So a 1986 Trek 520 followed me home from the evil big-box bike store. Of course I have grandiose dreams for this bike. New wheels. Modern group. Accessorize. The bike is kinda dusty but the paint is in excellent condition. All stock except tires which are dry rotted but it rode fine on a little 7-mile errand run.

I figured for $129 with a 90-day return policy I would go for it. My 1988 Trek 1200 is a little too harsh for the rough Milwaukee streets. The steel frame will be a relief.

Comments?

Good bike for the money Think you'll be a little happier with the ride. Was looking on CL here locally and saw a 1420 same year- looks really similar. Was thinking about snagging it for the lighter weight, but a little apprehensive about sacrificing a little comfort with the aluminum. EnjoY!!

Dude, frame alone, compare to what a new lugged steel frame would cost, even if you throw a Joe Bell $600 paint job on it, this is a good deal.

What is the "evil big-box bike store"?

Yeah, I was kind of wondering about that too. A Trek 520 for $129 doesn't seem all that evil.

Amaaaaazing!

1985.

You stole that bike. What's left to ponder?

Wheel & Sprocket. As big-box as bike stores get. There are 6 or 8 locations in the area. Not awful but not a place I feel like wants to help me with my older bikes. They have a large selection of accessories and parts, however, so I end up in there once in a while.

The 520 came in on a trade apparently.

Thanks for the comments and year correction. I feel pretty good about my find.

Wheel and Sprocket sold you this bike for 129 bucks?? Unbelievable. Budget BIkes in Madison would've tagged it at 3-400 at least. Must have a bent fork (har har)

Want to trade for something? Anything? Which store had it? What size is it? I guess I need to stop by the shop again one of these days and see what they have laying around. Can you tell that I'm envyous?

There is supposed to be another 520 just brought in to a different local store, but they haven't returned my call or email yet and they have extremely limited hours for that part of their operation. At first I thought the one you got was the one I'm inquiring about.

Enjoy your new ride. What size was it again**********

that is terrible, sorry to hear about your purchase. I feel so bad for you I would gladly take it off your hands.


Are you serious about wondering if it is a good buy or are you just bragging? That would have gone for $400 around here on craigslist.

For those wondering (envious), its a 56cm and I picked it up at the W&S in Hales Corners, WI. I'm 6'1" but with a short torso so the medium-sized frames fit me pretty well.

I'm glad to get some affirmation of a good buy. I hadn't been in the bike scene for a while and didn't know too much about current pricing. I'm just now realizing that these old steel bikes have a cult following by all ranges of cyclists. Unfortunately, I think my dad put a Schwinn World Traveler and another steel bike in the muni dump when I was a teen.

FWIW, about 14 years ago I was at the same Wheel & Sprocket and found my 1988 Trek 1200 for $250 or so. Sometimes they get trades I guess. Sadly, I got my drivers license about the same time as my 1200 and didn't ride it very much until this summer.

$129?! What a steal.

My size.

Could be a return customer to Wheel and Sprocket (Trading in Dad's or Mom's old bike for a new one)....Interesting to find out the history on that bike, any old dealer decals on it? IIRC, Rainbow Jersey was also a Trek dealer. Same maybe for Brent Emery's Bike Shop.
I wish you could keep it all original. It survived intact for this long, It's a pity to lose all that nice patinated stuff on it......What kind of rack is that? A Rhode Gear, maybe?

Chombi

Mine, too.

I used to spend most of my summers in WI, and W&S was always my go-to for any bike needs.
I certainly wouldn't refer to them as "evil".

Not evil, but they were looked at as the "big" bike dealership (they also sold Kayaks) with commercials that mimic slick/funny used car commercials that sometimes were....uhmmm...tacky. They were useful to me for spares and bicycling sundries (for some reason, I just never felt like ever buying whole bikes from them), but I don't think they gave the same close attention to customers as the smaller "neighborhood" bike shops did, like Rainbow Jersey, Emery or Patio bike shop. JMOs

Chombi

W&S do mobile mechanic support for most of the week long rides inn Wisconsin and many weekend rides too. Chris Kegel and his sons are some good people. They also sponsor a huge expo/bike gathering in the winter in MKE. Good folks.

Affirmation? How about blind jealousy???? Deals like yours don't happen very often, great buy!!!!!!!!!!

In my neck of the woods $129 would get you a 1970's Schwinn Varsity or some such thing. Vintage 520's command $350+

Unfortunately, there are no stickers, not even the Reynolds 501 sticker. Decals are in almost perfect condition. I have to say, I'm at least half tempted to keep it stock. The gearing sucks though. I'm used to the close-ratio gearing of my 1200. I freaked out dropping from the 14t to the 17t. The rack is the stock factory-supplied Blackburn which came standard on some of the 1980s touring or sport-touring models.

You're right. More of reputation than actual fact. I'll certainly keep checking in for used bikes!! They're mostly good people and do a lot to perpetuate the sport in southeastern WI.

Sweet, sweet bike Matt.

Last time I was in Allis Bike & Fitness there was a 85-ish 500 series bike on the wall for $199. Was a couple of months ago. I'd guess it was 21-22"

If you looked at CL there was a 22-ish 1983/84/85 bike posted every couple of days at the beginning of summer- from the Falls..

I've had nothing but good experience with Wheel & Sprocket.

Agree with illwafer, an '85.
An '86 would have a red head tube.
Nice grab for $129.
New tires- Vittoria Randonneur maybe?