jbz255 

This has been listed for sale in my area for at least a few weeks now, the seller just knocked the price down from $400 to $300. Ad says it's Campagnolo equipped, and from what I can tell from these photos they appear to be, with the exception of the brake levers perhaps. From what I've been able to find out looking at old Trek brochures, 770's were only sold 84-86, and came equipped with Super Record groupset. But the '84 came in green, '85 in hot pink, and '86 either "Race Yellow/Blue" (which is pictured in the catalog) or pink and white fade; obviously this paint scheme doesn't match any of those. Thought maybe it was the '86 yellow/blue with some custom paint around the lugs, but the decals don't match up, in addition to the script "700 series" on the seat tube. Also has it listed as being a 55cm frame, but they were either 54 or 56, which should fit me fine either way. Obviously not the original stem or bars either. Hoping someone out there with some knowledge of 80's Treks could shed some light on what year, as well as anyone with any input on if it is worth the $300 asking price, or if I should attempt to haggle. Going to go take a drive over and take a look in the next day or two, but hoping for some additional insight before I do. Thanks!
https://offerup.com/item/detail/5873...839c9fa?q=trek

plonz 

I had an ‘85 760 which to my understanding was the same frame but different build. The frame pictured has the same features but hard to tell the details around the head tube and fork crown. As noted the decals are all wrong. My Reynolds frame decal was near the bottom bracket and the fork decal was higher. I would expect to see TREK stamped on the top of the BB shell, left side.

Also can’t tell if the full group is Super Record. If it is, $300 is a good deal and worth the risk of not knowing exactly which frame it is.

nesteel 

While your waiting, I'm getting friends in Florida to facilitate.
But seriously, go buy it. Theres at least 300 worth of SR Campagnolo on it. Check the frame/fork out. If it's good with no crash damage, and the numbers check as a 770, its a SCORE.

wrk101

Yes, you should be driving right now. One thing about the multiple selling outlets is sometimes there are great deals that slip through the cranks. This is an example. Don't wait.

bikemig 

This looks to be a solid deal but I'm not as excited by this bike as the other posters. When you see a bike like this with weird paint and parts, it likely has been abused in other ways as well that you may not find out about until you take it apart. Those look to be quality campy brake calipers, crank, seatpost and headset (is that a Mavic headset?). That super record seatpost is easier to adjust than the nuovo record one even if not as strong. If the hubs are campagnolo, that's a big plus but that's not clear from the pics. Don't get me wrong, I'd buy it at $300 as well but don't be surprised if the bike has issues.

RB1-luvr

I wouldn't hesitate to buy this.

TugaDude

This one is a puzzler. Doesn't match up at all to the timeline colors listed on vintage-trek.com.

To me the bike is yellow and purple and none are listed as being yellow and purple.

770 (road bike)
84, green with violet graphics
85 hot pink with white decals
88 (frameset or bike) yellow with blue decals

770 Pro Series
86 race yellow with blue decals, also pink and white fade (subject bike doesn't resemble the photo in the catalog whatsoever)

nesteel 

Go look at the serial number. Have the information on hand when you look at it: if the serial checks out, then the bike's an even better deal.
Paint can change over the course of 30 or so years. Don't get hung up on it. The serial will not lie.

zukahn1 

I think it's worth the price if you can check it out in person a pro series from this time frame should have Trek panto's on the dropouts, seat stays and BB maybe with a model number size info. As for parts around this time a lot of Trek's even high end had mixed component's good chance it has Mailard sealed hubs with Matrix rims not as valuable as the Campy but very nice maybe even better.

OldsCOOL

I have an ‘86 760 with full 531 frame. And yes, the 760/770 had same frame construction. Too bad there isn’t a clear pic of the fork crown. If factory correct it will have the Tange Trident crown. Very cool bike. My guess is someone had an urge for custom paint. But then, that is Trek. Forget brochures when tracking groups, colors etc.

I hope you buy it!

jbz255 

Finally made it over to take a look at that 770 today...










My heart sank as soon as I looked at the bike and noticed the dented top tube and down tube. I told the guy selling it that as far I knew, that frame was shot and it was not safe to ride due to the damaged tubes. He thought I was joking at first, then realized how serious I was when he saw the disappointed look on my face. He is clearing out a house full of belongings from someone that passed last year, so didn't have any information about the bikes history, and was more interested in clearing things out than making lots of money off of any of. He said that he would just take it to the garbage drop-off tomorrow then; I told him that while the frame was no good, some of the components might still be of value to me. He then told me that there was another bike inside, and maybe I wanted to look at that one. Ended up being a 2003 Lemond Arrivee Titanium w/ Ultegra groupset, with a very slight dent in the top tube, but in otherwise decent shape. Ended up paying $300 total for the two bikes; I would have been happy with the 770 for that price if it was rideable, but still think I did okay.

