Ckwoods14

I got this bike in April at a rummage sale for $50. I was looking for a good bike to ride on pavement/roads, and saw this one so I took a chance. I have a trek mountain bike that doesn’t do it for me on the pathways/ roads. I’ve been trying to find info on these bikes, and I’m figuring it’s a 90’s vintage, looks very original. I haven’t done anything to it yet, but i’m Going to take it in for new tires etc before I put it away for “winter” (I live in so cal). So I’m wondering what you guys think it may be worth? Anything I shouldn’t do to it to ruin the value? I have a bunch of pictures but can’t figure out how to post them..

oddjob2

Upload pics to a photo host like flicker. Use the mountain icon above to post the url.

Ckwoods14

.flickr.com/photos/156766464@N05/shares/b64138

Let’s try this! I can’t post urls until I’ve posted 10 Times, so I’m trying to put this as text instead.

oddjob2

I'd clean it and ride it as is before changing tires. Make sure the wheels spin smoothly. You can learn maintenance basics via youtube or mytenspeeds.com.

Value as shown is $50-$75. You are correct it is a mid 1990's hybrid, low end components, nothing special but a nice all around multi-purpose bike.

Ckwoods14

It shifts way slower than my trek, I was thinking of switching out the components, but leaving the shifters.

Bianchigirll 

What components are you taking from what? The difference in shifting performance can be explained in two ways, the Specialized needs a tuneup or your unkown Trek is a few models higher and has a nicer shifting system on it.

I agree with OddJob2 I'd just clean it up real good, get it tuned up and ride it like it is before worrying about the tires.

Putting it away for the winter in So Cal? gets real cold down there does it?

Link to pics https://www.flickr.com/photos/156766.../shares/b64138

hokiefyd 

These '90s hybrids can be great riders. The slower shifting is VERY likely due to drag in the cable housings from grease/grit/grime (the 3 Gs!). Depending on the type of shifters, the shifters could also be gummy, contributing to the slow shifting performance. I have a '97 Trek hybrid like yours, and it shifts fast and crisp, but it has new cables and housings on it, and the shifters and derailleurs have been cleaned and degreased, etc. This isn't hard to do -- it just takes some time and elbow grease.

Depending on your local market, and assuming you've tuned it up, it could sell for $150 or more, depending on size (super tall and super short frames are sometimes harder to sell). Left as-is, and put up for sale today, you'd be able to get your 50 bucks back, but likely not much more. These aren't collector bikes, so I don't think there's anything you could do to suppress its value.

Unless the tires are super rotted (they don't appear to be unrideable), or they don't hold air, I'd focus on cables and brakes first, and then worry later about tires and tubes.