Notices
Classic and Vintage Bicycles: Whats it Worth? Appraisals. Use this subforum for all requests as to "How much is this vintage bike worth?"Do NOT try to sell it in here, use the Marketplaces.

Fair price on 89-ish Trek 520?

Old 08-15-21, 08:32 AM
  #1  
Full Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Dec 2020
Posts: 288

Bikes: Bianchi Nyala, Bianchi Volpe, Bianchi Campione D'Italia, Trek 640, Luxus folding bike, Schwinn Speedster, Bianchi Torino, KHS Aero Sport, probably something else around here somewhere

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 117 Post(s)
Liked 198 Times in 100 Posts
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?
denaffen is offline  
Old 08-15-21, 09:14 AM
  #2  
2k miles from the midwest
 
Dylansbob's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Washington
Posts: 1,990

Bikes: ~'75 Colin Laing, '80s Schwinn SuperSport 650b, ex-Backroads ti project...

Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 525 Post(s)
Liked 931 Times in 446 Posts
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.
Dylansbob is offline  
Old 08-15-21, 01:18 PM
  #3  
Sunshine
 
mstateglfr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Des Moines, IA
Posts: 16,535

Bikes: '18 class built steel roadbike, '19 Fairlight Secan, '88 Schwinn Premis , Black Mountain Cycles Monstercross V4, '89 Novara Trionfo

Mentioned: 123 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10899 Post(s)
Liked 7,390 Times in 4,148 Posts
$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.
mstateglfr is offline  
Old 08-15-21, 05:43 PM
  #4  
SE Wis
 
dedhed's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Posts: 10,516

Bikes: '68 Raleigh Sprite, '02 Raleigh C500, '84 Raleigh Gran Prix, '91 Trek 400, 2013 Novara Randonee, 1990 Trek 970

Mentioned: 40 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2731 Post(s)
Liked 3,359 Times in 2,034 Posts
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
dedhed is offline  
Old 08-16-21, 06:06 AM
  #5  
Full Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Dec 2020
Posts: 288

Bikes: Bianchi Nyala, Bianchi Volpe, Bianchi Campione D'Italia, Trek 640, Luxus folding bike, Schwinn Speedster, Bianchi Torino, KHS Aero Sport, probably something else around here somewhere

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 117 Post(s)
Liked 198 Times in 100 Posts
Thanks. those are midwest numbers so they're probably pretty comparable. And I think maybe I should budge more.
denaffen is offline  
Old 08-16-21, 06:34 AM
  #6  
Sunshine
 
mstateglfr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Des Moines, IA
Posts: 16,535

Bikes: '18 class built steel roadbike, '19 Fairlight Secan, '88 Schwinn Premis , Black Mountain Cycles Monstercross V4, '89 Novara Trionfo

Mentioned: 123 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10899 Post(s)
Liked 7,390 Times in 4,148 Posts
Originally Posted by denaffen
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.
mstateglfr is offline  
Old 08-16-21, 10:57 AM
  #7  
Full Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Dec 2020
Posts: 288

Bikes: Bianchi Nyala, Bianchi Volpe, Bianchi Campione D'Italia, Trek 640, Luxus folding bike, Schwinn Speedster, Bianchi Torino, KHS Aero Sport, probably something else around here somewhere

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 117 Post(s)
Liked 198 Times in 100 Posts
This is about the best pic. We're about $100 apart on price.

denaffen is offline  
Old 08-18-21, 12:13 PM
  #8  
Senior Member
 
Mr. 66's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 3,438
Mentioned: 39 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1124 Post(s)
Liked 1,704 Times in 941 Posts
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?
Mr. 66 is offline  
Old 08-19-21, 07:19 AM
  #9  
Zip tie Karen
 
Phil_gretz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Fair Oaks Ranch, TX
Posts: 7,006

Bikes: '13 Motobecane Fantom29 HT, '16 Motobecane Turino Pro Disc, '18 Velobuild VB-R-022, '21 Tsunami SNM-100

Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1465 Post(s)
Liked 1,542 Times in 806 Posts
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.
Phil_gretz is offline  
Old 08-19-21, 10:00 AM
  #10  
Full Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Dec 2020
Posts: 288

Bikes: Bianchi Nyala, Bianchi Volpe, Bianchi Campione D'Italia, Trek 640, Luxus folding bike, Schwinn Speedster, Bianchi Torino, KHS Aero Sport, probably something else around here somewhere

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 117 Post(s)
Liked 198 Times in 100 Posts
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.
denaffen is offline  
Old 08-19-21, 11:07 AM
  #11  
Senior Member
 
Mr. 66's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 3,438
Mentioned: 39 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1124 Post(s)
Liked 1,704 Times in 941 Posts
If it is 27"s I would have a lower sell starting point of $375, and would negotiate to $325 for the potential.
Mr. 66 is offline  
Old 08-19-21, 11:38 AM
  #12  
Full Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Dec 2020
Posts: 288

Bikes: Bianchi Nyala, Bianchi Volpe, Bianchi Campione D'Italia, Trek 640, Luxus folding bike, Schwinn Speedster, Bianchi Torino, KHS Aero Sport, probably something else around here somewhere

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 117 Post(s)
Liked 198 Times in 100 Posts
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.
denaffen is offline  
Old 08-20-21, 08:51 AM
  #13  
Full Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Dec 2020
Posts: 288

Bikes: Bianchi Nyala, Bianchi Volpe, Bianchi Campione D'Italia, Trek 640, Luxus folding bike, Schwinn Speedster, Bianchi Torino, KHS Aero Sport, probably something else around here somewhere

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 117 Post(s)
Liked 198 Times in 100 Posts
Well friends, I now own a 520
denaffen is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.