I have an '85 620 frame (in need of TLC) set to arrive here in a few days. Just got an '83 520 frame too, beautiful bike.

I've been reading up on the geometries of various 620s and have found that Trek seems to have played with the geometry of the bike. If it truly is an 85, mine should come with 47cm stays. Only the year before, it had 44 or 43 cm stays and geometry that otherwise matched the '84 520. What's the story with the changes?

The '85 620 has pretty much the same geometry as the 720, only I think with 73 degree ST and HT angles instead of the more relaxed 72.5 of the 720. The overall wheelbase is very close.

I'm especially wondering how the 620 will handle with a rack above the front wheel rather than low riders.

My thinking is to build a tourer that manages to be lightweight, stable, aerodynamic, and spacious. (in that order of importance as I make compromises) I have some pretty serious lightweight camping gear, so I doubt I'll ever have to do anything "fully loaded" like some of the folks I've seen out on the roads.

As I look into componentry, I'd love to see photos and build lists of your 620 builds, especially '85's with the longer stays. Has anyone toured on theirs?