bikerboy869

OK, i just got my new (used) Trek 1400 in beautiful physical condition. I got it off Ebay for only 255. Tell me, what should i look for, what problems, etc. Would it be ok if i attempted to do a "tune up" myself, or should i just take it to an LBS? I'm kinda poor now that i got the bike, so im hoping i can keep this cheep. Also, question, what is up with the weird type of stem that is used to fill up the tires. I have noticed it on many road bikes, and was just curious as to why it is not a normal stem?! I know all i need to do is get an adaptor, but what is so much better about these little thin stems?! Ill take any and all suggestions for tune ups and fix it yourself ideas plus advice! thanks!


Kyle

ivan_yulaev

Good bike, seems like an awesome deal! You should check to see that the brake calipers are centered, and that the brakes work. Second, check to see that it shifts through all gears. Check the bar tape, tire pressure, etc.

The valve is called the presta valve. It is superior to the shrader valve in that it has no internal spring, air pressure keeps it shut. You need a special pump or an adapter to use it. I'd recommend getting a floor pump and a frame pump for on-the-ride repairs.

There's no reason you can't do the tune up/repairs yourself. I built an entire bike up (well, minus wheels and headset) with no experience, and it came out fine. Check out https://www.parktool.com/repair_help/FAQindex.shtml

Ostuni

see this
thread about valve stems.

tip: use that 'search the forums' link at the top of any page on this forum. this is a big forum with a nice archive, so a simple keyword search on any topic will yield all kinds of good stuff...

hi565

take it to an LBS for a first time check up to make sure the thing wont collapse under you (doubt that willl happen)

Romulus

what year? post pics...

bikerboy869

Thanks for all the help and advice! The bike is a 90's frame and it looks very nice, i will try to get some pics up as soon as i can! I just took it for a ride today, holey crap... it is fast, responsive and a billion times lighter than my steel raleigh. when i push into it, it wants to pop up! I love it! it shifted all the back cassett fine, but the front derailur needs to be tuned up, it wont shift to the big one easly. Besids that, works great! im gonna love it!

simplyred

Hahaha... nice nice nice
I'm happy for you... Good choice man...!

-Peter

bikerboy869

OK guys... ill show you pics of what i have now and hope to work with for years to come, and what i have been riding... im sure you will get a good laugh!! let me know what you think!!
Just click on this link, it will take you to my yahoo photo album... the forum would not let me upload pics becuase of the size of them!! sorry for the inconvience!!

https://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/ky_su_...Ga1GDBRYmTMH46


Kyle

jsharr

Check the front brake caliper on the 1400, it looks like the release lever is open in the head on shot.

bikerboy869

what do you mean release lever and head??! im still new to this haha! use terms a 3 year old would understand hahah! thanks!

oneradtec

Not too bad! Those 105 components are quite reliable. I used to have that same bike. I bought it in 1989 as my very first road bike. Your model is perhaps an early 90's model...but I had that same frame, same wheels, and same 105 group. I had alot of good riding on that bike. My bike had white paint with red decals.

There is no way you have that position dialed in. Your saddle is much too high in relation to the bars. Plus I think that the bars should be turned up just a little from where they are now. Also....it seems you could use a stem with a little bit of rise. Of course I'm saying all this without seeing you on the bike so take that with a grain of salt. I just think that either your bars are too low or your saddle is too high?

Now you need to get a computer and some clipless pedals. Also you might want to get those bars covered with some nice red or black cork bar tape.

Finally...get a good tune up if you haven't already and make sure all moving parts are lubricated. Get that fit dialed in perfectly if you will!

It looks like the bike was well maintained by its previous owner. It also seems you managed to get a very good deal on it. Quite an upgrade from your previous machine.

Nice bike!! Enjoy it!

bikerboy869

here is my deal, i have very long arms and very long legs, i need that saddle height for my long legs. It fits about perfect actually. The bars could go up a little bit more, but they are not bad where they are now. I think that getting a stem with a slight rise over the fall would help because my torso is shorter than average, so i am leaning over pretty far. So far, the bike fits me a lot better than my old one. This is a 57cm the other is a 61. Ill try to get a pic with me on the bike so you can see what i look like. I plan on getting new bar tape and clipless pedals and hopefully a carbon fork once i have money.. right now im tapped out after the 255 i spent on her. any more advice or comments?!

Ostuni

great bike....

i'm too new and stupid to be giving any advice around here, but, if it can be done, consider upgrading enough to get your shifters on the brake levers.... it took exactly one touch and one shift in one second for me to understand how great an advance that is....

oneradtec

Great idea! A carbon fork would be worth its weight in gold. do not tolerate a saddle that is not comfy. If that saddle feels good then stick with it. If it hurts then get a new one asap! remember...you don't need to do it all at once. Upgrade one piece at a time. Soon you will have it dialed in perfectly. That carbon fork idea should yield alot of bang for the buck. someone suggested upgrading to integrated shifting. That's a good idea but it will cost you. You may be able to find some of that old shimano 8 speed STI equipment on ebay. Again...you don't need to do it all at once.

