w98seeng

I just bought a '97 Trek Y-22 off of Craigslist for $200. It has the original ESP 9.0SL carbon rear derailleur, LX front, Judy XC Fork, Bontrager stem and bars and the Grip Shift ESP 900 shifters and LX V-brakes.

The non-original parts are the Alivio crank, the rear shock is a Fox Float R, a steel front wheel/hub (Wal-mart style) and a rear wheel with a Shimano Parallax hub and Alexrim rim.

The frame is very nice. No scratches, cracks or chips in the carbon fiber. There are some marks I can probably get out with a good detaining. It needs new cables and housings and brake pads.

I have LX Mega 9 front and rear derailleurs (only about 50 miles on them) and an LX STI Shift/Brake Lever Set (same mileage) I will use along with a new FSA Gossamer triple crank. I also have a carbon stem and nice riser bars are also going on the bike.

As for wheels, I have an LX rear hub I will lace to a new rim, but do not what to do for a front yet.

Any idea what the value will be after the overhaul and new parts?

Thanks,
Ian
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bikemanbob

As a bike mechanic, I know several people that own these bikes and love them. I believe that Trek had structural problems with them so their longevity is suspect. Unfortunately, mountain bikes are bad investments. People would rather buy new than invest money in an older bike. Sadly, the reconditioned bike will probably be worth less than your total investment into the bike (for your sake, I hope not). If you are seeking to flip, I would get out now. If you are reconditioning it for yourself, it is a great investment. In a reconditioned state, I would say that the bike would be worth $200-300 (this is my best guess). (hopefully my comments will encourage others to give their feedback). Personally, I would like to hear what others have to say about its value. Good luck in restoring!

wrk101

Around here, in that condition, with those non-stock parts, it would not bring that price. The Alivio crank has to go, ditto both wheels. On ebay, it would bring that price, its a real niche bike.

I would be seeking a worthy matching wheelset (around here, used MTB wheels can be found cheap). I am kind a stickler on wheels, whatever you do with the rear, you need to match it on the front. So unless you have two matching LX hubs (and matching rims), I would just seek out a replacement wheelset instead.

A quick look at Jaxed and ebay shows some really nice ones going for $350 to $500.

w98seeng

Thanks for the info.
Ian

phoebeisis

I've sold 2 of those bikes- a Y-33 and a Y- 50 (the Hawaiian paint job).
I sold the last one-Hawaiian about 4 years ago- as just a frame- $250. The other was CF "look"- it went for $500 5 years ago as a full bike.
There are a few people who actually seek them out because they are light, and make good city/light trail bikes.
The Hawaiian paint job one actually came with 8 speed XTR parts-parted them out.They-HAWAIIAN- are still worth $400+.
I would e try to sell it as is for$250- $275 as it is- or BUY some used QR wheels for $30- selling price same- easier to sell.Keep crummy wheels for a cheapo flip"' harder to steel bolt on wheels."
No matter what you do it is a $250-$275 bike for now.Assuming you are an adept salesman.
Never try to sell an older MTB as a MTB. They are "urban/suburban light trail bikes" that "smooth out our crummy potholed streets."
Every city bike rider likes to think "my city has the worst streets- our potholes are the worst." "I am sooooo tough that I ride despite the crummy streets."
Never try to sell an old MTB as a MTB.Sell it to compete with urban hybrid bikes- $300-$500 bike shop 700c bikes.Old good quality MTBs are a better bikes than those bikes. Better more expensive components. This is especially true for CROMO rigid MTBs(Treks especially).

NEVER TRY TO SELL AN OLDER MTB AS A MTB.Never mention MTB in your CL ad. " HIGH QUALITY URBAN BIKE FOR OUR CRUMMY STREETS." Occasionally it makes sense to pay $15 for a set of Nashbar 1.5" slicks. Buy 6-8 at a time- save shipping.They are as little as $7/each. Most folks don't mind the original knobby tires- some do.
Don't do any work on that bike- just sell it for $250 - it is pretty light- maybe 25-lbs with aluminum rims.
Charlie

w98seeng

Thanks for the info Charlie. I love to work on bikes, more so than I do riding them. I already took it apart and I will shine up the aluminum rear triangle and clean and compound the paint on the frame to make it look nice. I will get another cheap QR wheel for the front and replace the cables (housings are OK) and brake pads then sell it. If I get $350 or so I will be happy.

