Optional Build Kit - TREK 2300

My original Trek 2300 was purchased in April of 2000.  At the time I upgraded it to a 27-speed ultegra triple (52-40-30 with 12-27 in the rear) with long-cage derailleur.  I also bought rat trap pedals and plastic clips.  I stored the Ultegra pedals and cleats (see picture - these are included if you buy the build kit).  The bike I purchased was a 3 tubes-carbon 1998 model (NOS) from the dealer.  In 1998 the bike came with normal 32 spoke wheels, mavic CXP21 rims, continental 3000 tires, Ultegra hubs.  I felt that these wheels were much more practical and more easily repaired than "boutique wheels" available on later TREK models. Retail cost = $1790.

Since that time, I've replaced the brake pads with kool stop salmon pads (just 4 months ago - original Ultegras were defective and began scouring the rim, which i noticed pretty quickly because the brakes made noise.)

The Bontrager seat of my bike is especially cool and is nearly in NOS condition.  I recently covered it with brooks proofide saddle dressing to protect the carbon-look leatherette covering of the seat.  It is embroidered with red and orange swirls and would go just great with a 2004 frameset.

I rode the bike in 2001.  I then stored the bike until 2003.  I rode the bike in 2003 and into january of 2004 when the seatpost lug cracked when I tried out a different seat which i had bought for another project bike. I was still using the original Continental 3000 tires, however, the rear ones are nearing the wear-out phase.  I believe the bike has 2000 mi on the components, all of it 16 mi per day commutes.

The crank has some rub marks.  The brake levers have some small scrapes from leaning the bike against the stucco walls outside my house.  The flight deck lettering is slightly marred on one brake, the "Ultegra" has the "Ul" rubbed away from one crank arm.  The rear derailleur got a pretty bad scratch which I buffed with 2000 grit sandpaper but this area is not anodized (will not harm function).   Other than this, the parts on the bike look brand new, especially brake calipers, handlebars, and seatpost.  Clipless pedals and cleats are NOS and unused.

Winner of the auction who elects to buy the build kit will also receive a Cane Creek IS-2 headset (stock on 2004 TREK 2300), black stem (probably weyless), no silver stem (I will keep it as its for a 1" headset stack) and black spacers for the headset stack. I can also optionally assemble it for you to make sure it all works again before I mail it out. Bikes have been my hobby for 30 years.

I just feel like the replacement frame is not the one I bargained for originally with TREK.  My 1998 had a really sweet ride that was unique among the many bicycles that I test drove. Therefore, I will sell the frameset, and either buy another frame (probably steel, maybe a Waterford), or I will sell the unit as an entire bike and then purchase a new bike off the peg to replace this one.

- Don Gillies
May 9th, 2004
San Diego, CA