BadBoy10

This is a good point too--which goes back to: my first post: if the OP did what was best for his/her cycling needs--no regrets and congratulations.

nashcommguy

Just picked out a random post to add my 2cts...DON'T DO IT!!!! My late 80s Fuji fg conversion has been sb/pc and is the best bike I own, hands down. Like Sixty said and I am paraphasing here, 'A comparable frameset would cost 1600.00 in today's market. Especially, CroMo steel.

My father-in-law left me a 1970 Raleigh Sport that's still a rideable machine. In fact, it's more than merely rideable...that's like damning it w/faint praise. It's a solid bike my wife and I use for people who come to stay at our cottage on which to make short forays around the rural area. Everyone loves the bike who rides it. Beyond routine maintenence, new tires and brake pads it's the same as it was over 40 years ago.

monsterpile

I think the OP did just fine in the deal. It sounds like he got a bike he was considering anyway for a bike that he may or may not have wanted. The shop seemed to make a pretty fair deal to me they could have offered him $150 and some people would have jumped at the offer although I don't know if the OP would have. Look if someone really wanted to keep the 520 or was really up for doing all the work to get it ready for sale then sure it was a bad deal, but it would have taken a decent chunk of time and some $ to do either. Getting a brand new bike that you can ride and have all the support of an LBS is good too. I bet the OP will enjoy seeing what his bike turns out like when the guy at the shop gets it all perfect.

In addition there are always fun vintage bikes you can pick up for next to nothing. If the OP wants to do that he can find a bike to restore and ride. It doesn't seem like he is too sentimental so it will be pretty gratifying.

My Uncle was in a similar situation a few weeks ago. he had a 1983 620 and was cleaning out his garage to put their house on the market. He decided that despite the memories of the old bike he really wanted something new and he gave it to me to work on and find another owner. Alan who posted earlier ended up with the bike and both my Uncle and I were happy it went to someone who would appreciate it. I could have gotten more money out of it, but I sold it for a great price becasue I didn't have to do all the work to it. It turned out great for everyone except my Uncle hasn't sold his house yet so he doesn't have a bike. LOL

Also I see no reason why this new bike won't be going strong years from now. The Old trek frames are great, but there is nothing wrong with these hybrid frames either. That giant is a nice bike that should serve him well.

tjspiel

Why wouldn't you be able to do that with aluminum? There are aircraft that have been in service for decades and have been repainted scores of times.

I just stripped and clear-coated a 10 year old head-shock type aluminum fork to go with my polished aluminum winter bike. The finish on that bike is going to be pretty easy to maintain.

Come to think of it, had the 520 been made of aluminum it wouldn't be rusting and perhaps not in need of refinishing at all. ;-)

OK, I'm going to say something that I know will rub some folks the wrong way but here goes anyway. I used to hang around C&V quite a bit. You learn after awhile that certain bikes are coveted. The 520 is one. Another example would the a Peugeot PX10.

They are coveted to the point that people will pay far more for them than they will for other vintage bikes that are as good or better. Miyata 1000s were very-very nice touring bikes, - a few years ago you might have to pay big bucks for one, but now they don't seem to command as much. You could probably get one for less than the dealer cost of a Giant Escape, - if you're patient. Some Univega Gran Turismo models were almost as nice as the Miyatas and probably at least as nice as the OP's 520, yet can be had for less than $200.

I've got candy apple red and silver Univega sport touring bike from the mid-80's that's in beautiful shape. I paid $75 for it and beyond a tune up and new tires, haven't done anything to it.

So my point is that unless you're a touring bike enthusiast that must have a 520, there's really no reason to hold on to one that you have no intention of using. Good quality vintage lugged steel bikes aren't in short supply.

I'm sure the LBS owner's bike enthusiast friends will be envious of his 520, but to the rest of the world, it's just another bike. I had a nice vintage Peugeot that I used to commute with. Peugeots have a certain caché and even the low end models can fetch a decent price around here on craigslist. A coworker came into my office looking for advice on what sort of bike to get for commuting. He looks over at my beautiful Peugeot and then says to me with surprise: "That's what you use? An old 10 speed?"

