There are a number of ways to decode a Trek serial number. This article will discuss the Year, Color scheme, and Date codes, as well as codes found on the bottom bracket shells. However, you should first know what the different SN formats mean. There are several different formats used, so it’s best to read the instructions on the site before you start decoding. The instructions below should help you decode a Trek bike serial number easily.

Date codes

The serial numbers on Trek bicycles are sequential, beginning with the month and year of manufacture. They run from A to Y. Previously, Trek used to number each of its bicycle series. The first digit of the serial number denoted which series and type of bicycle it was, so if you notice a bike with an M or N leading digit, it’s a 1981 model. Then, there are some bikes with an N leading digit, such as an early TX700.

SNs are also not always easy to decipher. Some bikes have a one or two-character code engraved on the bottom bracket shell. This is the frame builder’s way of marking their work. For example, a bike made in 1987 may have a four-letter code, while a bike from the same year could have a five-letter code. A bike’s serial number will be easier to read if you have a candle in your hand.

Color schemes

To decode a Trek serial number, first identify the model year of the bike. The serial number on a Trek bicycle is an alphanumeric seven-digit code. Models manufactured before 1982 will have different colors and the serial number will be listed in Table II. If you don’t know which color is your Trek, look for a letter before the year numeral. Then, read the description that comes after the serial number to determine the model year.

If you’ve ridden a Trek bike since the 1980s, you’re probably aware of the differences in frame serial numbers. The model number starts with JS, and then six digits follow. The serial number for a Trek bicycle is stamped on the bottom bracket shell. During its assembly process, the serial number is located on the frame’s bottom bracket shell. Some Trek bikes have a missing sticker identifying the nation of origin, while others do not.

Year codes

The first step in determining the age of your Trek bike is to read its serial number. Each Trek bike has a unique serial number. This number usually contains seven characters, beginning with a letter and ending with a number. The first digit of the SN represents the year of manufacture, while the last digit represents the model and size. If the number has been tampered with, there are several steps you can take to identify the year code.

To check your bike’s model year, start by looking at the serial number on the frame. This is usually on a sticker attached to the bottom bracket. The sticker will have a barcode and a string of letters and numbers beginning with “WTU.” Read the full string of characters to determine the model year. If the Ape Index is positive, you will want to buy a larger-size Trek bike.

Codes on bottom bracket shells

When attempting to identify a bike’s serial number, look for the code on the bottom bracket shell. Some bikes have a different code on the shell than others, and identifying the right code will make the process much easier. The bottom bracket shell may be coded on both sides, making it easier to find the correct one. If you can’t read the code on the outside, you may want to use a caliper to find out. BSA and Italian threaded bottom bracket shells are common in bikes from before 2010.

The Trek frame serial number can be a two or one-letter code stamped on the bottom bracket shell. The code was created by the frame builder as a mark of their work, and is often painted with the year’s color. The codes on the bottom bracket shells can make it difficult for salespeople to determine the correct model number without the serial number. To prevent this, look for codes on the lower bracket shell of the bike.

SN codes

The SN code for Trek serial numbers begins with T, and then the next digit is an additional letter. These are lower level subcontracted frames, and do not follow the usual date meanings. The first letter indicates a model designation, and the second character is a code for the year of serialization. The letter code is used to identify bikes, both Trek and other brands, made with a specific frame model.

Serial numbers on Trek bikes can be traced to their assembly line. During the early 1980s, Trek bicycles were stamped with additional numbers. These numbers, usually four digits, began with 000001 and extended through the early 1990s. The serial numbers on the frames were often missing a nation of origin sticker, which can sometimes be found on the frame. The company records assembly runs in a handwritten journal.