Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - 1992-94 Trek 520

I'm in the market for a touring bike. I had my heart set on a Surly Long Haul Trucker with 26 inch wheels (I have a slight preference for 26 inch wheels for touring) but I have the opportunity to buy a Trek 520 which, based on the color scheme and parts, dates from 1992-94. I have not inspected the bike yet but based on pics, the bike looks clean and well looked after. The owner wants $500 but I think that's too high since I plan on replacing all the parts I am not certain of before doing any serious touring. The bike is also a 7 speed which is not a deal killer but it will only get harder to find parts as time goes on. How much is the darn thing worth?

That price is really high unless you are in a hot market, and I would not consider Des Moines to be a hot market.

Finding seven speed stuff, other than shifters, is super easy.

I saw a 520 while out on a ride today. Nice bikes, but I wouldn't go much over $250.

I don't think you have to worry about 7-speed stuff becoming scarce, even if you live to be 100.

New Trek 520's are selling new for over $1000.00. I doubt very seriously you'll be able to pick it up for much less than 500.00. If you can, grab it in a hurry. I've got one. They are super touring bikes, but in my opinion, unless it's already been done, you'll want to change out the gearing. Even today, they still come new with gearing that is a little on the high side for serious touring.

New Trek 520's are selling new for over $1000.00. I doubt very seriously you'll be able to pick it up for much less than 500.00. If you can, grab it in a hurry. I've got one. They are super touring bikes, but in my opinion, unless it's already been done, you'll want to change out the gearing. Even today, they still come new with gearing that is a little on the high side for serious touring.

I've picked up half a dozen of them in the last two years for quite a bit less, from 1984 to 1999 models. I've sold them all other than the 1999, all for significantly less than $500. If I sold the 1999, I might ask that much as it is a very nice, 8 speed bike.

The OP bike might be $350 to $400, depending on condition. Nice the OP plans to replace most of the components, I would err on the low end of that range.

New Trek 520's are selling new for over $1000.00. I doubt very seriously you'll be able to pick it up for much less than 500.00. If you can, grab it in a hurry. I've got one. They are super touring bikes, but in my opinion, unless it's already been done, you'll want to change out the gearing. Even today, they still come new with gearing that is a little on the high side for serious touring.

Are you really comparing a modern bike with a bike made almost 20 years ago that had the same name?

That's like comparing a general lee dodge charger and a cop car dodge charger.

Vintage Trek bikes are great rides! Although I've never owned a 520, I have owned better models and payed much less.

It is hard to estimate value without pictures. I can't tell you what it is worth, but I can tell you that $500 is too high.

I would keep looking.

Bike fit and other proportions aside, if you're going to make substantial changes to the bike (components, etc.) and have to also procure the upgrades then it might not be worth it in the long run.

It sounds like you had specific reasons for leaning with the LHT in addition to wheel size (26" vs. 700c)... look at your 'mission'; what kind of touring and where you'll be riding. Perhaps the LHT is better suited for the type of riding you want to do as compared to the 520.

As mentioned previously... some photos of the 520 would help in assessing its value.

:speedy:

Bike fit and other proportions aside, if you're going to make substantial changes to the bike (components, etc.) and have to also procure the upgrades then it might not be worth it in the long run.

It sounds like you had specific reasons for leaning with the LHT in addition to wheel size (26" vs. 700c)... look at your 'mission'; what kind of touring and where you'll be riding. Perhaps the LHT is better suited for the type of riding you want to do as compared to the 520.

As mentioned previously... some photos of the 520 would help in assessing its value.

:speedy:

After I finished my last long tour, I decided that my next touring bike would have 26 inch wheels. I rode a 1984 trek 720 across the US; it can't take very fat tires (no wider than 700 by 35c) and it can't take much of a tire (no wider than 700 by 32c) and fenders. That, to me, is a downer on a touring bike. Plus bike shops in small towns don't carry 700 by 35c or 32c tires in my experience. So I need to replace the bike. Other than that, my old Trek bike rode like a champ; I bought the bike in college and have gotten a lot of use out of it. I have it set up now as a single speed beater bike since the paint job is in bad shape. So I know I want something that takes fat tires. Everything else being equal, I'd prefer a modern drive train but that is not a deal breaker. I think the price is. On an older bikes, parts need to be repaired which is why I don't want to pay $500 for a Trek 520. I appreciate the advice because I wasn't sure whether I was just being hard headed or not. I"ll keep looking.

Are you really comparing a modern bike with a bike made almost 20 years ago that had the same name?

That's like comparing a general lee dodge charger and a cop car dodge charger.

Not really. The General Lee was a better and faster car.:) If anyone here finds a mid 90's Trek 520 that is in good condition for $250.00 - $300.00 range, please contact me with a link to it. I would love to pick up another one to use as a commuter.

After I finished my last long tour, I decided that my next touring bike would have 26 inch wheels. I rode a 1984 trek 720 across the US; it can't take very fat tires (no wider than 700 by 35c) and it can't take much of a tire (no wider than 700 by 32c) and fenders. That, to me, is a downer on a touring bike. Plus bike shops in small towns don't carry 700 by 35c or 32c tires in my experience. So I need to replace the bike. Other than that, my old Trek bike rode like a champ; I bought the bike in college and have gotten a lot of use out of it. I have it set up now as a single speed beater bike since the paint job is in bad shape. So I know I want something that takes fat tires. Everything else being equal, I'd prefer a modern drive train but that is not a deal breaker. I think the price is. On an older bikes, parts need to be repaired which is why I don't want to pay $500 for a Trek 520. I appreciate the advice because I wasn't sure whether I was just being hard headed or not. I"ll keep looking.

My new(ish) commuter/touring bike has disc brakes. I've been considering trying out a pair of 26" or 650b disc wheels to see what kind of clearance I get and what it does to the ride characteristics.

I think it will be sweet and love that disc brakes give me the option of swapping wheel sizes...keep the 700x32s on when I'm commuting and want to go fast. In the winter put on some smaller wheels with nobbies, if I go for a proper tour put some 650b wheels on there with fatties.

Not really. The General Lee was a better and faster car.:) ...

Nope.

Stock for stock a new Charger will destroy an old one.

Mod for mod it will get embarrassing in a hurry.


Tom