Classic & Vintage - Friends, I need your expertise badly, and quickly!~

Hey everyone!

A few days ago, my neighbor gave me a gray Trek 330 Elance, it's a 56cm or a 58 cm, I can't find the measuring tape right now. But I'm only 5'4", so it's way to big for me.

I posted it on craigslist to trade a few days ago, and these are the offers I've gotten:

1. No trade, but $30-$50. :lol:

2. $150.

3. Charlie offers me "a Grey Trek that is 49cm-50cm tall," but he "doesn't know the model/series." And he lives an hour away. I don't drive, so this is probably a no.

4. A man offers: "I actually have two ten speeds one is a murry the is an all-pro. The all pro is in better shape the murry needs some work. The all-pro is red and I just put on some new tires and tubes it rides straight the paint and decals are in good shape its a heavier bike steel frame for sure. Its probably about a 52-54cm frame. If you like to work on 10 speeds i would be willing to trade both. I can attach pictures if your still interested."

5. I got this offer: "Hi, I have a 53cm. Vintage Trek 660 Red in good shape. Come over and try the fit. Call me: 805.xxx.xxxx after 2PM. "


I'm really leaning towards offer no. 5 right now, and a Trek 660 sounds like a great deal, especially if its the 1984, with a campy SR crankset/deraileur, and a notorious Helicomatic freewheel. History, there!

There's also an '85 version of the 660, which has an "Ofmega crankset and Mistral deraileurs." Anyone know anything about that? Is it junk compared to the 1984 model?

Would either of these be a better deal than offer 4? From my research on offer 4, one is a very old K-mart road bike, and the other is just another old road bike.

I suppose my question is, what offer would you take?

This is kind of a thing that people come here and post and run with, but I'll point out I've got some street cred here, I believe, so my question is asked because I have high regard for your opinions.

Thanks a lot!

-Banjo

I concur with #5 being the best offer.

#1 and #4 would be absolutely out.

#2 if #3 or #5 don't work out.

<edit - I re-read #4. I'm not sure what the all-pro is, but I'm thinking it's not likely to be special.>

I'm not a trekkie, #5 sounds good, but try to get a photo first.

#5 is the best deal, but very likely will not fit either.

I sold my ready to ride clean 330 earlier this year for $165. $150 is not a bad offer.

All Pro and Huffys are junk. I would not pay $20 for the two. Lousy deal IMHO.

#3 might work, as your 330 is the bottom end of the Trek line (but still a good bike). Charlie's bike is likely to be comparable or better, BUT, it really depends on condition... His 49/50 is likely a 19 inch frame bike, which is probably the size you need.... Get pictures first! I might tell him you have a cash offer in hand, and see if he gets motivated (like he brings his bike to you!!)

I think All-Pro's were Kmart bikes.....Bottom of the bucket. I may be wrong though.

Ofmega Mistral is some neat stuff. The whole component group is good looking. The derailleurs and shifters were composite. I have 3 Mistral derailleurs and I love them! Never used one though..

#5 is the best deal, but very likely will not fit either

+1. I think a 5' 4'' rider would need a smaller frame than that.

I apprecieate your advice, its all very good!

There is definitely some wisdom in your statements on height, although my primary bike right now is still a Univega, which is a 54cm, and it's just a little big, but I think my body has adapted and grown a longer inseam or something, because I hopped on it today after riding that Trek 58cm, and it was no stretch! (Pun intended.)

I dont think I'd take the $150, I'd much rather have a bike to ride than money to burn.

I think I agree on the two bikes being out, but I did find this intersting link while researching, which is a pretty awesome one: http://oldtenspeedgallery.com/owner-submitted/bens-murray-the-dude-10-speed/. "The Dude." Kinda cool, huh?

And yep, All-Pro's are K-Mart bikes. They even have a K-Mart headbadge in the pictures I saw, which was also kind of AWESOME in a dorky way, it seems like if cleaned and completely overhauled with good parts, it would be a very fun and funny novelty bike. But... Eh.

Both are fun and kind of whimsical, but for a Trek, I dunno.
I'm told this is a low-end trek, but it FLIES on the road, most parts are original, but the wheels are sealed-bearing 700c's, which could be why it really zooms and speeds. It feel like a TOP bike.

