coyboy

I could not find theis doing a search so i'll just ask.

Where is the sizing on the bike. I found a used on that seems a little big for me but not a lot. I looked on the bottom and found the serial # but I could not find the frame size anywhere on the bike. I could not ride it because it has flat tires but when I stood over the bike it grazed my groin area, but no pressure. I have a Lg Giant OCR 3 that feels cramped and my toes bumb the wheels if going slow and turning. I am 6 feet tall, 237# but I am short legged (31 in inseam on most jeans) and long waisted. I think this is why I feel cramped on the Giant. I have been looking for a touring bike to use camping and the used 520 is within my budget. I am a noob but is $375 too much for a used 520. I flipped it over and it goes through the gears smoothly but I am not a good judge of how hard it has been ridden or haw many miles it might have on it. the paint on the frame is in great shape. it is brown. it has a cheap compas on the bars and worn duct tape over the bar end shifters and break levers. I did not look at the break pads. one watere bottle carrier was broke. it had a leather seat cover over the factory seat that looks worn but OK, the factory seat under it loos new. The front rack has a bar strip with holes in it to make it fit but is solid. the rear rack is factory I guess. that all for now. TIA for any cluse on where to find the size or any other info on fair pricing for what little info I can give.

Coy Boy

valygrl

Sounds like it would be pretty easy to inflate the tires (bring your own tubes & pump) and go for a test ride. Nothing is more important than fit - don't talk yourself into it for the price. Also, don't forget it's going to be a little taller after you air up the tires. If you really want the number, bring a tape measure, and measure it. Follow this link to find trek's geometry chart, as far as I know they haven't changed this frame in decades, so the bike you are looking at should match one of these.

https://www2.trekbikes.com/bikes/bike...id=1432000&f=6

There's no such thing as standard pricing for used bikes - you have to negotiate with the owner. Sounds like it hasn't been loved, though, so you might want a bike shop to check out the drive train and wheels for you.

jcm

If you have a 31" inseam and it just grazes, it's probably a 23". I'm 6' tall with the same inseam and that's the bike I have, but a different year ('98, blue). The next size up is a 25" and that would definitely rub. The next size down is 22".

Check the color again:Some people mistake the maroon for brown. If maroon, I think it might be a 2002?

I also agree with everything valygrl said. You measure from the center of the BB to the opening of the seat tube. You'll get close enough to tell.

Look for Shimano LX in back and 105 stuff up front. Propoperly adjusted, it should be one of the quietest, smoothest shifting bikes you have ever ridden.

GeoKrpan

coyboy,
You and I are sized identically. My roadbike, size large, is cramped for me. I solved this by going to a 130mm stem. It now fits perfectly. There is a benefit to long stems. It slows down the steering so that the bike handles well on descents. Also, the long stem places more weight on the front wheel. The slower steering and more weight on the front wheel mean that while climbing less steering corrections are required.
You can focus more on your pedaling. Someone told me that Lance Armstrong uses a 130mm stem.
Back to the Trek 520. Measure the top tube from the center of the seat tube to the center of the head tube holding the tape measure parallel to the ground. If it is a sloping top tube and the head tube is higher than the seat tube measure from the center of the seat post to the center of the head tube. Hopefully it is not less than 56.5 cm. If it is much less pass on this bike. It might require that you use a stem longer than 130mm which may result in strange handling behavior.
The fact that the top tube grazes you crotch while the bike has flat tires would indicate to me that this is one of the larger sizes. You may be in luck. If the top tube is longer than 56.5 cm adjust the stem length by the amount it exceeds 56.5 cm. For example, if the top tube measures 57.5cm use a 120mm, 12cm, stem.
I always say this so here goes. If you are a novice be careful when buying a used bike. You don't know what to look for and it could end up costing you more than a new bike. Or, the total cost may be so close to a new bike that you'd wish that you'd gotten a new bike. Remember, on a new bike everything is new. On an old bike everything is old. However, you may just want to restore a classic and if that's you're intention, well, alright!
A REI Novara Randonee (700c) cost $949 and a REI Novara Safari (26") costs $849. Both are dandy and are ready to tour. The Safari has 26" wheels and would do well on and off paved roads. An entry level mountain bike such as the Specialized Hardrock, $390, and an Xtracycle, $400, would probably tour pretty well and you would not have to buy racks and panniers.

coyboy

thanks everyone. I went ahead and got the bike. I just rode it a little and readjusted the seat down and forward a little. now it fits peddly wise the same as my OCR 3. I definatly have a lot more room in the cockpit. I only have about 500 miles on the OCR so I cant really judge fit other than it rides fine. I did notice a thump (only after I got up to around 15 mph) in the front wheel. I cant tell what is causing it. I cant see a wobble and all the spokes look and feel tight. It passes the brakes evenly when I flip it and spin the wheel.

Valygrl, thanks for the tip. I measured the seat tube and got 25 inches. I think trex messed up on the seat tube mesurment. they list the rest metric then inches but my 25 inches matches the top measurment they list the inches as 9.8. With the tires aired up it was snugger...but I could still squat just a fuzz before putting pressure on my groin.

jcm, I do believe it is a maroon. it does have the running gear you mention and it is smooth shifting.

