Fifty Plus (50+) - Tax Problem and the bike

How can a tax problem be bike related? Well, I normally do some contract work during the year and have additional taxes withheld by my employer to cover the additional taxes and avoid a big tax bill at year end. I didn't do extra work last year but failed to change the withholding taxes so I'm left with a nice tax refund this year:)

It's the first in several years and I intend to spend part of it on a touring bike. I've looked at several bikes including Canndondale, Fuji, Novara and Rivendell but I keep coming back to the Trek 520 (http://www.trekbikes.com/int/en/bikes/2008/road/520/520/). I'm sure I've come to this decision based on the fact all my other bikes are Trek and I've been very satisfied with them. My LBS is a Trek dealer and I couldn't find a better one in the area for service.

I already have a black Brooks in the garage just waiting for this bike:) All these new bikes showing up on 50+ put me in the bike buying mood. This addition shouldl complete the bikes I'll need for my upcoming retirement this year. The trike can wait until I'm too wobbly to ride the other bikes:D

As you already know, you can't go wrong with Trek, I have owned a couple and always been pleased that they do what they are advertised to do. Still have a Trek comfort bike, Navigator 500. Good luck on your quest. Don't forget, you will be getting an additional tax rebate this year due to the recently passed legislation.

The 520 is a nice bike. Are you going touring? If you are you just might want a Mtb crank with lower gearing.

OTOH, if you like the gearing, you might want to swap the bar ends for Tiagra or 105 brifters. This also applies to wheels and tires. Best to match them to the riding you plan on doing... And if you decide you want something different you can get some trade in on the stock equipment.

Dealers will usually cut you a nice deal on swapping parts at the time of the sale to close the deal on the bike.

I do credit card touring, so I want bomb proof wheels, but don't need anything that heavy.

Hmmmm! Sounds more like a tax "opportunity" than a tax problem....

OTOH, if you like the gearing, you might want to swap the bar ends for Tiagra or 105 brifters.

I kind of like the idea of bar end shifters on a touring bike. They give you a lot of flexability in choosing front chainrings so you can pick a really widelt spaced gearset. Also, as much as I like 'brifters', they aren't fool proof. If you happen to be someplace like Agra, Kansas when your's craps out, you're going to have a 2 day layover waiting for a replacement.

I can't think of a better use for a sudden windfall, and it sounds as if you've already mentally spent it on the bike you want. Mabrook (congratulations) as they say here.

But, as this is Bike forums where people share their delight in the bikes they have - I've been delighted in the bike I bought, sight unseen, from a Canadian company called Rocky Mountain. They make a touring bike called a Sherpa, which folk on the touring forum seem to really like. Maybe you'd enjoy a bit more speculative shopping!

Can't go wrong with a Trek 520 though. Keep us in touch

Beverly, I have a 94 Trek 520 and probably ride it more than anything I own. Mine has undergone a few changes since it was new 7 speed (I bought it used).

A few comments. You are going to want to change the gearing on the new ones. The new 520's have a Tiagra crank. Mine was full LX, but they mix road and mountain parts on the new ones. I recommend this

http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/CR407A06-Shimano+Deore+Fc-M530+Crankset.aspx

for your crank set in the 48/36/26 setup. I would keep the bar end shifters for a bit and see how they work for you. One advantage to barcons is that you move your hands a lot, so it tends to be more comfortable. You will need to learn to control a little better with one hand.

One other thing about the 520, it has a really short head tube for a touring bike, because they build it to have the traditional flat top bar. You can see how short the head tube is in the picture. This is on a 21" bike. Note the long nitto stem on mine. Your new one will have a threadless headset. DON'T LET THEM CUT THE STEERER UNTIL YOU RIDE IT. And if they say they can't get one uncut from the factory, find another LBS. This is a critical point on the new 520's. I use a nitto stem to get mine up high enough to be comfortable.

As shown, this one now has XT hubs with 8 speeds and Mavic wheels. I run 28 tires on it, and chipseal roads are no problem. It still has the original shifters in friction mode, but has a nitto stem and randonneur bars along with a Brooks B67. I keep a leather string on the seat so I can tie on a jacket if need be. Also, as you see it I have my Cygo light and battery on for early morning rides (the third bottle holder is handy).

