Trek Frame Serial Numbers
Prior
to Late 1980 | Late 1980 to Late
1986 | Late 1986 to 1997+
Foreign Built After 84 | Jazz by
Trek | Missing Serial Numbers
Serial Number Location
Trek frame serial numbers (SNs) are typically stamped
into the bottom of the bottom bracket shell. In the case of some early
80s Treks, the number is under the plastic cable guide on the
bottom of the shell. Just remove the plastic cable guide to see the
number. The other place Trek (or their subcontractors) stamped the SN
is at the lower end of the seat tube.
Note: The SN on your original sales receipt may not
match the one on your bike. Sales persons sometimes had difficulty reading
the numbers.
Many Trek bottom bracket shells have a one or two letter
code stamped separately from the serial number. This was made by the
individual framebuilder to mark his/her work. If you know which mark
was used by a particular craftsman, please let me know.
Serialization Date
The dates coded in the serial numbers, or the dates
inferred from the numbers, are dates on which the new frames were stamped
with serial numbers (serialized). These dates are not necessarily
the same as the model year of the frame. At some time late in each
year (beginning generally September or October) the frames produced
were created from designs, and painted with colors, for the next year.
Hard to read?
Trek serial numbers can be hard to read. Clean the area
well, and use lots of light at various angles. A suggestion by D. Hansen
can help you read a serial number:
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Serial Number highlighted with
red wax. Click on image to see an enlarged version. (Photo by
D. Hansen)
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"Rub the area with candle wax of a color that contrasts
with your paint. Lightly wipe it off with a rag. The wax stays in the
indented area of the S/N. Now you can easily read the number. I have
included a photo of the results from my bike. In this case I used a
red candle to make the serial number stand out. Note that even with
the serial number filled with wax, the leading "0" is almost
imperceptible."
Serial Number Descriptions
The serial number descriptions are divided into five
categories. Click on the link below to go to the appropriate category.
Prior
to Late 1980 | Late 1980 to Late
1986 | Late 1986 to 1997+
Foreign Built After 84 | Jazz by
Trek | Missing Serial Numbers
PRIOR TO LATE 1980
Before late 1980, Trek used an alphanumeric serial number
scheme. Each seven-digit number consists of three letters mixed with
numerals. The serial number list and the code for the list are not available
from Trek (but hope springs eternal). In the meantime, we have the results
of the serial number decoding project:
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Serial Number Decoding Project
Nearly two hundred Trek owners submitted their
frame's specifics to help decode the serial number system used
from 1976 to late 1980. Our thanks to these generous cyclists.
These serial numbers have seven digits, in the
form L N L N L N N, where L is a letter and N is a number.
Here are the results:
The first letter is the model designation.
The letter code indicates frame model, which would include bike
models made from that model of frame.
A = 310 (see note *
below)
B = TX200 (see note **
below),
C = TX300,
D = 530,
E = TX500,
F = 510,
G = TX700 and TX770 (see note***
below)
H = 710,
I = 730,
J = TX900.
K = 910,
L = 930,
M = 412 and 414 (****
see year exceptions A and B below),
N = 610, 613, and 614 (****
see year exceptions
A and B below),
O = 950.
The first number is the frame size, where
1 = 19.75",
2 = 21",
3 = 22.5",
4 = 24",
5 = 25.5",
6 = 57.5 cm (ctc) or indicates a custom size. (See Year Exception
D.)
7 = 59 cm (ctc) or indicates a custom size. (See Year Exception
D.)
The second letter represents the month
the frame was serialized:
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A
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B
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C
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D
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E
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F
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G
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H
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I
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J
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K
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L
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Jan
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Feb
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Mar
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Apr
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May
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Jun
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Jul
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Aug
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Sep
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Oct
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Nov
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Dec
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The second number is the last digit of the
year, 6, 7, 8, 9 (for 197X) and 0 for 1980. See
note below, ****,
for year exceptions. Again, this
is the date of serializing, not necessarily model year.
The last three digits - The final letter
ranges from A to Z and the final two numbers go from 01 to 99.
The last letter might be a run designation, with the last two
numerals the frame number in that run? Alternatively, the letter
extends the range of the digit from 0 to 9 (if a number) to 1
to 26. This gives a range of 2600 for the 3 digits. Any other
ideas for these last three digits?
Notes:
* There
is no Model 310 in the brochures on the site; however, a frame
has been reported that has Ishiwata high tensile double butted
main tubes with the SN A4F9H67. It has touring length chainstays.
According the the SN, it apparently was made in June 1979, after
the TX300 is no longer in the brochures, but no similar frame
is listed. Another small mystery; for now we'll call it a 310.
** One interesting
variant of the SN code has been submitted. It has a leading
B and has eight digits instead of the usual 7 (B4K6B109). It
has SunTour dropouts, and had a partial tubing sticker that
included the text "TENSION BUTTED". The date from
the SN is Nov. 76. Probably a TX200 with an extra digit in the
SN.
