First Impressions of Nitto Albatross Bars on my 1985 Trek 620

[Joe Gates]

I thought i would share a photo of my 1985 Trek 620 along with my first impressions of my new to me Albatross cockpit build.  While not a Rivendell, the Trek 620 is certainly Riv-ish with its smooth riding Reynolds 531C frame, decent tire clearance and extra long 47cm chainstays.  Plus, many of the parts in the current build were sourced from this list.  Saddle and Crankset from Pondero, Saddle Bag from Alex Moll, and the most recent addition to the build is the cockpit acquired from Richard Rios.  

I have been wanting to give the Albatross bars a try and today I had a chance to test them out.  My 6 year old learned to ride her bike without training wheels this week (proud parent moment!) so we went to the park along with big sister to get some practice outside of our cul de sac.  We rode about 5 miles around the park at relatively slow speeds and the bars worked well.  Every other bike i own (other than the mountain bike) has drop bars of some variety and i love the options for hand placement.  I found the more upright riding position of the Albatross bars to be perfect for the slow riding and frequent stopping that comes along with riding with a young, inexperienced cyclist along a relatively crowded park path.  I did feel the bars had some give to them if i pulled on them when riding at a faster pace.  I hope to get out and test them out on open roads tomorrow to see how I like them over a longer distance and when the riding involves a little more climbing.  

Joe

[Pondero]

What a classy ride that is! I hope the bars work as well for you as they have for me. I have learned to enjoy them all day long. Yes, the give a little. For me, it makes rough roads a little smoother. Enjoy!

Chris Johnson
Sanger, Texas

[Sky Coulter]

Joe, looks great! What size frame is that? And if I can ask a couple more questions. what brakes are you using and what do u figure the max tire size you can fit is?

thanks,

Sky

[Chris Lampe 2]

That is a good looking bike.  Several of those old Trek models are extremely Riv-ish

[Joe Gates]

Sky - the frame size is what Trek called a 22.5" frame.  According to the geometry chart in the brochure it has a 55.9 cm seat tube and a 56 cm top tube.  The brakes are the original Shimano XT-MC70 (the brakes, the headset and the rear rack are the only original parts on the bike).  The tires are 35mm and there is definitely room for 38 and i might be able to fit a 40.  The fork and the seat stays have room, the clearance would be tight at the chainstays.  The bike originally had 27" wheels and i am running 700c on it to give it the extra clearance.  

[Jay in Tel Aviv]

Looks perfect together.

[Sky Coulter]

Thanks Joe. I have a 24inch 1985 620 currently boxed up that I've been wondering what to do with. Your post helps spur the imagination....sky

[RichS]

Joe, that's a killer Trek! Well done. As a former owner of an '85 Trek I appreciate what you've done with this build.

Regards,

Richard

[Mark Etze]

40's will fit. I had mine set up with Clement MSO's and the ride was super nice.

I wish I had thought to try it with Albatross bars because I may still have it.

[Frank Brose]

I have an 84 I did pretty much the same thing to. I felt guilty doing it given the pedigree of the bike but it's a blast to ride. I feel guilty no more. 700c fat tires, Albatross bars, Nitto stem with IRC stem shifter and a few other bells and buzzers and it's alot of fun bicycle.

Frank

On Saturday, March 18, 2017 at 9:37:31 PM UTC-5, Joe Gates wrote: