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Trek 400 Elance Reynolds 531

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Hello Forum! I recently purchased a vintage Trek 400 Elance Reynolds 531 (black and silver) for $200. The person told me he thought it was a 1992. After reviewing the serial number (242432) on the vintage trek site i see it is a 1986. The bike looks like it is in good shape taking into consideration of the age and normal wear and tear. The tires are different and i will be checking what is original tonight from my downloaded 1986 catalog. I have a couple questions to start. Thoughts on the price i paid? Is this really a 1986 bike given the serial number? Perhaps more to come. Thanks  

i wouldn't worry about what tires were original. just mount what you want. i like panaracer paselas. yes, $200 is a good price. if fully overhauled with new consumables, it can fetch $400 or more in spring/summer in a big market.  

Thanks for the feedback. The bike currently has smooth tires on it. Not sure what kind as i am in office now.  

Yaweh20!7 said: Thanks for the feedback. The bike currently has smooth tires on it. Click to expand...

$200 is a good price if it's in good shape. The old steel Treks are well respected and IMO look cool. I like the seat lug on those.  

I would lay money that the 1986 date is correct. The 400 series was only Reynolds 531 in the main triangle, however... it was Trek's budget series. They ride nicely, though.  

Yes, those old 531 Treks do ride nicely; mine will be 40 years old next year, and I've kept it because I haven't found a better-riding bike since then. Soon, it's going to get a new wheelset with NOS 600 tricolor hubs, and a set of new 27mm Paris-Roubaix tubulars; I expect the ride to only get better.....  

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Posted 2024-04-28 12:53

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22.5” (57 cm) TREK Elance 400 Reynolds 531 USA Sport Tour Road Bike - $360 (Ballard)

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22.5” (57 cm) TREK Elance 400 Reynolds 531 USA Sport Tour Road Bike...

TREK Elance 400 Sport Touring Bike. Bike has been recently completely tuned and is ready to ride. Super clean and nearly all original, constructed with double butted chromoly Reynolds 531 tubing,...

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1987 Trek 400T Elance Road Bike Dark Blue Metallic

Last Updated on June 8, 2022 by FAB Jim The Cyclist

This is a really nice example of an 80s Trek road bike.  Frame is made with legendary Reynolds 531 tubing with Trek investment castings and Dark Blue Metallic paint.  Shifting is done with Shimano Deore derailleurs and SIS shifting.  Drivetrain has 18 speeds with a triple in the front and 6 speeds in the back.  Crankset is an S.R. Oval-Tech with 52/42/32 chainrings.  Matrix Titan-S wheels with Maillard CX sealed bearing hubs.  Braking is done with Shimano Z-570 brakes and Z-525 hooded levers.  Weight is approximately 23.6 lbs.

Trek had just been making bikes for 10 years in Waterloo Wisconsin when they made this one, how far they have come now. 

Photos donated by  Southshore Cyclery

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Published by fab jim the cyclist.

Jim has over 40 years of experience with bicycles and loves road and mountain biking and just going for calm cruises. He is a mechanic who has built custom bikes and is also very interested in bike history. View more posts

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1987 Trek Elance

Cool Features

Frame models 510, 530, 710, 730, 910, and 930. Bike models are: 512, 712, 514, 714, 914, 536, 736, 936, 737, 937, 738, 938. Seattube graphics and headbadge are the same as for 1976-77. Model number does not appear on frame.

The 1978 brochure and model designations appear to have been operational in mid-78. The May 78 price sheet lists the earlier TX models. The November 78 price list shows the newer models (510, 530 etc.)

The first digit of the model number indicates the tubing used to make the frame: 5 is Ishiwata 022, 7 is Reynolds 531, 9 is Columbus. The second digit indicates the designed purpose of the frame; 1 indicates touring, 3 indicates racing.

Frame models 510, 710, 910, 530, 730, 930. Bike models: 512, 712, 514, 714, 914, 536, 736, 936, 737, 937, 738, 938. Seattube graphics and headbadge are the same as for 1976-78. Model number does not appear on frame.

There also was a Model 310 that did not appear in catalogs. It was constructed of Ishiwata high tensile butted tubes.

Tim Isaac, master framebuilder, joins Trek.

Frame models 510, 710, 910, 730, 930. Bike models 412, 414 and Series 500, 700, and 900. Seattube graphics and headbadge same as for 1976-79 except headbadge is glued not screwed. Model number does not appear on frame.

Bike models 613, 614 and 616, that are listed in the 1981 brochure, probably first appeared in late 1980.

Trek installs first automatic painting system.

Sequential frame serial numbers are begun in late 1980 (1981 model year), and run at least through 2000. They are used only for US made bikes. Numbering started with 000001.

Frame Models 412 (410?), 610, 510, 710, 750, and 950. Bicycle Models 412, 613, 614, 616, 515, 516, 715, 716, 719, 759, and 959.

It appears for models 4XX, 5XX, and 6XX, the graphics are the same as for 1980: no color wrap around TREK on seat tube.

For model 7XX series bikes and up, the seat tube graphics are "TREK" on each side of the seat tube with a color wrap around the seattube. Models 759 and 959 have the same graphic on the downtube as well. Headbadge is the same as 1980. Model number does not appear on frame.

Model 959 frames (Columbus tubing) have fully-sloping fork crowns, with cutouts on the side and a cutout in the bottom bracket shell where it joins the downtube. The 81, 82, and 83 75X and 95X frames and bikes were probably zenith of traditional frames by Trek. They had Cinelli bottom bracket shells, reinforcements at the brake and chain stay bridges, and reinforcements for the water bottle bosses. In 1984, Trek began using cast fastback seatlugs with seat stay sockets and Trek bottom bracket shells. Excellent parts, but just nontraditional.

Frame models 510, 710, 720, 730, 750, and 950. Bike models 311, 412, 613, 614, 515, 710, 715, 728, 736, 759, 757, 950, 959, and 957. In this year Trek sold a bike Model 311, which does not appear in the catalog. The Model 311 does appear in the 82 price list (on this site) and in the serial number list. The SN list shows it was first made in mid 82 and was not made in 83. The 311 flyer is shown at the bottom of the HTML formatted 82 brochure.

Seattube graphics same as Model 7XX and up for 1981, and headbadge same as 1980-81. Model number does not appear on frame.

Prior to 1982, derailleur cables on Treks were routed above the bottom bracket. According to the 1982 brochure, on the upper level bikes, Model 728 and above, cables were routed below the bottom bracket. On Model 614 and below cables continued to be routed above the bottom bracket. (Some variations to the brochure configurations have been reported.)

The brochure shows the 728/720 with center pull brakes. Some 728/720s were supplied with cantilever brakes.

9XX frames have fully-sloping fork crowns, with cutouts on the side and a cutout in the bottom bracket shell where it joins the downtube. They also had Cinelli bottom bracket shells, reinforcements at the brake and chain stay bridges, and reinforcements for the water bottle bosses.

The Japanese Connection - Beginning in 1981 or 1982 (and extending through at least 1986), Trek used Tange, a subcontractor in Japan, to build some frames and parts of frames. The 300 and some 400 series were a complete (unpainted) frame and fork from Japan, but painted and assembled in Waterloo. The 500, 600, and 800 (MTB) series had the main triangle built in Waterloo, the pre-assembled rear stays were attached, and the whole works painted and assembled in Waterloo. The 700, 900, and 170 series were completely built, painted, and assembled in Waterloo. Some 600 series were all Reynolds 531 frames. Trek had Reynolds seatstays and chain stays shipped from England to Japan, where they were assembled into the rear triangle assemblies and then shipped to Waterloo to be attached to the main frame.

Bike Models 400, 500, 520, 560, 600, 620, 630, 640, 700, 720, 760, 970, 170, and 850. Seventy-five Model 730s (all Reynolds 531) were made, but the model was not included in the brochure.

Seattube graphics same as 1981-82, headbadge same as 1980-82. Model number appears on the chainguard on the right chainstay.

970 (Columbus tubing) and 170 (Reynolds 753 tubing) frames have fully-sloping fork crowns, with cutouts on the side and a cutout in the bottom bracket shell where it joins the downtube. This is the last year Columbus tubing is used on production Treks.

In 1983 the derailleur cables were routed below the bottom bracket for all models. This configuration changed in 1985 when the rear derailleur cable was routed through the right chainstay on some bikes (see 1985).

Trek installs automatic brazing machinery.

F or most models, rear dropout spacing increases from 120mm to 126mm.

First use by Trek of Reynolds 501 Chromalloy tubing on some bikes. Thicker wall thickness, and consequently heavier, than 531, but also more robust and a bit less expensive. The last use was for the 1985 model year.

First use by Trek of Mangalloy 2001 tubing, made by Tange, It was used on the Model 400, which was the first "International Series" bike. The frame was made in Japan but painted and built up in the U.S. Mangaloy 2001 was last used by Trek in 84.

Trek introduces the "Rough Terrain" model 850 (a mountain bike).

New headbadge, white or brass background with black graphic, is used from 1984-87.

Upper level frames (760, 770, 170, 720) have cast fastback seat lugs with "TREK" cast into the sides.

Some 400, 420 and 460 frames or complete bikes were made in Japan by an outside contractor. These bikes have a 9-character numeric serial number on the lower seat tube, rather than on the bottom of the bottom bracket.

"TREK" graphic with model number is on the sides of the downtube (with no color wrap). "TREK" and Model number also appears on the right chainstay.

Reynolds 531CS (Club Sport) frame tubing is first used by Trek. According to Terry at Reynolds-Cycle.com: "531CS was a special set, supplied mainly to Trek. The main triangle was butted 531 and the rear stays were CrMo (501)." The fork was taper gauge CrMo (501). (Info. provided by Dickey Greer.)

Last year Mangalloy 2001 tubing was used by Trek.

Trek renames "Rough Terrain" bikes to "All Terrain" bikes. Both of these are mountain bikes (as we know them today).

Racing Frame models 450, 460, 470, 560, 660, 670, 760, 770, 170, Sport, Models 300, 400, 410, 420, 500, 510, 520, 600, Touring, Models 620, 720, All-Terrain, Models 830, 850, 870 , (Models 300, 450, 470 and 170 were sold in 1985, but did not appear in the 85 brochure. ) The cast fastback seat lugs with "TREK" cast into sides are extended to lower level bikes.

Graphics: model number on right chainstay, "USA" on sides of seat stay, "TREK" on sides of downtube. Same headbadge as 1984.

In 1985, Trek routed the rear derailleur cable through the right chainstay on some of its bikes. In 85 (according to the catalog and site visitors) it was done on Models 450, 460, 470, 510, 520, 560, 600, 620, 660 and 670. On the other bikes the cable was shown routed below the bottom bracket but outside the chainstay. The 85 brochure shows the 400, 410, and 420 cables routed outside the chainstay but some of these bikes have been reported with through-the-chainstay cables. This change was made sometime after the brochure photos were made, perhaps during the model year.

First year Trek used True Temper tubing (steel). It was used in lower- to mid-level bikes.

Trek introduces the adhesive-bonded, internally lugged Aluminum Model 2000, designed by Tim Isaac. It was available through 1988 as a bike or frameset and in 1989 as a frameset only.

Trek replaces the automatic brazers with a robotic system that assembles, aligns and brazes in a single pass.

All-Terrain bikes (Mountain bikes) have traditional fork crowns (not unicrown forks).

T his is the last year the Trek catalog lists the (touring) model 720 : -( . Actually, according to the serial number list, Trek built no 720s during all of calendar year 1985. (Thanks to Joe Bond for pointing this out.) The one 720 listed in 85 was in for repair. The long-distance touring craze of the late 70s and early 80s was over. The pricey 720 was just no longer in demand.

Models Pro Series 560, Pro Series 760, Pro Series 770, Tri Series 500, Tri Series 700, Elance 300, Elance 310, Elance 400D, Elance 400T, and Cirrus 520. Model 420 was made and sold in 1986 but did not appear in the 86 brochure.

Graphics: "USA" on sides of seattube, "TREK" on sides of downtube, model name on top tube, no model designation on right chainstay. Same headbadge as 1984 and 85.

