thomaswan

Hi all,

Once again I have a potential buy that I want your opinions on! First of all, the bike fits great, its a 56cm and I'm 5'10"

I plan on using this bike for riding around bluffs here in Wisconsin, so the shifting has to be good.

How much is something like this worth? Below is the exact listing:

For sale is a nice 21 speed Trek 400
Sugino triple cranks w/New chain installed
Maddux 700c alloy rims w/ less than 40 mi. on Vittoria Zaffiro tires, Formula blk. anodized hub's...rear is a 8 sprocket cluster.
LaPrade alloy seat post
Alloy brakes...I believe Shimano w/ Cool stop pad's
Shimano Deore shifting components, with your choice of Friction or ratcheting shifter.
Blackburn rack & duel water bottle cages.

What exactly is the difference between friction and ratcheting shifiting? I am familiar with friction shifting because thats what I have on my old Fuji.

What do you guys think is a good price?


Anyone know the year on this?

Thanks everyone!

BRAZUCA

Just a quick comment, that looks like a nice Trek, however, it looks like to me that the frame is either a 58 or 61 cm, definitely not a 56 cm. Just check on that. I'm 6' tall and prefer a 61 cm frame.

thomaswan

Thats what I was thinking as well, the guy must have measured wrong, because he only said 56cm after I asked.

Yo Spiff

My guess is somewhere between $100 and $200 is reasonable for an older downtube shifter bike with good but not top end parts. I have a mid 80's Schwinn Prologue that I bought about 12 years ago for $150. Mostly equipped with Shimano 600 from that same period. I've seen similar bikes on Craigslist recently with asking prices in that same range.

I think ratcheting simply means a lot of tiny click-stops in the lever, so so you get a ratcheting feel when moving the lever. Might offer better control depending on your preferences, but it's still friction shifting, not indexed shifting.

wrk101

1. Wrong size. 99% of the time, sellers get the size wrong. I have learned to calibrate my eyes, to guess what the size really is, regardless of what any ad may say it is.

2. Fork has been replaced, which is a huge red flag (very possible that the bike was wrecked, otherwise, why replace the color matched original fork?).

Pass.

In pristine, ready to ride condition, a Trek of that model would bring $200 to $250 around here. A pristine Prologue would bring more.

Its a 1989 Trek 400, originally came with so-so Suntour Edge components. If the shifters are still Suntour, they don't play very well with the Shimano stuff.

I just noticed he stated the rear has an 8 speed cassette. Better have Shimano 8 speed DT shifters on there, or it will not index.

FastJake

From the ad:

Even at $100 I might buy it. Offer the guy $75 and see if he takes it, I doubt you'll find much better at that price unless you get really lucky. Yes the fork might've been wrecked, but it's possible the frame can still be in good shape. Lots of random parts, could've been a build from whatever was in the parts bin. Not necessarily a bad thing, parts seem ok as long as they work together ok.

+1 it's definitely not a 56cm. If you have long legs you could probably ride it, I'm 5' 9" and can ride 60cm road frames. But if it's too big for you pass.

wrk101

+1 At $100, I would grab it just for the parts. But I can use the parts elsewhere.

+1 The frame could be OK, but you need to be knowledgeable on what to look for as to damage.

thomaswan

Alright just went and checked it out. Very little chips on the bike, I would say 9 out of 10 for condition.

He still has the original fork, he just liked the chrome fork look better. Also comes with original set of wheels, and black anodized stem.

I can barely clear the top tube standing on my tippy toes, as far as riding, It is okay, just could crotch myself if I'm not careful and have to hop off in a hurry.

What do you guys think about the fit? How comfortably am I supposed to clear the top tube?

NukeouT

I have a fun 460 that came with '84 parts i've had to spend time and money to replace. However my bike was free.

For a newer 400 with already upgraded parts, 100$-200$ as above, would be fair.

If he is willing, ask for the original fork. A compatible one could be useful down the road if you need it...

Standard Issue

If you're 5'10" That bike is too big for you but if you get the original wheels and forks included in the $100 asking price. It's probably a good deal. You could get half of that back by selling said parts.

wrk101

Doesn't fit. So the real question is: Do you want to get into the flip business? If so, this is a no brainer. If not, pass.

If you want to start flipping, reinstall the original fork and wheels, tune it up, polish it up, and sell it. Put the chrome fork into your parts bin, along with the replacement wheels. All of this assumes you do all the work yourself.

thomaswan

I offered him 60 because he seemed desperate to get rid of it. I can definately put all the original parts on and tune it up with my buddy. Think I could sell for around $150 on ebay or something after all the fees?

mctrek

I have a Trek 400 and love it. If you buy it and don't need the chrome fork I might be interested in it. Let me know:^) I think even if you get it for 100$ that's a bargain. Those Treks ride nice and you have decent components on there, plus new wheels and tires and a rack! That bike around this area would be gone in a couple days on Craigslist for 150!

wrk101

I would never sell a bike of that level on ebay, between shipping costs and fees, it just doesn't work out for me. Instead, I sell them locally. Fully rehabbed, looking really good with new(ish) tires, cables, bearings, grease, bar tape, bottle cage, I would ask about $225 for it.

auchencrow

The OP said "First of all, the bike fits great"
He is most likely right,
and a hundred bucks for that bike in 9 condition with the original parts is a killer deal and a very nice ride.

LesterOfPuppets

That's a 1988 400T. Mine was pretty nice unless I stood to pedal - it seemed pretty spongy for out of saddle sprints.

It had MASSIVE tire clearance, which is nice. I could sell a nice one for $250 around here.

wrk101

I missed the fit great comment by the OP. I did see this "I can barely clear the top tube standing on my tippy toes, as far as riding, It is okay"

Ultimately, if you like the fit, then it fits.

auchencrow

You have a way with words Thrifty Bill!

thomaswan

nope, my fault. Originally I was told it was a 56cm which would fit great, upon arriving realized it was just under 58 cm, which feels a little big, but I don't really know how its supposed to fit.

Its fits great while riding, just not when straddling the top tube.

auchencrow

a) b) Which matters most to you?

mctrek

So, did you buy the bike "thomaswan"? I don't know where you're at but if he has it posted on Craigslist for 100 it won't last long...

FastJake

Don't worry, standover is meaningless anyway. As long as the reach to the bars is correct and you can get the saddle in the right position relative to how long your legs are it's fine.

I can ride bikes that are much too large for me because they often have similar top tube lengths, but cannot ride bikes that are too small because I can't put the saddle high enough, and when I do the saddle-to-bar drop becomes extremely uncomfortable.

This was a 62 or 63cm I think. I'm 5' 9"

thomaswan

Yes I did end up buying it. For 75 dollars, I got the bike, with brand new anodized black rims, new tires, a new anodized black stem, original stem, original wheels, and that bike rack.

I have already resold it for $200 with everything the way it was that I bought it. So ended up being a good investment, although I was looking for something for me and not resell. My search continues, I can only imagine better deals as we get further into winter!

mctrek

Did you at least keep one set of wheels for your next bike? What about the fork, did you buy both of them, the original and the chrome plated one? At 75$ that was a steal. If you sold all the parts you have listed for 200$ you gave someone a good deal. But you doubled your money and then some with very little effort...