Classic & Vintage - Trek Cirrus Touring Bike (520)

I just picked up an early Trek Cirrus (no 520 designation anywhere) that looks very similar to the bike in this old thread.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/612192-Trek-520-quot-Cirrus-quot-is-almost-done!?highlight=cirrus

My bike has been raided for its parts and doesn't have the original Shimano cantilever front brakes or ft wheel. I found some later Ultegra canti's for sale for about $80. Unfortunately it is slightly too tall (58cm) for me, so I just want to put it in decent rideable condition before selling it. My question is, should I spend the bucks ($80) and get the upgraded newer Ultrega Canti brakes or should I install a set of center mounted Shimano 600 brakes or a set of dual pivot Ultegra brakes I have lying around?

Were those Cantilever brakes any good?

It also need a new wheelset as they are 27" but the front was replaced with a crappy steel wheel...

Or, should I just leave it as is and sell it to a buyer looking for a great winter project who would love to equip it with the gear of his choosing so he can build a great touring bike for this spring/summer...

I see that Trek stills sells this bike after 25 years and today it retails for $1400+

http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/road/touring/520/520

Sorry, I'll try to post pics later today...

That was my old bike in the thread that I ended up selling when I got a different touring bike. What size frame are you looking for? I have several Touring bikes sitting around in the 54cm area. If you are just looking to make some cash the best bet would be to go ahead and strip it to the frame and fork and sell it that way as people love projects.

I actually read your old thread and then a few weeks later, this Cirrus came my way so I bought it. Upon closer inspection, it appears to have all OEM gear except for the front wheel and the front brakes. The bars, stem, seat post, drive train (excepting cassette) all appear to be OEM.

The paint is pretty rough but wouldn't a buyer want the drivetrain and oem bars/stem/seat post? If this was the right size for me and I wanted to turn it into a rider for myself, I'd just replace the wheelset, seat, pedals and brakes. Personally, I don't mind if the paint looks rough... hopefully that would make my bike less of a target for bike thieves...

I've found a 700c wheelset and can replace the brakes with a modern cantilever set that is used on the current $1400 520, r&r all cables and install new tires/tubes for around $150. Then the bike would be a fine rider... Should I invest the time and money to

Here's the photos

http://www.flickr.com/photos/73833499@N06/sets/72157628765251789/

I'm still trying to find out what model these brakes are...
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7013/6654810193_4e2d8b3d33_b.jpg

I tried to switch to a couple new brakes but they don't fit... Can someone please tell me what model these brakes are so I might find a set of feebay?

They look like BR-MT60 to me, but Shimano had others that looked pretty close to that as well.

Is yours an '87? i have an '85 model that came with caliper brakes. It still looks practically new...I'm fearing that first scratch in the paint. BTW, it seems like "homecoming week" with both that-guy-zach and I posting to this thread, since he started the one you mentioned and I chimed in on it. I like my 520, which was a "sport touring" version in '85. I still haven't gotten around to putting more than 50 miles on it. Does yours have a Reynolds 531 frame?

http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo171/buddydog99/100_0180.jpg

From the vintage Trek site:

83, pewter with slate gray panel, also gunmetal blue with pewter panel
84, taupe
85, cumulus gray with red graphics
86 Cirrus - gray metallic with red graphics
87 Cirrus - cumulus gray with red graphics, also burgundy/slate fade
88, deep blue with white decals
89, deep blue with white trim

Durrel,
Since we are not yet PM capable, can you email me?

dan.v@sbcglobal dot net