99.99% original 1987 Trek Elance 400T
11-04-18, 07:42 PM
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99.99% original 1987 Trek Elance 400T
Last night in a sleepy haze I put "Trek" into the search bar of offer up. I put my usual limit for all bike searches of $150. To my extreme suprise this Trek Elance popped up. I missed another bike that was this exact model of Trek Elance in slightly worse condition about 2 months ago. I was going to buy it Saturday, but somebody drove down on a Friday and bought it.
needless to say I felt smiled upon by the C&V gods when this came up!
The seller said it was his fathers bike. He bought it new and then while riding his other bike a few days later was hit by a car. He healed up fine but didnt really get back into biking and this bike sat in his garage hardly touched and hardly ridden.
The bike has a few scuffs on the rear stays and some paint missing from the non-drive side fork from garage storage but other than that it is CLEAN.
From the 1987 catalog it looks to be almost 100% original. It is missing the toes traps so I'm gonna say 99.99% original haha
The dealer sticker says The Bike Gallery, which is a local shop a few miles from me. The water bottle in the cage even still has its purchase sticker from the same store! A whole $2.
Seller had it up for $120 but he gave it to me for an even bill.
I am feeling pretty happy about this purchase!
annnnnnd
pictures!
Here it is! Such a beauty!
Catalog pic.
Matix rims with what I think are the original tires. Which look brand new!
Love that seat lug detail
Shimano SIS index shifters
Shimano Deore rear derailur
Shimano Z brakes
The damage. Nothing major. Anyone know the color code for this black?
This rockin waterbottle bottle with its orignal bike gallery $2 price tag.
SR SX cranks with Sake Oval tech and a shimano Z front derailur
needless to say I felt smiled upon by the C&V gods when this came up!
The seller said it was his fathers bike. He bought it new and then while riding his other bike a few days later was hit by a car. He healed up fine but didnt really get back into biking and this bike sat in his garage hardly touched and hardly ridden.
The bike has a few scuffs on the rear stays and some paint missing from the non-drive side fork from garage storage but other than that it is CLEAN.
From the 1987 catalog it looks to be almost 100% original. It is missing the toes traps so I'm gonna say 99.99% original haha
The dealer sticker says The Bike Gallery, which is a local shop a few miles from me. The water bottle in the cage even still has its purchase sticker from the same store! A whole $2.
Seller had it up for $120 but he gave it to me for an even bill.
I am feeling pretty happy about this purchase!
annnnnnd
pictures!
Here it is! Such a beauty!
Catalog pic.
Matix rims with what I think are the original tires. Which look brand new!
Love that seat lug detail
Shimano SIS index shifters
Shimano Deore rear derailur
Shimano Z brakes
The damage. Nothing major. Anyone know the color code for this black?
This rockin waterbottle bottle with its orignal bike gallery $2 price tag.
SR SX cranks with Sake Oval tech and a shimano Z front derailur
Last edited by Buellster; 11-04-18 at 08:31 PM.
11-04-18, 09:13 PM
#2
Extraordinary Magnitude
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Sweet Score!
The 86 and 87 Elance were effectively what was a 600 series bike in 85. A butted 531 main frame with CrMo stays and fork. I think these two years had the best, coolest looking Trek decals- (white lettering, black outline, gold "go fast" lines)
Schwinn's 86 and 87 Voyageur had the same MT-60 Deore and Z-206 front derailleur. It's good stuff. (I need to correct that- the 86 Voyageur used the Z206 front, but a different RD and the 87 Voyageur used the MT-60 front and rear.)
I'd get the tires swapped out, regardless of how nice they look. I'd probably also redo the cables and housing- if for anything else- the new stuff is just way, way better.
I have an 86 400 Elance that I've "tripled." Great bike.
Congratulations!!
The 86 and 87 Elance were effectively what was a 600 series bike in 85. A butted 531 main frame with CrMo stays and fork. I think these two years had the best, coolest looking Trek decals- (white lettering, black outline, gold "go fast" lines)
Schwinn's 86 and 87 Voyageur had the same MT-60 Deore and Z-206 front derailleur. It's good stuff. (I need to correct that- the 86 Voyageur used the Z206 front, but a different RD and the 87 Voyageur used the MT-60 front and rear.)
I'd get the tires swapped out, regardless of how nice they look. I'd probably also redo the cables and housing- if for anything else- the new stuff is just way, way better.
I have an 86 400 Elance that I've "tripled." Great bike.
