Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - help on approximate values? vintage shogun, fuji, trek 700, trek 400.

hey what are the approximate values of the following bikes? I just want to make sure I'm not getting ripped off before I seal the deal.

the first one is a shogun, the seller didn't tell the model, but i see a 100 on there: asking price is $160
http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/7279/bike001.jpg

the next is a fuji sports 12: asking price is $150
http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/4504/bike003.jpg

the prices are negotiable, so i'm hoping to shave the $160 down to around $120 and the $150 down to around $100, but even at those prices are they reasonable? should i bargain even lower?

also, would anyone know how these would compare to a trek 400 and a trek 700? i also have a chance to pick up one of those for around $100 (is that a good price?)

of the 4 bikes, trek 400, trek 700, shogun, fuji sports 12, which would give the best performance/be the best deal?

thanks, i'm so excited to get back into cycling.

anyone? i'm afraid these will be sold if i don't act fast.

The Classic and Vintage board has a subforum for pricing older bikes. You'll get more play there.

I'll look and repost but I'd recommend asking there too.

OK the Fuji and the Shogun were entry-level bikes from around 1982 or so. They look clean but they're heavy even by the standards of their day and pretty basic, again even by the standards of their time.

If they're straight and tuned they'll ride nice but they'll always be entry-level bikes from 25+ years ago. I'd definitely bargain lower.

All things equal the Trek 700 is the best bike you've mentioned. It was a top line bike from its day and its steel frameset really isn't that far off the modern steels available today and is, IMO, much better than entry-level aluminum framed modern bikes.

(I don't consider a CAAD9 to be in that category even though it's price competitive).

The 400 wouldn't be that far off the 700 though the 700 was certainly a better bike.

Price, fit, condition should be your guide with the Treks.

With the other 2: 6 in one, half dozen in the other. Which color do you like?

:beer:

Re-reading your OP; if you can get the 700 for around 100$ and it fits, isn't mangled then this is a no-brainer. Even if it doesn't fit get it for a C-note and eBay it.

The 400 would be a great deal for $100 but the 700 would be a screaming deal. Buy it go over to the Catch of the Day thread at the Classic and Vintage board and crow away.

:beer:

hey thanks for all the input! I really appreciate it.

As Walter said, you will get more help through the C&V forum. But looking at the bikes I can guess that they really aren't worth anymore then the sellers asking price. In all truth you might even be able to get them down significantly. If the deals fall though then don't worry about it too much. There will be better deals out there to come.

Edit- I also just re-read your post and I again concur that the Trek's will both be pretty good deals.

Are those really considered "vintage"? To me, they're just very old used bikes with no value other than utilitarian. I'd simply negotiate the lowest price possible and decide if it was worth that amount or not. There's not a lot of upside or down side to a ~$100 price. Either it fits and works or not. After that, the only thing that matters is your own impression about the price you pay, whether it's a good deal and affordable given your own circumstances.

Are those really considered "vintage"? To me, they're just very old used bikes with no value other than utilitarian. I'd simply negotiate the lowest price possible and decide if it was worth that amount or not. There's not a lot of upside or down side to a ~$100 price. Either it fits and works or not. After that, the only thing that matters is your own impression about the price you pay, whether it's a good deal and affordable given your own circumstances.

The Treks the OP mentions but doesn't link to are certainly vintage and, to many, desireable and collectible. I agree with your view of the two the OP has links for.

:beer:

I just gave the guy with the trek 700 a call. he said its a green 2000 or 2001 model trek 700 multitrack, great condition, around 19". I think I might pull the trigger for $100. Only thing is that 19" might be a little too tall because I'm closer to 5'6". Any thoughts?

being 2000 or 2001, i don't know if its considered vintage anymore... but the trek 400 is mid 1980s, so that might be vintage.

Those bikes are entry level 80s crap except for the trek 700 if it is a 1983 or 1986. Do not confuse the 80s trek 700 with the 90s trek 700 hybrid mountain crap. An 83 or 86 700 in good condition is worth $500+.

oh damn... it might be the hybrid mountain crap then..

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Buy the Trek 400. It's a terrific deal if it's in good shape. They typically sell for $150 to $200 around here and don't last long at those prices. It's a bike that's worth investing in. I have an 83 and really like the nice ride that double butted, Tru-temper chromoly steel frame provides. Mine was upgraded to aero brakes before I bought it.
It's way nicer than the two pics you provided and IMHO it's nicer than the Trek 700 multi track hybrid.

+1

If you're searching for a road bike, the Trek 400 is the best option of those you provided. The Trek 700 isn't crap, but it isn't a lightweight road bike. However, it does make a great touring/utilitarian conversion: relatively lightweight tubing, tons of braze-ons, lots of rooms for fat tires and fenders, very stable geometry.