trek 400 model
 

looking to get the lowdown on my bike. please help! i think it is a 1988 or 89 from vintage trek website, not sure.. here are the spec. made in the USA, SN 363513, ovalteck chainring, sakae sx chaincrank, shimano SLR brakes, shimano acera x rear derailer, 18 speed, shimano SIS index system, matrix titan rims with mechelin erilum kavlar reinforced tires, mallard 500 hubs ( made in france ). has a vette seat............ brake pads, tires and handlebar padding are all new... and has had a recent tune-up.. cables run through the chainstay and has a slanted TK emblem on the head tube. seems to me to have components from 88 and 89 maybe a 1988 & 1/2 if possible. either way a nice ride. also ..what may the value be if i wanted to up grade. i have invested 235.00 so far... to much!... ok .. not bad.....what do you think.. thanks

Kind of surprised no one has replied to you yet. All the steel frame Trek owners must be out riding. From
www.vintage-trek.com <serial numbers> looks like the frame was built late '88-early '89. That website also has copies of sales brochures if you're interested in seeing them.

I threw out that same what's-the-value question about repairing my lame 660 frame (cracked rear dropout). A couple of guys gave me great advice - the bike probably means a lot more to you than to anyone else so spend as much as you want to and enjoy spending but don't expect to get that back if you put it up for sale. From watching the posts here I've seen there are plenty of people out there who enjoy the ride of those steel frames but seems a lot of them equally enjoy finding the real bargains on ebay and craigslist.

I've used the word 'enjoy' twice there - and I think that's what biking is to most of us, enjoyment. It isn't an investment. Way too much negative cash flow.

I have the same model actually. I agree if taken care of this bike will last a lifetime but it probably wouldn't sell for more then 150 on ebay. The lower end treks are lovely rides but not collectable. But its worth putting money into if you love riding it. I upgraded mine with a dura-ace wheelset i bought of ebay and a shimano 105 derailer and shimano 600 brakes. I've heard the stock wheels aren't great but the frame is well built. I'm planning to take this bike apart soon and touch up the paint and clean it up nicely so it won't rust next winter.

Hi,

I have an '86/'87 trek elance 400. It has Reynolds 531 tubing, which makes it worth a bit. It really depends on where you are. Here in NYC, any vintage trek, as long as the frame's okay, will get you at least $150. It all depends on your location.

IMO, vintage treks, as long as the frames are in decent shape, are worth a fix-up.

And I've gotta say, I've yet to see a steel Trek bike go for less than $200 on ebay (plus/including shipping). It seems that price quotes are frequently low-balled based on a person's "best deal". That's not the same as your mean or median.

cheers on your bike, they're so fun to ride.

Also a newbie with a Trek 400
 

Hi,

I have a 1987 Trek 400 bought used in the late '90's. 12 speeds. I soon replaced the chain, rear wheel and freewheel set (worn gears & incompatible hub). The rear derailer is indexed. I enjoy it; it's light as a feather and shifting is great compared to the Schwinn Varsity I rode as a kid. Have 700x35 tires that the former owner passed along. For me, they're the right compromise between speed and road cushioning; Milwaukee has many rough streets. Can't mount fenders or tires larger than that-- no more clearance.

Mostly do short work commutes & medium-distance chow runs. Only rarely do I take it over 20 miles or so. Used to do more, maybe I'll start to get back on it again.

Have suddenly gone bike crazy. Have newly acquired an old Motobecane w/ Vitus 831 and an old Schwinn 3-speed, both of these were ebay buys, both slightly misrepresented as in good riding condition, both are waiting on parts or service. Moto has a larger frame that I wanted to try. Schwinn has fenders for wet days. The Trek seems responsive & fits me pretty well; it will not be retired even after I get the others running well.

--Rich

http://img315.imageshack.us/img315/5687/trekss5ek.jpg

kent265,

I already had a newer road bike when I picked my '85 460 off of Craigslist. It rode fine as it was, but my newer (still steel!) bike with 105 is certainly a better, more modern road bike. I'm still planning on picking up an older touring road bike as soon as I find a steal of a deal.

Anyhoo, your 400 will always be a great first or second bike. I turned my 460 into a singlespeed and it is a spectacular commuter. It can always be converted back, as I've left the frame stock. I love old steel Treks.

What's the chainline width on your bike, and how long a BB did you use with the Sakae crank to get it? I'm about to convert one of mine, I think...

Thanks!

-chris