Pars 

Going to look at this one for a commuter. Seller advertised as a 460... I think it is actually a 400 (on chainstay), probably 1985, though the color is wrong, and some components don't match the vintage Trek catalog site. Looks clean, good photos. Would you pay $250 for this? Looking for something to commute on and this seems to fit the bill.



Thanks,
Chris

GordoTrek

seems a little high for a 400, i bought a 520 in ok shape for 100 bucks, but it does look in great shape.. maybe talk em down to 200 ?

thinktubes 

Yeah, 250 is a might high. If it's a 400, they're OK bikes. I've owned a couple and they were both made with Tange tubing.

One thing to watch for is 27" vs. 700c wheels. The 400 series seemed to lag behind when it came to switching over to 700c.

wrk101

While I could post some prices I have gotten some bikes for, like $10 for a Trek 410, this one is priced about right, maybe a tad strong, for a market like Chicago (and after rehabbing it, I sold that 410 for $210).

Steel Treks are hot in the marketplace.

Now if you are able to look for bikes every day, and at sources beyond CL, you can do better.

It's a 1985 Trek 400, came with two decal colors: white and yellow. This is the race blue w/yellow decals.

Does he have the second Cannondale saddlebag? I really like the Cannondale bags, and they would be a nice find as well (if you have a set).

FastJake

+1

I'd say it's a bit overpriced but not out of the ballpark. I'd try to get it for $200.

rekmeyata

I agree with everyone else, I think the price is a tad high. If I was there to see the bike I could get a better price idea, but from the pic I would say $200 is more then fair. If he counters with $225 and you rode it and it all works great, and it doesn't need anything to make it road worthy, and it fits, then scratch your head and consider it.

It's not an 85 460, it's a 1985 400 Sport model, the lowest end of 7 different sport bikes Trek made.

ksisler

Seems a bit high for a repainted not-special trek. Search you local CL for "Trek". In most areas one finds a long list of bikes for sale, so you can be fairly chosey. You really want a solid, well maintained original bike (not repainted nor with mixed changed components) that isn't from the low end and you want to get it for $200 or less.

rekmeyata

Are you talking about the blue one with the white bar tape shown above? If so, that has not been repainted...unless they repainted it the exact same color and applied the correct decals, but by just looking at the pic one can't tell that. That bike is a 1985 Trek 400 sport model, they came in that blue color for that year. I'm sure the bike has been sold by now.

See this: https://www.vintage-trek.com/images/trek/85TrekSport.pdf If you look closely the Trek 400 has a slightly longer wheelbase then the 460, the 400 uses a different crank then the 460, has a different color then the 460. Compare the 400 to the posters pic and it's the same bike except the headset was either changed from black to silver by a previous owner, or the factory ran out of black ones during production and used a in stock silver one...I'm leaning towards the latter because the rest of the bike appears original.

Pars 

Update: Thanks for the posts, probably should have heeded them more

I did buy the bike. A friend of mine and I were in the area anyhow, so I went to look at it but should have just gone by myself as I didn't want to impose upon my friend. Tried to haggle with the seller (actually his niece acting as an intermediary), but he wouldn't budge even with cash. Bought it anyhow. The bike is in OK shape, and as noted was not a 460 (which was what it was listed as) but a 400. I had figured that much out by myself before I posted at all. The picture looked more greenish-blue to me, like a Trek 760 or others I have seen in their catalogs, hence the confusion.

I have it torn apart right now down to the bare frame. Gave it an OA bath to get rid of some surface rust, will do touch up on it, and replace/repack all the bearings, replace cables, etc. He did not have the other pannier, so if I want to use them, I'll need to find another one. I'm going to switch it to 700c, probably add some fenders, etc. I'll keep the stock wheels for selling it when that time comes.

Thanks again for the input!

EDIT: BTW, the seller is a flipper with quite a few listings on CL (at that time). Doesn't appear to do much if anything to his flips; bearings were as found and bike had not been lubed. He did retape the bars (rather badly), but I can reuse the tape on it. Tires were new cheap Kendas.

wrk101

I guess I am a flipper as well, although I sell bikes after I have rehabbed them, and use good parts to do it. I've coined the name DKO for flippers like the one you bought from (Dirt Knocker Offers). That name is not meant as a slam. I regularly buy bikes from those sellers, have bought at least 20 this year from DKO flippers. Last bike I bought came the DKO route: my 1973 World Voyageur.

I typically buy higher end bikes from those sellers, as there is still room left for me to make a return on the finished bike. Some of the DKO crowd just want to move bikes fast.

rekmeyata

Congrats are in order. Are you going to ride it or flip it? I don't think you could flip it for more money, it was pretty well at the top of the price range for those. I'm going to have to raise my estimates what I think a bike is worth that's for sure; but I still think it was priced high. The biggest thing is...price doesn't mean squat if the buyer, in this case you, like the bike and are happy with it. True hand built lugged steel bikes on the new market are expensive, and you got a used one for far, far less money built by the best steel lugged mass production makers in America at the time!

Congrats again.

Bianchigirll 

Nice looking bike despite everything. Un your going to haul a ton of crap there is not reason why you can't run one pannier, I am not sure what the lateral imbalance on that biek is but shoes and change of clothes shouldn't be too much of a problem.

BTW you do know the bag is on the wrong side yes? the slanted part goes forward for heel clearance.

Pars 

I was planning on riding it to work as I don't want to leave my RRA locked up to a rack in the parking garage. I bought a set of Campy NR/Matrix wheels to put on it (didn't want to use one of the sets I already have for the Raleigh). I knew going into it that I may lose money on it selling it unless I really did something of value to it. And I didn't mean to impugn the seller (DKO? hehe), just that he didn't do anywhere near what I think most of you do on flips.

BG: What, the red reflector doesn't point forward? I guess I hadn't noticed it in the pic before, but you are of course correct.

EDIT: I forgot to mention, good news was the seatpost or stem were not stuck. Had a bit of a problem with one of the bottle holder screws, but got it out with no problem. BB came apart easily as well, including the fixed cup. Frame internals looked pretty clean and rust free. I shot some Frame Saver in it after doing the OA bath and had just enough left in a can I had.

rekmeyata

As long as you don't put a lot of weight in the one pannier you should be alright, no more then 10 pounds. If your using it for school you could ideally find either another similar pannier for the other side or get two new ones and simply divide up the weight on each side equally. If you'll be carrying books, papers, or lap top, make sure you put those items in zip lock plastic bags because that pannier is NOT water proof by any means, it may be ok in a mist but nothing more then that; regardless it's good insurance to have double protection.

wrk101

Pretty funny, but I have the matching red Cannondale bag for the other side, missing its match as well. PM'd to get these two orphans together.