Trek Elance and frame safety
10-09-07, 10:27 AM
#1
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Bikes: 1994 Bridgestone XO-4, 2006 Trek 1500
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Trek Elance and frame safety
Picked this up this Trek Elance this weekend, I won't get into the details:
https://myweb.students.wwu.edu/lingbl...trekelance.jpg
The frame is damaged; it appears there was a vertical crack in the seat tube. It was "fixed" with a braze job, and this is the result:
https://myweb.students.wwu.edu/lingbl...ekbrazing2.jpg
https://myweb.students.wwu.edu/lingbl...rekbrazing.jpg
The brazing has covered up the model number, and so I am left with little to go by as far as IDing the bike is concerned.
My two questions are: What year, model number, etc., is the bike? ALso, with the braze job is it even safe to ride? I don't want to pass it on to anyone if it's going to cause someone to get hurt.
Here's the info I could gather:
EX 4130 Trible butted CroMo Ishiwata frame
12 spd
RD-L523 "Z" series light action rear derailleur
FD-Z204 "Z" series front derailleur
L422 Shimano downtube shifters
Dia compe brakes/levers
Sakae CT handlebars
Sakae SA crankset (double)
Araya wheels
Thanks again,
Tommy
https://myweb.students.wwu.edu/lingbl...trekelance.jpg
The frame is damaged; it appears there was a vertical crack in the seat tube. It was "fixed" with a braze job, and this is the result:
https://myweb.students.wwu.edu/lingbl...ekbrazing2.jpg
https://myweb.students.wwu.edu/lingbl...rekbrazing.jpg
The brazing has covered up the model number, and so I am left with little to go by as far as IDing the bike is concerned.
My two questions are: What year, model number, etc., is the bike? ALso, with the braze job is it even safe to ride? I don't want to pass it on to anyone if it's going to cause someone to get hurt.
Here's the info I could gather:
EX 4130 Trible butted CroMo Ishiwata frame
12 spd
RD-L523 "Z" series light action rear derailleur
FD-Z204 "Z" series front derailleur
L422 Shimano downtube shifters
Dia compe brakes/levers
Sakae CT handlebars
Sakae SA crankset (double)
Araya wheels
Thanks again,
Tommy
10-09-07, 10:49 AM
#2
If I own it, I ride it
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I would not take the chance that the frame is unsafe. Strip it and sell the components. As for model, etc. Is there a serial number on the bottom bracket?
10-09-07, 11:19 AM
#3
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If you really want to use the frame, find a local builder and let them check it. If that is made with Vitus 979 tubing (which is about the lightest tubing ever), your guess is as good as mine what effect that repair might have on the ride - even if it made the bike safe.
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10-09-07, 12:05 PM
#4
Dropped
Looks like the '86 Elance 300. vintage-trek.com is your friend! 
https://www.vintage-trek.com/images/t...rekCatalog.pdf
https://www.vintage-trek.com/images/t...rekCatalog.pdf
10-09-07, 01:06 PM
#5
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Location: Bellingham, WA
Posts: 735
Bikes: 1994 Bridgestone XO-4, 2006 Trek 1500
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I couldn't find a serial number anywhere, but it looks like an 86 Elance 300 after all. Thanks for the website, it's great!
