What is the Modern Day Equal to the Mid-Late 80s Trek 400
06-20-21, 02:47 PM
#26
I’m a little Surly
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The cross check is a $500ish dollar frame the could probably be a runner for $800-$900 with some eBay/Amazon deals..
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06-20-21, 09:40 PM
#27
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Thread Starter
Wow this thread has been really helpful. I didn't realize how active the classic bike community was. When I'm working on classic cars it usually takes a few days before I can get a response to a question. You guys are fantastic.
Thank you for that info. I actually have a Trek FX that I use around my area. From time to time we ride together to something local so I go on my mountain bike and he takes my FX. He likes it because it's super light, but he's definitely a fan of the drop bars. I honestly don't know why. I could never get used to them, but he likes them. He had drop bars since he was a kid, so he just might be used to them.
That bike is really nice 
Mine was a similar story, a local guy posted that he needed to clear space in his garage and this bike needed out. I liked the look of the red (even though at the time it was grey/brown covered in dust). The tire rubber had turned to plastic and since they were old cloth side wall it was all tearing and ripping. But it was exciting to have something new to work on, and I had fun restoring it. I even got the retro cycle-computer to work on it.
Gotcha. I'm in SE Michigan.
Looks great! How are the brakes? When I was restoring a few bikes with the Trek400 I had a late 70s, maybe early 80s Ross bike. I really disliked the brakes on it and figured that was just how brakes were in that era (I could've been wrong), so I told myself not to get bikes older than mid 80s. But if this assessment is wrong let me know.
Yeah... Inventory has been a problem. I split my time 50/50 between mountain biking and biking around town. Last year I waited all year to get my first new mountain bike (I mountain biked for years on borrowed or used equipment). Inventory came back around November, so I can wait till fall. My area is seasonal so as winter approaches the bike stores inventory and service get better (luckily).
As for used budget, I usually try to stay below $<200-$300, depending on the condition. I'm ok with going over if I know the bike will keep its value. I've done that before with mountain and hybrid bikes, where I dropped $500 on a used bike, rode it for a bit, cleaned and maintained it, then when I needed to upgrade I was able to get my $500 back.
For new bikes the prices of the 520, Domane AL2, or Surly, are pretty much our max.
I like the look of Surly (and the price!)... but I don't think I have much access to Surly in my area. I looked up online it looks like I have some stores that might have access but I'll need to investigate a bit more and see if I can find something.
If your dad tends to like sitting upright more than the road bike (drop bars) posture, look into the Trek 7.x FX series. (7.1, 7.2...etc). The 7.5 is a nice, fast, comfortable bike with decent tires on it(dump the hardcase tires they come with..replace with Panaracer Gravelking slicks 700x35).
Trek 400s are pretty easy to find, they made a lot of them. Don’t know where you live, but searching my local Milwaukee Craigslist site, there are currently 9 listed.
Of all my bikes, my 88 400t is my favorite, the most versatile, and gets the most miles. Found it hanging in a shed in San Antonio rotting away, cleaned it up, and upgraded the wheels, not a fan of Treks Matrix rims and Mallard hubs. Good luck replicating the feel and ride of a 400, with a modern bike.
Tim
1988 Trek 400t
Of all my bikes, my 88 400t is my favorite, the most versatile, and gets the most miles. Found it hanging in a shed in San Antonio rotting away, cleaned it up, and upgraded the wheels, not a fan of Treks Matrix rims and Mallard hubs. Good luck replicating the feel and ride of a 400, with a modern bike.
Tim
1988 Trek 400t
Mine was a similar story, a local guy posted that he needed to clear space in his garage and this bike needed out. I liked the look of the red (even though at the time it was grey/brown covered in dust). The tire rubber had turned to plastic and since they were old cloth side wall it was all tearing and ripping. But it was exciting to have something new to work on, and I had fun restoring it. I even got the retro cycle-computer to work on it.
CleanClassics , what the guys are asking is, what city and state do you live in? Some of them really want to go CL shopping for you; it's a fun hobby. I don't think anyone will track you down and stalk you with that minimal info. 
