Trek 2000 520

Price Paid:  $1100.00 at de fietsenmaker arnh

Favorite Ride:
early morning to work

Bike Setup:
Everything changed in the 15 years I own the bike; flat bar with unique shifters (pre-production Shimano 8 -speed

Summary:
I bought my 520 in 1993 with 10% chopped of the new price. It is a dark green version that came deore LX equipped with 50-40-30 front and 12-24 cogs.The bike has travelled many miles through the south of france over many mountains including Galibier and Alpe d'Huez. It was a bit heavy , but a tremendous good bike for descents. (stable with wheelbase some 5 cm more than a roadracer)
The original wheels were replaced first, then the drivetrain and the steering. It now sports a flat bar with unique shifters. Apart from a few scratches, the paint is still as new; perhaps the best finish ever on a bike. Dura-ace components fitted where possible. Wheels are currently fitted with Rigida (bom-proof) dpx rims.

Strengths:
finish; durability; ride quality; paint

Weaknesses:
can't think of any

Similar Products Used:
Giant TCR; Bianchi 1885; Trek OCLV 5500 2003

Price Paid:  $1250.00 at LBS

Favorite Ride:
Long camping road tour

Bike Setup:
Terry Liberator Saddle, Cateye CC-MC100W computer, commuter paniers from Trek and cheap Garmin GPS. The rest is stock.

Summary:
I've ridden several RAGBRAI tours and commute 45 miles 2 - 3 times a week. I've done this for years on a Cannondale road bike. The problem with the road bike was that I felt like I was beaten with a board after 60 - 70 miles in the saddle.

The 2007 Trek 520 solved this problem on the first ride! Now miles are only limited by the time I have to spend on the ride.

The forgiving steel frame and the "giant" 700x32c tires make it ride like dream.

I hesitated buying the bike for months because of the bar-end shifters but the adjustment was complete in the first few miles.

Strengths:
The ride is fantastic and the upright posture are perfect for long commutes or touring.

Weaknesses:
All stock saddles suck.

Similar Products Used:
Scott MTB with 1.25 inch slicks and Cannondale R600

Price Paid:  $1100.00 at Second-hand, Sydney,

Favorite Ride:
Mountains & rain somewhere I can't speak the language

Bike Setup:
SPD pedals, 1984 Turbo saddle, Blackburn racks. Rims replaced 2003 (thinned by brake wear).

Summary:
1993 model? Bought as-new second-hand in 1995 and still riding it. Done over 10,000km of loaded touring and at least as much commuting and light touring. The frame is 2" too small but the top tube is the right length for me and the extra crotch clearance is a godsend when the going gets rough. The handling of this (lugged) model strikes a balance between the demands of touring and commuting - whereas the more stable geometry of the welded frame introduced around 1996 makes for a better loaded tourer, but at the expense of quick handling when lightly- or unladen. The welded frame had a more subtle rear fork and gives a softer ride than mine, and also has braze-ons for low-riders (mine doesn't).

I've made numerous equipment changes over the years, and swap out tyres and chainrings when switching between commuting and loaded touring. I'm impressed that I can run any 700C tyre I can buy on this bike, with ample clearance for mudguards. I'm also sold on bar-end shifters, which can be operated while you've got a thickly-gloved hand full of food or map. The rear rack had to go (couldn't fit my panniers) and the cantilever brakes never worked well - V-brakes fixed that. The brake lever springs died in 2003.

The paint has an enamel base that is very resilient.

The lateral stiffness necessary for loaded touring helps for those commuting sprints from the traffic lights, and I can track-stand on it, so I love riding this bike to work.

Photo here: http://www.users.bigpond.com/moblet/Places/Images/Tibetan%20family%20on%20Daxue%20Shan.jpg

Strengths:
Strength of frame, paintwork, fantastic tyre clearance

Weaknesses:
Firm ride in the rear

Similar Products Used:
Previously toured on (steel) road & mtn bikes. Also ride good steel road bikes.

