Trek 520
 

I just got a Trek 520, which I had viewed as my backup bike if I couldn't get my hands on a Rocky Mountain Sherpa, my first choice (I did get a Sherpa but it was too small so I needed to go a different route). All I can say is I feel like a fool for ever considering the 520 a backup bike. This is one sweet rig. The black color is awesome looking and it rides like an absolute dream. I've been reading these forums for a while to research touring bikes and I'm somewhat surprised the reviews on the 520 seem somewhat mixed. This is one great bike.

What are you going to do with the Sherpa? :)

Probably sell it although I'm still trying to figure out what the true size of it is bc the sticker that came on it is confusing. What was the frame size sticker that came on your Sherpa?

Happy to here it. After the Sherpa disappointment this is good turn in the story.
Can we have the story with photos? plzzzz :-)
What is the size of the 520? Are you comfortable with them? I ask you this because you know we are at about same size.
nJoy.

I got the 23" Trek and it fits like a glove. I'll post some pics later tonight.

Jeff

Thanks,
I'm waiting ;)...

Don't have a sticker with a frame size on it.


Ya know, I'm beginning to think you're obsessing about the size and not the fit. If the bike fits, wear it!

I think there is a bit of gear fetishism out there that almost borders on snobbery when it comes to touring bikes. There's a whole lot of people who feel that Trek is a marketing firm before being a bicycle manufacturer. I couldn't be happier with my '98 520. And, I don't have the inclination to swap out the gearing for something more 'pure'. I like a fast , multi-use bike. Also, there doesn't seem to be any time limit that tells me when I've had enough riding for the day, it's that comfortable.

There is absolutely nothing wrong, weak, or lacking, in a Trek 520. They are excellent bikes in all respects. A little pricey, maybe, but they are made by hand in the USA.

Yay! I :love: my 520. Wish I had the black, it does look great. Mine's green. My first one was blue, it died in an accident.

I almost got a boutique bike (Bruce Gordon) but I couldn't test drive it, so when I found the 520 locally, i rode it... and fell in love immediately. To this day I have no regrets.

OH, and I visited the Trek factory on my cross country tour of the US, on my 520. How cool is that! Saw the of unfinished fromes, 520's and other. They were so nice, I had missed the official tour time, but they found someone to give me my own personal tour. Pretty cool factory.

And how can you say anything bad about a touring bike that carries a 40 pound load for 8000 miles with out even needing its wheels trued!

:)

I'm not obsessing about anything. I ordered a 55cm bike and I'm not sure that's what I got. If that's the case, I feel like I have recourse to the shop I bought it from. Further, if I try to sell it on Ebay I need to understand the sizing for a potential buyer.

Ok, so I figured it out. Turns out the bike was the wrong size/a 52cm model was sent to me by mistake.

Jeff

My bad. I didn't (obviously) understand that they sent the wrong bike. Apologies!

That's a total bummer. What a hassle. But, then again, you found a bike and in time for your trip.

No worries. I guess I wasn't being clear on why I was soliciting feedback on sizing. The 21" sticker seemed odd and in fact it was - the 21" sticker comes on the 52cm model.

Jeff