Is this a good trade?
 

Hello all. I am in talks with someone about a possible trade and I wanted to get some input from you bike geniuses.

The trade is my 1992 Trek 1200 for his late 70's - early 80's Takara Competition. Both bikes seem to be in very good condition.

The trek has a full Shimano RX100 7-speed indexing group and the Takara is 6-speed (I believe) Shimano 600 arabesque. The Trek has a Easton AL frame with a tange cro-mo fork while the Takara is Tange Champion #2 .

So, does this seem like a good trade to you guys?
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=343008
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=343009

Could you please give more insight in why the two of you want to trade? I mean without any additional info I don't see any reason for trading two bikes in good condition with both parties coming out on top.

Most of the time a trade makes sense because of size or functional difference (road vs mtb) but these two bikes seem to be similar enough.

Why do you want to trade?

Aluminum with a midrange groupset for decent steel with a higher end groupset? I'd do it in a heartbeat (being a C&V type of fella) provided it fits...

Oh, I should have mentioned why I want to trade. The Trek is a 56 and I generally ride closer to a 60 and I'm partial to steel friction bikes. Also I feel like the seller will have an easier time selling a slightly smaller modernish Trek as opposed to a much older bike from a company nobody has heard of.

I'd rather have the Takara, if that helps you at all. In other words, I'd do it.

+1

I think 16Victor nailed it, and with the additional explanation, this trade sounds like an obviously good deal for both parties.

I would rather race on the Trek and it would be less work to modernize to brifters but the Takara would probably make a nicer collector/project C&V bike if outright performance is not your goal.

I like the Takara. The top tube cable clips it sorely needs won't cost much. Some brake lever hoods would be a nice addition.

Takara wins. Especially since it's your size. Buit the other guy isn't getting ripped off, either.

I think the OPs logic about this trade makes it a win for both parties. Harder to sell the Takara, but it might be worth more. The TREK is easier to sell with index shifters. There are still some folks out there who think steel road bikes are outdated and aluminum is the way to go. I saw that when I flipped aluminum Treks. They move right out if the price is fair.

This deal makes sense. If you like old bikes, the Takara looks sharp. If you want to sell the bike, the Trek is an easier sell because of the name and more modern features.

As a pure trade goes, as someone who has owned both bikes, the Trek is worth quite a bit more.

But... trading a bike that does not fit, for one that does, makes sense. Your other choice is to trade the Trek for CASH (ie., sell it) and then use the cash to buy whatever you want. That is the approach I would take. Selling an alloy Trek is easy, and then I am waiting for a deal in my size.

Its hard to have a trade that does not favor one party over the other.

Get some lever hoods and a couple of TT cable clamps for that Takara (minimal expense).

In the world of C & V, steel pretty much always wins. In the "outside world", I can tell you, older aluminum Treks and Cannondales bring better than steel $$.

Have you ridden the Takara?

If you're on the big side, and your preference is for a rigid ride, the Tange #2 might flex a little too much for comfort. It will definitely flex more than the Trek frame.

Tange numero dos is under-rated, and better than anyone thought at the time it was produced.

Excellent. I thought it would be a good trade for both parties, but wanted to be sure before I make any definite decisions. The seller is actually a member here, though he only has about 8 posts. I'll post more if it works out.

seems like a win-win to me

Yeah, I like the Trek. I'm with Bill on this one. RX100 will shift on a dime. Arabesque is sloppy and weak. I didn't like riding on it at all. Shimano used stronger springs starting with new 600ex. The springs in the Arabesque groupset just aren't very good.

Fortunately I live in coastal NC, which is what seems like the flattest place on earth. Shifting is a rare occurrence.

my '81 arabesque groupe on my old univega gran rally was the smoothest shifting friction set i've ever used.

i also love the look of it.

+1
+2

I'm with Bill on this also, the Trek is a more valuable bike. The Takara has much more style, but the Trek will perform much better. Have you considered getting a lugged steel frameset in your size and transferring the RX100 group onto it? That would make for a stylish ride that actually shifts and brakes well.

+1

I had not thought of that, for the Trek anyway. I considered doing that with the Takara if I ended up not liking the frame or finding a nice bike cheap that was worthy of the 600 group. Not having my bicycle tools here has been a huge inconvenience, though. I think I might break down and have my brother send them across the country.

You have given me something to think about.

IMHO, based on my experience, the Trek is worth about $100 more than the Takara.

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.