Digital Gee

Anyone familiar with this bike which I believe is from about 1986? I know of one for sale that appears (from pictures) to be in good shape, asking price of $125. Any input?

Blackberry

I googled around, DeeGee, and you are right. It was a1986 model, steel with decent Shimano components. If it runs good, fits good and floats your boat, $100 to $125 would be a reasonable deal. Worst case, it could get you into the roadie scene, and if you want to get out or move up, you could sell it for about the same as you paid for it.

Tom Bombadil

Not sexy enough

Louis

An Elance 400 (frame and fork only) on eBay recently went for $185. I'm not sure of the difference between a 400 and 300.

For $125, if it is your size, it probably is a good deal.

Blackberry

Yeah, well, you shoulda seen me and DeeGee 20 years ago. We were hawt. Or are you talking about something else?

PS--Daggone nice bike Louis.

BluesDawg

Lugged steel! Now you're talkin'

Do you have any more details? What components? Is it your size? Is there a sticker saying what tubing was used in the frame?

This could be the one. Good steel bikes from that era are among the best bargains in bicycling.

Tom Bombadil

I found a reference to the Elance 400 that said it used Reynolds 531 tubing. Couldn't find anything of that sort for the 300.

Louis

If you can get a serial # and other information this may be of help.

https://www.vintage-trek.com/index.htm

Dchiefransom

I agree with BluesDawg. You show up for a ride with that lugged steel, and the $5,000 full carbon bikes will move out of the way to let you through. I found a blue one on another site. That's a VERY nice frame.
https://www.discountbikes.net/road/trek-300/

Features
Frame Ishiwata EX Triple Butted Chrome Moly
Fork Chrome Moly
Brakes alloy Dia-Compe with quick release
Levers alloy Dia-Compe
Crankset alloy Sakae SA 40x52x170
Cogset Shimano 6 speed
Derailers alloy Shimano Light Action
Shifters alloy Shimano on the downtube
Rims alloy Weinman rear / Alloy Araya front / 27x1.25 / quick release skewers front and rear
Hubset alloy Sansin 36 spoke with quick release skewers front and rear
Tires Iso Tech 3 HP 27x1.25
Pedals alloy Sakae SD-250
Saddle Sella Italia Anotomic
Seatpost alloy micro adjustable
Handlebars alloy Sakae CT
Stem alloy Sakae Custom
Grips Profile Design padded tape

The 1986 Trek manual:
https://www.vintage-trek.com/images/t...rekCatalog.pdf

BluesDawg

Nice Japanese frame. Get a Nitto Technomic (or Technomic Deluxe) stem to bring the bars up higher, a set of Suntour bar end shifters and a Brooks B17 saddle and you've got yourself a sweet all-day ride.

Digital Gee

Thanks for all the help, guys. I'm trying to arrange to look at the bike tomorrow. It's just like the one Dchief has posted -- same color, even the same size. If that's really a 58cm, it may be just a scosh to big (I'm normally a 56) BUT different bikes feel different, so I'll have to see.

I like the idea of swapping out the shifters, stem, and even the saddle. Pretty cool looking bike, don't you think?

Big Paulie

IMHO, better a tad big than a tad small. Others disagree. of course. But this size sounds good to me. Just make sure the standeover is at least an inch in tennies.

I really like this idea, DG!

Digital Gee

Here's a link to see the bike:

Lookie Here!

BluesDawg

Definitely not a 58. More like a 54.

Tom Bombadil

Too late, DG, I just bought it!!



It does look smaller than a 58. I'd also guess around 54-55.

Nice blue color.

CrossChain

As far as "swapping out" parts as you mention.....betcha "we" could all go out and rummage under our work benches and find all sorts of cool stuff if you've a mind to. I suspect you're not so concerned with restoring a concors d'elegance semi-classic as ramping up a cool, unique, efficient, comfy ride that has your stamp on it.

Besides, D.G., that way we would have a moral ownership over the bike and remain as bossy as ever.

crazyb

This info may be too late but; Ishiwata triple butted frame (very nice frames), SR forged alloy crankset, 12 speed, Shimano light action der's, Araya alloy wheels, weighs in at 24.5#. Well worth $125
Edit: Didn't see Dchiefs post; disregard.

BluesDawg

Well...?

Dchiefransom

That is one NICE bike. Even if you eventually switched brakes and shifters to more modern stuff, it would still be one sweet ride. I would NEVER change that color, though. If the bars seem a little bit skinny, you can always wrap them with some of that gel wrap.

21" converts to 54cm.

Gary, if I was getting an upright, I'd pay $125 just for that frame.

Digital Gee

I had a problem trying to see the bike tonight, but I made an arrangement to go see it tomorrow late in the morning. We'll see what happens!

Then I have a dental appointment in the afternoon, and having a tooth extracted. Yanked. Pulled. Great fun!

CrossChain

Grit you teeth (tooth?) tomorrow and stay focused on your new bike. Having one less tooth should give you a speed increase...the equivalent of losing the weight of 3 inches of bar wrap. Really trick, weightsaving upgrade. Amputating your relatively unnecessary middle toes would also be good.

Seriously, DG, hope your bike checkout is successful. And no staring down the blouse of the cute little dental assistant.

Digital Gee

Quick question:

This bike (which I'll see in about an hour) has 27" tires stock. Can these be easily swapped out for 700s? Sheldon says a 27" tire = 630mm

Louis

Shouldn't be a problem. I've done it lot's of times.

*Edit* I've swapped WHEELS lots of times. 700c tires will not fit 27 inch rims.

Blackberry

You'd have to change to 700cc wheels. However there are many, many 27-inch tires still around. A few examples: https://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/tires/630.html I'd say don't let it stop you.

Blackberry

Really? My bad. I didn't know.