Trek 520

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.

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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