According to vintage-treks serial database, the Trek 770 serial of 129530 was assigned in April of 1984, and also turns out it was 58cm, not the 55 that he listed it as being. I do wonder if it was built as a 1985 model, due to that particular Reynolds 531 decal on the seat tube, or perhaps it got a custom paint job and had those later decals applied? Also curious about the signature on both sides of the top tube, it appears to be underneath the clear coat, so possibly another sign that it was either repainted or perhaps a custom paint job. Derailleurs, hubs, cranks, brakes, seatpost, and headset are all Campy, unfortunately it does not have the original brake levers with it (currently has Dia-Compe). About to start identifying and documenting components, we'll see what dates those point towards.

jbz255 

Few more pics before I start the teardown

zukahn1 

I think you did fine on the two bikes the components should be worth well more than you paid. To bad on the frame dents on both the Trek does look really bad and unsafe to ride looks like it was crushed from the top down likely by a garage door frames are not designed to take stress like this.

5colellla

Buy it!

cmcc1

If you're into vintage collection, then yes negotiate and buy.
as said in the replies, it does not look safe to bike

TugaDude

Rather than junk the frame, I wonder whether someone learning to braze might take it on as a challenge. It has nice lugs, BB and dropouts, so would be a shame to see it recycled.

Also, the OP's story reminds me that bike hunters should always, always ask if there are any other bikes they might want to sell. I have found some great bikes that way. Components also. Like the moustache bars (Nitto) that a guy threw into a deal once. They were unused. I'm using them now! Or the guy who took off the Brooks saddle because it was "too hard", and replaced it with one from Walmart. He might just give it to you. You never know what you might find.

cb400bill

My semi-educated guess is that you have an early 1985 frame that has had custom paint and decals applied to it.

The Hot Pink paint around the bottom bracket, rear dropouts, steer tube, fork crown, and seat tube / top tube joint pretty much narrows it down.

zukahn1 

Yes this is classic example the dusty ti bike in the back was actually a better bike and the OP got it for close to free for asking.

MikeJeezy

Nice find... did you pay asking?

jbz255 

After seeing the damaged tubes, I offered $100. Then he offered a 2003 LeMond Arrivee (titanium frame equipped w/ Ultegra) for an additional $200, so I got two bikes for the original asking price, even if one frame is unusable.

jbz255 

I'm definitely hanging on to the frame, going to ask around and find out if there is anyone local that may be able to braze in new tubes. Just out of curiosity I did get a quote from a frame builder online, their estimate was $600 per tube, so a total of $1800... pretty sure I can find something decent for that price tag.

That is also something I have learned anytime I'm buying a bike or parts- always ask if they have anything else bike related! I've gotten more freebies along with a purchase than I can name; sometimes it's not something I can use, but then I try to pass it along to someone who can use it.

TugaDude

Glad you shared the quote. Gives people an idea of what they dealing with. In other words, it is cost-prohibitive except in certain circumstances and this probably isn't one. What I was envisioning is maybe an amateur frame builder. To expect an established frame builder to mess with it is asking a lot when they probably have a backlog of regular business. This would probably be more headache than opportunity. Maybe that's why they priced it the way they did?

jbz255 

I'm sure that factored into the price tag as well; when I got that quote a few weeks ago, they said that they were currently booking work for December. I honestly had no clue what kind of cost was involved with replacing steel tubes in a frame, that's why I figured it was at least worth asking and also sharing with anyone else interested in possibly going that route.

Mad Honk 

You have an original 770 with the factory yellow paint that was designated for the team members. I had one that I got direct from the factory because I worked at the largest Trek distributor that year. It was a very nice ride and should ride well for you. Repair the tube and don't replace them and repaint it in your color of choice. Great find! Smiles, MH

jbz255 

Well I guess that solves the mystery paint job, thanks for that info! The quality of the paint job, along with the proper decals, suggested to me that it was likely factory paint, but I hadn't been able to find evidence of any others. Any idea who's signature that might be on the top tube by any chance? It is under the clear coat, so I'm pretty certain it wasn't added later.

So how would you suggest repairing the tubes? The seat tube dent isn't too bad, but the down tube and top tube dents look pretty significant. I have toyed with the idea of attempting to roll the dents with tube blocks, but only know what I have researched online so far.

Just noticed you are in Bloomington, I lived at NSWC Crane down the road a few years back. Still have some friends in Bedford that I try to visit once in a while, southern Indiana holds some great memories for me!