Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - How much is my 1987 Aluminum Trek 1500 worth?

I'm a total newbie to the forum and need help putting a price on a Trek 1500 alum. road bike I just picked up...I want to put it on Craig's List here locally to avoid the shipping thing...It is in primo stock condition except for the front wheel & tire which has been replaced I think and maybe the seat...Paint is REAL nice...It has those sante shift components and the Shimano 600 other parts..I'll get specific if you akk the questions which are important...Thanks in advance...tucson...See Pics

Put it on E-bay with a high reserve and see what bids come in. I think you will be disappointed,as it doesnt have the Rococco details at the tube junctions that the vintage bike people like. The modernists wont be interested in downtube shifters.

Thanks Andrew!...Good Idea...

Anything remotely similar posted on Craigslist? That could give you some idea. Any local or regional biking club websites with classifieds?

Nice looking bike, groupo pretty good I'd say $150-200:thumb:

Nice looking bike, groupo pretty good I'd say $150-200:thumb:


I'm thinking that $150 might be optimistic but my opinion doesn't matter.

What matters is what a potential buyer thinks it's worth.

I'd say $150 easily. That's in great condition, give it a tune up to make sure it all works, and you can probably sell it pretty quickly, provided your local Craigslist is active.

I'd put up a flyer at your LBS too, if they'll let you.

Thank you all for your help, tucson

Prices for ANY downtube, index shifting road bike in this area start at $150 and go up from there, and that's actually last years price before this years demand for old bikes. Because it's a TREK, you can add another $50. Last year I know two guys who purchased a Trek 1100 and a 1400 of similiar vintage and paid $150 and $175 and were happy to get the bikes for those prices. Not everyone who is buying an older bike is into old steel. Quite a few want a light bike with a stiff ride but don't want to pay $800 for a new bike and don't want a new Schwinn Varsity.
If it were mine, I'd list it on CL for at least $200, maybe $225. The only problem you have is it's winter. If you wait two or three months, I'm confident you'll get your price.
EDIT: Unless you put a high reserve on it, I would not list it on ebay.

$150 +/-.

+1 Vintage bike people are more attracted to the higher grade steel bikes.

But the 1500 was one of the higher end aluminum framed bikes by Trek back then.


Whats going on with the fork? I thought that bike came with a painted fork (same color as bike). If the fork is a replacement, that usually brings up questions as to the original fork (was the bike in a wreck, or whatever). But I could be wrong about the fork being painted.

Please level the saddle before you try to sell it.

Your bike has collectible Shimano Sante components.

Although this is the worst time of year to sell a bike being in Tucson (I'm assuming) may help you out.

Something like that I could sell for $300 during the season......right now its hard to say As cb400bill said, level the seat and adjust it so its 1" above the bars.

As a reference I scored this '86 Trek 2000 with mostly Dura Ace for $200. It has Specialized sealed bearing hubs with Mavic MA40 rims, new tires, Cinelli bars, stem and a Concor Super Corsa seat. The seller threw in 4 new inner tubes and 2 new Hutchinson tires.

A guy at a work wanted to buy it from me before I bought it for.......$400http://i495.photobucket.com/albums/rr314/jimr2527/leaving.gif

http://i495.photobucket.com/albums/rr314/jimr2527/DSC01777.jpg

http://i495.photobucket.com/albums/rr314/jimr2527/DSC01778.jpg

I'm with roccobike. In this area, the early Trek aluminum frames bring a little more than others.
I'm at $150-$225 in eastern NC, even on CL.