Through-the-chainstay rear derailleur cable routing was done on all models except the 300 and 310.

Trek introduces the carbon fiber composite model 2500. It first appears in the 1987 catalog. The frames consisted of carbon tubes bonded to aluminum lugs. This frame configuration later included Models 2300 and 2100.

Steel mountain bikes 1986 and newer have unicrown forks.

Models 560EX Pro Series, 560 Pro series, 520 Cirrus, 400T Elance, 400D Elance, and 330 Elance (plus various mountain bikes and aluminum-framed road bikes).

Graphics: "USA" on side seat tube, "TREK" with shadow effect on downtube, model number " xxx" on right chainstay, model name on the top tube. Same headbadge as 1984, 85 and 86.

Through-the-chainstay rear derailleur cable routing was done on all models except the 330.

Some 1987 TREK frames and/or bikes were subcontracted to the Taiwanese bike company Merida. These were Model 800, 830 and 850 mountain bikes and Model 300 road bikes. See Note 8 on the serial number page for more information.

Model 2500 composite (aluminum lugs/carbon tubes) bikes appear in the catalog.

New headbadge, used during the period 1988-92.

Graphics: model number on sides of seattube, "TREK" on sides of downtube. Component designation (e.g. "SIS" or "Shimano Ultegra") on right chainstay of all models except 360 and 330.

Seven-speed cassettes were offered on most Shimano-equipped road models for the first time this year.

Models 660, 520, 420, 400, and 330 (plus various aluminum-framed and carbon-tubed road bikes and mountain bikes). This is the last year the bonded aluminum Model 2000 was available.

Graphics similar to those of 1988. Through-the-chainstay rear derailleur cable routing was done on all models except the 330.

Model 5000, molded graphite composite frames, first appear in the 89 catalog.

Seven-speed cassettes were offered on most Shimano-equipped mountain bikes for the first time this year.

Models 520, 420, and 330 (plus various carbon- and aluminum-framed road bikes and mountain bikes).

The unicrown style fork is used on the 520 for the first time. Cheaper to make, more aero? but inelegant.

The 420 and 330 continue to have traditional fork crowns.

"Splash" paint was used on several of the bikes. The bike was painted a solid color and then a second color was splattered onto the frame, resulting in fine threads of contrasting color.

Models 520 and 400 (plus various carbon- and aluminum-framed road bikes and mountain bikes).

The 8 speed cassette, with 130mm dropout spacing, is introduced on t he top level road bike, the Model 2500. The other road bikes are still 7 speed.

"Splash" paint was again used on several of the bikes.

While not in the catalog, Trek did sell the Model 2000 in 1991. It has a welded aluminum (not bonded) frame, and was painted red with white lettering. (Source: Michael A. Roberts.)

Models 520 Touring and 400 Sport (plus various carbon- and aluminum-framed road bikes and mountain bikes).

This is the last year lugs were used on a Trek steel racing/sport frame (Model 400).

Upper level road bikes, 2300 and above, have 8 speed cassettes with 130mm dropout spacing. Lower level bikes are still 7 speed.

Model 520 Touring (plus various carbon- and aluminum-framed road bikes and mountain bikes). This is the last year lugs were used on any steel Trek frames (Model 520). In future years, steel frames were TIG welded.

Upper level road bikes, 2200 and above, and the 1420 have 8 speed cassettes with 130mm dropout spacing. Lower level bikes are still 7 speed.

This was the last year "splash" paint was used on some of the bikes.

Steel TIG welded (no lugs) road bike models 520 Touring and 370 Sport (plus various carbon- and aluminum-framed road bikes and mountain bikes).

Upper level road bikes, 2200 and above, and the 1400 have 8 speed cassettes with 130mm dropout spacing. Lower level bikes are still 7 speed.

Steel TIG welded (no lugs) road bike models 520 Touring, 470, and 370 Sport (plus various carbon-and aluminum-framed road bikes and mountain bikes).

Upper level road bikes, 2300 and above, have 8 speed cassettes with 130mm spacing. Lower level bikes are still 7 speeds.

