I don't think you have to worry about rain where you are, but the OP should. In the OP's home state, I would definitely invest in some frame saver. The salt air could eat up that bike in a couple of years. In your case, I'd just lube it after a rain ride. You should be fine.

right on.
I've read several things about steel frames rusting and whatever.
and I assumed it'd be worse since I live near the beach.

if I'm going to invest over a grand on a bicycle though, I don't think I'm going to mind having to treat the frame with some sort of solution.

I purchased a 1997 Trek 520 used, spring of this year. I added a Brooks B17 saddle, Specialized Armadillo Elite Borough 700x32 tires, Planet Bike Freddy Fenders and a Axiom rack with an old trunk bag I had. I ride this bike 6 days a week. It has been a great commuter. I'm still saving up for a noodle and some panniers but otherwise it is just how I want it. The drive train of that era was 3x7 which is still on it.

Nope. Same length...around 17.5". The LHT has 18" stays which is a lot more room. But either would make a good commuter bike. The LHT has an edge when it comes to touring.

Please see the link below. I did a nice review awhile back.

https://spokesandbeans.wordpress.com/...mmuter-beauty/

The 520 is a sweet commuter bike and doesn't need much in the way of mods for commuting. Just some standard commuter add-ons like fenders, a rack, and lights and you're ready to go.

Others to check out are the Surly LHT as many people have mentioned already, the Bianchi Volpe,and C'dale Touring. I also see a lot of people commuting on cyclocross bikes outfitted with racks and fenders (like the Specialized Tricross, Surly Crosscheck, or Kona JTS)

8 miles isn't a really long commute (about the same as mine) and gives you a lot of options for bike selection. Heck, I ride a 17 year old rigid MTB with racks/fenders/slicks/lights and even though it's heavy as a tank, it works.

I have a 2003 Trek 520 (Green) and use it for commuting. It's a great commuter -- I have added fenders, lights and a Brooks B17 Saddle. It's stable and very comfortable. I use to commute on a hybrid and the Trek 520 is much more comfortable with the drop bars with the different hand positions. The stock gearing is fine even with the hills of Vancouver, BC.

Any of the entry level touring bikes are fine for commuting (520, LHT, Fuji Touring, Bianchi Volpe, Jamis Auroa, Novara/REI Randonee). They all [arguably]have about the same quality components and similar specs. Test ride a few (if you can locate them) and see which one you like best.

One plug for Novara Randonee: I'm an REI member and got mine for 20% off ($760), REI gives members a 20% off coupon at least twice a year. REI also has a lifetime satisfaction guarantee.

cool!

thanks for all the feedback, everyone.

the 520 seems to be a really popular choice for commuting, and I'm excited that I won't have to do a ton of component upgrades initially to be able to ride it pretty extensively.

Another person using a touring bike (LHT) as a commuter here. Such a thing might be a bit overkill at times, but the versatility you get from a touring frame is great to have. You can do all kinds of crap, and customize the layout and setup of the bike just how you like it.

I used to have one, and was a bit underwhelmed. I did not like bar-end shifters, thought that stock cassette was too big (no mountains where I was). I did not like the ride either; it took some convincing to make a turn, but did not feel stable. I had trouble riding it no hands, unlike my road bike. Weird.

I think the 520 is great if you're into touring, not many frames have the same load carrying capacity. But it did not work for me as a pure commuter/short weekend ride - an overkill.

My 2 cents, good luck whatever you decide =).

thanks!

what sort of pedals do the majority of you use on these 520s?

do you have shoes and all?
or pedals with clips?

I used to ride mountain bikes, so I'm not all that familiar with what would be needed for road commuting.

if you plan on using it purely for home-to-office commuting, then the stock SPD pedals are fine (at least when I bought mine back when, it came with SPD pedals as stock equipment). If you plan on doing a lot of walking around and errand running, then either pure platform or platform/SPD combos are worthwhile. I had platform/SPD combos on my old 520 and liked being able to ride it in bike shoes or sneakers.

I use a 1990 nearly NOS Trek 520 that I found in the basement for my 20 mile commute (started riding again in June). I use a Tubus rear rack that gives more heel room and I switched to Shimano XTR PD-959 pedals. I prefer the bar end shifters so they stayed.

Actually, the rack is standard.

Personally, I think both the 520, LHT and Randonnee are too heavy in their stock configuration. Also, bar end shifters (520, LHT) are a deal breaker for me.

I'd buy a LHT frameset, then pick up a used 9sp Ultegra group, some Open Pros and build it up from there. I did something similar to the above and ended up with a sub 23lb bike that is nicer than all of the above and at least 3lb lighter. Maybe $8-850 in it.

I actually went to go test ride a Trek some time ago. It was so-so for me. The reach on the frame size that I needed seemed a little too cramped. It was a really nice setup though. I was looking into a LHT but have found that I am comfortable with the Specialized products. I was able to drum up a 96 Hardrock frame and build it up. I also have a Scott montego frame with a rigid fork. I just have to get that one built up and see if I like it. Anyone know of any specs on the rig?

This is what I did, except the hubs and rear derailleur are XT (so that I can use a big, wide cassette), and the crank and front derailleur are 105. It's still pretty heavy, but not unreasonably so. Some of the lighter components I used help defray the extra weight of all of the other stuff that gets hung on a commuter bike.

Joe, I originally bought my 520 as my single all-around bike. It worked well for everything except riding in heavy traffic when I want to keep my hands always ready on the brake levers and the bar-end shifters prevented my being able to do that.

I added cross levers to my 520 to keep the brakes handy in traffic. I've never had brifters so I don't miss them and they don't appeal to me. If I were looking for a new commuter today I would look at a Kogswell in addition to the 520 and LHT.