*** Several
frames with a leading serial letter of G have been reported
with Columbus tubing stickers. TX700 frames were available as
special order, with Columbus tubing instead of the spec'ed Reynolds
531. These bikes were designated as Model TX770.
**** Year
Exceptions:
A. In more than 10 serial numbers that have
been sent in by owners, the year numbers went beyond 0 (indicating
1980), to 1, 2, 4, and 5. The remaining part of the SNs seems
normal. It is likely these frames, SNs beginning with M or N
(Models 41x and 61X), were contracted out, and were given the
old serial number form so as not to interfere with the sequential
numbers being assigned by Trek in their shop. The numbers extend
at least through the 82 model year. However, in at least four
of these frames, both beginning with M, the year code (5) did
not correspond to when the frame could have been made. It is
likely at least these four frames did not follow the year convention.
B. Some other serial numbers, beginning with
M or N, have date codes of 6, 7,8 and 9. The remaining part
of the SNs seems normal. According to the brochures, Trek did
not make 41X and 61X bikes or frames during 76, 77, 78, and
79 (also not in 86, 87, 88, or 89). Either these serial numbers
do not follow the year convention used in the other numbers
(likely), or Trek did make 41x and 61X bikes earlier than shown
in the brochures (very unlikely). A former Trek employee (during
1977-78) says: "There were no 400 nor 600 models at the
time, although these could have been introduced in late 1978
after I left." If the TREK letters on the seatpost have
no colorwrap behind, the bike is from 1980 or perhaps 1981.
C. One early TX700, an evaluation frame sent
to a bike shop, had a 4 in the year digit. That 4 may signify
an evaluation unit.
D. Three 950 frames have been reported that
contain unlikely year codes of 5, 6 and 7. It is very unlikely
they were made in 1975, 76, and 77, more likely 1980, 81, or
82. From the geometries, they probably were custom frames. Trek
apparently used a different coding method for these frames,
perhaps so as not to interfere with the production frame serial
numbers.
When a Trek frame was repainted by Trek, an additional
set of numerals was often stamped into the bottom bracket to indicate
the frame was repainted. These numbers were usually four digits,
in the form NNNN.
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 LATE
1980 TO LATE 1986
Late in 1980 Trek changed to a new frame numbering system.
The frames were numbered sequentially, beginning with number 000001.
The record of the assembly runs was documented in a handwritten journal.
Trek (Kevin Tita) graciously provided a copy of the journal for this
web site. The list ended in November of 1986 with number 279975. This
serial number system actually extended through at least 1997 (see Table
II below).
The journal includes run number, model number, frame
size, and serial number range. Incidental information, including dates
and comments on the frames, appears sporadically through the journal.
A "run" was for a particular frame size and frame model.
We all owe thanks to Luker White who
generously donated his time to convert much of the paper list to digital
form.
Click on the date link
in Table I below to go to the detailed serial number information for
that year.
Table I - 1980 to 1986
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Year
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Beginning Serial Number
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Ending Serial Number
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Notes for Table I:
- Table I contains dates of frame serializing, and
are not necessarily model year. At some time late in each year
(generally September or October) frames were built for (then painted
with colors for) the next model year. This journal information is
summarized by year in Table I. The year designations in the table
are approximate; not all of the runs are sequential in time. This
may be a result of subcontracting some frame fabrication.
- For some years, the model number given may be the
lowest number (or an X00 number) for a series of models that have
the same frame. For example, a 1981 frame appearing on the list as
a Model 610 could have been built into either a 613, 614, or 616 bike.
- Some of the Model 170 serial numbers are 6 digits
but do not follow the numerical sequence. A future task is to sort
170 numbers. Some of these are presented in the 83, 84 link
at the bottom of the table.
- Some early and mid 80s bottom brackets were marked
with 58TSI or 60TSI. In the early 1980s Tim S. Issac designed new
lugs and and a new bottom bracket shell for Trek. The new bottom bracket
shell is typically marked with 58TSI (or more rarely, 60TSI). This
designation is not part of the serial number but is a model number
of the shell. The TSI are Tim's initials. The 58 or 60 refer to the
angle between the seattube and the downtube.
- Some frames in this period have a leading "A"
before the 6 digit number. This may be more prevalent on lower level
models. The "A" may not be part of the SN. Just disregard
it when looking up the number in the tables below.
- Frame Sizes in the SN list below are as given on
the paper copy. For some entries, only a two-digit number was given,
the extra 1/2 or 3/4 inch was dropped. So - an entry of 22 inches
really means a 22.5" frame size, 19 means 19.75", 25 means
25.5".
- The list has two major gaps, corresponding to missing
pages. Page 9 ends with SN 027870 and the next page starts with 029118.
Page 61 ends with 210065 and the next page starts with 215226.
- The SN list for 1986 has some serial number ranges
with annotations about POs (purchase orders) to "Merida".
