Fair price on 89-ish Trek 520?
 

I've been looking at an 88 or 89 Trek 520 and am wondering what a fair price is. Right now, the seller and I are pretty far apart and I'm wondering which one of us is dreaming. It appears to be in solid condition but needing a thorough cleaning and refurb. I assume most of the consumables (tires, brake pads, etc) are all shot. Needs a new seat, and has a non-original stem. Paint looks pretty good, although I do see one or two spots of damage. No visible rust. I am not in a hot market like the coasts. So... what would you say is a fair price?

Not sure without knowing better where you are, college towns nearby will drive up prices some. I have a clean, original, ready to ride '84 520 I've listed on Seattle CL for $300 with no interest. If it weren't my size, I'd probably drop it to $200 and hope someone would actually pay close to that.

$285 +/- $125 depending on size, location, other cureent options in the used market, actual mechanical condition, and actual cosmetic condition.

- You assuming most of the consumables need to be replaced isn't helpful. Not sure why you set a price based on an assumption.
- Needing a new saddle saddle of any concern to me as I would put the saddle inwant on it regardless of if the current saddle were brand new.
- I couldn't care less that the stem isn't original. It's a stem- it's meant to be changed if needed to fit the user.

Around here.
late 80's 400 elance - a step down from a 520
​​​​​​https://milwaukee.craigslist.org/bik...361182216.html

A step up from a 520 from the "East side guy" who is usually a bit high but not out of line
​​​​​​https://milwaukee.craigslist.org/bik...344721534.html

Thanks. those are midwest numbers so they're probably pretty comparable. And I think maybe I should budge more.

What did you offer and what does the seller want? And post some pics. They are worth way more than a typed out description.

This is about the best pic. We're about $100 apart on price.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...9ace6e52c8.jpg

On the pictured Trek 520, I would put that conservatively at about $400. I'm in the big city.

Rack mounts front and back, mid fork bosses, canti brakes, 700 wheels probably not a ton of wear on the brake tracks, it all looks good to me.

What is the sellers price?

BEWARE: This bike may be equipped with a Uniglide cassette. Once worn, you'll have few available replacements, and will have to swap to a hyperglide freehub body. I know this because I maintain my friend's 1989 520. Decent enough bike, and he loves it. There's another thread on the scarcity of the freehub you'd need, too.

Thanks. I'm going to go look at it tomorrow. Given the surprising niceness of the LeTour frame, my interest may be waning, but I'm going to go look.

Mr. 66 I think it's 27s in 89, which I'm not wild about. With the cantis I understand it might be a tricky swap to 700s, too.

If it is 27"s I would have a lower sell starting point of $375, and would negotiate to $325 for the potential.

Adjusted for "not in the big city" and "bike has been on the market for 15 weeks now" I think that sounds right-ish with where we're at. Albeit a lot more than I've ever paid for an old bike that needs work.

Well friends, I now own a 520
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...b73e06e9d.jpeg