Originally Posted by
c_m_shooter
The 720 is a hybrid. If you look closely, all the Treks with three digit model numbers are sttel bikes. The four digit 1000, 1500, 4300...are aluminum bikes of some sort; and the 1.2, 2.?....are carbon.
Your 520 should have room for some cyclocross tires and do just fine on rail trails or tame singletrack. I would keep the drop bars.
False.
The 820 (only "three digit" bike Trek makes at the moment besides the 520) is steel. That's right however, the four digit bikes are either carbon on aluminum. These designations include this year's and last year's MTBs and hybrids, plus last years road bikes. The 1.2, etc. bikes are all road bikes and are carbon or aluminum.
If the 520 is a touring bike, then it will have room for thin 'cross tires but will have crap geometry for off roading. Just saying....