After months of agonizing over what kind of bike to get, I recently decided on a Trek 520 touring bike. A year ago I got back into cycling. At the time, I bought an entry level road racing bike, but it was not the right bike for me. I ended up selling my racing bike on Craig's list, and started riding my old mountain bike.

I eventually decided on a getting touring bike to replace the road racing bike. I originally thought about getting a Cannondale T800 or a T2000, but in the end, I decided that I prefer the durability of an all-steel frame.

I picked up my 520 this week and I am thrilled with the bike. It looks great, and I was surprised at its weight. I thought the bike would be a lot heavier than it is. I haven't measured it on a scale, but it seems like it weighs about the same, or even less than my wife's Cannondale T800. The T800 is a surprisingly heavy bike, even though it has an aluminum alloy frame. My wife's bike weighs around 28 or 29 pounds (according to the scale at our LBS) and her frame is much smaller than mine.

The new bike runs well and it shifts so smoothly. I really like the bar end shifters. The front shifter runs in friction mode only, but the rear shifter can run in an index-mode or a friction mode. I prefer to leave the rear shifter in friction mode.

I have made some changes to its stock configuration:

1. My LBS replaced the stock Tiagra crankset and BB with a brand new Shimano Deore LX mountain bike crank set (with a 22 tooth granny chainring). This greatly improved the gearing for my needs. The stock crankset was too tall for what I was looking for.

2. I replaced the factory rack with a nearly identical Trek rack that I had on another bike. This other Trek rack had a little mounting plate for a rear tail light. The factory-provided rack did not have this mounting plate.

3. I replaced the seat with a Specialized Body Geometry 2 sport seat. I find this seat to be comfortable, yet light.

I took the bike on a couple of short rides and climbed up some local hills. I really like my bike. It feels quick (much faster than my mountain bike), and the steel frame is quiet and really comfortable. The 520's ride is nice and stable. Also, I feel very comfortable riding on the drop bars (no sore wrists so far - this is a big complaint that I have about riding my mountain bike). The mountain bike crankset made climbing up the steep hills very easy. The 700 x 32c tires did well on the gravel roads and helped soak up the shock from the bumps in the road.

I am thrilled with my new bike. I think this Trek 520 will make a fine touring and recreational bike for me.

Here's a quick pic of my new ride....

Very nice looking bike! I also prefer the bar end shifters. They just feel so solid and indestructible, yet quick and easy to use. Looks like you're set for just about anything.

Oh, one comment (phrased as a question): are you sure you like your saddle to be tilted down so far? I used to position mine like that because I thought it would be easier on the boys, but finally decided to trust the manufacturer's intention (i.e. that the saddle is designed to be used in an essentially horizontal position), and was pleasantly surprised. For my Brooks I've found I like the nose to have a VERY slight upward tilt -- totally contrary to what I used to do, and have found that I'm much more comfortable. As always, YMMV....

Anyway, congrats on a great looking bike!

-D

Nice Bike!
I know I just bought a NOS 2005 Trek 520 for $849.00. I originally wanted a Co-Motion Americano Co-Pilot but the dealer in Portland Oregon just had no interest in selling me one. So then I found the 520 to be such a sweet ride I just had to get one. I've had mine about a month now.

I heard the stock seats are bad so I immediately ordered a Brooks saddle. But while I was waiting for it to come in 250 miles or so later I found the stock seat to be very comfy. I don't even use padded trousers any more for anything under fifty miles.

I'm going to upgrade to a Tubus rear rack and lower the gear inches. 25 is just to high for the low end Ay! A set of Ortlieb panniers front and back I'll be good to go. With saving over three thousand dollars from what I was willing to spend on a Americano Co-Pilot I can easily upgrade, equip and have lots of cash left for my next tour.

I really love the 520 more and more every time I ride it. It's so smooth and stable but very maneuverable when you need it. Funny how things seem to work out for the best.

See you on the road!

