Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - 1992 Trek 5200 for $650?

Seller claims it's 2003. Judging by the fact it's got Shimano 600 on it and it looks nothing like pictures of 2003, I'm pretty sure it's a '92. Sounds kinda weird but do you think it's worth it if it's got no signs of being crashed? Looks like it could be nice for my daily sixteen mile commute.

Hmmm, looks like barend shifters were the only 600 bits on many of the '90s 520s. Are there other 600 bits on it? Of course nearly 20 years leaves plenty of opportunity for parts swapping.

A 1992 will have a sans-serif font where as the 2003 has a serif font for the Trek Logo. 1992 has model # on the seattube, 2003 is on the top tube. 1992 top tube will be horizontal whereas the 2003 is sloping.

Looks like a '92 according to what you say. It's got a seat tube model number and a horizontal top tube. Says that all components are 600's except for the pedals. Don't know if dude is too keen on bikes. Seat is too low and he didn't post any drive-side pictures. Think it's worth it? Maybe if I talk him down on the price? Think it's too old of carbon?

Ooops, I read 520 earlier. It's far past my bed time. I think that's a little high for a 1992 personally if it is a 1992.

Vintage trek catalogues should help narrow down the year, though.

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

Could be a 5200 with older group on it. If that's the case, that is probably what the bike is worth. Should be a full carbon bike.

Cool, thanks. It's gotta be a '92 or a '93 (They look the same). Yeah, it's carbon. Here's a link to the ad: http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/bik/2647036189.html ...judging by the fact that he's off by about TEN YEARS and the photos are crap, I think the info. about it being equipped w/600 isn't true either. Looks STI to me.

It's OCLV carbon, but definitely NOT a 2003. That's an older bike, early to mid 90s. I wonder what wheelset he's got on there. Shimano 600 --> Shimano 600 Ultegra --> Ultegra. The first STI shifters of that group would've been in the 600 Ultegra era before the 600 got dropped.

I wouldn't pay $650. $500 maybe if the wheels are decent.

Sellers rarely to never get year right, nor do they get sizing right either. Anymore, I pretty much ignore sellers info and go look at the bike in person if the price is attractive. I would not consider $650 an attractive price for this early 1990s Trek 5200. Looks like early tricolor STI, which are nice. But pushing 20 years old, bike would have to shift flawlessly at that price, and I would doubt it.

1993 or newer bikes, I use bikepedia for research. The Trek 5200 came with 8 speed 600/Ultegra STI in both 1993 through 1997. Check the color on vintage Trek site.

Black with white decals was 1993 according to vintage Trek. Those wheels are an upgrade, and look pretty decent. But price is silly.