brian3069

Found this on Craigslist today, didn't need another bike, but I couldn't resist. It has some light rust, but nothing serious. The chain stays have some scratches, other then that the paint is good. True Temper Team Issue tubing, I can't imagine it's as desirable as the earlier models made with 531. Shimano 600 tricolor cranks, derailleurs, brakes, shifters, and hubs. All in good condition. Any thoughts about the bike, and a ballpark figure of the value after it's cleaned up would be great.



Thanks

p.s. I could of wiped off the rain before taking pictures.

Trucker Dan

The rust sucks, probably worth about $125 now. You could probably get 200-250 if the rust cleans up. Biopace blows.

auchencrow

True Temper is IMO as good as Reynolds, but few people believe that, so you bike is worth less than the earlier version.
The rust is pretty significant here - to be candid, I don't know how well this one will clean up, but I've been pleasantly surprised at times. A little OA and lots of diligence can work wonders.
The saddle too needs to be replaced or re-dyed. (You cannot sell a bike with worn-looking touch points for a good price).

I disagree with the previous poster on Biopace cranks. They do not "suck": Biopace was a decent design that obviated some problems associated with most other ellipticals - except for the aesthetics, which is why I myself am neutral on it.
If you want to know more, read this Sheldon Brown dissertation - he was a fan and explains it quite well.

brian3069

Sorry, I didn't realize how bad that picture made it look. That's not rust on the forks, it's just grease. There's some rust on the chrome and a little around the cable guides on the top tube. The worst of it on the front brake. I should of cleaned it up before posting pictures.

I don't know what happened to the saddle, hope it didn't start out white. I've dyed shoes before, might try that. Is that Vetta gel saddle even made of leather?

wrk101

While I tend to pick up quite a few bikes in this condition, you are facing a major undertaking. Frame is going to need OA treatment, then very careful touchup. I would not rate the components in good condition, I would rate them poor. Some of them may be salvageable, some may not make it. All of the component fasteners are rusty, crank and RD anodizing shows a lot of distress. To clean some of these parts will be a lot of work, so sometimes replacement can make sense (if you have a pile of donor parts).

Part of the decision on components for me would be whether I planned to flip the bike or not. While some of the components may work functionally, cosmetically, they will hold back any sale.

To me, it appears the worst of the rust is on the chain stays.

Saddle was originally white, looks like a goner to me. I have a couple of similar white saddles I have tried to revive, so far no luck. Maybe you will do better.

TT will not garner near the interest as Reynolds, even though there is nothing wrong with it.

As is, maybe $40. Fully refurbished, depends on how well it cleans up. Could take a donor bike or a stash of parts. Make sure seat post and stem are not stuck. When I get bikes in this condition, often one or the other (or both) are stuck. Dyeing the saddle may work.

I have taken on several bikes in this condition as flips. Financially, I just about break even, and at best, make maybe 10 cents an hour for my time. I do it more for the challenge of reviving a neglected vintage bike, and returning it to road service. I find that to be the reward. Its pretty neat comparing before and after pics on such a project.

roccobike

That was a White saddle once? Really? Oh man, now that's REALLY bad. Not worth trying to save.
I don't know about $40 as is, I think I'd go higher but I do agree with the $200-$250 resale all cleaned and lubed with touch up etc.
My experience with Bio-Pace is buyers do not dislike it at all. Most are neutral, a few actually look for it. I have Bio-Pace on a few bikes. If it has it I leave it, if not I don't add it.
The only negative with your bike is it's a tall frame making it harder to sell, take that into account. But ALL, I mean ALL steel Treks are desirable and the race geometry seems to get more attention than the others.

wrk101

My rationale on $40, based on pics, crankset, bottom bracket, chain, freewheel, FD and RD may all need to be replaced. Saddle, pedals, cables, housings all have to go. Brake calipers with some clean up and OA or replacement fasteners, will probably come around. Given that condition, without up close in person inspection, not sure about the wheels and hubs. When in doubt I zero those items out. So you basically are buying a mid grade but a somewhat distressed frame (it will come around), with a stem, handlebars and seat post. Everything else is a bit of a crapshoot.

Looks like rust on the top tube cable clamps.

In person, more of those components may be OK. If so, I would adjust value estimate up accordingly. Some things are hard to estimate from internet pics.

All of this is based on Hooterville economics. I've bought enough distressed bikes in the last few years, and lost money on enough of them, that I have learned to take a conservative, show me, approach to values. I assume what I cannot see will be in similar or worse condition than what I see. Sometimes what I can't see looks better, sometimes it looks worse.

Edit to below, frame would definitely be worth more than $40 in better condition.

Once finished, you should have a really nice bike.

juls

Heck- the frame is worth more than 40 bucks!

Bianchigirll 

I always liked those frames. the fancy dropouts with the stay caps built in and the internal cable routing

brian3069

Finally got around to this one. I gave it an oxalic acid bath and touched up the paint. It cleaned up pretty good.

bikemanbob

Very nicely done! Sharp looking bike. It looks like the repairs were somewhat extensive. You have something to be proud!

auchencrow

^ Yeah. This is a good candidate for the before and after thread. WONDERFUL work Brian.