bgblue1978

ok i need help again on pricing. i'm not sure how old this trek 520 is but i've always wanted a true touring bike and this looks like a good fit. the price seems decent but the paint gone on the top tube and apparent rust scares me a little. has some non original parts and i'd want to change out the brake levers but otherwise i think it looks good. what would you guys be comfortable paying for this? if you bought it would you have it repainted? i havent gone to see it in person yet so pictures is all i have to go off.

zukahn1 

Looks to be a fairly nice touring bike. I would say $250 or so value. For me the horrible looking bar setup and poor aesthetics hold the price down quit a bit. Looks to be a 92-93 based on color schem and fork.

oddjob2

If you're 5'5" +/- 2" it should fit you fine.

I looked up the Austin bike and at $315 it's not wildly out-of-line, despite the top tube rub, probably from locking the bike up. Brake levers will set you back $30 + $10 for cables and housing. @OldsCOOL will pay you top dollar for the red and black barftape. If it is straight non-metallic black paint, the TT is an easy fix. Otherwise a little Barkeepers friend and some clear coat.

I concur with zukahn1, and would start at $250 and if you split the difference, it is still an okay deal.

OldsCOOL

Wango Zee-Tango!! I want that BARFtape!!


Treks are great bikes. Talk the dude down but dont miss the deal....but that is my opinion only. I love neglected Treks.

bgblue1978

thanks for the opinions. i'll see if i can get it at a price that makes me feel comfortable. by the way i'm 5'7" and i think it will fit me pretty well but of course i havent actually been on the bike yet

zukahn1 

Well the pinkish red barf tape is about the cheapest bartape one can get I brought a bunch of it for flippers and cheap fix ups a while bike for $2.00 a set of 2 rolls a while back off Ebay, with free shipping . It is up to a whopping $4 and change right now.

zukahn1 

Sounds about right Oddjob exspecially if the indexed bar ends shifters work fine with the current DR's and or 7/8 speeds.

FastJake

Without looking it up based on the decals this looks like an early-mid 1990s bike.

The 520 is well known and goes for more money relative to lesser known touring frames. Despite the paint issues and horrible brake lever setup I think the price is still fair. If you can pick it up for $300 that's a good price.

I wouldn't bother repainting it. Just touch up the bad spot on the top tube and leave the rest alone. Touring bikes aren't pretty anyway so who cares.

BCRider

I didn't know that this style of bar tape was all the rage. I've got a pack or two of that I bought from a local shop from about 10 years ago. I should list it for sale....

And a hearty "ditto" on what the others said about the scuff and rust. If there's no denting of the tube then the scuff n'rust is purely cosmetic and easily fixed or stabilized as suggested.

I see that the rear rim has some brake pad wear. If the braking track is flat and only discoloured then you've got many miles of joy ahead. But if the sides are starting to cup from the pad wear then figure on a new rim at some point.

exxongraftek

Like zukahn1 said, start no more than $250 and pay more if you really want it.

Just check that you don't have any 'wiggly" tubing joints or loose bearings/fastening in crank or wheels.

bikemig 

Good used touring bikes don't come up all that often so go for it if it fits and you like it.