Ositoblanco

Hi,

I'm about to buy a new bike for commuting and I'm still doubting between a Trek 520 disc and a Trek Crossrip Elite, what do you think?
I usually commute every day 2 times 15km (so about 7500km/year) on a flat road in the Netherlands; I currently have a sparta "classic" dutch bike and I would like something a bit faster and lighter.
The idea would also be to use the bike sometimes during the weekend, for family trips or discovering the countryside in a fast way.
By the way, if you have other suggestions, feel free...

Thanks,

Pierre

Null66

Ride them...
I ride a built up DT (disc version of Surly LHT), similar to the 520.

I am very tempted by some of the cross and randonneur style bikes with wider tire capabilities. Everything I need, but lighter.

But then I my rational mind kicks in and well, it's not the bike, its the engine...

tsl

You live in the part of the world where cyclocross was invented and you're questioning the purchase of a cyclocross bike?

In all seriousness, either bike will perform admirably in the commuting role. The 520 already comes with a rack, so there will be a bit less of messing with accessories. Other than that, since I have no experience with one, I can't make the argument for one.

The key difference between them when it comes to "discovering the countryside in a fast way" are the shifters. The Crossrip's STI levers specifically address shifting in a fast way. Personally, I wouldn't own any bike without them.

You'll hear arguments that bar-ends can be shifted just as quickly. No. You'll hear arguments that in the flatlands you don't need to shift as often. No.

I live in the flatlands too--commute along a canal even--and can tell you that's simply not true. I use close-ratio cassettes (12-23) on my commuters and run the cassette end-to-end and back again in a single block of my stop-and-go commute. And the "don't need STI in the flatlands" group don't say a thing about winds. I can shift back-and-forth, gust-by-gust, with a flick of the fingers with my hands never leaving the hoods.

My primary commuter is a Trek Portland, the forerunner of the Crossrip. Like the Crossrip, it uses cyclocross geometry and mechanical disc brakes. I've rigged mine with full fenders, dynamo hub lighting, and a Tubus rear rack. None of those things get in the way of taking that bike on club rides. And if it's wet, everyone wants to be the guy on my wheel. (I just have to remember they can't stop as well as I can.)

As far as load-carrying, I routinely haul home 30kgs of groceries. The more weight I put on the back of the bike, the more stable it becomes. With 40kg on the back, the ride and handling are best described as "stately". Beyond that, though, the front becomes too light. Balancing the load front and rear would then become necessary.

If you're looking for a reliable commuter that can be ridden with alacrity on the weekend (or even in commuting traffic), the Crossrip is a good choice.

jfowler85

"Which bike should I buy" are difficult questions to answer, largely because everyone has their own respective riding style and expectations of the bike. I've been commuting for a number of years, and I'm just now beginning to really discover which bikes I like and why. If you're just starting out and really have no idea, then start broadly by riding something that is comfortable to you and meets your expectations. Do you intend on riding quickly, comfortably, competitively, do you have no preference at all?

If you just can't make a decision, then buy whatever is cheaper. Disc is nice, but expensive relative to same-level rim brakes but you will have more rim choices. Don't read too much into the purchase, just get on both bikes and find out which fits you better with test rides.

Ositoblanco

Thanks for the tips,

I've just got in touch with a shop and the 2 bikes will be available next week so I'll be able to see and test them; most probably it's the best way to choose.
What I don't understand about the bar ends shifters is why are they promoted so well, even by Trek, in comparison with more modern shifters like for example on the crossrip?
Are they more reliable?

fietsbob

cross rip is Aluminum, 520 is steel

the left bar end shifter is friction so trimming the FD cage so it wont scrape the chain , is something You Do, not the Mech.
Right Indexed rear Lever has a Back up Friction shifting Option.
so they are Reliable by having a Back up Mode when you somehow, mess up the indexing.

downwinded

Lovin' my Crossrip after a couple thousand miles. You just need to ride them and see which one you like best.

side_FX

Not to confuse you even more, but have you considered a Domane? I only ask because I too am considering the best "all rounder" option. I'm even wondering about the 8.6 DS......why does Trek have to make so many sweet bikes!?!

bikemig 

If you're not doing long distance touring, the cross bike will be a bit more nimble and so I'd go for that.

jaxgtr

Love my CrossRip. I personally did not like the touring shifters when I was looking. I preferred the drop bar bike with the road bike shifter's for my commuter. Of course it helped that I got an awesome deal on it.

jaxgtr

Oh, on the crossrip, the top tube is long, so you will want to go down a size.

