. I live in Texas. “Commuting” requires going a minimum of 30 miles to get to anywhere decent, after which I’d be drenched in sweat thanks to our abundant sunshine. I don’t use this bike for commuting, I use it for exercise, either on roads or on cement-paved municipal bike trails. At least that way it’s expected that I be drenched in sweat. :)

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > HammerheadFistpunch
03/12/2016 at 23:11

Wow, that brings back memories, my buddy had one too. You are correct they were pretty good for the day when the bumpers were fresh.

If you recall Bob Roll road those for a few years too.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > 1111111111111111111111
03/12/2016 at 23:15

But Keith Bontrager, might have actually made your bike. The welds on my Trek are not pretty.

1111111111111111111111 > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
03/12/2016 at 23:17

Totally. I work with several bike builders that formerly welded and brazed in town. It’s a shame that the industry essentially shut down.

1111111111111111111111 > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
03/12/2016 at 23:17

And, light stong cheap. Pick two.

HammerheadFistpunch > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
03/12/2016 at 23:32

Oh bob...chops for days

TheRealBicycleBuck > HammerheadFistpunch
03/12/2016 at 23:45

I wanted the model with a shock, not the elastomers. I learned from my first elastomer fork that those were junk. When it came time to replace them, I bought a set of speed springs.

TheRealBicycleBuck > Xyl0c41n3
03/12/2016 at 23:55

I’m originally from Texas. About the only place hotter and wetter is where I live now - Louisiana.

When I was in college I commuted everywhere by bike. With room for only one, I put slicks on my Super-V and used it for commuting during the week. I had a second set of wheels with knobbies for the weekends.

This pic is from a couple of years ago when I was out with my son for a ride in the park.

Kinja'd!!!

The key to dealing with the sweat was a big fan. I spent 15 minutes in front of one after I arrived on campus. Between classes I’d just take it easy so I wouldn’t break a sweat.

George McNally > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
03/13/2016 at 00:43

I owned one of those lugged carbon Trek bikes.......I rode the shit out of that bike, bought it used for 500 bucks, rode iot for 2 years and sold it for 400 bucks.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > TheRealBicycleBuck
03/13/2016 at 11:54

They sell on ebay for >$100.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > TheRealBicycleBuck
03/13/2016 at 11:55

I had a rock shox judy with speed springs, they worked so well the dampening cartridge would blow every ride.

TheRealBicycleBuck > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
03/13/2016 at 12:57

Sounds like they weren’t stiff enough for your riding style or weight. I made sure to get some to deal with my considerable bulk and I never had an issue.

TheRealBicycleBuck > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
03/13/2016 at 13:05

I thought about buying one, but I’m not sure it would work with the oversize head tube on my Super-V. I have adapters which step down to 1.25" so I can run that Manitou. If I were going to spend money on my old bike, it would be to swap to new fork with disc brake tabs so I can upgrade.