Congratulations!!
__________________
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Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
Last edited by The Golden Boy; 11-05-18 at 07:24 AM.
11-04-18, 09:26 PM
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Thanks! I'm really happy yo have found this.
That's awesome info thanks! If been wanting to get ahold of a Trek for awhile now. This is a tad later in the years than I had listed after but it is such a bueaty I dont mind a bit!
This will only be my be second index DT shifters so I'm excited to try it out.
Yeah the cables and housing I'll change out. I'm planning to give it a good going through. I imagine 20 years in a garage doesnt do anything good for bottom bracket grease haha
The free wheel may need it too come to think of it...
Why would you say the tires? Just rubber degradation?
That's awesome info thanks! If been wanting to get ahold of a Trek for awhile now. This is a tad later in the years than I had listed after but it is such a bueaty I dont mind a bit!
This will only be my be second index DT shifters so I'm excited to try it out.
Yeah the cables and housing I'll change out. I'm planning to give it a good going through. I imagine 20 years in a garage doesnt do anything good for bottom bracket grease haha
The free wheel may need it too come to think of it...
Why would you say the tires? Just rubber degradation?
Last edited by Buellster; 11-04-18 at 09:41 PM.
11-05-18, 05:15 AM
#4
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Just google "tire dry rot" and "rubber ozone"
I had a nice set of Specialized Ground Control tires- they looked OK - I rode them for 3-4 months or so- then took a ride to my brother in law's house- as I'm riding I see something on my tire- I thought I'd ran over a leaf and it stuck to my tire- then I heard it hitting the fork- I stopped- the sidewall had split and the tube was sticking out like a big thumb. I'm just glad the tube didn't fail.
I had a nice set of Specialized Ground Control tires- they looked OK - I rode them for 3-4 months or so- then took a ride to my brother in law's house- as I'm riding I see something on my tire- I thought I'd ran over a leaf and it stuck to my tire- then I heard it hitting the fork- I stopped- the sidewall had split and the tube was sticking out like a big thumb. I'm just glad the tube didn't fail.
__________________
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Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
11-05-18, 05:28 AM
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Nice bike, go anywhere, do about anything with that gearing.
Eyelets for fenders or rack and everything intact.
A little touchup and you're fine. Very nice score, very nice rescue from oblivion.
Eyelets for fenders or rack and everything intact.
A little touchup and you're fine. Very nice score, very nice rescue from oblivion.
11-05-18, 07:19 AM
#7
Extraordinary Magnitude
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__________________
*Recipient of the 2006 Time Magazine "Person Of The Year" Award*
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
11-05-18, 09:23 AM
#8
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Bike is a great find. But I can’t help but dig that ORANGE VW camper van in the background. Good memories of my family touring Canada in the late 60’s!
11-05-18, 09:26 AM
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it does add a good aesthetic. Not mine. Guy has a full size bed in the back with some camping supplies. He lives in the apartments around the corner and parks it on our street. I'm cool with that because I also love the look of it. Haha
11-05-18, 09:28 AM
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this wont be a daily by any means but I'd like to set it up for some overnight touring. I called at a good time. He had just started taking to storing it under his porch because his garage filled up. By the end of winter here in PNW it would have been a totally different bike!
11-05-18, 09:29 AM
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Just google "tire dry rot" and "rubber ozone"
I had a nice set of Specialized Ground Control tires- they looked OK - I rode them for 3-4 months or so- then took a ride to my brother in law's house- as I'm riding I see something on my tire- I thought I'd ran over a leaf and it stuck to my tire- then I heard it hitting the fork- I stopped- the sidewall had split and the tube was sticking out like a big thumb. I'm just glad the tube didn't fail.
I had a nice set of Specialized Ground Control tires- they looked OK - I rode them for 3-4 months or so- then took a ride to my brother in law's house- as I'm riding I see something on my tire- I thought I'd ran over a leaf and it stuck to my tire- then I heard it hitting the fork- I stopped- the sidewall had split and the tube was sticking out like a big thumb. I'm just glad the tube didn't fail.
11-05-18, 09:30 AM
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Nice looking Trek!
That water bottle is "unique" (hate the term rare), and was recalled by Specialized because the little top pieces would come out and were considered a "choking hazard". The only reason I know this is because I recently picked up an NOS one at the local bike thrift store and came home and looked it up on the interweb. I bought it because it seemed "unusual" and kinda interesting.
