Trek 520

Price Paid:  $800.00 at Beaver Sports

Model Year:
2005

Favorite Ride:
trek 520

Bike Setup:
stock bike, new girl friendly saddle, ortlieb bags.

Summary:
Love the bike - most comfortable I've ever ridden. I have taken it touring on rough Alaska dirt roads (Denali Park road, Denali Highway) with no problem and recently rode 700 miles through the Shenandoahs and the Blue Ridge Parkway fully loaded with camping gear. I commute and just ride it around at home all summer. I can ride all day and not hurt.

Weaknesses:
Saddle stinks.

Price Paid:  $600.00 at bike shop

Model Year:
2006

Favorite Ride:
northern tier

Bike Setup:
conti tires,old man mt.racks,san marco concor saddle,arkel pannier bags,crane creek brake levers

Summary:
Rode the northern tier in 71 days,carried
our own gear.washington to maine 3910 miles some detours

Strengths:
for me a good all around bike

Weaknesses:
had stress cracks in both rims,replaced
changed crank to a 48-36-26
changed break levers to crane creek,replaced saddle

Price Paid:  $0.00 at Summit Bicycles

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Coast to Coast

Bike Setup:
2009 rootbeer stock bike...no mods

Summary:
I used this bike to travel 3,630 miles across the U.S. from SF to DC. I use rear pannier bags to carry my gear which consisted of tent, sleeping bag, stove, food, clothes and all the other essential gear for touring.
The total weight of bike and gear was roughly 80-85lbs.
During the trip I replaced the tires once, the chain which only stretched once, had two tune ups and 4 total flats.
The bike is built like a tank and takes some serious abuse.
Long climbs, long days (130miles)and rough roads are all in a days work for the 520.
This bike is seriously for those that want reliabilty and pretty much trouble free riding when you're 3oo miles from the nearest bike shop.

Strengths:
Durability, comfort, ergonomics, drivetrain, bomb proof wheels.

Weaknesses:
Seat is pretty uncomfortable after hours in the saddle, pannier rack didn't break but seems weak and bolts holding it to the frame always had to be tightened, no spoke holder like the Surly.

Similar Products Used:
none

Price Paid:  $400.00 at wheelsport, spokane

Model Year:
1999 or older

Favorite Ride:
seattle to spokane

Summary:
My wife and i bought our (2) Trek 520's in 1994. Yeah, 25 years ago. And have used them continuously, regularly, for commuting (my daily commute is 20 miles) for 25 years without any problems. A few of the components have needed to be swapped out after that much use, but the majority of the bike (original componentry) is still intact and working beautifully. I don't know what else one could expect from a bike. If it's this well made and you take care of it, it will last 25 years and beyond.

Strengths:
Rock solid frame, stable smooth ride, able to haul heavy loads without any trouble, excellent gear ratios.

Weaknesses:
None really. Technology has come a long way in 25 years, but what it came with back then endures today for fantastic commuting. I tried the latest 520 (2008) model, also a great ride, but i wouldn't trade it for my 1994 model.

Similar Products Used:
Other tour bikes.

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Price Paid:  $1000.00 at Village Cycle-Chicag

Model Year:
2005

Favorite Ride:
Amsterdam to London to Paris

Bike Setup:
Fully stock

Summary:
Excellent bicycle, Have toured fully loaded with front and rear panniers. Great gear ratio for carrying weight. Dependable, like and old friend

Strengths:
Strong frame. Good geometrics for long rides. Gearing is very responsive on stress.

Weaknesses:
Rear rack could be more durable