These are for Model 800, 830 and 850 mountain bikes and Model 300
road bikes. These were made late in the year, so they probably were
all 1987 models. At least some of these were provided to Trek as "frames
only". One reported SN in these ranges, for an 850, was prefaced
by the letters TML. From the serial number list, the number of Trek
frames or bikes made by Merida late in 86 totaled at least 8251.
Merida is a Taiwanese bike company that was
established in 1972. It is currently a major, worldwide player in
the bicycle business. See http://www.merida.com/
for information on this company.
Several 1984 Trek 460s,
420s and 400s have been reported with 9 digit numeric serial numbers
stamped on the lower seat tube instead of on the bottom of the bottom
bracket. These frames, or complete bikes, apparently were made in Japan
by an outside contractor. The numbers submitted are in the range of
401000000 to 440000000.
The 83 Trek Model 400 frames were made in Japan. These
serial numbers, stamped on the bottom of the bottom bracket shell, begin
with JS followed by six numerals.
LATE 1986 to 1997+
This 6 digit (7 digit
beginning in 1993) code extended into at least 1997, at least
for some models (generally mid to upper level and made in the U.S.).
The number may or may not have a leading zero, making the six digits
into seven digits prior to 1993. The model is not available for these
numbers but the year can be determined or estimated from Table II below.
The information in the table is from serial numbers submitted by site
visitors. Our thanks to them. In contrast to the serial number dates
in Table I above, the years in Table II represent model years, not
the date the serial number was applied.
Table II - Model Years 1987 to 1997
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Year
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Serial Numbers Include
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1987
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270821, 284237, 284335, 293788,
301294, 304445, 304940, 307880, 308292
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1988
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309634, 316981, 319336, 335133,
346451, 347944, 356837
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1989
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369203, 379079, 391236, 406793,
427402, 438108
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1990
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513747, 532881, 563678
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1991
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579529, 653761, 740528, 79xxxx
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1992
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771408? 873805, 883719, 900224
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1993
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1106529, 1109196, 1125523
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1994
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1164917, 1269067
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1995
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1431480, 1439467, 1506862
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1996
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1544446, 1878372, 1955570
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1997
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1876296?, 1963294
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FOREIGN-BUILT FRAMES
AND BIKES AFTER 1984
During about 1984, a 9 digit, all numeric serial number
was used for some mid- to lower-level Trek road bikes that were made
in Japan. Many or all of these begin with a 4.
An 8 digit or 9 digit alphanumeric code was used for
mid- and low-level frames subcontracted in Taiwan. Most of these bikes
were labeled "Made in Taiwan". This form of serial number
appears to have been used during the period 1987 to 90. The number leads
with a T (for Trek?) then a numeral, a letter, then five numerals. Sean
Hickey suggested the first numeral is the year of manufacture, and the
letter is the month of the year (A - L). This is confirmed by serial
numbers that were submitted by other Trek owners.
A later 8 and then 9 digit alphanumeric SN scheme,
used beginning in about 1989, also begins with a T (for Trek?). These
later T numbers were used on lower level subcontracted frames but do
not follow the 2nd and 3rd or 3rd and 4th digit date meanings above.
Beginning in about 1994, an 8 digit alphanumeric code
was used for some bikes. It begins with G and another letter (e.g. GQ,
GV, GS and GZ). These are followed either by: 6 numerals, or a number
a letter followed by four numerals. The first numeral in the SN may
be the year of serialization.
JAZZ BY TREK
Jazz is a line of foreign-built, entry-level bicycles
that Trek sold in the early 90s. (See the history
page for a bit more info and the brochures
page for a 93 catalog). There seems to be at least two serial number
types:
- A Flipside model had the serial number JT0116 stamped on the bottom
bracket. The JT probably stands for "Jazz" and "Trek".
The numbers may be the sequential frame number, beginning at 0001.
- The other is a 10 digit serial number. The first two digits are
letters which are followed by eight numbers. Examples are JT09010099
and FI08003231.
MISSING SERIAL NUMBERS
A few owners of early Treks, mostly,
from 1976 through the early 80s, report their frames are not marked
with serial numbers. A past Trek employee wrote that the police
in the Madison and the surrounding area said TREK was famous for
bikes with no serial numbers. Seems hundreds didn't get any numbers
at all. The serial number guy just missed a few?
Three other possibilities: 1. In
the early years Trek allowed, and even encouraged, their workers
to use company equipment and materials to build personal frames
after hours. These frames often were not serialized. The practice
stopped after production was increased, resulting in little available
down time for the equipment. 2. The serial number on a repainted
frame that was not first stripped, may disappear under the new paint.
3. The number is under the plastic cable guide attached to the bottom
of the bottom bracket shell.
Prior
to Late 1980 | Late 1980 to
Late 1986 | Late 1986 to
1997+
Foreign Built After 84 | Jazz
by Trek | Missing Serial
Numbers
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