George, I think the top tube measures 59 cm. I measured it with a tape and got 23 1/8. Not sure on the stem. I show 1.5 inches, a little more going all the way down to the top tube. By lowering the seat I raised the stem a little in relation to my but but not in relation to the peddles. I also moved the seat forward a mite. I read here somewhare that this is similar to lowern the seat.

Anyways, I'll try to post a few pics if I can figgure it out. Also look at how low I have the seat and let me know if this is real bad. like I said, it feels good when riding.

Coy Boy

coyboy

dubes

From the color and the shape of the front fork, that's a 2005 Trek 520 (I have a 21" frame myself). I'm guessing it's a 23" judging from the length of the head tube: the 23's had a 12" head tube, while 21's and smaller had a 9" head tube. The head tube in the 3rd picture looks proportionately longer than the one my bike.

Incidentally, Trek described the color as "beaujolais". Fruity name for the color, but I think it looks quite distinguished (much better than the puke--I mean, willow--green of the 2006 520s).

dubes

The thump is troubling. Two simple things to try (assuming there is nothing unseemly with the tire): (1) make sure the front hub is seated properly in the fork and the quick release lever is closed and tight. (2) Make sure the fork is seated properly in the head tube and the headset is adjusted. See Park Tool's site on headset adjustment; scroll down to the section titled 'Headset Adjustment - Threadless Type'. If you can't get rid of the thump, you might want to post in the Bicycle Mechanic's forum or take it to your LBS to check it out.

coyboy

I'll have to look at that site and see if I feel comfortable checking the head stem. Heowever, it seems to come from the tires. I tride to watch the tire and see if it was at ever revolution but that was hard to tell at 15 mph. cant feel it slower. anyways

I had a friend come over this morning who rides a lot. He rode it about 2 miles and siad "theres nothing wrong with that wheel/tire" I had to run to town so I didnt get to try myself. Got back at 4:30 so I took a quick 6 mile spin before dark. I could still feel a slight thump but it seemed better. then I dropped off the mountain. the breaks work great. I droped into grany gear for the climb back up. I made it almost to the top (about 540 ft climb) but it seemed like it has a lot lower gear than the OCR. If I had more dayligh I might have done the climb again. Reguardless, with my shape (not real good) I think this bike will make getting in shape easier. Hopefully good enough to do the Chief Lagia trail this summer and the BRAT (bike ride across Tn) this fall.

But back to the thump. Maybe the thump is just where the bike sat for so long and flat spotted the tires....LOL (It was in the store where I bought it a few months cause I did not get it when they had it at $500). I'm gona keep an eye on it. I think part of it may be I am looking too close for something to be wrong. I get that way when I spend money on something I am not sure about.

Coy Boy

jcm

I was wrong on the model year, but now having seen the bike, I'm almost certain it's a 25", the tallest 520. I don't think they made a 24" - which would be perfect for me.

Mine is the 23" and is about 1.8" between the top tube and the down tube, where they meet the head. Yours looks to be about twice that.

Michel Gagnon

Regarding the thump, check both wheels and tires. Spin the wheel slowly and hold a small screwdriver against the rim, and you'll quickly see if a rim is dented or has a bump. It's also quite possible that one of the tire (especially the rear one) has a sidewall failure and is "tearing apart".

If you want to tour, I would suggest the following improvements:

– If the cockpit seems too short, look for a longer stem.

– If you have the original drivetrain with 52-40-30 rings, consider replacing the small ring with a 24 or 26. Hills will be easier.

– Last but not least, find a lowrider rack! Instead of hanging panniers in front of the steering axis, they will hang in line with it, so the front load won't affect your steering at all.

coyboy

just a quick thanks and update. I emailed trek and it is a 2005 and 25 in frame according to the sieral #. I looked at the trek site for 2005 and the color is listed as Rainforest Green. It is definatly the burgandy or beaujolais as dubes noted. Was the different color typical or a special run or something?


https://www.trekbikes.com/bikes/2005/

https://www.trekbikes.com/bikes/2004/road/520.jsp


I also put the front wheel from my OCR on it for a short ride today (38 was the high so I didnt go far). The viberation is not there with the different wheel. I think the rim is fine so I may just buy a new tire soon. I suspect the bike sat so long the tire flat spotted or something. I also notice the spec online are for Bontrager Select, Kevlar belt, 700x35c. It has these tire on now but in 32c. I may go for the bigger tire but the ones on it seem huge compared to the OCR. I just want to ride my way into shape right now and do some short touring/camping this summer, probably on the Chief Ladiga/Silver Comet trail. I'm sure either size will do fine. May just order a cheap set from one of the online bike sites for the front and back as the ones on now look old and have some cut places even though the tube dont try to bulge out. Iv'e read a few threads on tires/tyres. The Swallabe Marathons etc sound nice but are about $35 a pop. Anybody have a favorite cheap tire...LOL. I wont be far from home so a flat wont be a disaster.

I was looking at these for 12.98 each.

Forte SpeedTrac/K Multi Use Road Tire

https://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=5420

Coy Boy