Price Paid:  $900.00 at Bikes USA Orlando,FL

Favorite Ride:
RAGBRAI

Bike Setup:
Stock

Summary:
This bike is simply the best touring bike and makes an all around great bike. I use it to commute, race, even off road because my Trek 6700 was stolen a few months ago. The 520 is a fast bike. Mine is stock, and have never had any troubles except with the brakes (Shimano LX cantilever) they have no power, and a bad lever feel. Trek now uses v-brakes. This bike is bullet proof too. The other day I was flying across this open desert, and come around a corner to find a chain fence right in my way. I coundn't stop and prayed for the best, and I pulled the chain clean out of the concrete wall! All that happened to the 520 was a couple of scratches to the headtube. Great all around bike, and you can find one at a great price. Plus you get Trek Quality, good looks, and a close dealer.

Strengths:
Fast, strong, fairly affordable, great looks, useful in many situations. The 520 has an extremely loyal fan base. It is very well liked by many riders of all types and once you ride one, you'll be a fan too. My 1998 model has never let me down. I have ridden it in suburban Orlando, fl, a small Iowa town, RAGBRAI, off road many times, Mesa, AZ, open desert, Wisconsin's Elroy- Sparta trails, Harmony, Minnesota Trails, and now to work and about. NO problems and always brings a smile to my face.

Weaknesses:
On my 1998 520 the Shimano LX cantilevers are pretty worthless. I plan on upgrading to some XTR v-brakes soon.

Similar Products Used:
This is my first road bike.

Price Paid:  $1200.00 at Sport Swap

Favorite Ride:
Anything without a headwind. That's hard in Toronto: somehow, the wind is always in your face.

Bike Setup:
Planet Bike (or is it Bike Planet?) Freddie fenders, Cateye lights, two waterbottle cages.

Summary:
The moment I tried out this bike (even though it was a small size for me), I knew I was going to buy it. I was sold after thirty seconds on it. Extremely smooth, fast yet stable, powerful brakes, cool shifters. I bought a good-fitting, larger size three days later. It's been nearly two years since then, and I haven't once regretted buying it.
Some people think it is over-geared and say they would prefer a 44-32-22 chainring combination, but I disagree. This bike easily doubles as a performance road bike (it's fast and comfortable, yes?), and with large diameter wheels, thin tires, and drop bars, you need (and want) big gears so you can go fast. After all, how many huge hills that the 30:30 ratio can't deal with will you be climbing anyway? The one adjustment I would make, in order to solve (at least partially) the supposed gearing problem, would be to add a 34T ninth cog. The 2001 and 2002 models go up to 32T, but 34T would be even better.
All in all, a very nice bike. It's very efficient, cuts down a lot on road chatter, climbs and descends well, handles well. An excellent touring companion (only a little on the quiet side). Solid, sturdy ride -a car cut me off and I crashed: the frame was all right. The paint chipped in two or three places, a crank arm got scratched, and that was all. I, however, required seven stitches.
Component-wise, it's a very good value - people are amazed that I got a True Temper frame, Deore LX rear derailleur and hubs, Icon parts, and Avid brakes for only $1200 (regular price is $1500, but I got it on sale). Unfortunately, I missed an opportunity to buy it for only $1000 two months earlier at the same store, but oh well. Spilled milk.
One "fault" I can find is that the handlebar & stem part of the bike (including shifters and brake levers) is too attractive and rare: someone stole mine and it cost $300 to replace everything. The over-attractiveness is not a serious problem though (is it ever?). :) I still haven't really gotten over having such a beautiful bike, and I sometimes find myself admiring it.
The only problem I can think of stems (no pun intended) from the fact that the headtube is 1" instead of the now-standard 1&1/8", so there can be no upgrade to a threadless stem. According to the store people, it "could" be done, but some special (read: expensive) insert is needed, together with a new fork. Unless you have money

Strengths:
Tough, fast, smooth. Good components.

Weaknesses:
Cannot be upgraded to threadless stem.

Similar Products Used:
None.