AZCYCLING said:I received this cycle from a neighbor that moved overseas back in 2002-03 I believe, and it has been sitting in my garage ever since.
I was wondering if anyone had any information on the TREK frame model number (9800)? Is this a good model? It is VERY light even for carbon fiber!
I have to confess, I do not know much about cycling. I would like to know if this set-up is worth getting tuned? Are the other parts of a decent quality? What else would I need to buy? What is the approximate value of a cycle like this one?
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
CHEERS!,
Mike AZCYCLING
That's actually a pretty nice hardtail frame ... and, a pretty nice, though vintage, bike overall.
You can contact TREK with the serial number, and they will give you the model YEAR for the frame AND possibly the specs of the way the bike was originally outfitted. In TREK's world, the higher the model number, the better the frame at least 9-times-out-of-10.
Because the tubes appear to be joined/glued to aluminum lugs (painted flat black) it could date to about 1993. Even if it is THAT OLD, the age doesn't detract from how the bike will ride ... and, since you are (presumably) in Arizona, you don't even need to think about a bike with disc brakes unless you are inclined to riding in the rain ...
As on ALL older MTB frames, your 9800 lacks disc brake tabs (the suspension fork was probably added in the last 6-to-8 years).
The oldest parts (e.g., the rear derailleur) date to about 10+ years ago (or, however old the bike is since they are probably amongst the few [if not ONLY!] original components on the bike).
... I'm not sure about that front derailleur -- it may be the only "cheap" component on the bike ... but, ALL Shimano front derailleurs function pretty-much the same (as in, equally well) with the exception of ONE XTR model (supposedly) which is supposed to be better.
XT components are VERY GOOD ... better than you will find on 80% of the mountain bikes (new, or in-for-service) in a bike shop.
LX components are GOOD. That LX crank was PROBABLY NOT original to the bike ... probably installed JUST BEFORE your neighbor went abroad.
The 9-spee XT shifters + cassette & V-brakes were probably added a year or two before your neighbor gave you the bike, if not just-before.
If the fork is NOT isn't leaking, it will be more than good enough for you for the foreseeable future.
As far as sizing goes, if the seat is currently (as pictured) adjusted for YOU, then the stem is probably too long ... you will probably just need to change to a shorter stem (i.e., 90-to-110mm) to make the bike comfortable for you to ride.
However, if you are under 5'7" and want to take the bike off-road (beyond dirt/"gravel" roads), then it is too large ... if you are only 5'6", or shorter, then it is probably too large even if you are just going to ride it on "paved" surfaces or on bike paths.
Although it is a nice bike (actually, a great frame at one time -- very competition oriented) with some very nice components on it, it probably doesn't have much "street" value UNLESS you find a collector who is having a Rosebud-moment and wants the frame.
BTW. The bike probably does NOT need to be tuned up ... air in the tires is probably all it needs (and, you've done that) since it looks to have been pretty well kept. You might need new tires if the tire casing is cracked and/or tubes if you opt for a different size (e.g., narrower street tires OR fatter off-road tires).
FWIW. If you plan to keep & ride the bike, then you need a HELMET & an air pump (which you must have since there is air in the tires). Since you are in Arizona, you want a 20 ounce water bottle for that water bottle holder + a camelbak-type (1-or-more-liters) hydration pack. Gloves & eyewear of your choice.