Ian

w98seeng

Do you think I can get $200-$250 for the frame and fork?

phoebeisis

There is still a market for the carbon Y bikes.You will do ok with it.

wrk101

Yes, marketed well, you should be able to get that amount. The components on that bike are underwhelming (due to changes), so that is the way I would sell it (on ebay of course). Start it at $200, and see how it goes.

miamijim

It will be less than what you have into it.....

w98seeng

Yeah, it's amazing what 14 years does to technology, eh?

I decided not to upgrade it. I will sell the frame and fork separately and use the original components on a bike I will build for my sister.

eBay it is.

I'm looking for a good used hard-tail or FS frame to build with the other components.

Thanks for the help,
Ian

Fastscottie

Hi,
I ran across your post and it sounds like you know a lot about the y22. Can you help me decide if I should buy a '96 trek y22. The bike in question is listed here https://dallas.craigslist.org/search/...inAsk=&maxAsk=

The seller has come down on the price to $350. The bike looks ok overall. It's missing the handlebar grips. And according to him, one of the tubes in the fork suspension has a slow air leak. Do you know if replacement parts are easy to find for this bike? What is your opinion about it's value?

I would consider myself a novice at mountain biking. Any suggestions you, or anyone in the forum, can give would be greatly appreciated.

-scott

Ex Pres 

Sounds like for $350 it should be complete and fully functional.

wrk101

Are you a bicycle mechanic? If not, I would pass on that one. You are paying close to full value for a bike that needs work. Bike sounds well used. Some MTBs spend their lives hanging in a garage, others are rode hard and hung up wet. Without seeing it in person, not sure which one you are looking at, but it sounds more like the latter. $350 should buy you a really nice, pristine, high end MTB from that era.

Fastscottie

[QUOTE=wrk101;13247067]Are you a bicycle mechanic? If not, I would pass on that one. You are paying close to full value for a bike that needs work. Bike sounds well used. Some MTBs spend their lives hanging in a garage, others are rode hard and hung up wet. Without seeing it in person, not sure which one you are looking at, but it sounds more like the latter. $350 should buy you a really nice, pristine, high end MTB from that era.[/QUOT

Thank you for your suggestions. The previous owner is an advid rider and works at a bike shop. The guy selling the bike also works at a bike shop. I think you're right. I will pass on this.

What's decent mtb do you think I can get around here for $350?

wrk101

[QUOTE=Fastscottie;13247371]Just about anything at that price level. Depends what you are looking for suspension wise and the type of riding you are doing. For general path riding, the old rigid frame mtbs are great, and the top of the line ones bring maybe $150 to $175 around here. Average ones are more like $125, but I would spend the extra and get a really good one instead. If you want something newer with a full suspension, lots of good brands out there. Bikes in the late 1990s for mtbs are has beens (which means GREAT deals), depreciation has hit them hard. Serious mtb riders want the latest and greatest, leaving the market for the good but not latest and greatest, cheap for the pickings. Do a search on bikepedia, research several brands, look in the period from about 1995 to 2000, dial in on your size, and pounce when a lightly used one pops up.

Fastscottie

Thank you for the advice bill. I've been looking on CL in the Dallas/ft worth area and the bikes are not that cheap. I am mainly looking at the brands that I am familiar with (gt, trek, cannondale, specialized). Are there other brands that I should be looking at? Also, small size bikes are hard to come by. I'm only 5'4".

FastJake

Small sized mountain bikes are definitely out there, I see them all the time. Much more-so than small road bikes. Finding a large MTB is actually more of a challenge.

Like wrk101 says, bikepedia is a great resource. Gives you (usually) all the components on the bike, the MSRP, and if you're lucky the weight. The brands you listed plus Gary Fisher, Raleigh, Marin, and others are all good brands.

Fastscottie

Thanks fastjake. Will definately check out bikepedia.