Good luck and have fun.

Sounds like a fun problem. Keep us posted on how you solve it.

OTOH, if you like the gearing, you might want to swap the bar ends for Tiagra or 105 brifters.

If you change to brifters you will have to change brakes. The new 520's come with V-brakes, and they are generally not compatible with brifters. Also, the Dia-compe are about the only aerobrake lever that will work with V brakes, which is why Trek put them on there. You can also get some travel mates to make the brifters work but its more sensible to change to caliper brakes.

One other thing about the 520, it has a really short head tube for a touring bike, because they build it to have the traditional flat top bar. You can see how short the head tube is in the picture. This is on a 21" bike. Note the long nitto stem on mine. Your new one will have a threadless headset. DON'T LET THEM CUT THE STEERER UNTIL YOU RIDE IT. And if they say they can't get one uncut from the factory, find another LBS. This is a critical point on the new 520's. I use a nitto stem to get mine up high enough to be comfortable.

That stem looks long even for a Nitto. Is that a Technomic or is it something with an even longer shank?

I assume that bike is pre-assembled in the Orient. Getting one with an uncut steerer isn't a reasonable expectation.

The Surly Long Haul Trucker (http://www.surlybikes.com/lht_comp.html) is another option to consider. Your LBS can get them from QBP.

Also, the Dia-compe are about the only aerobrake lever that will work with V brakes, which is why Trek put them on there. You can also get some travel mates to make the brifters work but its more sensible to change to caliper brakes.

Tektro (http://www.bikemannetwork.com/biking/p/COMPBRKLEVRD/BR7212) now has a version of their campy clone brake levers that work for V-brakes and mechanical discs.

The 520 is a nice bike. Are you going touring? If you are you just might want a Mtb crank with lower gearing.

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I'll be doing a couple week long tours and we're planning a trip around Lake Erie the end of summer. All my touring will be supported so I won't need to load the bike down with equipment other than the normal tools, some extra food/water and rain gear.

If you change to brifters you will have to change brakes. The new 520's come with V-brakes, and they are generally not compatible with brifters. Also, the Dia-compe are about the only aerobrake lever that will work with V brakes, which is why Trek put them on there. You can also get some travel mates to make the brifters work but its more sensible to change to caliper brakes.

I'm sure I'll want to change to brifters. I guess I need to talk to the LBS about the options available. If the stock bike will require too many changes I'll need to reconsider the 520.

Beverly, I have a 94 Trek 520 and probably ride it more than anything I own. Mine has undergone a few changes since it was new 7 speed (I bought it used).

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Wow! That is a gorgeous bike.

I'll be taking my bike to the LBS for it's 4000 mile tune up and plan to talk to them about the 520 and what it will take to get one with the features I want.

I'll be doing a couple week long tours and we're planning a trip around Lake Erie the end of summer. All my touring will be supported so I won't need to load the bike down with equipment other than the normal tools, some extra food/water and rain gear.


I would probably not be looking for a touring bike for that type of riding. Especially if I wanted to use Brifters. The brakes are going to lead to some kind of compromise. I would look for a relaxed geometry road bike with caliper brakes. Or something like the Portland with BB7 road disc brakes.

I would probably not be looking for a touring bike for that type of riding. Especially if I wanted to use Brifters. The brakes are going to lead to some kind of compromise. I would look for a relaxed geometry road bike with caliper brakes. Or something like the Portland with BB7 road disc brakes.

This thing has to be capable of doing longer unsupported tours after I retire. These trips are only for this year:)

Good choice, Beverly. Trek 520's have gone around the world.

Have you seen this link yet, Beverly?

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=391760

It's all about people listing what they don't like about their touring bikes. The 520 is mentioned in there...

This thing has to be capable of doing longer unsupported tours after I retire. These trips are only for this year:)

Well then, that changes things a bit, doesn't it? :)

I think with brifters you may want to go with cantilever brakes instead of v-brakes. The popularity of cyclocross has led to many new models introduced that don't have the adjustment difficulties some of the older ones were famous for. There are devices to make standard levers work with v-brakes (travel agent etc.), but I would prefer a more straightforward solution like compatible brakes or compatible levers.

