Von Stively

Hello everyone. I am going to look at a 1984 520 frameset tomorrow. I've wanted to find an older touring frame that takes cantilevers for a while. Being 41 I just like the lugged bit. Must be left over preference from my paper boy days! Anyway, I have a nice 83 schwinn supersport s/p but it has side pulls. I came accross this 520 in good shape. It's my size and has braze ons for cantilever brakes, which has my interest. I'm bringing an older set of cantilevers and 700c wheels to test fit. So here is my question.

Anyone know if there is something odd about the brake braze ons from the 84 520? I read somewhere on line that bikes that came with the old Dia-compe cantilevers have odd sized brake mounting posts??? I know the only way to see for sure is to try some standard size (my shimanos) but the guy lives 2 hours away so looking for some insight/previous knowledge. Thanks and I hope it has standard mounting posts C&O tow path here i come. PF

JohnDThompson 

The Trek 520 used standard cantilever braze-ons. Dia-Compe, Shimano, or MAFAC cantilevers should fit without difficulty.

wrk101

I had a 1984 520 myself earlier this year. Nice bike. The only negative is the helicomatic hub. But since you plan to change the wheelset, that really is not a problem. I have had several bikes with helicomatic hub. Nothing wrong with it, until you decide to change out freewheels. Then you are stuck with a proprietary hub.

redxj

You are doing it right. Some of the older touring frames had trouble fitting 700c when designed for 27" wheels. The brake braze ons were brazed on higher and the overall width is narrower than current canti equipped bikes. The only way to be sure is to try some 700c and canti's to see if you can. Some of the vintage canti's can be made to work better than some of the current models.