My guess is that the LBS owner gave away a new bike for what will essentially become a conversation piece.

Mark Stone

Exactly. I put several thousand miles on the bike when I was 32 to 39 years old, mostly long distance jaunts. Now my bicycling needs are different as I'm turning 60, I'm more of a utilitarian cyclist and I use a bike for errands, commuting and occasionally just fun fitness rides. (My days of riding over Loveland Pass are essentially over lol) The 520 is too slow in its geometry, and has too long of a wheelbase to be of any use to me. Plus, the parts are older and hard to replace: the 5-bolt chainrings, the center-pull brakes, Helicomatic, the downtube shifters and non-indexed derallers, etc. Since I'm not a collector, when my friend the shop owner offered the trade, I jumped. Now I have what is, for my purposes, a better bike.
Pretty much true. He's too short to ride the thing

ClemY

I am of the restore the 1985 Reynolds 531 bike school. You won’t find anything even close to it in frame quality for less than $1000. Most of my bikes are older than that. My favorite road bike is a 40 yrs. old Jack Taylor. It has already been restored once and I really need to do it again. Maybe after my current project. I am currently in the middle of a referb project where I am taking my 35 yr. old criterium bike, the first frame I ever built, and restoring it. It originally was all Campy with typical race geometry built with Columbus SP tubing. Super stiff. Great sprinter. I am going to update it with new wheels, derailleurs, etc, and see how suitable it is for casual road riding. It may be too stiff.

tjspiel

My local craigslist has an '85 Trek 520 is great condition for $450 (would probably take $400) and a Sekai 2500 (Tange Champion double butted tubes) for $400. Also in excellent condition.

If you wait until late Fall or winter, these types of bikes will sell for less.

The OP would have had to stick at least $100 and a lot of time into his 520 to be in as good of condition as the 520 listed above. As it was, he could have sold it in this market for maybe $300 to $350. Maybe. It's hard to get much for a bike that's not in good shape. So I think he got a good deal.

ClemY

My $1000 limit was new. The dealer proposed swapping a $600 new bike. Used is a different story.

tjspiel

I sort of get what you're saying, -that an equivalent new bike would cost at least $1,000.

But his bike is not new and you can find equivalent used bikes for much less. I guess I don't understand the argument.

If he were to wait for someone to trade him a new bike worth $1,000 for his 520, he'd be waiting a long time. As it was, the 520 was just taking up space, - not really worth anything in terms of utility to the OP.

I-Like-To-Bike

But apparently priceless in "prestige" according to some of our cycling comrades who care more about provenance than practicality.

jr59

The OP got what he wanted.

who are we to tell him what kind of bike he likes to ride?

capejohn

My two cents says you both are satisfied. Enjoy your new bike.

Mark Stone

The 1985 Trek 520 is a Reynolds 501 bike, not 531. In 1985, the Trek 520 was considered a bit of a low-end bicycle. Trek had two touring rigs, the 620 and 720, that were better and more expensive. I think they sold so many of the 520 models (they retailed for about $800) that the 520s are what we remember.

Mark Stone

This is cool, it does look like I came out ahead just a bit financially.

treadtread

For what it's worth: someone is San Jose is selling a Trek 520 for $165. There is no way I can buy another bike just now, but if Slim or someone wants a Trek 520 take a look at this ad:
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/bik/3152296709.html

DVC45

I like!
But the shipping cost would be too high for sure.

freefallkev

You mentioned you're married, if you have kids (or grandkids) I think it would be awesome to restore it and pass it down. Sharing the stories and memories of that bike will be much better than a new, mass produced bike.

mcrow

Good trade, IMO. Maybe you could have listed it on CL and gotten a better offer but then you have to wait for the right buyer to get better offers. Only a collector is going to give you that much for an old bike like that so your pool of possible buyers isn't all that big. I say given it was an easy trade and you got yourself a very suitable bike for your current usage in return, it was a good trade.

Hell, I if someone offered me a Misceo or Crosstrail for my old trek I would jump at the deal. Only because I know I would never get around to restoring the bike and would like someone who's going to enjoy it have it and I get a bike in return that I will enjoy.