vintage trek 500 series

Vintage Trek Bike, the 500; Better than a Peugeot?

Other Vintage Bikes , Vintage Bikes

Video Review Below:

Clash of the 501’s

I recently posted a blog about the Peugeot PH501 , though it doesn’t feel recent. It was actually in January, before the pandemic began and when normal, mask-free life was taken for granted. It seems another world, even though I’m posting this just 6 months later. These are strange days indeed, and especially now that I’m visiting America, right in the eye of the storm . The love of bikes doesn’t stop, however, and I’ve been lucky enough to restore this vintage Trek bike, a 500; it’s interesting to compare it to the Peugeot.

The opportunists

The story of Trek is impressively bold and audacious: in 1976, two Americans decided to take on the big European bike brands and win the share of the mid-range US bike market. Failure had a big part to play in the birth of the Trek brand; Dick Burke and Bevil Hogg owned 2 bike shops the previous year, but they folded and their vision of owning a nationwide chain of shops quickly ended. But great ideas can be born in the ashes of failure; instead of giving up, they decided to build their own bikes, creating hand made frames to take on the Europeans.

European Quality

I’ve owned quite a few Treks , a 410, a 500 Tri Series, a 520, a 620 and 300 Elance. I’ve been impressed with all the Treks I’ve owned, and I think I can say that the quality of all these bikes matched the Peugeots and Motobecanes I’ve also possessed. This 500 was a mid-range bike worth around $400 in 1983/84, around the same price as a Peugeot Ventoux or PH501. Trek bikes of this era are always more understated than their European counterparts, they were never flashy or ornate, but they were nevertheless handsome bikes.

What to Look For

I really like the head badge. It’s an icon of classic Trek bikes, handmade steel frames built in Wisconsin between 1976 – 1983. But you don’t find Trek bikes with half-chromed forks or stays; are there any? Neither do you find stamped fork crowns or ornate lugs on these mid-range bikes. Trek built a culture at this stage that seemed to focus on simplicity and modesty, perhaps as a deliberate contrast to the flair and é lan of French bikes.

A Mid 1980’s Peugeot Mont Cenis

American Engineering..

American engineering, specifically in transportation, always seem to be driven by the attitude that  bigger is better.  Every time I arrive on American shores, I’m struck by the size of the cars, the trucks, the motor bikes, the RVs. Classic American cars always seem to be huge, gas-guzzling monsters. Wasn’t it Enzo Ferrari who said “Jeep is America’s only real sports car”? But when it comes to a road bike, all that aggrandising goes out the window; a road bike has to be light, sleek, made with the least raw materials possible and ultra-efficient. America had no real tradition in making these machines, no distinction or identity within this field; the modesty of Trek bikes of this era seem to express a certain humility, a deliberate and respectful acquiescence, to this fact.

Brand or Bland

Prestige and patriotism count for a lot in the cycling world. I remember how I dreamed of owning the Peugeot that Robert Millar rode in the mid 1980’s when I was at school. I also wanted a TI Raleigh Team bike, because it was British and it had won the Tour de France . You can deny it all you like, but these are heavy influences on the brand of bicycle you will choose, especially if it’s a road bike. So, with this in mind, a Peugeot would have been my choice without hesitation . I’d never even heard of Trek in Britain in the decade of Millar, Sean Kelly and Bernard Hinault.

Japanese Parts

Japanese engineering has developed a great reputation over the decades. I remember, back in the 1980’s, that when something was “made in Japan”, it generally produced the reaction that it was more reliable than a British product. I don’t think this bike technology shows anything but the same story; the Japanese brand Suntour had succeeded in building their versions of Simplex, Huret and other European components, but at a cheaper cost. Trek chose to put the cost-effective first, this was their brand philosophy in this mid-range market. But I’d choose French parts, like Simplex and Stronglight, over these SR and Suntour components on this bike.

So Which One?

Personally I would go with the Peugeot. Yes, this one above hard a bent fork, but one in the same condition as the Trek would be my choice. Perhaps the Trek is the slightly better bike for the quality of the frameset and paintwork, but there’s no doubting that the Peugeot was a fine machine in it’s day. I just think it comes down to two things: aesthetics and tradition, which must make Peugeot the winner. Oh, and I nearly forgot: I prefer the French components, too.

