I have a Trek 6500 ZX that I pretty much rode daily since I bought it in 1995. Mostly as a commuter bike, but also as a mountain bike. Much on the bike was replaced — gears, shifters, but not necessarily to better models. I put road tires on it. (I also have an extra 26" wheel that turns it into an e-bike, but that's not relevant for this question. It is slightly relevant for why I don't want to just replace the bike)
It is very similar to this one: https://store.bicycleczar.com/15-TREK-6500-ZX-Utility-Bike-5-4-5-7-p/08130051.htm
Now, however, I'm using a different bike to commute and thus using the Trek mainly for mountain biking. Which it doesn't do super well (mostly because of the biker sitting on it). I thought to get it a bit into shape. (and me)
I changed the tires and the pedals (I kept sliding off them). Now I'm thinking if there's anything else relatively cheap I could do. The handlebar is ~570mm, so I thought maybe a wider, swept bar could provide a more comfortable ride? That would involve also getting a stem rise adapter? Or is the bike geometry just wrong? I wouldn't really know what to do with a dropper seat. Though maybe I can learn. I don't go very fast, and don't intend to. I'm starting to get too breakable.
Would you recommend anything else? I could buy a used bike, but I don't think I'd be able to tell which ones are good. Mine I know (isn't).
by mltam
1 Comment
That was my first MTB, it was a pretty light bike I think. Lots of fun memories for sure.
I’m not really sure what you exactly don’t like about it, but it’s certainly going to be somewhat limited as far as aerodynamics at least compared to a road bike. Drop bar bikes have the additional advantage of letting you change your hand positioning.
40mm or wider tires will smooth out road surfaces, other than that I might upgrade the saddle and grips for comfort.