My Experiences with a Lowly Trek 400
10-20-09, 10:28 AM
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My Experiences with a Lowly Trek 400
I started riding in February on a 1989 Trek 400 that was given to me. It has Sun Tour Edge components, Malliard Matrix wheels, and Dia Compe brakes. The frame is True Temper. THere does not appear to be anything special about this bike yet is has delivered a Summer of great fun, lots of miles, and the loss of 30 pounds from my frame.
The only maintenance that I have done is, bar tape, deraileur adjustment, chain maintenance/lubrication, and rear tire replacement after I complete wore through a new one over the time I have been riding.
I think there is lots to be said for a bike like this one that does not command much interest from collectors but delivers day in and day out. I have learned a lot from this bike. It feels light and nimble. The Avocet saddle is firm and comfortable.
One thing I am curious about. Does a manufacturer today make a bike considered an entry level product with that is the quality of that the Trek 400 was in 1989?
The only maintenance that I have done is, bar tape, deraileur adjustment, chain maintenance/lubrication, and rear tire replacement after I complete wore through a new one over the time I have been riding.
I think there is lots to be said for a bike like this one that does not command much interest from collectors but delivers day in and day out. I have learned a lot from this bike. It feels light and nimble. The Avocet saddle is firm and comfortable.
One thing I am curious about. Does a manufacturer today make a bike considered an entry level product with that is the quality of that the Trek 400 was in 1989?
Last edited by Chuck Naill; 10-20-09 at 03:21 PM. Reason: Component Correction
10-20-09, 11:04 AM
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I would not consider the Trek 400 to be a low end bike. They made a 330 model that year that was a step down. And one could argue that the lower level aluminum frames that year were about equivalent. And all of the Treks were pretty good.
Low end bikes by the name brands now are all aluminum frames. Lots of choices out there and they are pretty decent bikes. But if you want steel, you will pay a lot (Trek only makes one steel road bike). That's just another reason to look at used bikes.
+1 To the comments below. My 1986 Trek 400T Elance has Reynolds 531 main triangle.
Low end bikes by the name brands now are all aluminum frames. Lots of choices out there and they are pretty decent bikes. But if you want steel, you will pay a lot (Trek only makes one steel road bike). That's just another reason to look at used bikes.
+1 To the comments below. My 1986 Trek 400T Elance has Reynolds 531 main triangle.
Last edited by wrk101; 10-20-09 at 11:42 AM.
10-20-09, 11:06 AM
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Actually, Trek down graded the 400 in '88+. Up until including the '87 model year, their frames are made by exactly the same 531 main triangle (slightly different geometry - 2cm longer wheelbase) as the top of the line 560 and 560EX
10-20-09, 11:39 AM
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Here are two that I've been looking at:
https://bikesdirect.com/products/merc...ier_corvus.htm
https://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/...45678&eid=4350
https://bikesdirect.com/products/merc...ier_corvus.htm
https://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/...45678&eid=4350
10-20-09, 12:12 PM
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My wife has a Trek 360 from '88 that she adores. It is way too small for me but I LOVE riding it. Fast, good handling, snappy.
To answer your question, does any manufacturer make an equivalent quality bike for a similar price? In my opinion and experience, definitively not.
Again I defer to my fantasy of time traveling back to the golden era of roadbikes and buying a warehouse full.
To answer your question, does any manufacturer make an equivalent quality bike for a similar price? In my opinion and experience, definitively not.
Again I defer to my fantasy of time traveling back to the golden era of roadbikes and buying a warehouse full.
10-21-09, 12:14 AM
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I sold the 400 and it was always a great bike. Solid , reliable, etc. In my humble opinion, no one makes anything like this quality today. The frames are welded aluminum, some good, some bad. Parts are either no name stuff, or Shimano low to high end. The plus for today's bikes is that you mostly get STI with much better shifting than the SunTour stuff. However, in the long run, comparing today's price bike to a 400 (yeech !), the hubs, bb, headset, drivetrain will not last as long because they are much lower quality. I will take the 400 anyday !!
10-21-09, 03:58 AM
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Chuck, I think your experiences with your Trek illustrate some of the greatest benefits of the vintage bike hobby.
I especially admire 20th Century Treks and Cannondales ---- these companies' "low end" bikes had upper entry level components, great frames, alloy wheels, bars,stems, seatposts, etc. They can all be made great riders with zero to moderate effort and expense.
I especially admire 20th Century Treks and Cannondales ---- these companies' "low end" bikes had upper entry level components, great frames, alloy wheels, bars,stems, seatposts, etc. They can all be made great riders with zero to moderate effort and expense.
Last edited by Whit51; 10-21-09 at 10:21 AM.
10-21-09, 04:51 AM
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Treks are quality bikes...
I have owned a few Trek bicycles including one 330, two 400s, one 1000 and one 1400. All were very nice bicycles, from a quality of construction point of view. Two, the 1000 and the 1200, though nice to ride were a bit harsh for my liking. I would like to reiterate my comment about quality of Trek construction - excellent when compared to just about anything else I have seen come out of Asia, or Europe or NA. Nice bikes but, for reasons of my own, I have little interest in owning one unless I could get an older steel model.
As for Cannondales, I have owned a couple and liked neither. Again, I was faced with stiff aluminum frame sets and that probably had a lot to do with my opinion. I did, however, like the user friendly nature of the bicycles and rode my Team Comp to and from work for thousands of miles one year.
As for Cannondales, I have owned a couple and liked neither. Again, I was faced with stiff aluminum frame sets and that probably had a lot to do with my opinion. I did, however, like the user friendly nature of the bicycles and rode my Team Comp to and from work for thousands of miles one year.
10-21-09, 06:14 AM
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Chuck, I think your experiences with your Trek illustrate some of the gratest benefits of the vintage bike hobby.
I especially admire 20th Century Treks and Cannondales ---- these companies' "low end" bikes had upper entry level components, great frames, alloy wheels, bars,stems, seatposts, etc. They can all be made great riders with zero to moderate effort and expense.
I especially admire 20th Century Treks and Cannondales ---- these companies' "low end" bikes had upper entry level components, great frames, alloy wheels, bars,stems, seatposts, etc. They can all be made great riders with zero to moderate effort and expense.
I have owned a few Trek bicycles including one 330, two 400s, one 1000 and one 1400. All were very nice bicycles, from a quality of construction point of view. Two, the 1000 and the 1200, though nice to ride were a bit harsh for my liking. I would like to reiterate my comment about quality of Trek construction - excellent when compared to just about anything else I have seen come out of Asia, or Europe or NA. Nice bikes but, for reasons of my own, I have little interest in owning one unless I could get an older steel model.
As for Cannondales, I have owned a couple and liked neither. Again, I was faced with stiff aluminum frame sets and that probably had a lot to do with my opinion. I did, however, like the user friendly nature of the bicycles and rode my Team Comp to and from work for thousands of miles one year.
As for Cannondales, I have owned a couple and liked neither. Again, I was faced with stiff aluminum frame sets and that probably had a lot to do with my opinion. I did, however, like the user friendly nature of the bicycles and rode my Team Comp to and from work for thousands of miles one year.
I have been told that I should change out the elliptical crank, but I have had no problems and the area where I ride everyday has lots of steep hills.
Thanks to everyone who has replied.
chuck
