Need help figuring out what type of vintage trek I have/ what is it worth??
11-13-15, 12:15 PM
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Need help figuring out what type of vintage trek I have/ what is it worth??
Just recently purchased this vintage trek and having a hard time figuring out the model. The SN is M4B8B91. It has a brooks seat (champion special B 17), SOMA handle bars, IRO bike rims, and Raleigh components. Thanks
11-13-15, 12:23 PM
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You can look up the serial number here:
Vintage Trek Bicycle Frame Serial Numbers, bike
It's not that easy to read, but it looks like you have a 24" Trek 412 or 414 made in 1980 or 1981.
Vintage Trek Bicycle Frame Serial Numbers, bike
It's not that easy to read, but it looks like you have a 24" Trek 412 or 414 made in 1980 or 1981.
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11-13-15, 12:24 PM
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Welcome! Visit Vintage Trek - Other Vintage Lightweight Bicycle Resources, bike for information. Others will likely chime in.
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11-13-15, 01:32 PM
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The Ishiwata sticker points to a 5XX or lower series. The fork may be a replacement or painted.
From Vintage Trek:
Year Exceptions:
From Vintage Trek:
Year Exceptions:
A. Serial numbers beginning with M or N (41X and 61X bikes or frames) seem to have a different meaning for what normally is the year digit. The year digit is the fourth character in the number. In the 50 M and N serial numbers that have been sent in by owners, the year numbers go from 0 through 9. The remaining part of the serial numbers seem normal.
According to the brochures, Trek did not make 41X and 61X bikes or frames during 76, 77, 78, and 79 and also not in 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, or 89. These serial numbers apparently do not follow the year convention used for other Trek models. It is likely these frames, SNs beginning with M or N (Models 41x and 61X), were contracted out or were made in a separate Trek facility, and were given the old serial number form so as not to interfere with the sequential numbers being assigned by Trek in their main shop, which began in late 1980.
This variation to the SN system may have been done to extend the numbering system. By using the fourth character as an extension of the last three, the serial numbers could be extended from 2600 possible combinations to 26,000 for a given month.
For M and N leading serial numbers, if the TREK letters on the seattube have no colorwrap behind, the bike is from 1980 or perhaps 1981. If it has a colorwrap, the bike is probably from 1982.
According to the brochures, Trek did not make 41X and 61X bikes or frames during 76, 77, 78, and 79 and also not in 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, or 89. These serial numbers apparently do not follow the year convention used for other Trek models. It is likely these frames, SNs beginning with M or N (Models 41x and 61X), were contracted out or were made in a separate Trek facility, and were given the old serial number form so as not to interfere with the sequential numbers being assigned by Trek in their main shop, which began in late 1980.
This variation to the SN system may have been done to extend the numbering system. By using the fourth character as an extension of the last three, the serial numbers could be extended from 2600 possible combinations to 26,000 for a given month.
For M and N leading serial numbers, if the TREK letters on the seattube have no colorwrap behind, the bike is from 1980 or perhaps 1981. If it has a colorwrap, the bike is probably from 1982.
Last edited by Pemetic2006; 11-13-15 at 01:37 PM.
11-13-15, 02:24 PM
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Fixified old Trek with some ugly paint added, and if they cut the derailleur hanger off the back, then they knocked the value of the vintage frame in half. Doesn't mean it not a nice rider, because it likely is (provided you add at least a front brake to it).
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● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
11-13-15, 03:20 PM
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Looks to me like someone took a stripped frame with handlebar stem (painted the stem and headtube white color) and built up the bike using whatever was laying around.
Has no value other than as a fixie rider ($75-$100?). No collector value in current condition. Fork appears to be a replacement.
Has no value other than as a fixie rider ($75-$100?). No collector value in current condition. Fork appears to be a replacement.
11-13-15, 10:02 PM
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Now if for instance, the bike had a set on near-new Ultegra 600 8-speed shifters, or Shimano dual pivot brake calipers, I would bump the value, for the additional value of the parts. But a nice frame (you can't even tell if the derailleur hanger is still there, and if the frame can be restored) with a bunch of unmatched parts, that's missing the brakes, derailleurs, and shifters just isn't worth much to me. I mean, if you were to try to part it out, what would you have to sell, a Brooks seat? Unfortunately, the crude paint job on the head tube, and non-original fork is not worth anything, and lowers the value of the frame. The crankset is not original, and nothing special. The headset is a inexpensive replacement. What does that leave?
The bike is a rider, nothing more.
Last edited by RoadGuy; 11-13-15 at 10:07 PM.
11-13-15, 10:50 PM
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Even so, that Brooks seat can certainly be sold for $60-80 if the owner didn't want it. You don't have to be a fanboy to value the saddle at what the market would surely pay for it, and that Brooks appears to be in nice condition.
Last edited by D1andonlyDman; 11-13-15 at 10:54 PM.
11-14-15, 05:41 AM
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Moved from C&V to C&V Appraisals.
11-14-15, 03:14 PM
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I would say it's an early 80's 400 series frame set without most of the original parts and changed paint. With its current setup as a basic SS/FG about $150-175. The questionable setup choices of white fork and stem, half taped bars, swagged looking ugly crank setup and no brake will likely hold the price down a bit. As it is presented a lot of potential buyers would look at it as bike that needs $100 or so in changes.
11-16-15, 08:28 PM
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