Eddiesfe

Hi everyone, I'm about to start college and I began looking for bikes to move around quickly but am an extremely tight budget. I'm extremely new to bikes so I don't have much knowledge regarding good bike brands and prices for specific bikes. However, I recently stumbled on a green 1998 Trek 1220 Bike for $180 and was not sure if this was a proper price range for the bike. I'd really appreciate it if people would give me advice or their thoughts on this purchase. The condition of the bike is considered "Like New" and I'm about to testdrive the bike soon. Pictures attached below. Thank you!

oddjob2

I can't fathom why a bike in what appears to be the drought stricken state needs fenders. Make sure the size fits you well. That is a 60cm frame, best for those over 6'0" up to about 6'3".

In any event, $180 is an okay price for a 1220 if the brifters work properly. Make sure that each of the RSX levers work for each gear shift. I think they are unfixable and costly to replace.

The tires that are on the bike will pretty much be the largest you can fit due to brake caliper clearances.

Eddiesfe

Thank you for the reply! I'm actually only 5'10 but I hear the sizing is always inconsistent due to torso/bottom ratios, should I still give it a test ride and see if it fits? I'm really new to biking so I assume the RSX levers control the breaks? I'll test it out on each gear during the testride. Thank you so much!!

kermie

That looks too big for your height to be honest with you. Also, not sure why they layed the bike down on the drive-train side, but IF you try it out make sure it shifts correctly and smoothly. Look for a 56cm bike. That size will be much closer to what you need.

oddjob2

56cm or 58cm is what you want. I would skip the 1220.

bargainguy

Looks like this 1220 has downtube shifters rather than brifters, so the brake levers are for braking only, not shifting. Brifters = braking & shifting in the same lever set, which this bike doesn't have.

$180 is a decent price. Round tube aluminum Treks such as this one have a better ride quality IMHO than the later Alpha Aluminum road frames with the triangular downtube, which could ride a little more harshly.

oddjob2

Me bad, my 1220 has RSX with brifters and one of them doesn't work.

zukahn1 

I would say pass nice bike at decent price. But with the 60cm frame and current setup fairly large stem/bars and DT shifter's it would be too big for someone who isn't 6'+ with long arms to ride comfortably. Basically anyone smaller would have a hard time reaching the bars and shifters at the same time.

Clang

Looks like this one would fit you better.

Bicycle - $175 (visitacion valley, CA)

Bicycle

RoadGuy

Looks like someone did a Group swap on this bike. It should have had RSX with brifters, but instead looks like it has RX-100 and downtube shifters.

For the 1998 model year Trek switched from bonded aluminum frames to TIG welded aluminum frames for the 1XXX-2XXX Series aluminum frame bikes.

At 5'10" the bike in question in way too bog for the OP, unless he has freakish long legs. For standover on that bike, he's going to need a 35" inseam.

A 54cm frame is about right with 30"-31" inseam, and 56cm frame for a 32"-33" inseam.