I've got a 2004 model (I think...it's a brown/bronze color...maybe 2003?) and love it! Lots of loaded touring miles and I even use it for commuting to work. A bit heavy for a fun weekend ride but very stable when loaded. Seems like most people have to modify their 520 though. My mods were: saddle, taller stem, better/stronger rack, lower/smaller chainrings, clipless peddles, and I changed out the brake levers to slightly reduce the distance between the bars and the brake levers (I have short fingers).