jsharr

Look at pic dscf0089 in your album. The thing the holds the brake pads and moves when you squeeze the brake lever is called the caliper. If you are facing your bike, on the left hand side of the caliper there is a lever that rotates. It's handle is pointed up in the picture. It should be pointed down. the reason it is there is to allow you to open the brake wide enough to get the front wheel and tire off the bike without loosening the brake cable. Hope this helps, if not, ask about it at your LBS or ask one of your riding buddies. The brake will work as is, but will feel much better with lever closed, if it is adjusted properly.

oneradtec

yes...get us a pic with you on the bike....a side shot of you holding the bars down in the drops. We'll analyze your position.

bikerboy869

Ill see what i can do, i just got back from a ride, i think my body has to get used to it haha! it is used to reaching. Over all it was pretty comfortable, the saddle was fine, but i think my butt needs to get used to that too. Very little lower back pain, i was working a lot harder than i normally could do because i can now haha so i think i need to get used to that too. I now can easly go 20 something where as it was hard for me to get 18 with my old one! (im selling it on ebay as we speek actually!) SO, i think all in all, i have some getting used to to do... if that makes sense.....

bikerboy869

OK, so it is hard to get a pic of myself on the bike by myself haha! i think i may need some help doing that.... BUT anyways, what would be the easiest way to adjust the back derailur?? i figured out what was wrong with the front one, now it is fine, i just need to adjust the rear so it shifts through all the gears easly.

bikerboy869

OK GUYS! I now have 4 new pictures of me on my bike as requested! Just click on the link and check em out, let me know what you think!! As you can probably tell, i am mostly legs and arms. It will be hard, i think, to get a 100% good fit for me unless the frame is custom made haha! my seat has to be high becuase my legs are do dang long and my bars cant be too close otherwise my arms are cramped. So, who knows what you people can think up though! Thanks for all the help!!

https://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/ky_su_...Ga1GDBRYmTMH46

oneradtec

Hey...that fit is pretty darn close. I think you have it about right. Nice looking bike. It brings back fond memories...because as I said that Trek 1400 was my first road bike back in 1989. Bought it at Ten Speed Spokes in Newport, Rhode Island for about $800 new.

bikerboy869

OK, so i took my trek out today, went for a 30 mile ride. I kept a good 27 mph crusing speed with a nice tail wind, so about 25 or something mph average. On the way back, it was a 30+ mph head wind, and it kicked my butt hard core, for 15 miles, strait on head wind, but i pounded through it. I only had a few problems.
1. Do i need to get a new stem? my lower back was hurting a decent amount after the first 15 miles when i was in the dop positions, for the most part, i rode in an upper position with my fingers on the break handle but not grabbing them. OR, is this normal because im on a brand new bike and my body is not used to it. In addition to my lower back, my neck was sore a little bit too. The stem that i have on there seems rather long, and also bend down so it is like a 7 only the top part goes in the hole and the long vertical/diagonal part is what the bars go on. Not quite sure what to do. I can get more pics if needed.

2. I would get random cramps in my right calf and right calf only. I am not sure what would cause this because i was not pushing, or over doing it, i was goiing 80 + rpm and i would randomly get a cramp. Is the seat too low? or what could be the problem.

3. How long should i give a saddle before i decide that it is def. not for me? it is unfomfortable, but it that becuase im used to something different or what?

4. HOLEY COW, this bike is a HUGE step up from my old one, crusing at 23+ mph (not sure how to count with the tail wind) easly felt so nice, i know i hit over 30 on some down hills because in my heaviest gear, i was easly pedaling 100+ rpm. I LOVE IT besids the small aches and pains... which hopefully i can resolve easly enough.

oneradtec

When sitting on the bike in a riding position...and hands down in the drops..........look down at the hub on the front wheel. Look down with your eyes only, do not turn your head down when looking at the hub. OK..the hub should not be visible because it is being obscured by the handlebar. If the hub is not obscured and you see the hub behind the handlebar then perhaps your stem is too long. If the hub appears in front of the handlebar then perhaps the stem is too short for you. This is not precise science..but rather a basic guide.

bikerboy869

OK, it is apparent that i do need a new stem, it is a bout half way inbetween the stem and the frame haha!hmmm any recomendations?!?!

racingpain

you need a carbon stem, a good seat, a carbon fork, and the shifter and brake combination. Once you do this the bike will feel like you are in heaven. Buy the pieces one at a time and it won't seem outragous. The bike is a beauty ride and build her well and she will take you far.

RacingPain

Ps. The carbon fork is a great idea, I have one on my 2005 Trek 1000 I am modifying and I love it, It takes a lot of road vibration out of your ride...trust me

bikerboy869

OK, carbon.... sounds nice... too bad i lost one of my jobs and im poor as hizell.... for the time being, what kind of stem could i get that would be a nice stem?? Also, for my seat, i was thinking about this one from nashbar, the red one i love, but it is not so comfortable... although i have not done much riding on it, so should i give it more time? or just try something new??

https://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?c...eid=&pagename=
https://www.nashbar.com/profile_morei...ku=9072&brand=
any other suggestions ill take! I dont have too much money, so it cant be too spectatularly expensive.