Steel TIG welded (no lugs) road bike models 520 Touring, 470 Fast Track, and 420 Fast Track (plus various carbon-and aluminum-framed road bikes and mountain bikes).

This is the last year that the 520 was made in the USA. (Thanks to Andrew Bam Ford for sorting this out).

Steel TIG welded (no lugs) road bike models 520, 470, 420, and 370 (plus various carbon- and aluminum-framed road bikes and mountain bikes).

Last year for the 2500/2300/2100 series of carbon-tubed road bikes. The carbon tubes were bonded to aluminum lugs.

For their aluminum road bike frames, Trek changed from bonding frame tubes to welding.

First year of the Y-Foil 66 and 77 aerodynamic carbon fiber road bikes. They had beam suspension (no seattube).

Steel TIG welded (no lugs) road bike, model 520 (plus various carbon- and aluminum-framed road bikes and mountain bikes).

1999 is the Last year of the Y-Foil 66 and 77 aerodynamic road bikes. The UCI (International Cycling Union) outlawed beam-type bikes for racing beginning in 2000. Trek production of the Y-Foil stopped abruptly. These slippery bikes are still prized by their owners and are used commonly in triathlons.

Aluminum-framed road bikes are of welded construction starting in 1999. Earlier aluminum road bikes were bonded using internal lugs.

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All copyrights in the TREK brochures, pricelists, owner's manuals and photographs displayed on this website are the sole property of Trek Bicycle Corporation, Waterloo, Wisconsin.

All materials in this site not copyrighted by others are Copyright © 2001-2015 Skip Echert Web Associates , All rights reserved.

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Gravel Bike on the Cheap: Resurrecting “Gravel Bikes” from the 60s, 70s and 80s

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Most readers own a cyclocross bike or a do-it-all bike, and we’ve always said that such a bike is well-suited for most gravel, dirt road and mixed terrain rides and races. Often a simple swap of your mud rubber for a faster-rolling tread does the trick. Seeing a lot of climbing in your gravel crystal ball? Perhaps also adding a lower gear might help reduce your uphill gravel grunts.

Companies like Scott and KHS have proven the versatility of their cyclocross frames, offering gravel-oriented builds without a gravel-specific frame.

Yet despite most cyclocross bikes (and even mountain bikes ) being well-suited for gravel rides and winning gravel races , sometimes it’s just plain fun to apply the N+1 rule in an attempt to justify yet another bike. We’ll never tell you that you need another bike, but maybe you don’t want to be troubled by swapping rubber, upsizing your 11-28 cassette for an 11-42, adding chain links and playing with B screws. Race and train for cyclocross on tubulars and rather not swap wheels for an occasional gravel grind? You may not need another bike, but a dedicated machine might be a convenient option.

So maybe you’re thinking about adding a gravel bike.

Options Overload

Nearly every bike brand is ready to meet your needs, with one if not more than a dozen bikes ready for mixed terrain cycling—and aren’t mountain bikes or road bikes.

Every company has one, or ten. The $1,900 USD Rocky Mountain Solo gravel bike is the latest arrival. But what if you’ve got a smaller budget? Look to bikes thirty to forty years older. © Cyclocross Magazine

Walk into a shop or peruse bike company websites in attempt to find an ideal bike for such use? It’s understandable if you’re overwhelmed. Trek presents its Checkpoint, Boone, Crossrip, Crockett, Domane Gravel, 920, DS and FX hybrids, while Specialized counters with its Diverge, Sequoia, Crux, AWOL, Roubaix, Sirrus, Crosstrail and Ariel options (and I’m sure I’m missing others). Depending on your perspective, companies are making it easy to purchase a tailor-made, ready-to-ride machine for your exact needs, or are dividing pie slices into slivers so small, there’s not even enough real estate for their labels.

However, if your budget doesn’t allow for a brand new gravel bike , gravel frame, or even dedicated gravel wheels , and you’re not eyeing winning a brutal event like Dirty Kanza, there are a few decades’ worth of unused bikes collecting dust that are begging for new life as your gravel bike and can be had for a song.