300,000 Bottles Used in New Taco Bell Campaign Recalled - latimes
Check your PM box, I might be able to help with the missing .01%.
That water bottle is "unique" (hate the term rare), and was recalled by Specialized because the little top pieces would come out and were considered a "choking hazard". The only reason I know this is because I recently picked up an NOS one at the local bike thrift store and came home and looked it up on the interweb. I bought it because it seemed "unusual" and kinda interesting.
300,000 Bottles Used in New Taco Bell Campaign Recalled - latimes
Check your PM box, I might be able to help with the missing .01%.
that's so interesting though. I just thought it was late 80s early 90s standard.
Read the article and I'd probably be fine. As long as I dont try and and eat the popable too haha
Still probably wont. More concerned with 30 year old plastic haha
Last edited by Buellster; 11-05-18 at 10:17 AM.
11-05-18, 11:27 AM
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As bought
Commuter build
If you need anything I stripped all the parts off the 87 I had and put on 10s ultegra. Then the frame broke at a rust spot. The handlebars & stem went on my 91, the wheels went on my kids Schwinn. Still have the rest and the fork.
11-05-18, 12:54 PM
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love that commuter build! And thanks for the offer! So far everything seems to be in great shape but I'll keep it in mind if I find any stuck up or broken bits.
11-05-18, 10:05 PM
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Woah!! I don't remember you posting anything about that! 
Hope you weren't injured or anything when that happened!
Hope you weren't injured or anything when that happened!
__________________
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Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
11-05-18, 10:11 PM
#18
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Picked up a '91 and moved everything over to that Tru Temper frame.
https://www.bikeforums.net/framebuil...ing-frame.html
11-06-18, 08:16 AM
#19
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I have the exact same bike, I bought just the frame and fork for pretty cheap like $70 or so if my memory serves me right. I built it up as is with a 650b conversion on the wheels/ longreach brakes so I could put the fat 38mm tires on it. It's pretty sweet. I have since put a shorter similar stem on it, this one was too tall, it looks better too. It hardly has a scratch on it. 
650b conversion
650b conversion
Last edited by jstar1000; 11-06-18 at 09:05 AM. Reason: More info
11-06-18, 11:08 AM
#20
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I have the exact same bike, I bought just the frame and fork for pretty cheap like $70 or so if my memory serves me right. I built it up as is with a 650b conversion on the wheels/ longreach brakes so I could put the fat 38mm tires on it. It's pretty sweet. I have since put a shorter similar stem on it, this one was too tall, it looks better too. It hardly has a scratch on it.
650b conversion
650b conversion
It's interesting that both of you have goosed up your 400 Elances to 10 speed!
Sometimes I think I've put too much energy and money into mine- but I really enjoy the ride of the bike, I really think it's the most beautiful bike I own- and despite it's location in the Trek lineup hierarchy - I've always thought it's totally worth upgrading this frame/fork combo to an upper level build; seeing both of your bikes only confirms that to me. I built mine up with Superbe, XC Pro, XC Comp, 600/Ultegra and Maillard 600 and 700 level components.
1986 Trek 400 Elance by Dave The Golden Boy, on Flickr
1986 Trek 400 Elance by Dave The Golden Boy, on Flickr
1986 Trek 400 Elance by Dave The Golden Boy, on Flickr
@jstar1000. I like having the bars way up high- but yeah- that stem really seems to be conspicuously way up there. Because I ride 21" bikes, the headtube is really short- but that means you can only lower a Technomic or Dirt Drop stem so far- and I really don't want to cut down my stems. So I have a couple of Technomics and a Dirt Drop on my bikes- I just have them slammed in as far as they can go- but they're still "up there."
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Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
11-06-18, 04:29 PM
#21
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Lower stem as is now set up.
650b conversion
11-07-18, 08:40 PM
#22
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Nice find, on a great riding bike, Pretty common but one of my favorites, I’ve got an 86 and an 88.
Tim
Tim
11-07-18, 08:51 PM
#23
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Felt it, heard it, stopped and called for a ride. No harm, no foul.
Picked up a '91 and moved everything over to that Tru Temper frame.
https://www.bikeforums.net/framebuil...ing-frame.html
Picked up a '91 and moved everything over to that Tru Temper frame.
https://www.bikeforums.net/framebuil...ing-frame.html
__________________
*Recipient of the 2006 Time Magazine "Person Of The Year" Award*
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
11-07-18, 10:04 PM
#24
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Bought a super clean 91 400 out of Brookfield and moved everything on to that frame.
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