I'm out and about looking for a new bike. I had pretty much decided to go with the Trek 520, which will make it my third 520 in 16 years. Great bike! However before buying I decide that test riding another frame size would be in order. So I started calling Trek dealers. No one has a 520 in my size to test ride, but one dealer has 30 1998 Klein Navigator frames in stock and will build up the bike to at least the 520's component level for the price of a 520. He'll do Ultegra for about $1300.This dealer specializes in buying manufacturer over runs. The dealer claims the frames are not blems. Does anyone here have experience with this bike? Can anyone give me any info pro or con?
During my seach for a new bike I've looked at alot of bikes. I've ruled out the custom and semi custom frames from Rivendell, Waterford, Heron, and Independant Fabrications. All beautifull bikes. Quite frankly, I don't think any of them are twice as good as a 520 but most carry prices twice as high and higher. This Klein gives me an opportunity to go somewhat upscale from the Trek, since Klein is kinda Trek's Lexus division. But still, inquiring minds want to know, is this a good bike?
This dealer also has Trek 540 frames in stock. The 540 is the Navigator frame which Trek put into it's lineup after acquiring Klein and dropping the Navigator from Klein's line. So a 540 review would also help.

Trek 520--Steel frame, tis good.

Klein Nav--Alum frame, tis not so good.

Buy the Trek...

also, your views on custom/semi-custom aren't accurate. A lot more goes into a Riv, IF, et al than a mass produced frameset.

Not saying that the 520 isn't good or won't last you but with custom/handbuilt production(aka some Riv's, etc)you get more attention to detail.

You must be talking about www.bikeman.com? He has had those Kleins for quite awhile. I bought some Avid Ultimate brakes from him for my tandem nearly 18 months ago and he had those frames. I can't say anything bad about the guy though, he was fair with me.

I know one person who has a Klein Navigator. He is quite happy with it but he doesn't do loaded tours on it. He is a randonneur and uses the Klein to ride brevets.

I'm leaning towards buying the Trek. Is your opinion of the Navigator based on knowledge or experience with the frame? If so could you tell me what's not so good about it?

My view of the semi custom/custom frame market is based on extensive research of the frame manufacturers mentioned. They make great products but at the end of the day I keep coming to the same question: These bikes, built up, cost on average 150% more than a 520, but do they deliver 150% more value than the Trek? For me the answer is no. That takes nothing away from these bikes. It's just my opinion.

The bikes I've located are in the Philadelphia PA area. My understanding is that Klein produced the Navigator for one year. They did this to give their product line a more diverse look while trying to sell the company to Trek. Once the marriage was complete Trek took the Navigator out of Klein's line up and rebranded it as the Trek 540. This left Klein with alot of unsold Navigators. With it's performance bike market niche and it's dealers buying 540's from Trek this left the Navigator frames to gather dust. With the 540 out of production and with no warranty claims to cover Klein released it's inventory at a steep discount.

For me this may be an opportunity to buy more bike for the same money. The questions are, how good is this frame and what if anything is the comfort give up over steel? I doubt I'll ever use the bike for fully loaded touring. One of it's uses will be to ride Brevets. Comfort and dependability are two of the keys to that type of riding. The 520 gets high marks in both those areas. Where it falls short is weight. The Navigator may be the answer in that category.

Didn't the Trek 520 pre-date the Klein purchase by Trek? The 520 goes back to 1984/1985 in the Trek catalog... I think Klein was bought by Trek quite awhile after that.

As far as the Navi goes... I am basing my opinions on the well documented facts that a steel frame will ride less harsh than aluminum and that there are far more instances of aluminum frames cracking under touring sized loads than steel frames.

Also, if you need repairs to a frame on a tour-steel is repairable more easily than aluminum.

If you truly want more bike for less money (and who doesn't?) then I suggest going used. Educate yourself as to the brands, makes & models, that have stellar reputations and keep an eye out for them locally, Ebay, etc.

I own an 88 520. I think they started building them somewhere around 84. The geometry changed sometime in the early 90's and remains unchanged today. Klein was purchased by Trek during the late 90's. The Navigator was produced as a Klein product for one year before the buyout and as a Trek product for at least two years after the buyout.

The dealer is offering me a Klein Navigator built to the 520's spec for $775 out the door tax included. They will sell me an 04 520 for $875 out the door. Of course I'm free to upgrade either bike.

I aware of aluminum's reputation for delivering a harsh ride. But I'm also aware that frame material is only part of that equation along with geometry, tube thickness, rear triangle shape, seat tube shape and a bunch of other stuff. Add in carbon seat posts, carbon stems and bars and the ride waters get real muddy. Which is why Im looking for guidance. If the Navi was steel this would be a done deal.

I'm not overly concerned about weight carrying ability or repairs. The bike will primarily be riden in the Northeast and then only lightly loaded.

To complicate matters, today I came across another bike on my list. So we'll see.

Did you decide on a frame yet? I have a Navigator. For me the light weight is essential. The harshness of aluminum frame can be offset a little with a carbon seatpost.