Newbie: Just got a free bike!
05-15-11, 08:27 PM
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Newbie: Just got a free bike!
Hello, and Greetings!
My name is Chris, and I was recently helping my landlord move some things around in the basement of our apartment and happened to see a road bike. I asked my neighbor if he still used it or wanted it and said that I could have it!
This would be my first bike since I was about 12! I think my neighbor said he bought it in the late 1980s. Its a Trek 1200 with 1.05 i think?
I'm completely new to the road bike scene, so I am a bit lost on if this is a good bike for me or not and if there is anything i should get or add.
Any advice and help would be great! Thanks so much!
My name is Chris, and I was recently helping my landlord move some things around in the basement of our apartment and happened to see a road bike. I asked my neighbor if he still used it or wanted it and said that I could have it!
This would be my first bike since I was about 12! I think my neighbor said he bought it in the late 1980s. Its a Trek 1200 with 1.05 i think?
I'm completely new to the road bike scene, so I am a bit lost on if this is a good bike for me or not and if there is anything i should get or add.
Any advice and help would be great! Thanks so much!
05-15-11, 08:40 PM
#2
Senior Member
Looks good, I would start with a trip to the local bike shop (LBS) and have them check it over, and maybe help you with getting it fitted (saddle height etc).
05-15-11, 08:41 PM
#3
Former Hoarder
Well, its a decent bike, particularly for the price.
I say this all the time...I would rather ride a $100 bike that fits than a $5,000 bike that doesn't.
(Of course, if I had a $5k bike that didn't fit, I'd sell it and get a really good one that does.)
So the question is...does it fit?
I say this all the time...I would rather ride a $100 bike that fits than a $5,000 bike that doesn't.
(Of course, if I had a $5k bike that didn't fit, I'd sell it and get a really good one that does.)
So the question is...does it fit?
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05-15-11, 08:44 PM
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well I am not too sure how it is suppose to fit, I know the your legs are suppose to be able to fully extend when we reach the bottom but other then that I am pretty clueless :/
05-15-11, 08:53 PM
#5
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Not really. Either google some info on fit or go to a lbs thought that might cost some. Don't force yourself to fit the bike. It has to fit you, not the other way around.
05-15-11, 09:00 PM
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great! thanks a lot! My coworker is a pretty into road bikes and said it might be a bit small for me. I will def take it into my lbs and see what they say.
05-15-11, 09:10 PM
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That's a pretty awesome bike to get for free! Even if it turns out that it doesn't fit, it'd be easy to sell it for enough money to buy a decent one that does. Or you could offer it up for a trade (check the C&V forum, there's a sticky thread there for people to trade bikes that don't fit).
But yeah, like everyone says, bottom line is to make sure it fits and you can ride it comfortably. Go to a shop, preferably on a weekday when it's a little slower and they'll be able to help you out more. Ask them if they can help you adjust your saddle height, and go from there.
But yeah, like everyone says, bottom line is to make sure it fits and you can ride it comfortably. Go to a shop, preferably on a weekday when it's a little slower and they'll be able to help you out more. Ask them if they can help you adjust your saddle height, and go from there.
05-15-11, 10:02 PM
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Stand over the bike. If it doesn't crush your sack and there isn't more than about 2-3 finger widths between your sack and the top tube, it's probably about the right size. Raise the seat to a point where when you pedal at the bottom there is still some bend in your knee (not fully extended, toes pointed straight forward). If you can place your feet on the ground while sitting the seat is too low. These are just some basic fitting points. Mess around with all of this until it feels comfortable. That's a nice bike for free. Ride it for a while and you could probably sell it for a couple hundred dollars and get a newer bike.
05-16-11, 03:55 AM
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If you keep it, get a saddle bag with a couple of spare tubes, tire levers, pump, and learn how to fix a flat.
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05-16-11, 04:22 AM
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probably is an 1989 "White with mint".. should have Shimano 105 gruppo
biopace chainrings are defintely 80s
https://www.vintage-trek.com/images/t...89Brochure.pdf
looks like it's in incredible condition.. great score.. go post it in C&V forum (right after your remove those tacky reflectors 
)
biopace chainrings are defintely 80s
https://www.vintage-trek.com/images/t...89Brochure.pdf
looks like it's in incredible condition.. great score.. go post it in C&V forum
(right after your remove those tacky reflectors )
Last edited by frantik; 05-16-11 at 04:26 AM.
05-16-11, 04:42 AM
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAl_5e7bIHk
05-16-11, 05:17 AM
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Dave Grohl here can give you a quick education on basic bike fitting:
https://<a href="https://www.youtube.c...Al_5e7bIHk</a>
https://<a href="https://www.youtube.c...Al_5e7bIHk</a>
05-16-11, 10:43 AM
#13
Longing for a Tail Wind
I have the 1991 version of that bike. I put 20K miles on it after I purchased it from the used inventory at an LBS. `I love those wheels actually. They look like carbon (no machined brake surface).
It is now sitting forlornly in single speed configuration.
It's a good bike, if it fits, ride it and enjoy it. (or sell it to some urban hipster)
It is now sitting forlornly in single speed configuration.
It's a good bike, if it fits, ride it and enjoy it. (or sell it to some urban hipster)
05-16-11, 11:06 AM
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I have a 1987 version of the bike, color ecru and red. I thought it was a great bike and put thousands of miles on it. Bike looks great in the picture, good for you!
05-16-11, 11:51 AM
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ride it until you can do this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sS_0p...eature=related
then you're ready to race.
then you're ready to race.
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05-16-11, 11:59 AM
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Hey - nice bike 
Sure hope it fits - what a stroke of luck.
A trip to the LBS will get you straightened away.
Ride safe!
Sure hope it fits - what a stroke of luck.
A trip to the LBS will get you straightened away.
Ride safe!
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