John Ummel

Help. I have a nice 85 Trek 510 (Campy equipped) I'm looking to sell or trade. A person with a nice 1985 Fuji League Valite wants to trade staight across for my 510. Deal or no deal? I figure my 510 is worth $350 on ebay.

armchaircyclist

Why do you want to sell or trade? Is there any advantage to trading for this bike?

John Ummel

Yes. I am 55 and my Trek is 54cm, I really need a 56 (which the Fuji is) with more standover so I can get proper leg extension and be more comfortable on long rides (arch of the back).

Blue Order

Sounds like a question for T-Mar...

Blue Order

Well, in the absence of T-Mar, I'll give it a stab. Unfortunately, I'm flying blind here, because I can't access Vintage Trek's brochures from this computer (no Adobe reader).

The Fuji frame is Valite, which is a vanadium-steel alloy that is not quite as strong as cromoly...until one takes brazing into account. Valite is less affected by brazing temperatures, resulting in tensile strengths that are virtually equivalent after brazing.

So if the Trek is cromoly, or 531, the frames are probably virtually equivalent in tensile strength (keeping in mind that Reynolds claims 531-- a manganese-molybdenum steel alloy-- is better than cromoly). The question then is whether the components are virtually equivalent.

That's about all I can offer without knowing more.

As I said, this is probably a question for T-Mar.

due ruote 

Is the Fuji seller local, and is there a way you could work out a weekend swap as a test? I can't comment on the comparison per se, but if they're in the same ballpark and what you're looking for is ride comfort, the best thing to do is take the bike for a ride.

Blue Order

Finally got a look at Vintage Trek. The 1985 510 is made of Reynolds 501, which, going by memory, is a seamed cromoly. I think that Fuji Valite frame is easily the equal of the Trek frame, and maybe better.

Components: The Trek is Campy Triomphe, the Fuji League is Suntour LePree. From what I've read, the LePree will be the better component group.

Geometry: The geometries are very similar, with the League having a slightly longer wheelbase.



Based on all of the above, and your mutual desire to find a better fitting bike, I think you will do well to make a straight trade.

wallymann

maybe a bit late, but triomphe is leagues better than lepree. cold-forged aluminum, highly polished bearing races, high-tolerance machining...the victory/triomphe pairing were originally intended to replace super/nuovo record (respectively) and have the high-quality manufacture one would expect.

honestly, lepree is garbage in comparison. functional, but still garbage.

i-timy

6 posts and refuting Blue with a word like "garbage"?
There is probably a better way to introduce yourself to a forum, but ok.
No, I do not own a lepree or any of ther other items mention in this thread, but did notice recently FUJI is a hot topic.

wallymann

LOL. i have a certain way, i guess. thankfully, low post count does not necessarily correlate with technical-accuracy or value-add to a topic!



since the thread is SEVERAL years old, should matter much anyways.

w

wallymann

if it's the big-ish 24" frame from '85 we might have a talk!