Value is solely in the eye of the beholder. If you're a C&V fan, and appreciate and enjoy steel and the nicer components (and maybe want to transfer them someday), the Takara's value will rise in your eyes. If you want to ride and flip, the Trek is a go.

Time may put more value on the Trek name over the Takara. I believe the Trek's groupset is more restricting if you are a C&V fan. For me, the Trek has *way* less overall personality and grace than the chrome stays and lugged steel of the Takara.

If it were my choice, I'd swap and not look back. But do what you feel.

If you're game to swap parts from your Trek onto a C&V steel frame, given the demand for this era Trek and C'dale, you'll have no trouble selling the frame and fork (especially if you include the black seat post and black quill stem) and then you can hunt down a nice tall steel frame. Tall frames don't sell easily so you should be able to find a good quality one for a decent price.

Good luck!

I just re-measured it. Its actually a 54.5 CM (21.5"?). No wonder it felt so cramped! I guess that doesn't make that big a difference. If anything it makes it easier to sell.