1996 Bontrager Race Lite - what's it worth?
11-04-12, 01:29 PM
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1996 Bontrager Race Lite - what's it worth?
Hello,
This bike is in excellent shape and wondering what it might be worth. See attached. Also where would you recommend selling it?
Thanks much.
Chris
This bike is in excellent shape and wondering what it might be worth. See attached. Also where would you recommend selling it?
Thanks much.
Chris
11-04-12, 02:01 PM
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I'd recommend selling it in Great Britain 
Around here it'd probably go for $300ish if pre-Trek, $175ish if post-Trek. I think 1996 was the first model year of Trek Bontragers.
That frame's originally setup for cantis while bikepedia states XT Vees on the 1996 so it may very well be pre-Trek.
Around here it'd probably go for $300ish if pre-Trek, $175ish if post-Trek. I think 1996 was the first model year of Trek Bontragers.
That frame's originally setup for cantis while bikepedia states XT Vees on the 1996 so it may very well be pre-Trek.
11-04-12, 02:32 PM
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It's technically not a real Bontrager, at least not at Santa Cruz build. It's a Trek Wisconsin build, and has a 1 inch headset, both of which will put people off who want the real thing. Not that it's a bad bike, I have one built from that frame, and it rides great.
The headset size is an issue, as currently it has RS Indy's fitted, which don't compare well to any current fork, and getting a new suspension fork with a 1 inch steerer is almost impossible now (of any quality), and even rigid forks are very hard to find. Get a sensible length stem (100mm or less) and some riser bars which aren't too wide (680mm-720mm) will improve the ride to how it left the factory.
1996 Privateer stripped & re-powder coated in red, non original decals, only ones I could source at the time
The headset size is an issue, as currently it has RS Indy's fitted, which don't compare well to any current fork, and getting a new suspension fork with a 1 inch steerer is almost impossible now (of any quality), and even rigid forks are very hard to find. Get a sensible length stem (100mm or less) and some riser bars which aren't too wide (680mm-720mm) will improve the ride to how it left the factory.
1996 Privateer stripped & re-powder coated in red, non original decals, only ones I could source at the time
11-04-12, 02:58 PM
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Ahhh, yes, it says that in the Kieth Bontrager wikipedia page.
11-04-12, 03:00 PM
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Is Wikipedia wrong on where Race/Lite manufactured?
Agree the Indy rockshox is lightweight. I bought it as installed a few yrs after the production year and it has a couple of components that don't tie back to the catalog tech specs - i.e. SRAM shifter/grips.
Agree the Indy rockshox is lightweight. I bought it as installed a few yrs after the production year and it has a couple of components that don't tie back to the catalog tech specs - i.e. SRAM shifter/grips.
11-04-12, 03:06 PM
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this link has KB feedback to shutting SC plant down 1/97. So I assume a '96 was produced prior to this date.
https://groups.google.com/forum/?hl=...sc/tbsOHjlyqWA
https://groups.google.com/forum/?hl=...sc/tbsOHjlyqWA
11-04-12, 03:11 PM
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Originally Bontrager was co-owned by Keith (with lots of models ending in 'lite'), he sold to Trek in 1995, and production moved to Wisconsin, and the Privateer took over as the main model in 3 version (Privateer, Privateer S & Privateer Comp), which lasted till 1999 when Bontrager became the Trek parts brand, taking over from ICON and others.
The early Privateers were marked up as OR's. If you had a Santa Cruz and Wisconsin build side be side, there is a noticeable weigh difference, although I preferred the ride of the Privateer, and sold my Race Lite.
Here's link to the 1996 catalogue, https://www.mtb-kataloge.de/Bikekatal...trager1996.pdf 1996 was the last year of the Race / Race Lite models, all Privateers were Wisconsin builds.
The early Privateers were marked up as OR's. If you had a Santa Cruz and Wisconsin build side be side, there is a noticeable weigh difference, although I preferred the ride of the Privateer, and sold my Race Lite.
Here's link to the 1996 catalogue, https://www.mtb-kataloge.de/Bikekatal...trager1996.pdf 1996 was the last year of the Race / Race Lite models, all Privateers were Wisconsin builds.
Last edited by jimc101; 11-04-12 at 03:19 PM.
11-05-12, 02:11 PM
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OP - mtbr.com has a vintage section also. You might want to try a post there for additional info.
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