General Cycling Discussion - How Do I Tell What Year a Bike is Made?

Hello All,

I'm a new member hoping to get some advice from you fine folks.

I'm going to check out a Trek 7300 FX for $300, but I asked the owner what year it was and he didn't know as he had bought it off of someone else 1 year ago.

Is there any way for me to find out? Checking out a serial number, or perhaps there's something different about a specific year?

The bike is red/black.

I appreciate your help!

http://www2.trekbikes.com/Bikes/archives/2004/citybike/7300fx.php I guess.

I found it using their archive (http://www2.trekbikes.com/bikes/bike_archive.php).

Edit: It's a 2004. The color scheme pretty much defines it most of the time, but so does the model. Most of the time though I've seen the year of the build on the stick on the seat post tube.

Sometimes you can figure it out from the ser #, but often even the manufacturer can't tell us. You can get a general age by looking at the components and comparing to bikes of a known age.

Or you can cut it in two and counting the rings.

I took your advice and cut open the tube. Apparently, the bike is broken now, so I had no choice but to buy it.

FYI, it's 3 yrs old.

Anyone looking for a bike?

You don't have to actually cut the tube. You can get a special drill bit and bore into the tube to retrieve a core sample. Then you can count the rings and the bike is still usable if you remember to reseal the hole. Yep, possible termite or other insect infestation.

I've taken apart a couple of old bikes and have found dates stamped on various parts (spindle, fork tube, etc). But I don't think they'll let you disassemble before you buy.

Or you can cut it in two and counting the rings.

:beer: :roflmao: :roflmao:

I took your advice and cut open the tube. Apparently, the bike is broken now, so I had no choice but to buy it.

FYI, it's 3 yrs old.

Anyone looking for a bike?

:beer: You got a sense of humor...you'll get along here in BF just fine. ;)

Don't count the layers of paint as rings.:D