Another Speculative Post

[Legs]

ve got two bikes which probably class as vintage & classic, I don’t really know what to do with them.

The first is my 58cm Trek 5200 (1993), which at the time was the lightest production frame set in the world. I’ve unfortunately managed to break the seatpin and find myself not being able to get the old seatpin out. It may be a salvageable project for someone, but that someone ain’t me. I’ve taken most of the components off. The frame is otherwise in fair condition - a few scratches and scuffs but it has never been crashed. Would anyone pay me anything for this if I listed it on eBay?

The second is my Argos TT bike. It was state of the art in 1985, double-butted Ishiwata 017 tubes and some nice lugwork. It’s morphed over the years. It’s got a single 55T chainring and the bars are clip on Syntace C2. It’s had these Specialized/HED tri-spoke wheels since I got it in the late 90s - they have got a few dings in the braking surface. I haven’t ridden it for ten years, and for eight years before that! There are spots of rust in some places on the frame. The seatpin isn’t stuck! There’s got to be a steel aficionado out there who would want this?

What does the collective reckon? Opinions or, even better, offers welcome! (If you are keen, I’m based in Uttoxeter/Derby).

 

[Big John]

I'm pretty sure there's a buyer out there somewhere for the TT bike although I wouldn't know what it's worth. As for the Trek the only thing I'd say is that most folks out there put a shelf life on carbon bikes and at 32 years I'm pretty sure has exceeded most cyclists acceptable age for a carbon bike. My carbon is over 20 years old though and still going strong so I'd hazard a guess there's life in yours yet but finding a buyer might be difficult. The seat post isn't necessarily a show stopper but I think 'age' might be.

 

[Drago]

A carbon frame with bonded rear dropouts is probably past its use by date - carbon is probably OK if cared for, but bonded carbon-alloy interfaces of that era get notoriously dodgy with age. It'd be a brave person who puts that back into service.

Someone'd pay to have it as a nice wall ornament though.

 

[Reynard]

A carbon frame with bonded rear dropouts is probably past its use by date - carbon is probably OK if cared for, but bonded carbon-alloy interfaces of that era get notoriously dodgy with age. It'd be a brave person who puts that back into service.

Someone'd pay to have it as a nice wall ornament though.

UV degradation is one of the biggies for polymers and composites. Makes them go brittle with age.

 

[Drago]

UV degradation is one of the biggies for polymers and composites. Makes them go brittle with age.

Hence my careful insertion of 'if cared for'