Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - Deal or no deal ('82 Trek)?

'82 Trek for sale nearby, model 500 something, Ishiwata 022, my size, pretty good paint, no dents, no decal, intact head plate (head badge?). Some components not original, but decent and functional. Asking $225. Worth looking at? Worth $200? I've watched eBay prices a little and it seems like roughly comparable bikes (i.e. 80's Trek) often go for at least as much as this one, but that's my only frame of reference.

I ride and enjoy vintage steel already, but I'd like to try the triple crank on this one, and I'd like a second road bike so I can turn one or the other into a townie for errands, grocery runs, slow cruises around town with my wife, etc. You guys are always going on about the super bargains you've found. Is this at least a decent value, or should I keep looking. I'm in no hurry.

Thanks,
Dan

A bit high IMHO. I would take a look at it and if it fits and does not nee too much work offer $ 150 and go from there. You can always offer more if you get shot down. Getting a nice bike at a nice pricemakes the whole effort a bit more enjoyable. Good luck and post some pics if you get it,

Trek pricing is firming up around here. So if you like it and it fits, you might want to get it.

If the bike's in good working order and the seat post isn't stuck in the frame or a wheel's not going to fall apart, the price is fine. I'm from Northern California, and many vintage bike owners know what they have, especially if they were Trek purchasers back in the 80s.

Ishiwata 022 steel is bonus to the fine. Try negotiating, but the asking price isn't a rip-off by any means.

Need to know more information about the condition. Bill is correct about steel Trek pricing. I've said all along that steel Treks were commanding more than average based on what I've seen selling around here. I currently have two and they have a very nice ride. But at $225 for an OK friction shifting bike with the decals missing, that's getting kinda high. If it was pristine and ready to ride I'd jump at it. Go check it out, offer a little less if its ride worthy. If it needs tires, bar tape, maybe a new chain etc and looks a little rough, the price has to go down cause parts cost money.

If its really "Ishawata 022 steel" grab it !

+1 on the 022, but only if it's full 022 (tubes, forks and stays). The 500 series usually had a sport touring geometry, meaning longer chainstays, longer rake, and lower BB, making for a very stable ride. However, I did have a 530 which was exactly the opposite.

An added advantage of 022 is that it is reportedly stiffer than Reynolds 531. Some research on Treks will uncover that some of the larger framed models built with 531 were very flexy. Not so the 022 apparently. I have a friend with a 24" 510, and he loves the ride characteristics. I just picked up the same (but older) frameset on ebay and I'm in the process of building it up now. A big plus for me is the room for fatter tires and fenders.

Here's a write-up singing the praises of the 022 510: http://home.comcast.net/~pinnah/dirtbag-bikes/510.html

Moving to the appraisal sub-forum

I looked at it this afternoon, but I passed. Rougher than you could tell in the pictures, a little rust here and there, many replaced components (from other old bikes, not upgraded). Also, the headset was either too tight or possibly worn, because there was a lot of stiffness and rumble/grinding in the steering. Didn't light my fire, so I didn't make an offer. He said somebody from Berkeley was expecting to buy it on Saturday, so good luck to both of them.

FYI, the serial number identifies it as a 1982 model 510, size 22". His listing (http://sfbay.craigslist.org/scz/bik/1211931427.html) said it was Ishiwata 022, but the brochure at vintage-trek.com says it's 021 (frame, fork, and stays). It definitely had Ishiwata stickers on both the frame and the fork, but I don't recall for certain whether they said 021 or 022.

Thanks for your help, including moving it to the proper subforum. (I hadn't even noticed that there WERE subforums, so I definitely learned something.)

Dan

Sounds like a good move. Just because someone else is willing to buy it, doesn't make it worth it. Rust can be serious trouble. Keep looking and you will find something. Just be ready to pounce when a decent one shows up, as the best deals do not last long (there are others out there hunting deals).

The best deals around here are at garage sales and thrift stores. I have posted some of them, but I have conveniently neglected to post the hours spent looking and finding nothing... So C/L can be a lot more convenient,