PRESERVATION BICYCLE # 15: 1985 Trek USA 620
This is a 1985 Trek USA 620 made in the grand ol’ US of A in the Waterloo, Wisconsin Trek factory. Check out the 1985 Catalog. What makes this bike special? Well, it’s a dedicated touring bike, meaning it’s built for carrying weight for long distances at a time. It looks like a road bike, but it has mountain bike brakes (canti), and clearance for slightly larger tires. It has all the braze-ons and eyelets to mount front and rear racks. All of the things that make it a great touring bike are the same things that make it a versatile commuter bike, a reliable steal cyclocross bike, and a great gravel grinder. Also, the Reynolds 531cs double butted (thick where it needs to be, thin and light where it doesn’t) steal tubing is about as good as it gets. Look at the lugs! Look at the dropouts (where the wheels attach)! Look at that internal cable routing!!!
PRESERVATION BICYCLE NUMBER #15
MAKE: TREK
MODEL: USA 620
YEAR/AGE: 1985
SIZE: 57CM. 5’9 - 5’11
ADOPTION FEE: $80. AND WE’LL THROW IN A $40 GIFT CERTIFICATE FOR USED PARTS
RECOMMENDED REPAIRS:
BASIC: Ok, this one is going to take some work, because it’s missing wheels. So 27 x 1 1/4 wheels, tires, tubes, and a cassette are all needed. You can likely find all of those things used at the shop if you have a little patience. It likely needs all new cabling (cables and housing) and probably a new chain. All of the bearings need to be cleaned and repacked (with grease). Brake pads might have to go to. With all used parts, this will probably add up to $100-150 and take about 4-6 hours of total shop time. Don’t be intimidated, you got this!
BETTER: Same as above, but maybe think about a wider drop bar or upright bar and some new grip tape. Probably a taller stem. Also take those downtube shifters and swap them out for something that will fit on the stem or handlebar. Add 1 hour of shop time and $30-60 in used parts.
BEST (because why not): This bike originally had 27’’ wheels, but I’m convinced you can get 700c wheels on there instead. It might take a different cantilever break or V-brake to accommodate the extra reach (700c wheels are ever so slightly smaller than 27’’ wheels). Since the bike needs new wheels anyway, you might as wheel try, and it will give you the ability to fit larger tire and fenders. I think a 700c x 38 tire will fit with a fender, maybe 700c x 40 without a fender. If you want to stick with drop bars or a mustache bar, think about swapping out the road stem for something with more rise, and definitely think about making the switch to barend/barcon shifters. We get these in shop somewhat regularly. If you’re thinking about converting it to an upright bar, find something with a sexy upward sweep back and keep the original road stem. You want you handlebar about 0’’ - 3’’ above your saddle. Oh and add a Brooks b17 saddle!
Now you’re probably looking at $160 in used parts, $200 in new parts, and the $80 adoption fee. Subtract the $40 gift cert and you’ve got a touring bike every bit as good as $1200 Surly for $400! And it’s made in Wisconsin.
BICYCLE HISTORY:
Built in Waterloo Wisconsin with British tubing. Sold at The Bicycle Outlet in Los Altos California. It’s about 35 years, and my guess is that’s done at least 1 cross country bike trip.