Ositoblanco

Hi,

Still waiting for testing the bikes; they had to order the 520 in the shop so normally I will ride them on Saturday...
I was also wondering if the 520 would not be too much of a bike for commuting. I would love to do some touring too, but with two young children and my wife which is not deep into cycling, I think I'll have to wait some time for that.

noglider 

My kids are grown now, and if I can give you any advice, strike that attitude out. Find a way to go bike touring if you want to do it. Either bring your wife and kids along or make a deal with your wife to let you go alone. People do manage to bring small kids on bike tours.

Lanovran

I regularly commute on a 520, and it is undeniably a reliable, comfortable, and sturdy bike. I bought it largely for touring as well as commuting. The Crossrip will certainly be lighter and quicker, and is designed primarily to be a swift & versatile commuter. It doesn't come with a rack like the 520, but it's compatible with racks, fenders, etc. As jaxgtr mentioned above, the Crossrip does run a tad long, but the 520 does a bit as well, so size carefully and take them out for a test ride if you can.

Since you mentioned wanting to commute and do some weekend trips, fast country-roaming kinds of rides, etc., I might recommend also checking out Trek's new 720 Disc. It's one of Trek's newly revamped "adventure" line, and it's meant to be a lightweight, high-speed tourer. It's spec'd better than most of the Crossrip family, and comes with fork-mounted drybags (and it's a bit pricier than the other options, but could be worth checking out).

Sullalto

It's probably not an issue for you, but if you have very big feet(48+), you might want to check your ability to carry panniers on the slightly shorter chain stays on the crossrip, without having heel strike.

(I've probably said something similar dozens of times here)



But if you have touring aspirations, or even daydreams, I'd definitely go with the 520. Who knows, you might have the opportunity while your wife takes the kids to her parens for a week. And you already have a touring bike. Buying another bike solely for vacations might not be a viable financial choice. But if you have the touring bike already, it might enable some touring.

lostarchitect 

I've never heard anyone say that you can shift bar ends as quickly as brifters. That's not what they're about. It's more of a riding style thing, and you like it or you don't, I suppose.

Ositoblanco

Hi,

Well, anyway that doesn't matter any more since I've just ordered the 520 disc at the shop this morning
I've tried both, the 520 disc and the crossrip and I have to say that the crossrip is really a nice bike with the brakes and shifters easy to handle but it really looks like too much of a race bike to me; the 520 is more the kind of commuter that I was expecting.
Regarding the weight, the 520 is heavier than the crossrip but it's just like it would be a full carbon frame when compared with my current bike; and the crossrip didn't bring any rack on it so I have the feeling that in the hand the difference would not be that much.
I've also asked for some additional suggestions to the people in the shop, but for this kind of rides they told me that the 520 was probably the best choice... and I've got the bike for 1100euro, so about 1205 USD, which is not bad at all...
On top of that I really love the "old fashioned" style of the 520!
AAArrh, I cannot wait to have it; 2 weeks from now!

Thanks for tips!!

Pierre

lostarchitect 

I think you'll be very pleased with that bike. Congratulations!

noglider 

It looks great on the Trek web page, and you got a very good price. They are listing it at about $1,300.

Lanovran

Welcome to the 520 club, in that case!

Ositoblanco

Hi,

And here it is, I've got my new bike !! Full equipped with rack, fenders, lights, amovible bags, counter... and it's really a nice bike!! Even the sellers in the shop were amazed, people here are not used to this kind of bike, they rather prefer road bikes, or heavy-reliable-comfortable bikes.


Apart from the standard arrangement on this bike, the light has been mounted just below the handlebar with the same support as for the counter. This was, the handlebar is 100% free of accessories.


So far, I only rode it for commuting, between 15 and 25km each way, and the bike is really good. When facing the wind, the position truly helps keeping a decent speed. The only drawback is that now it's also much more funny and I have to keep a quiet pace if I don't want to arrive sweaty at work.


Now I'm looking forward to see the spring settling here in the NL so I can enjoy longer rides with a bit more of sun (we're expecting a complete week of rain... so that will be the opportunity to test the fenders too). I'm also thinking in planning a small tour of 3 days in Seeland...

Motolegs

Amazing

MZilliox

Right on! my wife just purchased the 520 for the same reasons. its a very easy to ride commuter that can go for long trips through the country. we are testing it on a century in september, and some light touring rides to the winelands and the oregon coast next spring.

What fenders did you put on the bike? that is the next step for Megan's bike.

bmthom.gis

Very nice. Now that you have had it for awhile, how about an update??

tones0000

Are you able to post a close up picture showing how you mounted the front fender on the disc brake side? I use the same bontrager fenders but have had to attach the arms to the low rider holes half way up the fork.
Thanks
Tony