Commuting - Trek 520

Just paid the LBS a deposit on a 48 CM Trek 520. :D It is my commuter, club ride, tourer. I will have a dynamo front hub with front and rear lights. Rear panniers will be here on Tuesday. Any ideas on equipment I could be looking at? I have other options in mind but may forget something you folks could suggest ? The pictures are going to take a couple of weeks to post. Thanks in advance. Blues Frog

48cm? You're about 5' tall obviously :)

Nice bike, comes with the rear rack so you should be good since it sounds like you have the rest covered.. Be advised that the rear fender tends to rattle against the rack though :(

Front rack and panniers
Rack trunk
I assume you have all your emergency repair gear?
If you carry a phone or GPS to tour, check out one of the dynohub inverters for charging your stuff during the day.

CCrew was that a short joke? I'm a bit sensitive about that. I've only been short for 58 years! I'm wanting to find the hook-up that will allow charging of cell phones etc. from the dynamo. It is said to use a usb type of plug. Should work quite handily. Thanks. Blues Frog

Depends on what you are carrying and what conditions you are riding in, but you might want to replace the rack and/or fenders. I've heard those shorty fenders really don't provide much coverage. Other than that a home floor pump if you don't have one, a good multi tool, saddlebag, and flat repair kit. Don't forget a good lock. Some of things will come down to what you think is a necessity. Anyway congratulations. Happy and safe riding to you.

I have a pump and lock. I took my first lock and chain from my 1970 western Flyer 10 speed days and updated the lock. Then covered the chain with a now defunct tube and wrapped the tube with bands of yellow and orange duct tape. Works great and is quite visible. I may need one of the higher strength chains and locks. Thanks for reminding me. Blues Frog

lots of km on my 520, would suggest replacing the stock seat with something more comfortable to tour or ride long distances on. also replace the stock brake pads with salmon kool stops.

I'm getting a Brooks on before I ride the bike. Blues Frog

Remember to tell the LBS not to cut the fork too short. Actually, don't let them cut it until they get you there to get fitted.

CCrew was that a short joke? I'm a bit sensitive about that. I've only been short for 58 years! I'm wanting to find the hook-up that will allow charging of cell phones etc. from the dynamo. It is said to use a usb type of plug. Should work quite handily. Thanks. Blues Frog

Naa, not at all Blues Frog. I like short, my wife is 4'11" :) I see the size and that's the first thing that comes to mind, since she rides a 47cm WSD

Congrats on the 520 Blues. I have a 2004 that I built up. Awesome bike that makes a great commuter and of course it comes into it's own as a tourer. Enjoy.

The 520 makes a great commuter I have a 2006 model. I replaced the awful diacompe 287-V levers with the Tektro RL-520's. I've got a blackburn expedition rear rack with panniers, planet bike Freddy Fenders, and lights on it. The only issue is finding new pads to replace the avid stocks. I got Kools Stop Salmon V-brake pads and they squeal like heck no matter what the toe angle is.