Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - 1982 Trek 720

What price seems reasonable for this 1982 Trek 720 (http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/bik/1427324134.html)?

Thanks all.

Being local rather than ebay, I could see it in person and (I think) buy it for less than at auction.

Assuming it's your size, and that a serious touring bike is what you're looking for, I think you can pay $350 without kicking yourself.

How did I arrive at that figure? Well, I sold a Miyata 610 for exactly that much a couple years ago. Compared to that Miyata, this Trek 720 is in some ways more desirable (unusually long wheel base, 531 tubing, fenders and racks), and in some ways less so (this Trek has caliper brakes; for serious touring, most people prefer cantilevers). All in all I'd consider them comparable, but I'd rather have the Trek. In fact, I do ride a '82 720 and love it.

Three is "reasonable". I've seen lesser go for three fifty. To obtain a classic tourer like yours and to get it that level would cost twice as much. I've only to suppose that you're focusing less on touring these days. Hopefully someone here will spot it. They don't get much better.
If you wre to rationalze a higher price, I couldn't sincerly disagree.

That's a very clean 720. Around $500 in Pacific Northwest.

I'd say $350 or so is reasonable.....

It's fetch alot more if it were all original...

I want to buy it to replace my too-big bike. The seller is vague on price and suggests "do the research." In the past I've seen many on ebay take $500-700, some less, a few with bids over $1k. I read somewhere that whoever budges first often loses leverage, so I hesitate to start negotiating too high/low.

The side-pull brakes surprise me, but in all other ways it is everything I'll need save panniers and free time.

miamijim, the seller says it was built up from a frameset and everything is original except the fenders, bottle cages/frame pump and bar tape.

Actually, my old Trek also has side-pull brakes so I'm less surprised than curious as to why? I asked, but the response I got was that Suntour Superbes were just as effective and, being original, added to the bike's value. There is a Shimano caliper brake I read Sheldon Brown speak highly of, but I can't recall which one. Anyway, I know enoguh to know it's a gem but not enough to haggle insightfully.

miamijim, the seller says it was built up from a frameset and everything is original except the fenders, bottle cages/frame pump and bar tape.

Understood....but it has a rather diverse selection of components versus having a consistent group or as one would have been built from the factory.

Still, it seems to be built well and old frames like that in very good condition are hard to come by.

It may be an eclectic build, but those are some nice components. Given the condition, I'd agree with abarth - somewhere around $500. I don't think I'd take much less if selling it.

But not listing a price incurs a penalty. I'd offer $450.

everything is original except the fenders, bottle cages/frame pump and bar tape.

Headset, FD, brake calipers, brake levers, shift levers and hubs are NOT original to what a Trek 728 would have been equipted with. 728 is built from a 720 frameset.

Again, its a nice bike...you just need to decide what a 'fair, respectable' CL offering price is.

I agree it's a gem. Here's some info/opinion that may add a veneer of insight to your haggle:

When it refers to a whole bicycle, the term "original" implies a factory build. If it was sold as a frame, then "original" means it's just a frame. So I wouldn't call this original.

The original frame was probably sold with a Hattaswan headset, not this Shimano 600 one. I'm sure the 600 is fine; just not original. By the way, as I recall the frame (including headset and BB) sold for about $325 in 1983.

I wouldn't sneeze at Superbe sidepulls by any means; I had them on my 720, and they were great. Even so, later 720's came with cantilever studs --even in 1982-- and now these seem to be more highly regarded than the ones with calipers.

If you want a bargaining point, the Superbe rear caliper probably won't reach to a 700c rim. Mine didn't, anyway. So if you upgrade to modern wheels, you will need longer brakes as well.

The aero brake levers, by the way, are probably a little later as well; not "original." If you want original, I have some Superbe levers for you (but no hoods)

It may be an eclectic build, but those are some nice components. Given the condition, I'd agree with abarth - somewhere around $500. I don't think I'd take much less if selling it.

But not listing a price incurs a penalty. I'd offer $450.

Agreed and I'm inclined to up my inital 'guesstimate' to the mid-$400's. If the sellers not willing to deal with ebay and knows he's taking a hit on CL...its all a matter of how much of a hit he's willing to take.

Superbe brakes were among the best ever made, forget about what ... said, doesn't meen that much. Personally, I never saw the point to over-emphasizing center-pulls.
I'm not a tourer and my only problem with brakes is some stop too well, poor modulation, not so with Superbe, they're extremely refined.

miamijim has a point, you've quite a mix there. Now that I realize you're buying it, the end game matters less, you're going to ride it. The wheels on a T. bike are very focused on by tourers; you've 36 sp. Hi-Qual. rims w/ Campy Record hubs..... all the rest as well. You're already ther with that bike. JUST wheels can cost $300.

It may be an eclectic build, but those are some nice components. Given the condition, I'd agree with abarth - somewhere around $500. I don't think I'd take much less if selling it.

But not listing a price incurs a penalty. I'd offer $450.

+1. Put $400 in your wallet. Put another $50 in each front pocket, each coat pocket, and so on....

rashid....yes or no question. Isn't it your bike already?

The reason I ask is because clicking on the CL pics leads to a picassa album that belongs to rashid. Another thing....why do some of the CL pics ahve the ebay camera symbol in the lower right corner?

Are you the same person as the seller?