Ciao,
Timothy

Hi Derailed and Timothy. Thanks for the replies!

Derailed, thanks for the tips on seat adjustment. So far, riding with the seat slightly tilted down has been very comfortable, but I"ll try it more level on my next ride and see how it feels. I like the Specialized seat. It's quite comfortable so far.

Timothy - you are one lucky fellow. I called several shops in a 50 mile radius to try and find an older year Trek 520, but I couldn't find any. I don't think touring bikes are too popular around here. Mostly racing and mountain bikes. Actually, I did see someone riding a touring bike around my neighborhood yesterday, after I got back from a ride. That's great that you were able to get a 2005 model at such a good price!

I bought a pair of Ortlieb panniers that I'm planning to use for touring. They are nicely made and very large! I'm going to keep the Trek rack on for now, because it's strong enough for my needs, and it's lighter than some of the heavy duty racks that I've looked at.

I really dig my 520 too. I think it's a perfect blend of speed, stability, and durability.

Sweet looking 520, is that black? If so, it's my favorite color yet. Do you find yourself just sitting and looking at it in the evening?

Beautiful bike! The 520 was on my short list. I bought a Surly LHT frame and built it up (for various reasons), but probably would have been just as happy with the 520. While I've heard excellent reports on the Cannondale aluminum-framed tourers, I think I prefer steel.

I also like bar-end shifters. My first road bike had downtube shifters, and I was dubious when I ordered a touring bike with bar-ends, but quickly grew to appreciate them. I was happy to put them on my LHT.

I'm jealous of your 22-tooth granny gear. I have a 26 on my Sugino crankset. I'm thinking of installing a 24 (or even 22?) before I take my first long tour on this bike, expecially if it's a tour with major hills.

I'm glad to hear the positive report on your Ortliebs. I'm planning on buying some for my new rig. If you only bought one pair, you might consider buying a second. I think the bike handles better with a load if it's distributed between front and rear. I also try to ease the burden on the rear wheel, having broken spokes before.

Nice bike!

Yes foamy! And during the day. I'm lucky to work at a place were I can gaze at her from 20 feet away. The 520 whispers to me sooooo very softly telling me lets slip out for a quickie ride. My 2005 is the dark wine color.

I like it!

Ciao,
Timothy

I've had my 520 since last December. I've used it for commuting, training and touring. With my B17 Champion saddle, I can ride all day without discomfort. I replaced the original crankset with the Shimano Trekking set. (Note that the Trekking Cranks also required a different bottom bracket). I also had to replace the original tires and so got the Panaracer Pasela's, which, even though marked as being the same size, were considerably smaller than the original Bontrager's.

I like my 520 so much better than my CF road bike, that words fail me. It just feels good. The only drawback is that its slower than my CF bike.

I hope you enjoy your 520 as much as I enjoy mine!

The Trek 520 is still running swell. During the weeks, when I haul my kid around in a kid seat (or sometimes a trailer) I have been using my older mountain bike. However, this weekend I plan on taking the 520 for a nice ride. It is an all black bike and it looks really nice. My cheesy picture does not do the bike justice!

oldmtngoat - the all steel frame really is nice. it just rides so nicely and it's so quiet. My alloy road bike made a lot of creaking and popping noises when the cable housings would move or shift in their bosses.

BigBlueToe - The LHT is a really nice bike too. I originally thought about building up a Surly LHT, but in the end, it was cheaper and faster for me to buy the 520. Early this year I did a major overhaul of my old mountain bike, so I have a lot of the tools to assemble a bike but in the end I just wanted to ride - plus I saved some $$ on components by buying a factory bike. I think I'd be happy with either a 520 or LHT, but I'm glad I got the 520. It's a fun bike.

just completed 1100 miles on a new trek 520.

no problems. just kept going.

Cool bike cynergy!

I've always thought the Trek 520 is the easiest production bike to work on-- the bar end shifters and v-brakes are total cake to keep running smooth.

If you are a DYI wrench, there's no better choice.