Vintage Trek Road Bike Question

[jhynesrockmtn]

Hey, any Trek experts out there? I picked this up a few years ago and didn't do much with it. The front rim keeps popping the tube.

It looks like a pre 1980 model given the little bit of research I have been able to do. Anyone in to vintage bikes have thoughts about how to further identify it? Unfortunately the serial number is all but illegible.

The brakes, crank and derailleur are shimano 600, shifters are suntour. It's got some later Deore DX wheels on it.

I'm trying to decide whether to sell or keep it and do a mild restoration. It's in very good mechanical shape as is once I figure out the tube popping.

[KNS]

I have an '86 Trek and I think you're right as to the vintage. Send a couple of those pictures to the factory and ask them, I'm sure they'll gladly tell you. I wouldn't sell it.

[jyl]

Vintage Trek Bikes- Information on Steel Road Bicycles made by the Trek Bicycle Corporation, bike

You can ID using serial number or catalogs. Or post detailed pics to C&V forum at BikeForums. Experts there.

Vintage steel Treks have a fan club. The bike has value, you can get a valuation at BikeForums too, I'd offhand say $400-500 as is.

If it were mine, and it fit me, I'd clean it, polish, apply new decals, overhaul mechanicals, 600 grit wet-dry then metal polish on the alloy bits, and ride it. Don't respray or powder coat.

Tube problem is likely something in the rim - a sharp thing, rim strip not covering spoke head - or in the tire - wire embedded in tire casing etc. Rubbing bare fingertips or cotton ball inside tire and rim can find the sharp. Or pay attention to where the puncture is, should be at the same place every time.

[KFC911]

[QUOTE=jyl;7582467...Vintage steel Treks have a fan club. The bike has value, you can get a valuation at BikeForums too, I'd offhand say $400-500 as is.

....[/QUOTE]

Sorry for the thread hijack...how about a Schwinn Le Tour (circa '82)? It was my second college bike after one just like it was stolen. Been hanging in my garage for years and is in pretty good shape. I haven't ridden it in a long time as I'm just a casual rider and use a mountain bike now.

[Cajundaddy]

Excellent taste. A vintage Trek road bike and a Hot Spring Spa in the background.

Agree you have a burr in your wheel and the cotton ball technique will ferret it out.

[nota]

Originally Posted by KC911

Sorry for the thread hijack...how about a Schwinn Le Tour (circa '82)? It was my second college bike after one just like it was stolen. Been hanging in my garage for years and is in pretty good shape. I haven't ridden it in a long time as I'm just a casual rider and use a mountain bike now.

it was re-branded These were made by Panasonic
nice bike in it's day
and far better then the earlier made in USA collectable schwinns
the only good schwinns were the parlomonts 531/campi

[LWJ]

I had virtually that same bike in College! Bought it used in 1984. Same color. I loved it. It got "borrowed" by a soon to be ex-friend and never returned.

Great ride!

[jyl]

Here is a 1981 Trek 710 I just built for a friend. Bitty little 47 cm frame that I had. Transferred over the components from a 53 cm Cannondale she bought that was too big for her. Nice bits - Campy, Mavic, Superbe Pro, Cinelli. I think the new bike will do her well, and fit her too. Now, what do I charge her? $200 for the frame?

[Kraftwerk]

Older Trek's : Made in USA that right there is a reason to take care of these vintage frames, great build quality. OP's bike has Reynolds tubing which is great stuff btw..

[jyl]

OP, check the site I linked, if your S/N starts w/ a letter it is pre 1980, if is a 6 digit number it is early 1980s.

If you have adjusters on the rear dropouts, rack mounts on the seat stays, Reynolds 531, then it may be a 710 which was pretty top of the hill then.