TurnerIII

Hi - I am new here but have already found this to be an excellent resource and appreciate the wealth of knowledge I have found here- thank you!

Now for my questions - I found this bike and am wondering exactly what model is it? A nice vintage, and appears to be in reasonable working condition - asking $160 obo (not too bad of a price around here - not a screaming steal but not bad)

Your opinions and information, please

Thank you

bikemig 

If you look at the vintage Trek website, you can track down the model by using the serial no. This is a very clean, small frame, low end Trek (likely a 300 series but a double butted main triangle since there are no tubing stickers on the fork but someone else will jump in and give a more precise ID than this). There were no real low end Treks since even the bottom of the line was pretty good. This bike has forged drop outs, decent quality tubing, and decent quality alloy components. Plus the bike is very clean. I'd value the bike at $150-$200. A lot depends on where you live. The bike is likely worth more in a larger city.

TurnerIII

Thanks for the info

And here is a shot of one sticker on her - if that helps

bikemig 

Nice job of posting useful pics. The Ishiwata magny stuff on the main triangle is on a lower end Trek. But all of the early Treks were quality bikes with good paint jobs, quality frames and parts.

Bianchigirll 

What are your intentions with this bike? It is a very small frame, does it fit you? For 4160 it looks like a good deal but only if it fits.

zukahn1 

I would say it is a 1982 model 311 based on components and color everything seems to match except the crank set which is likely different because of the xs frame size requiring a slightly short crank. As for value $160 for this era Trek in excellent condition is rather good even for a low end model. This one has a really nice small frame and paint finish except for the missing decals, so i would put the value around $200 maybe a bit more in a hot market.

TurnerIII

Ya - I know its a little small. Hes quoting it as a 19 in. I am 5'7" so it might be a little short ... pity as I have become enamored by some of the older Treks I have seen here on the boards- and would like to ride it

Must be that "Im from Wisconsin" thing

Colnago Mixte

I would hold out for one that fits, unless you're planning on a flip. At your height, I would suggest that maybe 52 or 54 cm might be a better fit.

I agree this looks like a good deal, but as good a deal it is, one that actually fit would be worth probably $100 more (to me personally) than one that didn't.

Maybe expand your search to the Trek hybrids, those don't seem to demand as much as a premium as the vintage Trek road bikes, and they're a lot more versatile. But that said, there are a ton of old Treks for sale out there, especially if you are willing to travel a bit. May as well hold out for one your size.

zukahn1 

On a vintage Trek the OP would take 52cm/21inch frame they cam in 49cm, 52cm & 56cm for the smaller sizes. The one there looking at is a 49cm/191/4 in frame set which is as said will be a bit too small. The 52cm models were about there highest production most years and should be fairly easy to find in most markets.

TurnerIII

Excellent information all - much appreciated

So now I am back to having my eyes on a 330 as I mostly need a spinner for the roads Grey with the yellow highlights - a nice looker

They are asking $150 and I am looking to push for something closer to $100

bargainguy

$150 for a 330 is a good deal, don't expect much lower if any. The gray/yellow 330 is an '88, a little later model than the 311 you were originally interested in.

TurnerIII

Here is a shot of the 330 - I am requesting some more details and pictures

TurnerIII

Of course, there also is this interesting one - in a similar price zone - a little more - what do you think?

I am looking at getting into more road riding / paved trail riding 20 -30 miles

bargainguy

The 1400 looks like a 23" frame and most likely too big for you. Not worth it to look at bikes that don't fit you, as they will never be comfortable to ride short distances, much less 20-30 mi. rides. I'm not a fan of flat bars on road bikes, can't change hand position to help relieve stress on hands/wrists/elbows/shoulders/neck.

TurnerIII

Thank you - I have been running with a slightly too small Treck Antelope and yes - the flat bars do start to annoy at around the 15-mile mark

I appreciate the perspective and input from other riders - good real-life road ridding info

zukahn1 

The 1400 is a nice bike but those strait bars are just yuck I would say keep looking.