jeepfather

Hey guys, I have always been a mountain bike guy but I thought I would try something different. I got a Trek Cirrus 520 from a buddy of mine. It's a 1987 I think and it's a 531 frame. I just had a local bike shop go through it front to back and put new tires on both sets of rims I got with it. I also took off the leather seat and got one a little more comfortable. Problem is I can't get comfortable. Maybe road bikes are not for me. Any idea what it's worth? The guy at the bike shop said it's all original. It came with 27" wheels and a six gear, and 700c wheels and a 7 gear. If I can figure out hot to post pics I will put some up. Thanks!

bikemig 

We can't value the bike without pictures esp. of the drive side.

Bianchigirll 

Hi Jeepfather welcome to the forums. Posting pics can be simple. Most memebers 'host then post' by putting their pics on photobucket or something then sharing here. I just upload them direct from my 'puter. Click on the advance on the bottom of the window then click on the paperclip to upload some pics.

How can't you get comfortable? Are you too stretched out from the seat to the bars? Too bunched up? Is the Trek the correct size for you? If you bought an older road bike usingthe new sizing techniques they appliy to those new carbon bikes maybe the bike is too small.

What kind of mountain bike do you have and what type of riding do you do? Do you have a highend bike with flat bars and really hammer in singletrack and over obstacles or do you have a lowerend bike with upright bars and mostly ride on paths like rail trails?

How many times have your tried the trek?

jeepfather

I usually ride a Kona Stinky Deluxe or my tried and true Schwinn S40. I like the jumping and off road trails. As far as the comfort on the road bike, i have put probably 150 miles on it. whenever i ride very far i hurt between my shoulders and in the back of my neck. I am only 5'8 and the bike seems to fit me height wise ok,

jeepfather

ramzilla

It's a very well built bike. Trek still makes this model. It sells for around $1500 new. They're good touring rigs. Has very nice cantilever brakes and a bullet proof frame. If it's immaculate you can ask up to $400 or $500 with a straight face. I wouldn't take less than $350 for it.

FastJake

Bike is too big for you. That's why it's not comfortable. Looks like a 56cm? Try a 53-54 and see what you think.

Nice bike and the 520 has a strong following. I agree with ramzilla. $350 minimum. But $400-450 might be possible depending on condition and your market.

bikemig 

That looks to be a replacement fork which will detract from the bike's value.

oddjob2

You can improve the fit of what's there.

1. Level the saddle out. Pitched forward = too much weight on hands.
2. Slide the saddle forward on the seat post. It looks too far back.
3. Drop the handlebar stem 2"
4. Rotate the handlebars up slightly so the brake levers come closer to you and the ends of the bar point at the rear axle.

The 520 Cirrus is actually a "sport touring" model.

dailycommute

Looks like 1987 burgundy to slate fade, which is not seen often. I believe the forks were that color on the burgundy/slate so likely original..

Maver71

+1

Phil_gretz

Yup. Decent touring bike. Not your size.

jeepfather

Thanks for the advice oddjob. I will make some adjustments and see if it helps. If not I'll put her on craigslist and buy another mountain bike.

dailycommute

Hey, bumping this one up since there is a 87 cirrus sitting on auction, looking for offers. Large size may hurt value a bit and perhaps the same for the burgundy/slate mix, these mid 80s trek "fade" jobs seem to negatively affect value to some buyers ime. Anyhow my question is about the 87 model year specifically, with the 27in wheelset seems like the 87 cirrus may be the odd year out relative to other late 80s/early 90s 520 builds? This specific one is far from perfect but freewheel looks unused so overall would probably make a nice tourer with some work. Curious about max value, 400? Yeah the wife would kill me, just hypothetical of course.

ramzilla

Triple chain rings & cantilever brakes. 531 frame. Nice ride. 24" is a really big bike that's over 60cm. You need to be over 6' tall to ride it.

oddjob2

I'm pretty certain that the fork is not OEM, which then asks the question, why?
My 1985 620 has 27" tires, my 1986 520 Cirrus sports 700c, my 1984 520 has 27".

$400 is not out of the question for a pristine RTR, but is probably $50 too high for the one presented IMHO.

lostarchitect 

I think the fork on the one in ebay is correct. In '87 the models with fade paint jobs had the fork color match the secondary color in the fade.

edit: not the same model, but look at this image from the '87 catalog.

dailycommute

Yeah, I tend to agree on price, FWIW that fork matches other fade 87 cirrus shots in google images so pretty sure stock. though the catalog shot (not the fade) does not have the bosses. I do ride 24in treks vs 22.5 (tad too small) and love my 88 560 like no other. Should probably just focus on converting the 560 to a triple rig and forget another tourer. This bike is listed as sport - tourer in the catalog, seems to lack third water bottle brazing and a few other details. Currently building the 1985 t700 back up and it is truly a world class tourer as compared to this 87 cirrus. But am a sucker for later 80s treks.

RoadGuy

As has been mentioned, frame is way too big for you. Probably why you hurt when you get off the bike. You should try a 52cm or 54cm size frame.