Star Trekkin'! Is it retro? 'Old' 2004 Trek SL Ultegra

[legrandefromage]

So, is it retro? Vintage? Old? Anyway I was cobbling together a 9spd Ultegra groupset and this popped up half an hour from the house for less than the price of a decent set of wheels.

Picked up at 1pm, stripped, cleaned and put back together for a quick trial street ride with a new HG73 chain.

It had suffered a bit of garage assault & battery plus being put away wet had led to a bit of bubbling on the rear rim but stripped and cleaned there was a very low mileage bike under there, even the original Shimano green grease on everything.

A lovely 6500 last of the Mohicans pre external BB groupset, super smooth BB, clean graphics and a Flight Deck computer to boot.

Size is good, no upgrades as such as it may end up just as a groupset hanger for now.

So, its not retro, definitely not vintage but it is better than a kick in the cobblers at a Decathlon.

 

[Carge]

Re:

Don't care if it's retro or not..... but I'd argue it just about makes it.
The 2004/5 era SL/SLR frames with the smooth welds are a lovely bike.


Mine's got 7700 DA & Bontrager carbon cranks on it that I took off a Madone 5.9

If I could find another in 54cm - I'd have it.

 

[daugs]

Re:

it wasn't that long ago that we bought the Mrs 2002 Trek, wait a moment it was brand new in a shop :shock:

it ain't retro but still a good bike and ditto this one, and a bargain to boot by the sound of it, but then who cares. But then do we need a new section to the forum, 1998 - when ? what would be the new dividing year when something fundamentally changed ?

 

[legrandefromage]

cheers guys

I think the simply ginormous 53t chainring may give way to a 50t at the moment

 

[dutchie]

Octalink.... Almost retro, difficult to find nowadays.

 

[Splatter Paint]

Re:

That looks great.

I consider my ‘08 Giant Defy old - yours must be retro with Octalink!

 

[jimo746]

Re:

I like that, not "Retro", but a "Future Retro" for sure given a few more years. It's different enough from "modern", whilst still being relatively erm.... Modern... :?
Anyway, I thought it was flat around LGF Towers? Perfect for a 53T chainring

 

[legrandefromage]

The 53t ring survived, wheels didnt.

Some Freecycle 2002 Shimano R500 wheels repaired and cleaned up took the place of the bubbly Bontragers. *the more I look at the wheel/ bike combo, the more they seem to suit it!

My cheeky carboot purchase £2 Continental Force / Attack tyres

HG73 chain turned out to be fake :facepalm:

First ride was as expected, the bike is far more capable than I am!

 

[hamster]

Seriously, fake chains now?