Is this a good deal?
 

http://chicago.craigslist.org/sox/bik/1902429689.html

Its a trek 1400, not sure of the year. Aluminum frame, shimano 105 components. Does $325 sound like a good deal for this bike?

Thanks

I wouldn't pay that much for it..

$325 seems expensive.
I bought a similar one on CL for under $200. Not as "new" as the one you showed. But it came with bike computer and aero bar.

The bike looks to be in fantastic shape, and I would pay that much is it wasn't for what appears to be homemade internal cable routing. Someone correct me is I'm wrong , but I only know of one or two internally routed cable bike in that time frame, and I'm pretty sure trek was not one of them. I could be wrong though.

Mike

I have a 92 1200 that has internal cable routing for the rear brake, just as this appears to have. It would sell pretty quickly in my area for what you are asking.

Yes, definitely get to the bottom of the cable routing if you are interested.

Otherwise, I agree the asking price is on the high side, but it does look to be in great shape. If it fits and it is what you want to ride, then there is nothing wrong with buying it. But if you wait around you will probably find something similar at a better price. Sometimes waiting isn't worth the $100 or so extra you would save, though.

A couple of other things to be aware of: Those look like they might be original or at least old tires and odds are they will need replacing even if not worn down. Also, depending on how old it is it may have a Uniglide hub which is hard to find cassettes for. If so, you can replace the free hub body with a more modern Hyperglide one when it's time for a new cassette, but again it's more money. And lastly, it is generally not recommended to stretch or coldset aluminum frames so if that is a 7 speed or less and you are thinking of converting to 8-10 speed you should find a bike with a steel frame instead.

I converted mine to 9 speed with no problems. I am using a set of Forte Titan wheels and the rear goes in with very little effort. Rides great.

I don't doubt that Trek MAY have done internal routing in that era; however, that specific frame looks like a home job to me.

Mike

you can find a better deal.

If you check Vintage Trek's website you will see that the internal cable routing is stock according to the brochures. Here are a couple of quick pics of my 1200 routing.

I'm sure you realize this, but the fear of widening and aluminum frame is not that it "won't work". The problem is that aluminum is not as elastic as steel and when in a permanently stressed state is much more likely to fatigue and crack. It will ride great until then, though.

How do you like the Titans?

For what I paid for them I am very happy. I've had them for two years and have put well over 1000 miles on them with no problems. Same for the frame. I was concerned as well when I first tried to put the rear wheel in, but it went in without having to bend the frame (which I know is a no-no with aluminum) and very little effort to push into place. I had my LBS check the alignment just to make sure all was well.

I paid under $150 for a similar Trek, and bought my wife a Raleigh of similar vintage 1988 with Shimano 105 for $25. Better deals are out there.

It may just be the angle of the pics, but the internal routing does not look as clean as on yours.

Mike

That's about the right price for a brake/shifter entry level, older Trek. That's high for a downtube shifter. Have you ridden the bike? Those aluminum frame and fork Treks have a very stiff ride. If that's what you want, go for it. As for me, I sold mine after a couple of rides and moved to a softer riding 96 aluminum Cannondale.

I bought the bike for $250, rides great. Thanks for the advice

Nice...you need to post pics!