Bikes from the 60s, 70s and 80s are often great candidates for a gravel bike on a budget. This 1964 Carlton Flyer with Campagnolo Nuovo Record was just $100 and can clear 38mm tires. © Cyclocross Magazine

Yes, many road bikes from the 60s, 70s and 80s can make fine gravel bikes, even if we joke that gravel cycling wasn’t “invented” at the time . Although many of us enjoy venturing off pavement on our modern road bikes, manufacturers built bikes during the 60s through 80s for roads from that era, when dirt and gravel roads were certainly more prevalent, and the tight tolerances and aerodynamics shapes of sculpted carbon hadn’t yet taken over.

Finding the Steel Steal

Intrigued by the possibilities of adding another steed and fun project, and want to know what to look for? Many European, American and Japanese steel road bikes from this period fit the bill, regardless of whether they were built around 27” (630mm ETRTO) or 700c (622mm ETRTO) wheels or subject to controversial import tariffs .

What? A road bike isn’t a gravel bike you say? I think back to my childhood and remember my father commuting on his road bike to work, with several miles of mandatory dirt road on his route. Today, doing that in the 80s and late 70s seems like an impressive feat, as he rode the rough roads year ’round without 40mm tubeless tires, disc brakes or a 40×46 low gear. Yet maybe he actually had it pretty good.

Steel road bikes back then typically had the geometry, tire clearance and often ride quality that will make you think they were designed with this gravel trend in mind, decades ahead of their time. Even though the term “gravel” wasn’t trendy back then, geometry wasn’t all that different from the latest crop of gravel and adventure bikes. Here are three examples:

Gravel Bike vs. 80s Road Bike Geometry: 2017 Raleigh Tamland & 1988 Nishiki Sport

Gravel bike vs. 80s road bike geometry: 2018 trek checkpoint vs. 1986 trek elance 400, gravel bike vs. 80s road bike geometry: 2018 ibis hakka mx & 1988 miyata triple cross.

No, they’re not identical, and not all mixed terrain bikes from this era resemble modern gravel bikes , but many of them are pretty close, with relatively low bottom brackets, and longer chainstays and wheelbases than modern road bikes.

A deeper look suggests they’re even closer than they appear. Yeah, the Trek Checkpoint has a slightly longer top tube than the 31-year-old Trek Elance 400, but the Elance has a slightly steeper seat angle, making the rider’s reach about the same. Three decades of development and in terms of geometry, we’re not far from where we started.

Getting into the follicles of such hair splitting probably misses the overall reality of “gravel” cycling though. The gravel term is so general, and can encompass anything from riding technical trails to loaded touring, that any versatile gravel bike is likely a compromise anyway.

Of course the latest crop of gravel bikes feature featherweight carbon frames, index shifting and hydraulic disc brakes. I’ll be the first to state I wouldn’t trade any of those for a chance to jump in a DeLorean to end up back in a world where all we’ve got is friction shifters and Weinmann centerpulls, but I’ll also admit that much of my “gravel” riding isn’t set back by such technology. I’m not sprinting out of hairpins or doing a lot of shifting under load, and most of it isn’t in wet, muddy conditions that can be to the detriment of rim brake systems. Heck, probably one percent or less of my gravel riding involves any form of competition and it’s more about enjoying the scenery, terrain and company. Friction shifting, a lack of chain-guiding ramps or braking that requires more than one finger don’t hold me back from still achieving these goals, and ride quality becomes a higher priority as the time in the saddle increases.

“The gravel term is so general, and can encompass anything from riding technical trails to loaded touring, that any versatile gravel bike is likely a compromise anyway.”

Goodwill Hunting

For some, the fun starts with the search, and Craigslist, eBay, Goodwill along with garage and estate sales are all fine ways to find your next gravel bike.

This 1964 British Carlton Flyer found a new home thanks to a blurry photo, $100 and Craigslist. This is how it arrived, in rideable condition:

A $100 1964 Carlton Flyer might be rare, but finding a 1960s or 1970s British lightweight with clearance for 35mm or bigger rubber is not. With 700c wheels, 35mm tires and a bit of TLC, the bike will be ready to fly through all but the gnarliest gravel grinds. © Cyclocross Magazine

The frame is fully chromed, dressed with some classy Campy Nuovo Record and Tipo, and has plenty of clearance around 35mm tires. A bit of steel wool and fresh rubber have given it a new shine and life, but that’s just the start.

