A good thread.

I went through the BLT vs. 520 decision over a year ago.

It was a tough call.

I'll tell you, the 520 needs more than new front gearing. You should really have the LBS do extra work on the wheels. You should have them build you some wheels replacing the stock spokes with Wheelsmith or LT (is that the other brand?) My stock spokes started popping like matchsticks within a year.

I had to make a frame warranty claim on the 520, too, when it cracked near the bottom bracket. I wouldn't let this fact worry you a lot, though. The 520's a tested frame with a good reputation.

The 26" wheel option on the BLT's nothing to sneeze at either.

I know BG says you should pay your LBS $300 to build your bike when it arrives, but that's hardly set in stone. Mine was willing to do it for just a bit over $100, and that was the shop that was also trying to sell me the 520 (which I eventually bought).

I also had the stock rims replaced on the 520 with Mavic Touring, but I don't know that you need to do that.

My LBS switched the 105 gearing out for LX for free; if they had charged, say, $100 for that I probably would have gotten the BLT.

I got the 520, and I'm happy with it, but the BLT's a good bike. I'd look at it closely if I were you. Who cares what you think about BG himself, anyway? The BLT's not a custom bike. That's why it's ~$1,500 and competes with the 520. So what do you really have to argue with the guy about? If you like the bike, just choose your size and buy the thing.

There are a couple of threads from summer '02 comparing the 520 to the BLT here. Have a look at those.