My Trek 6500 - What year is it!?

[Black Schwinn]

Hey Team!
So I am very new to mountain biking, but I've gone riding about a dozen times with a few friends (all Morc guys who helped me out a lot) and I must say I am hooked. It's embarrassing to show what I was originally riding on the trails, and I am sure MANY of y'all passed me. But what can I say, I wanted to get a feel for it before I purchased a real bike, and I conquered Theo, Murphy and Lebanon (despite numerous falls) so that aint too bad.
My original "mtb bike" was a converted target brand Triax road bike with 700X30 knobby tires...basically a winter project.
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f357/Fallchild000/P1010671.jpg
After riding a few times with bullhorns, I switched to riser bars, but the trails were still kicking my ass..can you believe I was riding this?
For any of the truly curious you can read about the original build up here:
http://www.mplsbikelove.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5653&highlight=

So cut to a few weeks ago, I got a very generous and awesome deal from a Morc guy on a Trek 6500, my size and color...couldn't pass it up!

This is how it was when I bought it:
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f357/Fallchild000/P1010652.jpg

It has beautiful parts on it, all deore or better. Also it has handbuilt (i think) mavic rims and other various upgraded components. After cutting the bars, reusing some oury grips and a saddle..here is how she stands now:

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f357/Fallchild000/P1010663.jpg

The bike is WONDERFUL! and riding it is a DREAM! So big ups to the folks that helped me (you know who you are Bigfoot)! I hope to see y'all out on the trails!!

My only main question is, what the heck year is this frame? I've got it pinned down to a 99-01 but I can find NO documentation for it. I would love to see a picture of the original build.

thanks for any help!
take care,

nathan

[Slimpee]

Sup Nathan!

I have to say that I totally dig the fact you rode the Triax off-road (although I did like it better in it's original configuration. I'd love to do something similar someday).

The photos you gave aren't terribly helpful but try http://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/Default.aspx
You'll probably be able to match up the specs w/ your bike and nail down the year...

Hope to see you on the trails soon!

Justin

[lostboy]

were you at Murphy early Saturday? If not someone is copying you ;)

sorry no help on what year your bike is.

[Slimpee]

Looks like it's a '99 (I couldn't help myself):
http://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/BikeSpecs.aspx?Year=1999&Brand=Trek&Model=6500&Type=bike

[Black Schwinn]

Great! Thanks so much for y'alls help!
It definitely is that 99! Wow, that makes me even more happy with the ride! Judging by the picture my bike has a new stem, crankset, seat post and more! Wow, I got a great deal, and I must say all the black components look WAY better!

Lostboy! Yup that was me! It was only my second time riding murphy on that bike, and so much better! I think I only had to walk over 1-2 obstacles, and that was due to my own fear, not the bike! Hah..it's maiden voyage was at Battle Creek and that was a disaster, so I am really enjoying murphy.

Slimpee thanks for the support about the Triax! It was pretty rough and I am sure I was only a ride or two away from catastrophic failure. But to be honest for what bike was, I think it held up very well! If you're interested, I hear you can still find them at targets for less than $100 ...a guy on bike love even said he saw one for $47. Which I think is an amazing deal for a beater bike.

Thanks again!

take care,
Nathan