Great looking bike. The light blue and yellow with the black rims works nicely together. I like running aero levers on my vintage bikes as well especially when running a fat tire to give me a double quick release for the front wheel. And it does provide better braking.
Yeah of all my bikes, my 1979 Trek 510 gets the most miles. Trek just dialed it in with the sports touring geometry.
Yeah of all my bikes, my 1979 Trek 510 gets the most miles. Trek just dialed it in with the sports touring geometry.
One other thing that might help is to know what your budget is? If you're working on a tight budget, then I would suggest you just be patient try to find another older steel Trek. They can still be found, usually for a very reasonable price. If you have the budget and willingness to pay for a new bike, there are some great options. Previous responses referenced Soma and Surly Cross Check. The brand new bike will certainly cost more. The had to pay $1,279 for my brand new Cross Check last month. One other disadvantage of buying new is that right now the inventory is quite low due to supply chain constraints from the COVID pandemic.
As for used budget, I usually try to stay below $<200-$300, depending on the condition. I'm ok with going over if I know the bike will keep its value. I've done that before with mountain and hybrid bikes, where I dropped $500 on a used bike, rode it for a bit, cleaned and maintained it, then when I needed to upgrade I was able to get my $500 back.
For new bikes the prices of the 520, Domane AL2, or Surly, are pretty much our max.
I like the look of Surly (and the price!)... but I don't think I have much access to Surly in my area. I looked up online it looks like I have some stores that might have access but I'll need to investigate a bit more and see if I can find something.
06-21-21, 02:51 AM
#28
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That picture brings back memories of when I bought a red 400 on ebay about 12 years ago. When I got it I noticed the downtube/fork was slightly bent from a head on collision that you couldn't see in the pictures. And I could never contact the seller, he ripped me off.
06-21-21, 04:52 AM
#29
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OP..from your comments, you may enjoy the youtube channel "OldShovel" ..
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzr...x2JFfJb-ipGk8A
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzr...x2JFfJb-ipGk8A
06-21-21, 05:07 AM
#30
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Looks great! How are the brakes? When I was restoring a few bikes with the Trek400 I had a late 70s, maybe early 80s Ross bike. I really disliked the brakes on it and figured that was just how brakes were in that era (I could've been wrong), so I told myself not to get bikes older than mid 80s. But if this assessment is wrong let me know.
06-21-21, 10:08 PM
#31
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Thread Starter
Were you able to get a new fork to get er running?
The brakes on the Ross bike simply could have been crummy brakes. If you have decent quality vintage brakes, it is easy to set them up properly. You can improve braking by (1) quality brake shoes (kool stop makes good ones) and (2) quality housing and cables. Also modern aero levers can help.
06-25-21, 05:05 AM
#33
Bikes are okay, I guess.
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06-25-21, 07:17 AM
#34
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If you are looking for a USA made bicycle, there are literally hundreds of small builders here in the USA working in anything from Carbon Fiber to Titanium to Steel. Even Bamboo.
A lot of welded frames, but some also make lugged frames.
They may not come cheap, but there are some excellent bikes.
I think Portland Oregon has an annual handmade bicycle show.
A lot of welded frames, but some also make lugged frames.
They may not come cheap, but there are some excellent bikes.
I think Portland Oregon has an annual handmade bicycle show.
06-27-21, 03:27 PM
#35
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Thread Starter
I got lucky. I didn't think I'd find another vintage Trek and I was ready to get a new one. But this one popped up locally in very good condition. Pops is back to riding again. He's very happy. The difference we could tell from his is that this one has two tone paint and has 2 front gears instead of 3 in the old one (He seems to prefer the 2 gear, the 3 gear model kept grabbing his jeans). The owner we purchased it from had put a more comfort based seat as the original one (vetta) had degraded. Dad likes it so no point in messing with it for now. Thanks everyone for the help.
11-25-21, 02:11 PM
#36
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I joined recently and am a bit surprised to see the number of people who are in the Milwaukee area. The Craig's List 400 in Pewter that's leaning against the tree (Brown Deer, WI) looks almost exactly like mine.
