Today I test rode a 57 cm Trek 520 and a 56 cm Surly LHT. On paper the LHT wins with better wheels and better derailleurs. But there was something about that Trek 520 that put a bigger smile on my face. The ironic thing is that the LHT actually fit better. I'm long legged with a short torso and the 100mm standard Trek stem had to be swapped out with a 90mm riser, and I still felt a bit stretched. I think the problem was that we couldn't get the handlebars level with the seat and the lower seat required a bit more of a stretch. I'm 53 years old and not getting any younger so this is important. The 56 cm LHT didn't require a stem swap. This was exactly the opposite of what I expected going in. I thought for sure the LHT would have a longer reach.

So my questions are these: (1) What is it about the Trek geometry that makes if more fun? And (2) I've read on the internet where the Trek can be ordered with an uncut steering tube. Does anybody know how far an uncut Trek 520 steering tube will extend above it's head tube? I measured the uncut LHT steering tube and it extended 5.5 inches.

Matt