So, if the first owner built it up himself with good, mixed components, I guess my questions are how well it compares with an original build and how that affects price. Higher price makes the bike seem more for a collector than someone like me who wants an alternative to new or custom touring bikes. $500 feels like a deal, more seems less so. Thanks for the advice.

rashid....yes or no question. Isn't it your bike already?

The reason I ask is because clicking on the CL pics leads to a picassa album that belongs to rashid. Another thing....why do some of the CL pics ahve the ebay camera symbol in the lower right corner?

Are you the same person as the seller?

Interesting...fess up!

http://standupforamerica.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/interrogation-chair.jpg

+1 Seller is trying to hold an auction on Craigs List, that is not allowed. So I would refuse to deal with this guy.

+1 This post is very suspicious.

+1 Frankenbike = Less value than original.

Flaggerooed.

-Kurt

Why dont people just ask, "I'm selling my bike, what do you think I can get for it?" I'd like to see every member here get as much for their bike as possible, then again, I'd like to see everyone here get as good a deal as possible.

When a valuation is inquired about by a seller we tend go higher than if a vaulation was being inquired by a buyer. Being shady never helps.....

miamijim, the seller says it was built up from a frameset and everything is original except the fenders, bottle cages/frame pump and bar tape.

The following are not original as well:

Headset: this bike 600, original Tange Levin
FD: this bike Suntour, original Huret Success
Brakes: this bike Suntour Superbe brakes, Original Gran Combe 450 centerpull
Rims: this bike Wolber Super Champion Gentleman 81 27", Original Rigida Alloy 700c

I did not go further in the description to compare more, but it is not all original. The Cinelli stem and bar are original.

You need to know that...

Now its posted for $850. Guess he didn't need our opinions after all....

Way over priced if it was all original. Double way over priced as a Frankenbike.

Pitifull ... I never was sure who the buyer or seller was.... more to say but I'll leave it at that.

Now its posted for $850.

Ouch
One can get some nice SL steel with CR/NR components for that.

Ouch
One can get some nice SL steel with CR/NR components for that.

Well, I don't think the target audience for this bike is the same as that for Italian racing steel. It is a ridiculous price, however. Good luck with that, seller.

Oh, the damning evidence:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?p=9606339#post9606339


Hello all. I'm looking to change my bike's 6spd friction shifting to index, and I'll need tech advice.

The bike is a 1982 Trek 720. Huret Duopar rear and Suntour Mountech front derailleurs, 6spd freewheel on Campagnolo Record hub at 126mm. Suntour friction downtube shifters, Campagnolo brake levers and Suntour Superbe side-pull brakes. I daily commute in DC traffic and 2-3 times weekly ride loaded while pulling my daughter in a cycletote for longer distances. In both cases I want my hands on the bars.

I've used 6spd indexed Suntour Accushift barends on my last bike with no complaints, which may be the cheapest easy switch as I do not want to replace the wheels or respace the frame.

Yet what options exist for brifters if I install a 7spd freewheel? Campagnolo Ergopower 8spd? Shimano RSX? Something else?

My thoughts are of: 1) safety under load and at speed, 2) ease of use and installation, 3) cost.

Thanks for your help.

Why the deceit?

Oh, the damning evidence:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?p=9606339#post9606339



Why the deceit?


Good catch!!

Exactly, whats wrong with simply asking for an approximate selling price? Something like: "It's time to sell my Trek 720. What do you think a good asking price is?"

Not that it matters at this point; BFWIW, I think $400 to $450 on a really good day with patience in the SF Bay Area on CL. I've seen some Specialized Expeditions here that languish for months on CL for $600. I think the market is slowing down. Or maybe it's the time of year?

Good catch!!

Exactly, whats wrong with simply asking for an approximate selling price? Something like: "It's time to sell my Trek 720. What do you think a good asking price is?"

+1

(and not including that "all original" BS)

Interesting. I click into this thread looking for an education on the 520/620/720/820 Treks because everytime I click on a local listing for one it usually turns out to be the MTB/Comfort bike version. And instead of an education on models I get an education on detective work. I really liked the chair pic.

And with that said I'll suggest $3.50.

I want to buy it to replace my too-big bike. The seller is vague on price and suggests "do the research." In the past I've seen many on ebay take $500-700, some less, a few with bids over $1k. I read somewhere that whoever budges first often loses leverage, so I hesitate to start negotiating too high/low.

The side-pull brakes surprise me, but in all other ways it is everything I'll need save panniers and free time.

I really like this BS comment earlier in the thread. Classic. WOW..

Interesting. I click into this thread looking for an education on the 520/620/720/820 Treks because everytime I click on a local listing for one it usually turns out to be the MTB/Comfort bike version. And instead of an education on models I get an education on detective work. I really liked the chair pic. .

http://www.vintage-trek.com/

there is lot of great material there for classic Trek bikes.

Have fun :)

And with that said I'll suggest $3.50.

Elitist.

I counter with $2.50.

-Kurt

Early hand built Treks are wonderful bikes... you have to ride one to really appreciate the great workmanship.

Because of that, they can fetch some good prices.

I had a 710 and 720 that were both too big for me (and all original) so I gave them to taller friends... one returned the favour by giving me a 1954 Raleigh Sports road bike which is presently sitting in my work stand waiting for some TLC.

The guys love their Treks...

This thread is too strange...