But then, the setup that comes standard on the bike would be my preferred solution. V-brakes and compatible road levers with bar end shifters.

Good choice, Beverly. Trek 520's have gone around the world.

For what its worth, I'm planning to upgrade the 520 to nine speed before summer, with newer bar shifters (so they will index). I also want to change the stem and get a wider handlebar. Trek has a repainting program ($325) for their older steel bikes and I may have it repainted before summer. So, I go plow another $90 for a new 13-30 cassette, $70 for shifters, $70 for stem and new bars, maybe $80 for a new crank set....plus the paint.

Ah well.........you can't put a price on love.

Now that I think of it...I have a set of Ultegra brifters, and a 105 derailleur...I'd have to grind the DR to make it fit the big chainring better, but its silver rather than black like the other componenets, so I think I have a silver LX long cage rear DR somewhere around here...but then I'd need new silver canti brakes...let's see...$40 each, plus Koolstop pads....OH MY...where willl it end? Maybe I should just order up a new Co-Motion. Oh yeah, gonna need new bar tape too!

I kind of like the idea of bar end shifters on a touring bike. They give you a lot of flexability in choosing front chainrings so you can pick a really widelt spaced gearset. Also, as much as I like 'brifters', they aren't fool proof. If you happen to be someplace like Agra, Kansas when your's craps out, you're going to have a 2 day layover waiting for a replacement.

I love the brifters. I haven't done any unsupported long tours yet, but I have always figured I'd carry a spare set of downtube shifters. They are small anyway. If a brifter fails during the trip, I'd pull the shifter cable and mount the downtube lever.

I'm sure I'll want to change to brifters. I guess I need to talk to the LBS about the options available. If the stock bike will require too many changes I'll need to reconsider the 520.


All it should take is brifters and brakes. The reason they put the MTB style brakes on there is that they stop better than the type found on "road" bikes.

Been doing nothing but checking in every month or so to see what's going on, saw the post on the touring bike and wanted to reply. First of all, being married to a CPA, I ALWAYS expect a refund :D>

I have the Cannondale T800 and love it, but also rode the Trek 520 and liked it just as well. You can't go wrong with the Trek. Last year on my Cannondale I rode the paths from Pittsburgh to Washington DC. It was loaded down pretty well and did a good job. I also, later in the year, rode around Lake Michigan which was a GREAT ride. Again, loaded down it did great. I rode two days with a guy on an older 520 and it was a sweet bike

I envy your around Lake Erie trip. Sounds like a good ride.

Planning a couple of rides this summer myself and can't wait for this white stuff to disappear.

Good luck on your purchase.

Good to hear from you again MichiganMike. I assume the ice is piled up high on the beach there in St. Joe's?

Great thread, Bev! What fun to have an unexpected bonus and get to spend it on a new bike.

This thread is also interesting to me because my husband is getting bike fever for a touring bike. He has a buddy who regularly takes rides all over the place, the last one was to go with a couple buddies in a rental car (with their bikes in tow) up to Washington, then ride down the coast back to Northern Calif. So hubby's getting the bug. I'm going to point him to this thread and solveg's great link to a very timely thread in the touring forum.

All it should take is brifters and brakes. The reason they put the MTB style brakes on there is that they stop better than the type found on "road" bikes.

The caliper brakes found on road bikes won't, for the most part, clear the fenders or big tires you have on a touring bike, and for that reason they are generally not found on tourers, though there are exceptions. The V-brakes now found on hybrids/comfort/mountain bikes have taken over from cantilevers because they are simpler to install and manufacture, IMHO. They don't require a cable stop built into the frame. The Trek cyclocross bikes are, I believe, the only ones with canti brakes..

