First time going vintage - should I buy this?
01-23-23, 04:35 PM
#1
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First time going vintage - should I buy this?
Hi everyone, I'm a longtime cyclist but I'm looking into purchasing a vintage bike and updating, as opposed to fully restoring. I've found a 1980 Trek 412 for sale locally that is really intriguing. Having looked around at the info here on this forum, I see that it was a lower end bike at the time, which is fine because I'm interested in updating with 700c wheels and shifters on the hoods. Does anyone have any input on this bike? I've talked with the seller, without having gone to see the bike yet, and he's willing to sell for $250. It appears in good shape and the current owner claims it's currently able to be ridden. I can see myself visiting this forum daily if I go and pick the bike up this week. Thanks!
01-23-23, 04:45 PM
#2
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Roughly where are you located?
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1987 Crest Cannondale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin Performance EL, 1990ish Van Tuyl, 1985 Trek 670, 1982 AD SLE, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Competition, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981 Faggin, 1996 Cannondale M500, 1984 Mercian, 1982 AD SuperLeicht, 1985 Massi (model unknown), 1988 Daccordi Griffe , 1989 Fauxsin MTB, 1981 Ciocc Mockba, 1992 Bianchi Giro, 1977 Colnago Super
1987 Crest Cannondale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin Performance EL, 1990ish Van Tuyl, 1985 Trek 670, 1982 AD SLE, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Competition, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981 Faggin, 1996 Cannondale M500, 1984 Mercian, 1982 AD SuperLeicht, 1985 Massi (model unknown), 1988 Daccordi Griffe , 1989 Fauxsin MTB, 1981 Ciocc Mockba, 1992 Bianchi Giro, 1977 Colnago Super
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01-23-23, 04:47 PM
#3
Senior Member
Hi everyone, I'm a longtime cyclist but I'm looking into purchasing a vintage bike and updating, as opposed to fully restoring. I've found a 1980 Trek 412 for sale locally that is really intriguing. Having looked around at the info here on this forum, I see that it was a lower end bike at the time, which is fine because I'm interested in updating with 700c wheels and shifters on the hoods. Does anyone have any input on this bike? I've talked with the seller, without having gone to see the bike yet, and he's willing to sell for $250. It appears in good shape and the current owner claims it's currently able to be ridden. I can see myself visiting this forum daily if I go and pick the bike up this week. Thanks!
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01-23-23, 05:02 PM
#4
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01-23-23, 05:06 PM
#6
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I can't post the Facebook Marketplace listing, but it's a Trek 412 located in Raleigh, NC.
01-23-23, 05:20 PM
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Might this be it?
Trek 412
Nice looking original bike. Given what you are planning I would think a frameset would be a good option.
Just my 2 farthings…
Trek 412
Nice looking original bike. Given what you are planning I would think a frameset would be a good option.
Just my 2 farthings…
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01-23-23, 05:23 PM
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Welcome to the forum, and good luck with the purchase. Others will chime in about value, but I will state that Treks are well loved for a good reason. Hardly a "lower end bike", just lower on their lineup. I put 700C wheels on my 83 600 and it was no problem at all. Brifters (shifters on the hoods) I have no idea about (other than I always think they look awkward, but hey to each their own!), though I believe brifters might need to work with indexed derailleurs and the Trek would not be indexed, rather it is friction shift (again others will tell you if it can be done).
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01-23-23, 05:25 PM
#9
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Hey, that's it! Yep, I've considered the frame set option, which is actually what led me here. I don't need/want to immediately radically alter everything, but the owner did mention that it will need new wheels. It seems like 700c is a great way to go since there are lots of tire options, so that would be the only immediate change I'd plan. Other than that, I can't say I have terribly firm plans since this will be my first vintage purchase. I'm open to all suggestions and input, thanks!
01-23-23, 05:27 PM
#10
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Great, thanks for the info. I can't say I have definitive plans - other than a wheel change to 700c since the owner says it likely needs new wheels. For all I know, I will love the friction shifters on the frame. I'm not looking to replicate a bike I already own, just looking to learn more about bikes and have one that I have put some love and time into.
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01-23-23, 05:42 PM
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If the seller thinks it needs new wheels he should be charging you much less than $250 for that bike. That's about what it cost new. Talk him down.
