There is an '82 Trek 736 at my LBS that I am considering. It is in good riding condition. Original components - Suntour Sport. They want $300 for it. Do you think it is worth it?

You can go to vintage trek website for more detailed information, but I think it is probably a little high. The original was probably less than $500.00 list price new and vintage trek estimates it being worth half of that if the paint is in good condition, very rideable, etc.

It is a fine bike, likely Reynolds 531 frame and fork and the Suntour components are decent. How is the rubber? Tires are cheap, but if you need new rubber immediately, then it isn't a $300.00 bike anymore.

Personally, I'd offer them $250.00 and see if they take it.

Lastly, how is the fit? I assume you've tried it out? If the fit isn't right, either you will have to spend money to possibly get a new seat post, stem, etc. or have a crappy ride.

Let us know what happens!

I checked the vintage Trek site and the bike would have gone for ~$650.00 back in the day. Thanks for the advice though. I'm going to look at the bike again tomorrow - take it out for a ride and inspect it carefully. Fit is the most important criteria for me closely followed by condition of current components. I plan on this bike being my primary roadie and don't want to have to change too many parts if I don't want to (of course I will probably want to later).

That being said, are replacement parts / upgrades for a bike like this hard to find? Expensive?

If it is in good shape, $300 is a pretty decent deal. We recently had a thread/debate on whether a 1983 Trek 400 was worth $300. I was in the "not worth it" camp. This bike is much different. Well up the food chain, near the top of the line.

As far as upgrades, the sky is the limit. Read the various contributions to the STI vintage bike conversions.

Bike originally came with Suntour Superbe, which is really good stuff. Original components would not have been Suntour Sport. And are you sure you have that name right? Probably either Suntour Spirt, or Suntour Sprint.

Personally, my priorities would be:

#1. Fit

#2. Frame condition.

Component condition is not as important, they can always be replaced relatively cheaply. But if the frame is damaged, or the bike has significant rust, or the paint is in poor shape, fixing any of that is pretty involved.

Thanks for the info. I only saw the bike once and assumed it was Suntour Sport based off of the Vintage Trek catalogue in 82. It could very well be Suntour Superbe.... I can't wait to ride it tomorrow.

I am quite partial to older Treks, and that's a pretty decent model. I love the feel of 531, and if it fits you, I say offer less but if necessary, go for $300. I guarantee you'll get upgrade fever sooner or later, so as long as you feel comfortable with whatever drive-train it has now, scoop it up, put some miles on it, and see what components don't feel like they are keeping up with the rest. Wheels and tires are priority for upgrading IMHO, and you'll find these items for cheap during the winter on craigslist and ebay. Check out vintage-trek.com if you haven't already. Take some pictures of her after your first ride.

I'm still of the "'83 Trek 400 is worth $300" school, and assuming it's in good condition, I think your '734 is well worth it despite the component swap .... (I've seen my '84 Trek 760 raw frame alone sell on eBay for $300+.)

It's too bad though, that the original Suntour Superbe was replaced: I've never heard of "Sport", but I have read that both Sprint and Spirt are a step down from Superbe, and I'd say this reduces the value of the whole package significantly.

- The Spirt FD has a peculiarity that most people especially dislike: it operates in the reverse of normal (big vs little chain wheel).

Finding a replacement Suntour Superbe group would set you back quite a bit:
I would keep that in mind, see what is actually is on the bike, and negotiate accordingly.

Sport does not exist as far as I know. If it is not Superbe, hopefully it will be Suntour Sprint, which was pretty nice stuff. Spirt is not as good.

That Trek is a very nice older steel racing bike. Trek originally put Suntour Superbe components on it which was the top of the line for Suntour, and better then anyone else's component group. Do you think Trek would put the best components on a subpar frame? NO WAY! I would have paid the $300 without thinking!! Even if the components are not the same as the factory released it with, Sprint was VERY good stuff, Spirit not so; and you can always slowly, meaning piece by piece, restore it back to original Superbe stuff if you want, or restore it with Cyclone or Sprint. E-Bay is just loaded with this stuff and some of it has never been used. Cyclone and Sprint sell for less then Superbe and was just as good just the finish wasn't as polished looking. If you do restore, which is what I would do if I had it, just make sure you use 82 era correct components.

I rode the bike today. It is in VERY good condition with Suntour Superbe components. The big disappointment was that the frame was too big. I'm was almost attempted to buy the bike and then sell / trade the frame later. I guess the hunt continues... still looking for that first roadie and I want it to be a classic.

Thanks for everyone's input!

damn the size thing. Sorry. What was the stand over height?

It was a "56". I'm not sure what the stand over height actually was but it tends to be a problem for me because my inseem or PBH is only about 30.5". It was also a bit of a reach to the hoods too (although they were set pretty low).

I tend to like smaller frames 52-54... just personal preference.

I know we usually say SOH is irrelevant, but in this case SOH is about 81 cm, and if you measured right you will get a lot of contact with the bike - high intimacy! I agree, this bike is too big for you!

just where was this huge Superbe equipped Trek?