I'm short, but I think the 54 would be a good deal, as it's what I ride now.

Kpug505, Its neat to hear some knowledge on the other potential partset this bike has! I'll call the guy at 2 today and ask more about it.

Also, isn't the 660 a higher-level bike than the Elance 330? It seems so...
But I dunno much about Trek hierarchy. I just like the fact they're fast and the first Trek shop was less than an hour from here. It appeals to my California side. My Southwest desert side has yet to find a prestigious bicycle. *laugh*

But yeah. On quality differences between the 330 and 660? Any takers?

"the Dude" rocks .
hahahaha .the big lebowsky
i say buy #5 as well as The Murray just for the "Cool Factor"

Cheers
T

I'd think the 53cm trek 660 is the better deal. I had a 670 grey 85 model and it was
a great bike. The 660 is the middle of the line for Trek Racing bikes, the good thing is
this frame is basically the same as the higher 600 and 700 series bikes. The only difference
is the tube material ( 660 is 531cs while 700 series is 531C tubing). Otherwise identical frame
except for paint. Also the higher end treks were measured CTT not CTC so that 53 might be just right.
I'm 5'8 and my 53cm frames seem small, I prefer a 55cm ctc frame (56ctt).
Marty

edit:
The Elance bikes were sport touring bikes, a bit more relaxed geometry than the full on Racing series.
the 330 Elance in 87 was 531 tubing but not sure about stays etc.

If you're 5'4", you may want to test ride that 53cm bike first.
If your friend's bike is a 56cm, you're only dropping 1.2"
I do think trading a 330 that doesn't fit for a 660 that does fit sounds darn smart.

And yep, All-Pro's are K-Mart bikes. They even have a K-Mart headbadge in the pictures I saw, which was also kind of AWESOME in a dorky way, it seems like if cleaned and completely overhauled with good parts, it would be a very fun and funny novelty bike. But... Eh.

No it wouldn't. It would still be a low tech, heavy, poor riding, POS. It would just be clean. :p

You need a 50cm, a 53 will be too big.

Well, of course, I could always trade my Elance 330 for a smaller 660.
That's one quality step up, and one size-down.

And, after that, I can trade it for a 50cm top-of-the-line Trek! :lol:

Nah, we'll see. I'll take it for a spin, if it works- excellent!
If not, I'll either:
1. Turn the guy down, or
2. Take it and retrade it.

We'll see...

-Banjo!

Well, that was a buzzkill. I just called the fellow offering bike no. 5, and he said he wanted $300 for it, not a trade. :crash::cry:

Bummer.
So, I suppose this means I wait...

And that's okay. He swapped the original fork with a carbon one.

I suppose it wasn't meant to be!

I'll try to get in touch with this guy in Goleta, an hour or so from me.

I concur with #5 being the best offer.

#1 and #4 would be absolutely out.

#2 if #3 or #5 don't work out.

<edit - I re-read #4. I'm not sure what the all-pro is, but I'm thinking it's not likely to be special.>

They're not.

Or...

One of you could make me a trade for a Trek 330 Elance in very good condition!

Well, that was a buzzkill. I just called the fellow offering bike no. 5, and he said he wanted $300 for it, not a trade. :crash::cry:

Bummer.
So, I suppose this means I wait...

And that's okay. He swapped the original fork with a carbon one.

I suppose it wasn't meant to be!

I'll try to get in touch with this guy in Goleta, an hour or so from me.

Plan B might actually work out pretty well.

Above all, be patient. There might not be any savory trades today, but nice bikes alway turn up.

Before you give up on #5, call and ask how he's measuring 53cm. Some folks measure from the center of the BB to the center of the top tube, straight up. Some use the mountain bike method, center of the BB to the top of the seat tube. If it's the latter, I would think a 53cm seat tube would translate to a 51cm bike and you're in business.
Something to think about.

^I think the fact that he doesn't want to pay $300 for it is the real problem now.

My advice: don't buy a bike that doesn't fit you. Getting one for free, now that's different.

go for the one that is an hour away... but by all means ride it first and make sure it is in as good of shape as the one you are getting rid of... or else you can strip the components off the bike you have sell the frame and get another frame that fits you.... just a thought.