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01-23-23, 05:47 PM
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Were the original wheels 27" wheels? If so you might find it necessary to buy mid to long reach brake calipers if you want to switch to dual pivot brakes after you switch to 700c wheels. The other issue is that this frame and fork uses non-recessed brake caliper mounting. All Shimano dual pivot brakes use recessed mounting. Luckily I believe Tektro makes non-recessed mount dual pivot brakes with long reach.
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01-23-23, 05:49 PM
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Perhaps the seller meant "new tires"? Only OP will be able to tell once he looks at the bike, but the photos (small as they are) don't telegraph any major wheel issues.
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01-23-23, 06:06 PM
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700c conversions are great for allowing larger tires and potentially fenders. Only you can say if the price is right but know it can last a lifetime if it fits.
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01-23-23, 06:08 PM
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Updating to brake lever shifters causes a big domino effect.
Going from stock to anywhere like 8sp thru11sp means several other upgrades/changes:
* cassette/freewheel
* derailleurs front & rear
* chainrings
* chain
* spread rear dropouts from 126 to 130
* possibly replacing brakes (recommended, since they improved them significantly over the years)
Now, sometimes you can locate a used gruppo for sale at a decent price. Might search eBay for an integrated system.
Going from stock to anywhere like 8sp thru11sp means several other upgrades/changes:
* cassette/freewheel
* derailleurs front & rear
* chainrings
* chain
* spread rear dropouts from 126 to 130
* possibly replacing brakes (recommended, since they improved them significantly over the years)
Now, sometimes you can locate a used gruppo for sale at a decent price. Might search eBay for an integrated system.
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01-23-23, 06:21 PM
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*but of course, take all the necessary measurements to figure out what you'll need as far as brake reach, etc, etc.
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01-23-23, 07:15 PM
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01-23-23, 07:48 PM
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01-23-23, 07:51 PM
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The bike looks to be in nice shape....hard to tell about the wheels but they don't look all trashed out
tires have no wear, but if old could have age issues
I would get it, ride it and then see what you want to do with it,
there are lots of options depending on what you want to do and how you ride
is this going to be around town do errands get coffe or a beer? then maybe you put north bars on it and make it a city bike? pretty simple and cheap $40 bars, $40 brake levers and $14 thumb shifters
want to ride on the road a lot and more gears and have combined shifter/brakes., bunch more money unless you can get used
careful it is addictive
tires have no wear, but if old could have age issues
I would get it, ride it and then see what you want to do with it,
there are lots of options depending on what you want to do and how you ride
is this going to be around town do errands get coffe or a beer? then maybe you put north bars on it and make it a city bike? pretty simple and cheap $40 bars, $40 brake levers and $14 thumb shifters
want to ride on the road a lot and more gears and have combined shifter/brakes., bunch more money unless you can get used
careful it is addictive
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Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
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01-23-23, 07:53 PM
#21
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I would pass on that bike. Keep your eyes open for a Centurion Ironman. You would be very pleased with one of those.
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01-23-23, 08:07 PM
#22
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If it is the light blue one. In the one link, it looks to be a good deal. I would ride it the way it is.
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01-23-23, 08:16 PM
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I think without some more info we're all really just shooting in the dark here. What are you riding now? What kind of riding do you usually do? What's your motivation for wanting to 'go vintage' (no wrong responses here, just might narrow things down)? Are you 'handy' with bike repairs? If not, do you want to be? Vintage Trek road frames are pretty nice, but that doesn't necessarily mean this one is ideal to get you started down the wonderful road to C&V addiction, bankruptcy and ruin!
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01-23-23, 08:28 PM
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My first new bike (as an adult, anyway) was a 1982 Trek 412. Here's the receipt:
I'm not sure how the 1980 model compared to the 1982, but it was a solid bike, fairly middle-of-the-road, which isn't a bad thing. That said, I don't think I'd pay $250 for a used one unless it was super pristine, and then I'd still want to change out a bunch of parts, e.g., 27" wheels.
I'm not sure how the 1980 model compared to the 1982, but it was a solid bike, fairly middle-of-the-road, which isn't a bad thing. That said, I don't think I'd pay $250 for a used one unless it was super pristine, and then I'd still want to change out a bunch of parts, e.g., 27" wheels.
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01-23-23, 08:56 PM
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I’m building up an 82 model 412 for a winter project. One other note not mentioned is that the stock crankset may be the odd 118 bcd one that also came on my 82. That limits you to a 40 tooth small ring which is probably what is on that bike.
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