Digital Gee

I bought a bike.

You read that right; I bought a bike!

This is a 1989 Trek 1500 which I purchased from the original owner for $125. His original sales receipt shows he paid $984.40, with tax, which is fun to know.

The bike is in darn good shape. It came with Look clipless pedals, and I don't have the clips, so when I took the bike to the fine folks at Adams Avenue Cycles, they just put some platforms on temporarily until I decide whether to get different pedals or different shoes.

The components look to be in pretty good shape. I did have the fine folks at Adams Avenue Cycles replace the rear tire, but otherwise, I'm going to do a few shakedown rides (after the knee is healed!) before deciding what to do to the bike.

Came with a weird, but oddly comfortable saddle, which appears to be ostrich (?). Also already has a computer installed, which shows 4,400 miles, but I forgot to ask when the computer was installed.

The bike is a 54; I usually look for 56's but when you buy from Craigslist, you can't wait too long. In this instance, my email response to his ad occured ten minutes from the time he placed the ad, and since he was only five miles away, the bike was sold within 30 minutes of placing the ad. He told me two other emails had arrived since I responded.

The fine folks at Adams Avenue Cycles say this bike may be my "gateway" bike into a modern road bike, or it may prove to be good enough (with a few improvements here and there) to keep me happy for quite a while. We'll have to see.

But I'm excited; can't wait for my knee to finish healing so I can get some riding time. Maybe a Brooks B-17 is in my future? (Otherwise, I'd probably swap out my Alias from the Cypress.)

Here's a few preliminary pics. What do you think???

NOS88

Look like a really good buy, and you know white shoes would be the cat's meow with that seat.

staehpj1

Nice looking bike. The saddle is kind of weird looking, but if it is comfortable who cares.

Eatadonut

sorry for the invasion....

A good buy - the late 80's 1500 is one of the hottest bikes trek ever made, in my opinion. I love the seat clamp area.

If I remember correctly, ViperZ has one that looks an awful lot like that - different saddle though

Dchiefransom

Nice ride, DG. Super color.

big john

ViperZ has a carbon 5000. Congrats, Gary, enjoy, it will feel fast.

Trsnrtr

I've got a 1989 1500 hanging up in my basement. Mine was a warranty frame that I built up in 1996 with an Ultegra group. I hardly rode it because it's a little small for me. Its current configuration is as a single speed. It is bright red just like yours. Those '80s aluminum Treks can ride a little harsh.

DnvrFox

Congratulations.

For $125, how can one go wrong?

It looks to be in beautiful condition.

Louis

Congratulations Gary. That bike looks just like mine but larger. I've put quite a few miles on mine, including one of my across Ohio rides. Being the "steel frame" kind of guy that I am, it doesn't get ridden as much as my other bikes these days, but that's no reflection on the bike. It's a very good bike.

Sounds like you got a super deal as well.

maddmaxx 

Nice bike Gary. This is one of the classics that needs to be preserved. You certainly got your money's worth.

What can we help you buy next?

Digital Gee

maddmaxx 

But do you have to paint it blue?

Digital Gee

Found a list of components for this bike from Trek. Your comments on these would be appreciated.

TREK 1500

Selling Features:

Premium Aluminum frame features:

1. Bonded construction

2. 7000 series double-butted aluminum

3. Aluminum fork for comfort and efficiency


Shimano Ultegra component group features:

1. 7-speed indexed shifting

2. Biopace chainrings for improved efficiency

3. SLR braking for faster braking response

4. Cassette hub system for stronger rear wheels and easier gear ratio changes


Matrix wheel system features:

1. 32 spoke hard anodized Matrix Iso C aero rims

2. Fast rolling 125 psi Matrix CD4 tires use 127 tpi casing for light weight and long life



Upgrades over Model 1400:

Double-butted 7000 series aluminum tubing

Shimano Ultegra group

SR forged stem and alloy bar



Improvements for 1989:

Double-butted 7000 series aluminum tubing for lighter weight and improved ride characteristics

Look model 66 pedals

BluesDawg

Nice looking bike. The Shimano 600 components are good, later evolved to Ultegra. My Bridgestone RB-1 came with the same components. $900+ sounds about right for that bike new. If it works as good as it looks, you got a good deal. Those were very popular bikes in their day. The seat does look strange, but it seems to have a good flat shape.

You mentioned it was a size smaller than you normally ride. How does it fit? You may find that the bars are a little lower than you would like. That is not hard to fix. A Nitto Technomic Deluxe stem would bring them right on up there and would look great on that bike.

You'd better start scoping out some longer routes. That horse will want to get out of the neighborhood and stretch its legs!

Louis

Hmmm...mine did not come with biopace chainrings.

Are your Look pedals the red and white ones?

Digital Gee

Nope, they're all black.

crazyb

Really nice find, here's another 1500; a 1986 model

Louis

My bike might be a '90 or '91 but it's baisically the same bike. I paid about $975~.

Red Baron

Look Out Squirrels, here comes gary!!!!!!

Good Bike, Excellent deal!

bcoppola

Nice bike. Great deal.

I'll have more to say after I get out of the cardiac ICU.

SaiKaiTai

Nice... *very* nice. I'd ride it.
If I lived in San Diego... oh, and if it was mine.

Give us a report after you've put some miles on it, DG

George

Congratulations Gary on your new ride. When your knee heals you can start packing the miles on, good luck.

CrossChain

Darn DG, I was about to break down and give you a Campy Record Trek Madone I have no use for at present, but seeing as how you already have a great bike now..........

I have most of your Shimano 600 drive train on one bike with moo-cho miles on it...still shifts solidly and precisely. What a great buy for 125 clams! Must be a real bugger to have a new bike and still healing knee. I suggest some polish and a rag just to keep you busy. Also, parts catalogs and a budget sheet with priorities. The Technomic stem idea was a good one. And of course spin the wheels to check for trueness, feel the hubs turn, wiggle the cranks side to side, strum the spokes, look at the cables, etc.

Very pleased for your new family addition. Named it yet??

Little Darwin

Now what will we talk about???

Congratulations on the road bike Gary... I think you will have fun!

Tom Bombadil

Congrats!

I looked at a Trek 1500 at the Madison Bike Swap meet. It was in good condition and nicely priced, but the wrong size for me. That's a great price for one is such good shape.

The Giant I humorously suggested to you just a day ago had the biopace chainrings. Have you read Sheldon Brown's essay on them?

If you find the bike's ride to be a bit harsh, I'll suggest something sacrireligious - a shock absorber seat post. Doesn't add much weight, lets you keep the light, rigid fork, but does soak up some vibrations. Get one with a reasonable degree of adjustment.