While Carlton might have some cachet, often more forgotten brands are the ticket to gravel glory on a budget. This $60 1970s Viscount Aerospace Grand Prix (with upgraded fork and quirky pressed-in bottom bracket) shows that having fun riding gravel is not rocket science and doesn’t require a space-age frame or astronomical budget.

This $60 Viscount Aerospace Grand Prix has proven that selecting a bike for gravel riding is not rocket science. With new tires, bar tape and housing (recalled death fork replaced long ago), it should be ready for exploring off the beaten path, even if it won’t win any beauty contests or please period purists. © Cyclocross Magazine

Both the Viscount and Carlton orignally came with 27” wheels, but with 700c wheels, they offer more-than-generous tire clearance for many modern gravel tires.

Bikes from the 80s might be more commonplace, especially ones made in the States, and you never know when one will be just around the corner. This made-from-Reynolds 531 and made-in-Wisconsin Trek Elance 400 frameset was literally peeking out of a dumpster at my local corner store, begging to be rescued. It was missing wheels, and upon adoption didn’t feature all the same components, but on a shoestring budget, it became my first “dedicated” gravel bike, and survived the infamous muddy and hypothermic first installment of the mixed terrain Super Pro Spring Classic .

Dumpster diving can turn into a gravel grind. Made 31 years before the Trek Checkpoint, this dumpster find, a 1986 Reynolds 531 Trek Elance 400, featured similar geometry, a smooth ride, and made-in-USA pedigree. 35mm tires fit fine, and it’s been a dependable, budget-friendly gravel ride. © Cyclocross Magazine

Modern Mods

Got one of these old steel bikes in your hands? Congrats! Depending on its condition and recent use, you may not need to do much, although most bargains that were prematurely retired will take a bit of work.

First targets might be new tires, tubes, brake pads and bar tape along with cables and housing, while some drivetrains may demand a new chain if not new rings and freewheel. Bar-end shifters might add some convenience. You might even need long-reach brakes should you be downsizing to 700c wheels, and depending on rear spacing, you might start getting chills wondering about cold setting re-spacing or finding period-correct parts. But we won’t worry about such details today. This is not about building a L’Eroica-compliant showpiece . Enjoy your find however you want.

In the upcoming Part 2 of this piece, we’ll dive into the details of possible upgrades and gotchas on such bikes. For some of you, the garage is where the fun really begins. Stay tuned.

Have you given new gravel life to an old bike? Drop a comment below.

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Trek 330 Elance Vintage Road Bike

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Trek Elance 330 road bike, Internet says these were Reynolds 531 though any sticker is long gone, Campagnolo C-Record hubs laced to nice but mismatched rims, Japanese drive train, Cinelli bar and stem, rides really nice with Kenda Kontenders, gold braid Jagwire, fork was slightly bent so we replaced, Deda leather look, etc. 60 CM ST 58 CM TT

All new stainless steel, pre-stretched cables

All new lined housing

New bar tape

New KMC chain

New brake pads

New Pasela tires

Size, seat tube:  60 CM, center-to-center

This bicycle has been refurbished to the Blue Tag standard which includes a 30 day warranty. For more on Coco's color coded refurb standards, click .

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Posted 2024-04-27 17:12

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TREK 400, elance, Reynolds 531 tubing , - $250 (Bloomfield)

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posted: 2024-04-27 17:12

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TREK 400, elance, Reynolds 531 tubing , - bicycles - by owner - bike...

Lightweight 18 speed bicycle with exercise stand. USA made.

Posted 2024-03-25 15:25

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Trek 400 Elance REYNOLDS 531 Ready To Ride - $450 (Ditmas Park)

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posted: 2024-03-25 15:25

updated: 2024-04-19 16:11

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Trek 400 Elance REYNOLDS 531 Ready To Ride - bicycles - by owner -...

Really nice Trek Elance 400 in great shape and ready for a new home. The frame is 48cm for riders 5'1 to 5'7. Asking 425. Please reply with your phone number.

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