dmiller91

Hi, I'm in the market for a new Trek, I've just always wanted one, cause I live in WI.

I have to admit the performance bikes are appealing, they are light, comfortable and fast. But my goals are to (continue) commute everyday, where I always have a lot of "stuff" I carry to work in panniers (8 miles in daily trip), and weekend, light and fun rides.

Should I consider the 520 touring for my use? Or can I do a road 2200 and not be embarrassed when I pack it down, or should I go for the "comfort" ride?

Unfortunately my Trek dealer didn't have a 520 or 2200c for me to try. I really liked the 2200 though! He shuddered when I mentioned rack and panniers though :-(

confused. Diane

ParamountScapin 

Will be your bike and you can do what you want. And you should never feel embarassed about it. If you do, you are either with the wrong people or in the wrong bike shop.

If you go with a 2200 'road' bike, you can take things off for strictly road riding and put them back for the commute. If you go the other way you will be more restricted when road riding with club groups, who tend to be a bit faster. Give some thought to how much road riding vs. purely commuting you may want to do in the future. If you think you might do a fair amount of 'fun' riding, you will probably want to get the road bike.

You may also want to check out Waterford Bikes. Like Trek they are also in Waterford, WI. However, they are many, many years older in WI than is Trek, having been one of the original Schwinn fabrication plants. In fact, they are still owned by Richard Schwinn. He will make you a wonderful bike whick will meet all your needs for both commuting and road riding.

Look at some of the other Trek lines, like Lemond, which tend to be a more comfortable ride while still providing plenty of performance when you want to go road riding. Enjoy!!

Rich Clark

There's nothing about the 2200 that makes it a better choice for commuting than the 520.

It can't mount a front rack. The wheels aren't designed for durability under load. Fender clearance is an issue. Gearing range is an issue if you need to climb with a load. Does it even have rear rack mounts?

You can commute on anything, of course, but this bike was designed for unencumbered road riding.

The 520, on the other hand, is perfect as a commuter, as all touring bikes are. It will handle your loads under adverse conditions. That's what it's designed for.

Take everything off, though, and it's still a road bike. A couple of pounds heavier than other road bikes, maybe, but still a comfortable and pleasant ride. I've done plenty of all-day rides and centuries on bikes just like the 520.

You might not want to race one, and you might get funny looks in a paceline (although it can be done), but the 520 is the Trek you want if you want an "all-rounder" and you must have a Trek.

RichC

late

Hi,
I have a suggestion for you. Go find a couple other bike shops, and try their bikes. I think Specialized is just on fire this year. If you see a Seqoia; try it.
Waterford was mentioned earlier, that would be a wonderful choice, if expensive. But be sure you try their touring bike before making a commitment.
It's a great bike, but one of the slowest rides I have seen since I was a kid (that was when dinosaurs roamed the earth)

Sailguy

I just recently bought myself a Trek 520 to use on my 15 mile (one-way) commute after using my Torelli Road bike for many months. While the road bike is a wonderful bike, and is great to ride, I far prefer my 520 on a day-to-day basis for commuting.

The 520 has a few things that really make it my choice over the road bike. First of all, it has a longer wheelbase. The bumps in the road don't seem as big any more. Also, since the chainstay is longer, I can now use larger panniers to haul groceries too. I am planning to take full advantage of my ability to have a front rack, and soon will be getting one so I can do 99% of my shopping without a car.

One of my absolute favorite abilities of the 520 that my road bike never had is the ability to add full fenders. These are perhaps my favorite addition. My bike stays clean on wet roads. I don't get muck all over my feet and legs. My panniers stay much cleaner. It makes riding in the rain, or wet road conditions much, much nicer.

Since it is a touring bike, I now have the option to do extended tours as well. What could be more fun than seeing the countryside by bike? I don't think racing would be, and have no intention on it. The flexibility to just go on a long journey one day on my 520 is very tempting to me.

As Rich said, It is a good bike to use on the road for day rides. I take took it out on my last century, and take it on many of my weekend club rides. The comfort level of the bike keeps me fresh at the end of a long ride. I don't notice much difference in speed from my Torelli, and I chalk up the weight to helping my strength training. (what's a pound or two when one day you'll be hauling 40-60 on the bike)

Unless you plan to race the bike, you will not be disappointed in the 520. It is a wonderful bike.

dmiller91

Gosh, thanks for all the thoughts! I have to admit I think the 2200 is a super bike, I happened to try the WSD and it fit perfectly. I think I could have some fun on that bike!

But I do ride loaded down to work, and I do want tires that can handle that. I guess I'm going to search for a 520 and give it a ride.

Diane

dmiller91

Okay, so I bought a Trek. The LBS put together a "road" version using the 7500 Trek (hybrid) frame. It was only $500 with good component. 20cm. I brought it home and took it for a long ride. Sore lower back! It feels like the frame makes me stretch too much. I'm disappointed. Maybe what I really wanted was just a normal road bike... as I already have a workhorse univega commuter (hybrid). I probably should give up on the Trek loyalty? :-(

bradw

Take it back to the shop and see about getting a shorter stem. Or maybe you have the saddle back too far. Maybe both.

Or your old bike has you sitting too upright and the new Trek has you in a better position. And it will take awhile to get used to the new position.

Or you pushed too hard with the new bike and made yourself sore.

Try to rule out these other possibiliites before giving up on this bike and getting another. My LBS switched stems for me (on a couple Treks I bought from them) until I found just the position I wanted. But it took more than one ride to get it just right. I rode the bike several times, determined what needed to be changed, and then went in with specific requests.

Unless the bike shop did a horrible job of fitting you the first time, it may be wortwhile to try smaller adjustments first.

Michel Gagnon

Diane,

Definitely go for the 520 or for another touring bike. The 520 is great for touring, esp. if you substitute much lower gears, but as it is, it is perfect for commuting with mid-size panniers, shopping, riding everywhere, etc.

Current ones come with 700x35 tires, if I remember correctly. If your roads are in great shape, and especially if you are lightweight, ask the shop to substitute slightly narrower tires. Fo a 150-lb rider, a set of 700x30 to 32, or 700x32 rear with 700x28 front would be great and make the bike livelier.


Regards,

MichaelW

Diane
how tall are you? Are you using a small-size frame? These are usually too long when used with 700c wheels, the wheels are simply too big for the small frame.
In the Uk, a great style of bike for general purpose/commuting is a road bike using 26" MTb wheels. The smaller wheels fit into smaller frames more easily, and with slick tyres are fast and comfortable.