BluesDaddy

My friend has a Trek 1500 he wants to sell. I believe it is a 1989; 60cm. It was given to him a couple years ago and I did a thorough overhaul for him. It has a full 600 "Tricolor" group. Stock shifters were replaced with STI levers from the same year and group. New UN-53 bottom bracket, new Ultegra cable set, new tires/tubes, new Ultegra chain, new Jagwire brake shoes, new Nashbar GR-2 saddle, new bar tape. Since this work was done the bike has maybe 200 miles. Paint is not perfect but certainly very presentable as I recall. My friend has decided to move up to a modern carbon Trek. What's the value? Would we reap more with a part-out or a complete sale? Thanks!

*pedals not included; not sure about the aerobar*

My photo immediately after finishing the overhaul:



Current photos from my friend:

Barrettscv 

It's a nice bike.

In Chicago there has been a Trek 2000 with Dura Ace on CL for $560 for several months. It has not moved. Part of the issue might be size, It's also a 60cm. https://chicago.craigslist.org/nwc/bid/3664618894.html

The 1500 with Tricolor has brifters: I would guess these bikes are worth about the same. My guess at the value of the 1500 is $450.

oddjob2

Aluminum Trek road bikes are under appreciated, but there aren't that many Cannondales from the late 1980's selling for $450 + either. Here's a 1989 Trek 1500 in the Bay area for $475 and it's been up for sale for a week. While spring probably hasn't come to NH yet, we know how thrifty New Englanders are. Didn't NH have the highest rate of cash for clunkers?

Are you close to those preppies in Hanover? They can shell out $450. Otherwise IMHO, you should price at $400 and be prepared to take less, unless you can market it in Beantown.

Parting out is about a push.

zukahn1 

Great bike but as others have said worth less than you likely put into it. About $400 maybe more if you can convience a enthusiastic buyer about the upgrades. The thing about upgrades and rebuilds on bikes is you usually don't get a lot more for the bike than if it was in good working condition with correct parts for its age. This is even more true in the modern info age where someone can look up what this model has sold for recently.

BluesDaddy

You're right that we're "under water" on this, zukahn. I feel bad because I didn't really know to tell my friend that was going to happen. I thought he was going to keep it for a longer while. That's why I'm trying to help him sell it.

Anyone have experience with stripping and parting out?

FastJake

I sold an '89 1500 for $275, but that was in a soft market and mine didn't have STI, it was the original 7S downtube shifters. BTW - the STI is newer, it didn't exist in 1989. Still a nice upgrade.

In a decent market, $350. $450 is not happening. Not around here anyway.

Barrettscv 

It's easily worth $450 plus if you part it out. Heck, I would buy it and transfer everything to a better frame.

This 600 group with brifters sold for $550, and that does not not include wheels and other useful parts.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/140931585397...84.m1438.l2649

I would argue that a good condition Tri-color 600 is worth more than not-quite new 6400.

wrk101

Folks, those brake calipers are not tricolor. So it is not complete. Headset and seat post do not appear to be 600 either. Hubs?

Buyers see NOS and bid goofy, even if it is not NOS.

Part out would yield more $$ around here than complete. Complete would bring $325, maybe $350.

I would probably return it to a DT shifter version, Shimano 105 or similar. I could get almost as much for it with those parts. Then the 600 bits and in particular, the 600 STI, could bring a nice additional pop.

BluesDaddy

Thanks for the help, folks! This gives me a good starting point. Much appreciated.