Classic & Vintage - Trek 1420 Door Prize

A few weeks back at a Saturday morning rally with about 500 riders, I won a raffle prize -- a Trek 1420. When they called I was estatic, but after driving 75 miles, saw that I won a "classic" bike, well used, and donated by someone who couldn't keep riding due to knee problems. I think Trek made the 1420 for a few years 1987-1990 or so? I have a 2001 Trek MultiTrak 800 hybrid for the road, and was going to buy a road bike shortly, so I'm wondering if it's worth keeping & servicing this bike. It has downtube shifters, which I'd want to have my LBS upgrade in a new brake/shifter combo, as I'm not adept at shifting down there with one had on the wheel going downhill at 30 mph. The existing tires have good tread but some bubbles in the sidewalls, so I assume they need replacing, it needs a new seat, and probably new BB bearings.. It's big (54cm) but fits me, and I'm 6'2" -- but I'm also over 50 and overweight. (I just started riding 2 years ago for fitness & to lose weight.) Would you fix it up for a couple of hundred bucks, or sell it as-is on eBay and use the ($200?) proceeds for a new bike later? I'm still OK with my MultiTrak. Thanks for your ideas.

Is it a 1420 or a 420? I don't remember Trek making anything labled a 1420 during the 80's, or at all for that matter.

Most of their bikes with numbers over 1000 are aluminum, numbers below; such as 400, 420, 660, etc. are steel. If it is a lugged steel frame, then by all means hold onto it. They ride wonderfully and are getting harder to find. I have had several and love them.

Some other things to think about are tire sizes, etc. If it has 700c wheels, then it is much more likely to be a nicer bike for the period. Tires will be more readily available and in a larger selection than 27".

As far as downtube shifters go, you can get some bar-cons that mount on the end of your bars; much easier to use for most. There are also ways to mount your shifters up by the brake levers or on top of the bars. MY personal suggestion would be to remove the gears and make it a single speed or fixed gear bike. It would be good for training, just riding along, or what have you, as well as eliminating possibly outdated components and minimizing maintenance.

A good place to check up on for Trek information is www.vintage-trek.com, there is a lot of useful information there.

http://www.photogateway.net/salefoto/dowburg/link43.htm
:) just a little help
Looks like they were built in the early 90's

How can a 54cm bike be BIG if you're 6'2"?


PJ

Thanks for the vintage-Trek website link, SenorPedro, but it's not "vintage" enough for that site; they stopped at the 970. It's a Trek 1420 OK (must be 1990 or later), found an exact version/picture on eBay right now at:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=58093&item=3693928733#ebayphotohosting

Just saw TrekJD's link to another picture at http://www.photogateway.net/salefoto/dowburg/link43.htm. (Can we post pictures in this list?)

Frame is non-lugged, aluminum Easton ProGram , very lightweight. I have 2" to spare while standing over it. The 54cm is seat tube - center of BB to center-top. The remaining specs are: Shimano Deore shifters, brakes, S105 brakes, triple (30t, 42t, 52t), 7-gear cassette, rims Matrix C-II 700x25cm, SR SAKAE Custom handlebars, Look toe pedals, carbon seatpost. This was all factory equipment, including aluminum fork.

I need a road bike, so I'll keep it as such, but I have to switch/buy Shimano speedclip pedals to fit my shoe clips and Trek MultiTrak, and move the shifters up to the bars or brakes. Don't think I'd like the barcons. I think $200 or so will do it for now. Thanks again.

Seems like a pretty good find you got there, overall. Nice components for the day, and if it fits you then you are good to go. Here are some links for your shifter relocation:

Kelly TakeOffs (http://www.kellybike.com/2nd_xtra_takeoff.html)

Paul Components (http://www.paulcomp.com/) Take a look at the thumbshifter section.

The nice thing about both of these options is that you will be able to reuse your current shifters; thus saving money and being able to have 7-speed indexing if you want. Both are kind of spendy, but quality parts.

-Pete

It has downtube shifters, which I'd want to have my LBS upgrade in a new brake/shifter combo, as I'm not adept at shifting down there with one had on the wheel going downhill at 30 mph.
That's a loosing proposition on that bike unless you keep it 7 speed with Sora shifters.

Thanks for the vintage-Trek website link, SenorPedro, but it's not "vintage" enough for that site; they stopped at the 970. It's a Trek 1420 OK (must be 1990 or later), found an exact version/picture on eBay right now at:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=58093&item=3693928733#ebayphotohosting



Frame is non-lugged, aluminum Easton ProGram , very lightweight. I have 2" to spare while standing over it. Amazing what people will pay for old junk. I still don't buy that sizing if you are 6'2". It's gotta be too small for you if it's a 54.

Maybe bar-end shifters would be the way to go on this bike. Friction/index selectable, super-compatible with any number of speeds, no disturbance of the existing brakes, etc.

Re the size, Idunno. I'm 5'8", but have the legs of a six-footer (33-34" jeans inseam). I fit a 54cm road frame. If the vet has slightly short legs for his height, i.e. the legs of a six-footer, a 54 might be right for him (though he may be "looming" over the top tube).