Vintage Trek road bike
#1
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Vintage Trek road bike
Can someone ID this bike and suggest its value? Appears 412, 1977-1980?

Last edited by XxHaimBondxX; 01-11-23 at 08:00 PM. Reason: Model/year
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#2
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XxHaimBondxX Is that all the information you can get?
As it sits there like that I'd $100 simply because it looks like it's all there and might run after a servicing.
If you planning on buying this keep in mind it needs lots of elbow grease and TLC. Figure on a complete overhaul, some new cables, maybe a chain so that adds up.
As it sits there like that I'd $100 simply because it looks like it's all there and might run after a servicing.
If you planning on buying this keep in mind it needs lots of elbow grease and TLC. Figure on a complete overhaul, some new cables, maybe a chain so that adds up.
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#4
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XxHaimBondxX Is that all the information you can get?
As it sits there like that I'd $100 simply because it looks like it's all there and might run after a servicing.
If you planning on buying this keep in mind it needs lots of elbow grease and TLC. Figure on a complete overhaul, some new cables, maybe a chain so that adds up.
As it sits there like that I'd $100 simply because it looks like it's all there and might run after a servicing.
If you planning on buying this keep in mind it needs lots of elbow grease and TLC. Figure on a complete overhaul, some new cables, maybe a chain so that adds up.



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Looks like it has been sitting in the weather for some time, but still definitely worthy of TLC and getting roadworthy. I'm in agreement w/ Bianchigirll
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It would help to know why you are interested. Is it a potential rider? A flip candidate? Even at $20.00 there is going to be a LOT of elbow grease and expense. If you can source the consumables cheaply, then not so bad, but you can't avoid the labor.
I'll bet it would clean up pretty nicely and if it is a flip, there might be someone who recognizes the name and is willing to pay a fair price for it.
As far as the ID, there is still vintage Trek information on the web although the one, popular site seems to have gone away. Shame because it was quite helpful.
I'll bet it would clean up pretty nicely and if it is a flip, there might be someone who recognizes the name and is willing to pay a fair price for it.
As far as the ID, there is still vintage Trek information on the web although the one, popular site seems to have gone away. Shame because it was quite helpful.
#7
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Definitely for a flip. I had a bike similarly gummed up and it cleaned up easily with brake cleaner. Had to remove every moving part obviously. Still, this bike needs tires, probably tubes and liners, handlebars, brake levers etc.
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These early Treks were powder-coated. The paint is normally very durable. It will be worth the trip if you have the time and funds to clean and service it.
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Well worth the trip for $20.00
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#10
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...if the asking price is $20, what exactly are you expecting to get in responses about value ?
There's not much room for valuation between $20 and "they should pay you to take it."
Trek started using investment cast lugs on most steel models in 1985, so this bike probably predates that.
...if the asking price is $20, what exactly are you expecting to get in responses about value ?
There's not much room for valuation between $20 and "they should pay you to take it."
Trek started using investment cast lugs on most steel models in 1985, so this bike probably predates that.
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#11
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...if the asking price is $20, what exactly are you expecting to get in responses about value ?
There's not much room for valuation between $20 and "they should pay you to take it."
Trek started using investment cast lugs on most steel models in 1985, so this bike probably predates that.
...if the asking price is $20, what exactly are you expecting to get in responses about value ?
There's not much room for valuation between $20 and "they should pay you to take it."
Trek started using investment cast lugs on most steel models in 1985, so this bike probably predates that.
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The name will help it sell. Cleaned and polished, greased and new tires and your probably in the $200.00 range. More depending on traffic in your market, less if it is a slow one. I wouldn't spend too much on the bars but if you have a bar on hand, go for it. I agree they don't look the best, but some may like the more upright position they afford. Everyone is different, what repulses one may attract another.
Good luck!
P.S. Take wrk101's advice and take good photos when it is complete. Drive side as well as some close-ups of interesting bits. And explain the significance of Trek and the vintage of the bicycle. Hopefully you can nail down the year of production and maybe include a photo from the old catalog. All of that adds up to the potential to create value and add to the sale price.
Good luck!
P.S. Take wrk101's advice and take good photos when it is complete. Drive side as well as some close-ups of interesting bits. And explain the significance of Trek and the vintage of the bicycle. Hopefully you can nail down the year of production and maybe include a photo from the old catalog. All of that adds up to the potential to create value and add to the sale price.
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#13
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Here, it's become more and more difficult to sell road bikes with DT friction shifting and 5 or 6 cogs on the rear. Doesn't seem to matter how nicely you rehabilitate them.
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,,, I sold a Trek 400 here in a slow market for $220. It was the later sort of frame, with the socketed, investment cast lugs and the rear derailleur cable routed through the chainstay. It was cleaned up, tuned, had good solid Mavic wheels and fenders on it, and was in excellent mechanical shape. The paint had a lot of touched up areas, so it was not pristine. But to get it to that stage, I think I probably invested that much in parts and original purchase price, and certainly I lost money if you count labor. It had Campy Victory stuff on it, not Suntour.
Here, it's become more and more difficult to sell road bikes with DT friction shifting and 5 or 6 cogs on the rear. Doesn't seem to matter how nicely you rehabilitate them.
Here, it's become more and more difficult to sell road bikes with DT friction shifting and 5 or 6 cogs on the rear. Doesn't seem to matter how nicely you rehabilitate them.
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It would help to know why you are interested. Is it a potential rider? A flip candidate? Even at $20.00 there is going to be a LOT of elbow grease and expense. If you can source the consumables cheaply, then not so bad, but you can't avoid the labor.
I'll bet it would clean up pretty nicely and if it is a flip, there might be someone who recognizes the name and is willing to pay a fair price for it.
As far as the ID, there is still vintage Trek information on the web although the one, popular site seems to have gone away. Shame because it was quite helpful.
I'll bet it would clean up pretty nicely and if it is a flip, there might be someone who recognizes the name and is willing to pay a fair price for it.
As far as the ID, there is still vintage Trek information on the web although the one, popular site seems to have gone away. Shame because it was quite helpful.
FWIW, https://www.vintage-trek.com is back online, if that's the site you meant -- it's a great one!
#16
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"Somebody got an awesome deal in my opinion. If you account for labor none of us would make much money I guess. I know I spend way more time just in cleaning and polishing than I probably should. But Something in me won't let the bike pass along without being significantly improved. And sadly that means more of my valuable time."
This is the main reason I stopped flipping bikes at this quality level. Its very hard to even breakeven. The only bikes I flip anymore are much higher up, where its still possible to make a profit. And the higher end stuff often come with good tires and consumables. So they can cost less to refresh. Of course, I don't find high end stuff for $20. But if I find a $1000 bike for $500, I'm a buyer.
In the "good old days" I could get $200 for a Trek like this once refreshed. Not anymore.
Last edited by wrk101; 01-03-23 at 06:38 PM.
#17
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#18
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Brought the beast home for only $15, woohoo! Still not sure what model this is, but at least frame looks good.







