Classic & Vintage - Info on an old Trek 400

Well I basically joined because I can't seem to find much on this bike. I bought it yesterday at a thrift store for $30. It's in almost new condition. Only thing I really need to do is get a valve adapter and a new seat, (nothings wrong with the old one, I'm just a little bigger and, you know.) I couldn't find a serial # or anything of the like on it. I did find a sticker on the tube in the middle and it said ( 4130 chromoly double butted frame tubes). Another sticker under it said the name of the shop it was sold at, S.L. Lewis bike Co. So if anybody knows anything about this bike, it would be awesome if you let me know. :thumb:

Go to the vintage Trek site. It is just about the best vintage bike site out there. You can look up the serial number, every catalog, etc.


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

How about posting some pics so we can tell you more about the bike?

Go to the vintage Trek site

+1

They also have colors by year (http://vintage-trek.com/model_numbers1.htm), so you can narrow down your 400 by this list:



83, silver with red panel, also Concorde blue with silver panel
84, pewter with gold graphics, also red
85, race blue with white (or yellow) decals, also scarlet
86 Elance - dark blue metallic with silver graphics also black metallic with silver graphics
87, Elance, - dark blue metallic with white decals, red/black fade with red decals
88, ecru (light beige) with blue decals also bright red with black decals
89, denim blue with yellow trim, also bright red with black trim
91, white with red decals on silver and purple
92, white with red decals

Jessew - no matter what year it is, you got a killer deal. Any old steel Trek road bike is a good ride.

lets see the pics!

PS - Welcome to C&V.

I have owned a couple of Trek 400 road bikes (http://www.mytenspeeds.com/My_TenSpeeds_1/Feature_Bicycles/Feature_Bicycles_USA/Trek_400/Trek_400_1_Introduction.htm) and never had a chance for a decent ride on either of them. Both were too small for me but I was impressed with the clean construction of the frame set. Nice bike.

I hope a visit to my web site (http://www.mytenspeeds.com/My_TenSpeeds_1/index.htm) is a help.

I have owned a couple of Trek 400 road bikes (http://www.mytenspeeds.com/My_TenSpeeds_1/Feature_Bicycles/Feature_Bicycles_USA/Trek_400/Trek_400_1_Introduction.htm) and never had a chance for a decent ride on either of them.

Heh, that long winded sales pitch you have on that site it going to kill the $40 Trek 400.

I'll get it out tomorrow and get some pictures. It doesn't have those weird curved handlebars. This is kind of a step up since I'm used to wal-mart bikes. Hopefully this one won't break in a week.

It doesn't have those weird curved handlebars.
:lol:

What?

I thought your description of drop handlebars was a little funny that's all. No harm done. The 400 is a sweet bike. Enjoy it!

I bought my Trek 400 around 1986 (400 Elance) and it served me many years until I got busy and didn't ride for the last 10 years. However, I have recently picked it up again and have ridden a 100K and a few 50 milers, in addition to 20 or so miles 3x/week. I began to become, well, annoyed by the tired, clicking drivetrain. The people on the rides were calling me "squeaky." Although I enjoyed my steel frame, I was getting drive train envy. So I found an older 6500 Ultegra 27 speed on Craigs list off of an older Litespeed for $130. This included the crank and arms, bottom bracket, front derailler, rear ultegra freehub with wheel, rear chain rings, and rear derailler. Of course, the dropouts have to be spread from 126mm to 134. I accomplished this using a hydraulic press between the two drops. It seemed to spread them perfectly even. Then it I bought a spindoctor toolkit on sale from performance ($40) and did the conversion yesterday. Had to buy 2 new cables (Aztec teflon) and a chain (dura ace 7701), and a front derailer hanger. I'm happy to say that the conversion went flawlessly. I will have to cut down a screw for my old pannier clip because it's now in the way of the chain on the smallest rear sprocket (removed for now). I wasn't about to pay $300 just for shifters so I went with the stock, 12 speed SIS downtube shifters. Fortunately, they have a "friction mode" option. After my first test drive, I must say that I'm quite pleased. I look forward to putting the tools away and getting back to riding!

to: both OP and selinz:

Rule #1: If there aren't pictures, it didn't happen......

I'd be especially interested in the modern drivetrain pics!

Mark

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Here's the only pick I have at the moment.

The rear rack is worth $30!

Yup. Blackburn rack and water bottle cage!