Brifters and brakes are not all it will take. If you change to canitilevers you will also have to have additional hardware front and back for the cables to pull against. This means a cable housing stop on the headset (probably not room with the short cut stem they have) or front fork and also one in the back for the back canti brake. The choices for the new threadless headset are not as simple. Then, you will also need some cable barrel adjusters for the brakes, again, dependent upon what you use for housing stops. And if you keep the Tiagra front D/R and crank set the brifters will work, but if you change to a trekking crank, rather than the road crank that Trek now has on their 520, the front D/R may need some tweaking to have the correct curvature to clear the big ring on the same arc so as to move the chain off and on. And the brifters won't work if you go to a "mountain" front D/R to match a trekking crank. And everything will have to be re-cabled.

None of this is really too extensive, but they are some of the things to be considered.

I don't mean to discourage you, because I like my Trek 520. But the newer ones changed headsets, brake types, and went to road chainrings. This makes modifications somewhat more extensive. By contrast, my 94 Trek had a full LX gruppo, all the way down to the LX brakes and LX Parralax hubs.

If I had a new Trek 520, that fit me well, I think I'd probably change the crankset and front D/R to match and just go with that for a while. The bar shifters aren't a big deal because you're not running in a paceline and needing to click one tooth at a time to stay in place.

Have fun shopping, Beverly! Sounds like you have a lot of bike fun planned for retirement.

The caliper brakes found on road bikes won't, for the most part, clear the fenders or big tires you have on a touring bike, and for that reason they are generally not found on tourers, though there are exceptions. The V-brakes now found on hybrids/comfort/mountain bikes have taken over from cantilevers because they are simpler to install and manufacture, IMHO. They don't require a cable stop built into the frame. The Trek cyclocross bikes are, I believe, the only ones with canti brakes..

Brifters and brakes are not all it will take. If you change to canitilevers you will also have to have additional hardware front and back for the cables to pull against. This means a cable housing stop on the headset (probably not room with the short cut stem they have) or front fork and also one in the back for the back canti brake. The choices for the new threadless headset are not as simple. Then, you will also need some cable barrel adjusters for the brakes, again, dependent upon what you use for housing stops. And if you keep the Tiagra front D/R and crank set the brifters will work, but if you change to a trekking crank, rather than the road crank that Trek now has on their 520, the front D/R may need some tweaking to have the correct curvature to clear the big ring on the same arc so as to move the chain off and on. And the brifters won't work if you go to a "mountain" front D/R to match a trekking crank. And everything will have to be re-cabled.

None of this is really too extensive, but they are some of the things to be considered.

I don't mean to discourage you, because I like my Trek 520. But the newer ones changed headsets, brake types, and went to road chainrings. This makes modifications somewhat more extensive. By contrast, my 94 Trek had a full LX gruppo, all the way down to the LX brakes and LX Parralax hubs.

If I had a new Trek 520, that fit me well, I think I'd probably change the crankset and front D/R to match and just go with that for a while. The bar shifters aren't a big deal because you're not running in a paceline and needing to click one tooth at a time to stay in place.

Stopped by sto see ome club members tonight to drop off our newsletter and mentioned this. They ride a tandem. Also stopped by the bike shop and mentioned this, and Fred pulled out the solution right away. Most road tandems use brifters with V-brakes, and they put on a QBP Travel Agent, or Problem Solver that allows the brifters to work fine with the V-brakes. I'm thinking that all Beverly's shop needs to do is put on the brifters and install these, and she's good to go.

...Travel Agent, or Problem Solver that allows the brifters to work fine with the V-brakes. I'm thinking that all Beverly's shop needs to do is put on the brifters and install these, and she's good to go.


Yes. I mentioned these earlier. They are a solution, but not a great one. I would go with cantis.

If you change to brifters you will have to change brakes. The new 520's come with V-brakes, and they are generally not compatible with brifters. Also, the Dia-compe are about the only aerobrake lever that will work with V brakes, which is why Trek put them on there. You can also get some travel mates to make the brifters work but its more sensible to change to caliper brakes.


I guess I used the wrong wording. Yes, you can put travel agents in place and fix it. Part of my point is those things are about $25 and you can buy new calipers for that price, and the best Shimano's for $35 or so. Then a few bucks for the cable stops and you're in business with a much cleaner setup. Just my opinion.

I'm with the BluesDawg on this one...get the cantis.