The 70s and early 80s Suntour components outperformed and weighed less than their Europen counterparts, by miles. The only thing “Cheap” about a pre-1984 Suntour derailleur was the stigmatizing price point. The Suntour ARX is one of the smoothest shifting, durable, problem-free, mid-range, mass bike derailleurs of the early-mid 80s. There’s no comparison to performance with an equivalent Simplex SX610 or early 80s Huret Rivals. I’m saying this as someone who is also a purist and has maintained Simplex derailleurs on Peugeots in working order for years. I can disassemble, rebuild, grease, and tension one in fifteen minutes; but Simplexes have never functioned completely right without user servicing, and the mechanical knowledge of disassembly, cleaning, greasing, and tensioning of both spring bolts, even when they came new on the bike. There were serious racers in the 70s and 80s who ditched their Campagnolo rear mechs and threw a Suntour into their Campy group set, because Suntour Vs, ARXs, Superbe Pros, and even their low midrange offerings outperformed and outlasted highly overrated for the cost, pre 90s Campy derailleurs. Suntour was one of the best performance secrets in bike components for people in the know, willing to get past a Europhile bias. It’s time to admit, as beautiful as old school Euro mech is to look at on classic steel, steed, by the early 80s, Suntour and Shimano were killing them with better performing derailleurs for the price value.

I agree with you on some points, Suntour and other Japanese parts overtook most European rivals in the early 1980’s, as far as functionality is concerned. I disagree with you, however, about the Simplex criticism; I’ve always been a fan of the SJ and SX series, my experiences have always been positive with this series, much less with the plastic delrin versions. Most of all, though, is the aesthetic difference: the Simplex SX and SJ are just far more attractive than their Japanese rivals of the day. This is very important in the realms of this vintage bike culture otherwise, lets face it, we’d all be riding highly functional modern bikes with their bland but efficient mechs.

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Trek Tri Series 500 Road Bicycle

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• Thread starter Kramai88
• Start date Mar 26, 2019

Wore out three sets of tires already!

• Mar 26, 2019

bulldog1935

Cruisin' on my bluebird.

• Mar 27, 2019

bulldog1935 said: 1984 View attachment 971011 View attachment 971012 The Avocet saddles have a big fan club - that one is sitting a little squat - should be able to stand over the frame flatfooted, and proper saddle height is you can lock your knee but you don't have to. Should be a great rider - SunTour works. http://velobase.com/ViewGroup.aspx?GroupID=ee2162a6-3d56-44ca-904f-fdd093cf77d5 Click to expand...

Finally riding a big boys bike

• Mar 28, 2019

cool color - it looks too big even for me here's a very interesting and detailed Trek timeline http://www.vintage-trek.com/Trek_timeline.htm  

It has butted tubing and geometry for quick handling - ought to be a fun ride. Plus, as all my friends have come to learn, SunTour always works.  

i love treks... those are some BIG bikes  

• Mar 29, 2019

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1986 Trek Bikes 500 Tri Series

Tri series build, stack and reach vs. category trend.

The Bike Insights Upright/Aggressive scale is based on analysis of a bike’s proportions relative to similar sized bikes in the same category.

Vintage Trek Catalogs

Table of Contents

Here you can find all the Trek catalogs from 1976 up to 1999. If you’re looking for a specific model for a specific year, you can find them further in the article.

Trek Catalogs

• Trek Catalog 1976
• Trek Catalog 1977
• Trek Catalog 1978
• Trek Catalog 1979
• Trek Catalog 1980
• Trek Catalog 1981
• Trek Catalog 1982
• Trek Catalog 1983-1
• Trek Catalog 1983-2
• Trek Catalog 1984
• Trek Catalog 1985All-Terrain
• Trek Catalog 1985Trek2000
• Trek Catalog 1985TrekRacing
• Trek Catalog 1985TrekSport
• Trek Catalog 1985TrekTouring
• Trek Catalog 1986
• Trek Catalog 1987
• Trek Catalog 1988
• Trek Catalog 1989
• Trek Catalog 1990
• Trek Catalog 1991
• Trek Catalog 1992
• Trek Catalog 1993
• Trek Catalog 1994
• Trek Catalog 1995
• Trek Catalog 1996
• Trek Catalog 1997
• Trek Catalog 1998
• Trek Catalog 1999

History and Iconic Models

Trek started out in 1975 by providing only frames. In 1976 they would supply entire bicycles.

For many people Trek is most famous for sponsoring Lance Armstrong’s U.S. Postal team during the late 90’s up to his retirement.

But Trek already pioneered the use of carbon fiber in 1989 with the Trek 5000.

It would result in the short-lived but daring design of the Y-Foil, introduced in 1998. One of the few bikes that is designated with something more than just a number.

They were also early adopters of the mountain bike craze, with the Trek 850 launched in 1983.

