Touring - Trek 520 - 2007 Stock Rack

Hi. Wanted to hear opinions about the stock rack on the 2007 Trek 520. I've heard some people trashing the stock rack but it appears pretty solid. Anyone have any experiences with them? Anyone know if Trek recently upgraded the stock rack/most of the complaints I've seen seem to be for older models.

Thanks.

Jeff

People might tell you the rack is garbage. It's not. But, it's isn't a touring rack ,either. It'll do for commuting or day trips in the country. A touring rack is a whole different animal. I have the Trek Interchange rack on my 520, the one you can clip in a matching trunk bag. It's substantially more robust than the stock rack , but it still isn't a touring rack.

Is it just the robustness that disqualifies it as a 'touring rack'? I had no problems with the rack while riding with it this summer. I also got a Trek Interchange Deluxe Trunk (http://pedpow.com/itemdetails.cfm?catalogId=39&id=558), which snaps quickly into the rack with a single latch and without any straps.

http://photos.schwiiz.org/pictures/2007/200706-DonauBikeTour/_thm/thm_2007-06-13-120338.jpg (http://photos.schwiiz.org/showimg.php?file=/2007/200706-DonauBikeTour/2007-06-13-120338.jpg)

People might tell you the rack is garbage. It's not. But, it's isn't a touring rack ,either. It'll do for commuting or day trips in the country. A touring rack is a whole different animal. I have the Trek Interchange rack on my 520, the one you can clip in a matching trunk bag. It's substantially more robust than the stock rack , but it still isn't a touring rack.


Yes, that's the one my Trek came with. Says the weight capacity is 50lbs and it seems somewhat sturdy. I am doing some credit card touring in Italy and will likely be carrying roughly 25-30lbs so was thinking this would work but again, have hear some very negative things about the Trek racks. Thanks for your input.

Jeff

I read about upgrading a rack, and I wonder has anyone actually seen a front or rear rack actually fail? Not just losing a bolt, but snapping a bolt, busting a weld, or having some other structural component of a rear rack actually come apart?

rack breaking? yes. single strut design, bolted to the brake bar on a mountain bike in the 1980's.

firm believer in dual strut racks ever since.

One disadvantage of the stock Trek rack is its shape - the curves and wierd rear half prevent racking panniers fully back on the rack and definetly limit the way Ortliebs mount to it.

Yes, that's the one my Trek came with. Says the weight capacity is 50lbs and it seems somewhat sturdy. I am doing some credit card touring in Italy and will likely be carrying roughly 25-30lbs so was thinking this would work but again, have hear some very negative things about the Trek racks. Thanks for your input.

Jeff

I have the Ortliebs and they clip right on with ease, as long as you slide the clips into the right place. However, Beko is right when he says they limit the position of the Ortliebs on the side bars. I think the weak spot on the Trek Interchange is the slim blade at the contact point where they bolt to the bike frame. Fact is, there are much tougher racks out there for heavy touring, which I have never done. My loads are lighter commuter loads - spare clothes shoes, etc. Probably no more than 20lbs. If I were actually "leaving the Shire" I'd get Tubus or some equivalent.

The Interchange is great for day trips. I have the same trunk bag, with the handy fold down panniers.

Hi. Wanted to hear opinions about the stock rack on the 2007 Trek 520. I've heard some people trashing the stock rack but it appears pretty solid. Anyone have any experiences with them? Anyone know if Trek recently upgraded the stock rack/most of the complaints I've seen seem to be for older models.

Thanks.

Jeff

The stock rack feels flimsy and is cheap. I threw mine out and replaced it with Tubus Tara and Cargo racks. They are expensive but hold up well. On a touring bike, you want the best.

I agree with the opinion of the Interchange rack as a great commuter rack but not touring rack. When you compare it to a really nice touring rack you'll see why.

The left arm on my 2006 Trek stock rack that attaches to the eyelet down near the rear dropouts bent when carrying a load of groceries home. I go to the grocery store probably three to five times a week, so I wasn't carrying that much weight in groceries. There is no way I would trust that rack for any serious loaded touring. However, I switched that rack to my 1974 schwinn le tour fixie and it has held up as a grocery/commuting rack for the last year or so without getting any worse.

not particularly happy with the stock "interchange" rack as the shape of it allows the pannier to swing back in and for rear pockets to hit the spokes if you give the bike a bit of lateral movement.

M7 2003 rack lasted for about 5500 miles of loaded riding before the two upper supports snapped. I've never been known to pack light, so all in all, I feel like it worked pretty well. I was just lucky to be near a bike shop when it broke, but now I just carry two extra supports.