Originally Posted by Netcelt
If you are doing day rides with just a trunk pack then the 105 triple may suit you perfectly. Then, the bike is basically a more comfortable club ride bike. I don't think I've ever even had my Trek in the 52X11
but I use it for fully loaded touring. I think the LX crank comes with 22/32/44. That would be perfect on the 520 for loaded touring but not for quick day rides. It sounds like you would be happiest with what you already have on the bike.
Yeah, I'm not hauling anything like a trailer or huge paniers. But it would be cool to be able to do that in the future. Like in a tour where you have to carry all your own gear as opposed to the cushy ones where SAG vans carry it for you.
Maybe you could give me a little advice. I am weighing the Trek 520 Touring against the Lemond Wayzata ($1000), the Motobecane Cafe Noir ($800) and the Bianchi Strada ($700). All of these have steel frames which what I believe I want (I have one now and I fear that an alum frame will be too stiff). With the other bikes, they come with straight bars and carbon frorks so I wouldn't need to mess with that setup the way I would on the 520 (on the handlebars, brake levers, shifters). I'm leaning towards the 520 because all of the components are really good quality where on the other bikes I would want to upgrade some of the lower-end generic stuff which will basically offset the cost benefit of the cheaper bikes. Any opinions here? Is the Trek fairly nible or is it such a tank that it's sluggish. I want a little zip in my bike.
Thanks,
Warren