Trek 520 Touring Bike Reviews

Price Paid:  $1130.00 at Bike World

Model Year:
2006

Favorite Ride:
Raccoon River Valley Trail

Bike Setup:
see above

Summary:
Hi second review of my Trek 520, 2006 19" frame. I've got about 16,000 miles on the bike. OK, here is what i've done. Brooks b17 saddle, schmidt dyno front hub and lumitec light system (peter white), rebuilt back wheel and front with velocity synergy rims, morningstar seal, krytox grease, in the rear LX hub (silent now, may never need further service), salsa moto ace 120mm 25^ stem, planet bike fenders, conti gatorskin 77 x 32's, michelin A2 tubes, cane creek V brake levers, planet bike fenders, kalloy seat post,salsa seat clamp, phil wood outboard bearings, deore 48/36/26 170mm crankset, deore lx front derailiur, several chains cn-7701 & sram, rivendale front bag, trek rear bag with drop down panniers

Strengths:
great ride, or I wouldn't have gone to all the trouble and expense, fits me perfectly, great comfort and stability, I can ride a hundred miles, hop off the bike, shower and I'm ready for sushi...

Weaknesses:
orginal 2006 rim cracked after 6K, seat post was miss shaped and kept slipping down, had road gearing, btw, road crank & 135 mm spacing, no spacer drive side, 5mm spacer left when converting to outboard bearing, to keep the chain line correct. front brake squeal, switch to shimano BR-M330 pads stopped front squeal. drilled hole in bottom bracket to drain

Similar Products Used:
1984 trek 520 retired in 2006 @ 33,000

Price Paid:  $500.00 at Mt Constance Mountia

Model Year:
1999 or older

Favorite Ride:
any

Summary:
Purchased new in 1987. This bike has toured through Europe and the US. After a few changes for fit, it became a suitable companion. This bike has now been repurposed as a commuter as I can't seem to part with it!

Come to think of it...I bought my road bike in '86 and my mtn bike and 520 in '87 and I'm still riding all 3!

Strengths:
The original Deore component group was probably the best cost/benefit group ever. My bike still has the original shifters (silky smooth light action, brakes (more than adequate with better pads)and derailleurs.

Weaknesses:
Original rims/wheel build was suspect. I built up a set of MA-2s that are still going. Cockpit was very restrictive. I replaced the original 7 cm stem and 42 cm bars with a 9 cm stem and 46 cm Nitto noodle bars. When riding unloaded, there is a bit of flex in the BB, but this is likely a geometry characteristic.

I also replace the seatpost saddle to improve body positioning and comfort. I have no idea which saddle or pedals the bike originally came with. There are a few good 27" tires that can be found but not generally available.

Similar Products Used:
For upcoming int'l tours, I will be buying a Surly LHT with 26" wheels. My wife and I will have identical bikes to minimize tools/spare parts.

Price Paid:  $1000.00 at jr's cycles in lomba

Model Year:
2000

Favorite Ride:
grand illinois trail & parks ride (GITAP)

Bike Setup:
garmin edge 705 computer, b17 saddle, kenda kevlar 700c35 tires, front and rear fenders added. stock trek rear rack with avinir bag and pannieres.

Summary:
I've used it for everything from loaded tours to hauling kids around in a trailor on a sunday morning club ride. i wore out two trailors by the way still the same bike. have only had to replace a streched chain and 2 tread bear tires. have a 2nd set of rims with tires 25mm's that i throw on and then i ride with the faster rides 19mpph avgspd. love this bike and if it ever wares out i'll get another.

Strengths:
srength of frame and components it will take a lot of abuse. ride and handling are vary good for touring bike wether loaded or not.

Weaknesses:
not many, maybe gearing could be a little lower for touring. but this does help when riding with a group of faster riders. seat didn't really bother me too much but i did change it out with a brooks b17 like so many others.

Similar Products Used:
1980 fuji touring (also not a bad bike)

Price Paid:  $0.00

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
W&OD Trail

Bike Setup:
I just added a Brooks saddle after 1500 miles. The stock seat is fine for rides of about 50 miles.

Summary:
I bought this in May 2010 (2010 model)bike as a tourer, and so far, I love it. After about 150 miles of 'breakin', I rode it 450 miles across the state of New York along the Erie canal. It came very well equipped with a sturdy rear rack and quick release half fenders.

Strengths:
Comfortable and bulet proof. Great gearing (27 ratios)

Weaknesses:
This bike comes with linear pull brakes (V-Brakes), which I like, but it dones not have ANY in-line adjusters. The only way to adjust the brakes is the loosed the nut the secures the cable to the brake arms and adjust the lenght of the cable. This is difficult to do in a shop, much less on the side of the road. Great braking power - just difficult to adjust.

Similar Products Used:
GT Legato flat bar road bike

Price Paid:  $0.00 at Bike World

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Trek 520

Summary:
I weighed 350 pounds and needed to lose some weight and cycling seemed like something that I could do as it is pretty low impact on the joints and it just sounded fun, a throw-back to the days of yesteryear. Looking for something to carry my considerble size I was pointed toward the touring type bikes and the 520 steel frame seemed to fit the bill. Whilst at the bike shop I bought a raffle ticket and oddly enough a week later got the call that I had won! The bike offered in the raffle was not a 520 but the shop owner was kind enough to swap me out for the 520. It has been a tremendous bicycle as it has carried me a few thousand miles over the past couple of years and I have rewarded my 520 by dropping over 100 of the pounds it was carrying around. The only down size to the weight loss is that the 520 seems to ride smoother with more weight...no worries, I added three bags to help maintain that smooth ride! The bike has been virtually bullet-proof as it has never left me stranded and has proven to start everytime I do! The simplicity of the 520 is what makes it such a wonderful bike. Buy it if you are looking for a reliable workhorse that will carry all your gear and forget it if you need to have the newest, most experimental gear as the 520 is based on the bikes of my youth -- simple, strong, steady, & sturdy.

Strengths:
I would stress the 520's simplicity plus it gets tremendous MPG! It's a workhorse not a racer -- I'd liken it to driving a pick-up whereas my Tarmac is the sports car.

Weaknesses:
It did not come with fenders.

Similar Products Used:
Nothing really similar -- I have an old Schwinn mountain bike (circa early 90's) and a Specialized Tarmac.