Genaro

Ive wanted a bike with Downtube shifters for a long time. Found one that looks like it may not need too much to clean up and looks pretty cool..

Piff 

As long as the bottom bracket/hubs run smooth, sure.

Trakhak

And as long as the rims are undamaged.

Genaro

Thanks. I'll make sure to check out the bottom bracket and rims.

Genaro

Do you guys think that the reflectors and dork disc are obvious giveaways that the bike has not been seriously ridden ?

SJX426 

I have a bike with over 4000 miles with a dork disk. I did remove the reflectors.

Lemond1985

Wow, a matched pair of Matrix Iso 3 rims! Would love to get another pair of those, rode my old ones into the ground back in the 90's.

Def worth $100, save $$$ for tires, tubes and probably cables.

scarlson 

It's a fair price, if it fits you.

Frame's likely a trifle stiff for my taste, but also probably nice and light, and good Trek build quality. Way better starting point than a comparably priced new bike from China via Jeff Bezos.

Velo Mule

No, look at the tires if they are original. If they are original, that is an indication of less use. With lots of wear but still original, indicates more use. Tires changed even more use. Then look at the brake wear on the rims. Light wear = light use, heavy wear = lots of use.

I don't think the spoke protector or reflectors are any indication.

I had a Trek 1000 a while back, that l sold. I had some issues with it and perhaps you should be aware of these things too. These bikes had decent components. They used Matrix rims that are a house brand of Trek. They are good, however, for my tastes they were too skinny. I am not skinny, so it was a mismatch. The tires are also skinny and I thought I could fit larger tires. I could not. I think they came with 23mm tires and 25mm were a tight fit!

I believe that this might have a SunTour drivetrain. For me that is a plus, since I like SunTour, however, this is not SunTour's best drivetrain and if you want to upgrade, you might have to do shifters, and derailleurs. Check that Shimano shifters will fit the SunTour shifter braze-ons.

This is an aluminum frame. It should be lighter than a steel frame, but not everyone likes the ride. It tends to have a stiff ride. Go for a test ride, find some area of the road that isn't so smooth.

Condition. This bike doesn't look like it is in the best condition. That is OK. I have seen them listed for $300 in NYC area. You have to weigh in the work that will be needed to get it so that you will be happy with it. It doesn't have to look perfect. There are lots of bikes out there that are workhorses and get ridden daily that have chips and abrasions from their endeavors. These are good bikes, but if you want a nice shinny new looking bike, it may take more work to get there or you may not get there at all.

Fit. The bike must fit. This is critical. Comfortable standover height and not so small that too much seat post is exposed when set up right.

I'm not too expert on pricing, however, if this bike clicks all the boxes for you and you like it that much, I don't think the price is too bad. You may also want to look at the bike and negotiate that down. That's up to you and how much you like it.

By the way, I like this one with the traditional semi-sloping crown fork rather than the unicrown fork. But that is one little detail. There are bigger issues that you have to think about.

cb400bill

Thread moved from C&V to C&V Appraisals.

Velo Mule

scarlson , good point. The build quality on the frame is excellent. The joints between tubes are nicely finished. Paint was nice. But everything else has to be right for you.

The derailleurs should be index shifting. Check that it hits all the gears right. If it does not, it can be fixed as long as it is all original. I don't think Shimano and SunTour indexing systems mix well.

Olefeller77 

I can't see where the missing reflectors would be a problem. The owner may have visited this site and was convinced that removing safety reflectors would make them really ,really, fast. If that bike will fit wider tires I think it would soften the ride a bit. I have a Trek 6500 and Marlin7 aluminum frames and both are cushy rides. The missing disc can be replaced if you wish.lol
Too long story- I would value that bike based on ability to accept wide tires .

kross57

I sold the same bike a couple months ago for $225.

Genaro

I will get a closer look at it later on tonight. I don't think the frame as is as bad as it looks as it has that black "stain" design over the yellow paint. Thanks for all your pointers. I'll know exactly what to look for when I go to check it out. I think the size is pretty close as it appears to be a 54-55. 56" and may be too big for me.

Olefeller77 

Hasetguy. You are absolutely correct. I've been looking at too many bikes today.

zukahn1 

No a lot of serious rider's have road thousands of miles on bikes with dorky safety feature one of my riders's that has several thousand road miles on it still has the original front and rear dorky reflectors. Recently I have actually put the dork reflectors back on wheels. Taking 5 oz of safety stuff of a bike to make it a bit lighter doesn't really much since unless the stuff is broken or on really rough cosmetic condition. Yet I can tell this bike has nearly zero wear based on the brake hoods these brake levers Shimmano 600/Exage with button quick release on the lever are worth $75.

As for vale on whole bike $100 is a good price.

Clang

There are a few signs it's been ridden recently: newer blackwall tires (the originals were skinwalls), newer saddle, mtb pedals instead of the Shimano RX-100 clips and straps it came with. Likely you won't have to replace much. There's some other minor signs like the longer presta valve in the rear with the colored valve cap. It's harder to buy new tubes with valves not sized for deep section aero rims.

It's a good deal at $100. I have a 1987 Trek 1000 that I like, and this should be an improvement on that function-wise.

Genaro

Got it for 80 and I'm really happy w it. Looks like some new brake hoods, inner tubes, and some elbow grease and she should be up and running. Wheels are true, ngears shift, and the paint is nicer than I expected. It has that 80/90s black splash effect that makes it look dirty from a distance however. No issues w the bottom bracket.

Genaro

I found brake hoods that should fit online for $16 Now, to figure out how to clean her up...

Classtime 

Very cool. I briefly had a too small 1200 and thought it rode nicely and was fun. Rustoleum Rust Dissolver is nice to have for soaking those steel fasteners and adjusters in.

madpogue 

You did well. Aluminum frames are not my cup of tea, but you definitely got your money's worth, and then some.

Bianchigirll 

I think lack of wear on the rims are a better indicator os little use. The serious sun fading and rust on the brakes may mean it needs a really good overhaul and some cables.

bikemike73 

GREAT DEAL !!

Just needs some TLC and patience

Genaro

Pinched a tube trying to fix that flat. Many that tire is super tight. I may order a forte pro+ for performance. Those ae the ones I use on my other bikes and they make a 700x23. Wondering if I could fit one of my 25's on that rim.

StarBiker

I had this bike for $22, and road it for two years. I had about $100 in it, sold for $220.