Their early foray in using carbon fiber would be later used with the introduction of the iconic Y33 and Y22 models. Mountain bikes with a monocoque carbon fiber frame. Although it used the suspension technique URT ( unified rear triangle ) which would turn out to be rubbish, the original design was considered iconic.

If you’re interested in learning more about vintage Trek bicycles, please visit vintage-trek.com .

Trek Models

Mountain bike, you might also like.

Vintage GT Catalogs

Here you can find a selection of GT catalogs from 1990 up to 1998. If you’re looking for a specific model for a specific year,

Vintage Kona Catalogs

Here you can find all the Kona catalogs from 1989 up to 1999. If you’re looking for a specific model for a specific year, you can

Vintage Giant Catalogs

Unfortunately I was only able to find a couple of Giant catalogs. Although it’s a huge bicycle brand, finding the Giant catalogs proved to be

Vintage Cannondale Catalogs

Here you can find all the Cannondale catalogs from 1983 up to 1999.  If you’re looking for a specific model for a specific year, you

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1986 Vintage Trek 500 Tri Series 531 Reynolds XL frame

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The Used Bikes We’d Buy Right Now Under $500

You don’t have to shell out thousands of dollars for a vintage bike that’ll last you for years to come.

By AJ Powell

When it comes to affordable vintage road bikes, Trek reigns supreme. The brand has made tons of high-quality steel and aluminum road bikes in the USA before moving most of the production overseas. Because of the lasting power of these road bikes , they make a great vintage purchase, but by no means are they the only option. Bianchi frames (as well as many other Italian bike makers), can be found for cheap on the used market and maintain their quality like no other. We scoured the web to bring you seven great options for a vintage road bike, all under $500.

Additional contribution by Meg Lappe .

Though a bit big (63.5CM), if this bike fits you, it’s a great buy. Maillard hubs and Sakai cranks are just two of the features that make it worth the money.

1984 Trek 660

A bike from the era when Trek was still making most of its bikes in the US. A mix of Campy and Shimano parts paired with Reynolds steel tubes oozes classic performance.

Another excellent example of a Trek 500. Built from Reynolds 531 tubing, this Tri Series version features a classic Trek paint scheme.

Bianchi Celeste

No one does vintage road bikes like the Italians, and it doesn’t get much better than this Bianchi. It features the brand’s classic mint colorway and a Shimano 105 groupset.

Bianchi Gipiemme Turbo Super Classic

Columbus steel is about as good as it gets, particularly when paired with a Bianchi head badge.

According to the seller, this bike was restored to near-pristine condition. It features True Temper T2 steel tubing and a Shimano 600 groupset.

Trek Aluminum Racing

We may have saved the best for last: A made-in-USA aluminum Trek racing bike. Like others on the list, it features one of Trek’s classic color schemes, but is paired with a unique Suntour groupset and is built from Trek’s own aluminum tubing.

Related Topics

MeTV and four other TV channels launch on new station for Green Bay, Fox Cities over-the-air viewers

If you’re an over-the-air TV viewer in Green Bay or the Fox Cities, there’s more Scooby Doo and Spock in your lineup.

Chicago-based  Weigel Broadcasting Co. launched its networks Thursday on the new WMEI station for the northeastern Wisconsin market, giving people who are OTA antenna viewers five new channels.

The best-known of them is  MeTV  (Channel 31.1) or Memorable Entertainment Television. Launched in 2005, it features a lineup of more than 50 of television’s all-time best series, including currently “M*A*S*H,” “The Carol Burnett Show,” “Gunsmoke,” “The Twilight Zone,” “Star Trek,” “Perry Mason” and “The Andy Griffith Show.”

MeTV Toons (Channel 31.2) offers classic animation, including shorts and made-for-TV cartoons starring such famous characters as Bugs Bunny, Scooby Doo, Tom & Jerry, George Jetson, Yogi Bear, Popeye, Woody Woodpecker, Betty Boop and Fred Flintstone. It's set to launch on Tuesday.

Story Television (Channel 31.3) features historical and factual programming, including “Biography,” “The Men Who Built America,” “World War II in HD” and others. MeTV+ (Channel 31.4) offers additional classic TV, and MOVIES! (Channel 31.5) shows iconic and classic films presented in themed showcases.

Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.

OTA viewers need to rescan their TVs to receive the new free channels. The networks will also be available on select cable systems and through streaming services  Frndly TV and  Philo .

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Kendra Meinert is an entertainment and feature writer at the Green Bay Press-Gazette. Contact her at 920-431-8347 or [email protected] . Follow her on X @KendraMeinert . 

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