#19
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So the handlebar dilemma. If my market is soft, I'd rather keep the bike than give it away. I personally prefer flat bars to moustache, making it more of a hybrid. Or, option 2, steal drops and brakes from this bike I was planning to donate, restoring it to factory look?

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If it were me, I’d leave the current handlebar on the Trek rather than install that awful drop bar. I don’t think swapping bars would help the flip value at all. If you intend to keep the trek and prefer that drop bar to what’s on there, that’s a different story.
#21
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I figured I may find something better at our bike rescue place, since I'm going tomorrow anyway. Those drop bars were just available.
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Now that you have the bike in hand, did you check the serial number and find out what model/year this bike turned out to be?
#23
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#24
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I would NOT use a single part off that old Columbia on the Trek. Bar and stem are likely heavy STEEL. You are heading to a co-op, which is exactly the right approach.
If it is solely for a flip, then I would keep the bars as is on the Trek. Many buyers prefer the upright positioning. I would deal with/replace the rusty stuff.
If it is solely for a flip, then I would keep the bars as is on the Trek. Many buyers prefer the upright positioning. I would deal with/replace the rusty stuff.
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Cleaned ready to ride with little or no rust visiable and good rubber I would say $200 it's a nice frame with some good basic parts as for value the dust caps and RD are worth close to $100 on Ebay so worth a trip for $20. As for flipping or keeping I wouldn't change the bars just flip them so there correct there basically upside down now which looks goofy, this will help looks and performance a lot and only take a few minutes easy fix that could double the sale price.
Last edited by zukahn1; 01-11-23 at 03:23 PM.