The $1 Trek
#1
The $1 Trek
A week ago Thursday, I got up early to attend a city-wide rummage 100 miles away. I planned an all-day trip and hoped to get a decent bike or two. In years past it was not unusual for me to pick up between 3-6 bikes at this venue.
So I get up before 5 and I'm on the road by 6. The morning turns out to be a bust, with all the bikes being either way too expensive or needing more help than I could give them. So I left that town and went to a different town to do some other non-bike things.
Came back through the first town on the way back home, and was slowly driving around all the stops I'd been to before. I happened to be driving away from a group of 3 houses all having rummages when I saw what looked like the end of a rummage - three items in the driveway: a Trek bike missing its front wheel, a portable washing machine, and a pressure sprayer. Garage door was closed, no one in sight. I stood there for a few minutes debating whether to even see if anyone was home, as it was after the time when the sale supposedly closed city-wide. As I'm standing there debating, someone comes out of the house. I say hello and ask if the bike is for sale. A nice lady says yes, a neighbor had given it to her and her family didn't want it any more. I ask her how much, as I can't see any price tag. She says, "A dollar." For a moment, I'm wondering, did I just hear that right? A buck? Then I take a closer look at the bike, and sure enough, there's a pink $1 sticker on the handlebar. So I get out my dollar, thank the lady, stick the bike in my car and drive away.
Said bike turned to be a 1990 Trek 930, apparently the first year for this model if I'm not mistaken. Lugged TrueTemper AT double-butted cromoly. This one has a Shimano drivetrain, but the catalog says I should have SunTour (I'm much happier with the Shimano). As far as condition, the left shifter is futzed, there's a jerry-rigged nut and bolt in place of a traditional seatpost binder bolt, and there are a couple rust spots on the frame. But other than that, and missing the front wheel (pix are taken with a front wheel out of my collection), not bad for a buck. So I did wind up getting a deal after all, just not when I thought I would.


So I get up before 5 and I'm on the road by 6. The morning turns out to be a bust, with all the bikes being either way too expensive or needing more help than I could give them. So I left that town and went to a different town to do some other non-bike things.
Came back through the first town on the way back home, and was slowly driving around all the stops I'd been to before. I happened to be driving away from a group of 3 houses all having rummages when I saw what looked like the end of a rummage - three items in the driveway: a Trek bike missing its front wheel, a portable washing machine, and a pressure sprayer. Garage door was closed, no one in sight. I stood there for a few minutes debating whether to even see if anyone was home, as it was after the time when the sale supposedly closed city-wide. As I'm standing there debating, someone comes out of the house. I say hello and ask if the bike is for sale. A nice lady says yes, a neighbor had given it to her and her family didn't want it any more. I ask her how much, as I can't see any price tag. She says, "A dollar." For a moment, I'm wondering, did I just hear that right? A buck? Then I take a closer look at the bike, and sure enough, there's a pink $1 sticker on the handlebar. So I get out my dollar, thank the lady, stick the bike in my car and drive away.
Said bike turned to be a 1990 Trek 930, apparently the first year for this model if I'm not mistaken. Lugged TrueTemper AT double-butted cromoly. This one has a Shimano drivetrain, but the catalog says I should have SunTour (I'm much happier with the Shimano). As far as condition, the left shifter is futzed, there's a jerry-rigged nut and bolt in place of a traditional seatpost binder bolt, and there are a couple rust spots on the frame. But other than that, and missing the front wheel (pix are taken with a front wheel out of my collection), not bad for a buck. So I did wind up getting a deal after all, just not when I thought I would.



#2
Extraordinary Magnitude


Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 14,080
Likes: 2,134
From: Waukesha WI
Bikes: 1978 Trek TX700; 1978/79 Trek 736; 1984 Specialized Stumpjumper Sport; 1984 Schwinn Voyageur SP; 1985 Trek 620; 1985 Trek 720; 1986 Trek 400 Elance; 1987 Schwinn High Sierra; 1990 Miyata 1000LT
Sweet!
Congratulations!
Congratulations!
__________________
*Recipient of the 2006 Time Magazine "Person Of The Year" Award*
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
#3
Bike Butcher of Portland


Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 12,436
Likes: 7,948
From: Portland, OR
Bikes: It's complicated.
Damn great find! What do you plan on doing with it?
__________________
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
#5
Senior Member


Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 7,951
Likes: 688
From: Port Angeles, WA
Bikes: A green one, "Ragleigh," or something.
"I'd buy that for a dollar!"
[puts RoboCop back in the Netflix queue]
[puts RoboCop back in the Netflix queue]
__________________
● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
Last edited by Lascauxcaveman; 05-09-18 at 08:24 PM.
#7
weapons-grade bolognium


Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 6,607
Likes: 3,307
From: Across the street from Chicago
Bikes: Battaglin Cromor, Ciocc Designer 84, Schwinn Superior 1981
Yep, $1 Treks happen.
I was waiting at a stoplight in front of a yardsale and saw this Trek. I jumped out and told the wife to drive around the block.
I asked the guy how much, and he said $1 (and then he tried to talk me out of buying it because it was "junk")
I gave him 4 quarters and hauled ass.

I was waiting at a stoplight in front of a yardsale and saw this Trek. I jumped out and told the wife to drive around the block.
I asked the guy how much, and he said $1 (and then he tried to talk me out of buying it because it was "junk")
I gave him 4 quarters and hauled ass.

#8
Senior Member

Joined: May 2016
Posts: 1,779
Likes: 575
From: Southern California
Bikes: Soma Fog Cutter,, Ritchey Ultra, Salsa La Cruz, Neuhaus Hummingbird
Nice score, it looks like the same color scheme to my '90 520.
Those DX shifters are worth something so you may want to repair the front or sell as is. I repaired a similar XT.
Those DX shifters are worth something so you may want to repair the front or sell as is. I repaired a similar XT.
#9
Senior Member

Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,584
Likes: 107
From: Scranton, PA, USA
Bikes: '77 Centurion "Pro Tour"; '67 Carlton "The Flyer"; 1984 Ross MTB (stored at parents' house)
The Takagi Tourney crank seems much older than the bike, perhaps by 7-8 years.
That bike will turn out great.
That bike will turn out great.
#10
Still learning

Joined: May 2012
Posts: 11,529
Likes: 87
From: North of Canada, Adirondacks
Bikes: Still a garage full
I clearly overpaid, because the 930 below cost me $5.00 on ebay, with tacoed rear wheel. Those dam fees!
[img]https://www.dropbox.com/s/4wgh0sc0u3...k930a.jpg?dl=0[/img]
[img]https://www.dropbox.com/s/4wgh0sc0u3...k930a.jpg?dl=0[/img]
#11
Still learning

Joined: May 2012
Posts: 11,529
Likes: 87
From: North of Canada, Adirondacks
Bikes: Still a garage full
Based on the OP's score. I clearly overpaid by 500%, because the 930 below cost me $5.00 on ebay, with tacoed rear wheel. Those dam fees!


Last edited by oddjob2; 05-10-18 at 07:58 AM.
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