Between 1991-1994 who made the best American made touring bikes?
01-30-09, 02:32 PM
#1
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Between 1991-1994 who made the best American made touring bikes?
The 'best' one I could come up with was the '93 Trek 520. Last lugged 520 to be made and I *think* the last 520's to be made in Wisconsin.
01-30-09, 02:47 PM
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You must mean mass produced touring bike. I'm sure that there were plenty of boutique frame makers who could make a claim to the title, and something better than the Trek 520.
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01-30-09, 04:16 PM
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The 520 is still hand made in Wisconsin. As to the best touring bike made in the US in those years, the 520 may have been the only one.
Last edited by jcm; 01-30-09 at 04:19 PM.
01-30-09, 04:23 PM
#8
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Just going by what I can see on their website, have not seen one in the flesh.
01-30-09, 04:40 PM
#9
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I think Cannondale also was making a touring bike in the US at that time.
01-30-09, 04:46 PM
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Nope. Cannondale touring was American made in those years too.
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01-30-09, 08:29 PM
#11
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I don't know about best, but I have a particular fondness for my 1991 Cannondale T1000. I put at least 50,000 touring miles (and many commuting miles) on it before retiring it when the frame cracked in 2001. The crack wasn't wear so much as having a bike shop in Broome accidentally force a mountain bike width rear wheel into a narrower touring bike frame - and my not noticing until the chainstay cracked 1500km later.
01-31-09, 05:59 AM
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520
I bought a 2009 520 a couple of weeks ago. Just above the fork, is a tiny little sticker reading "made in Taiwan"
01-31-09, 08:57 AM
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yep - new in 2009 trek 520 made completely overseas.
and they screwed with the geometry - can you believe it? why mess with such a proven desigin?
and they screwed with the geometry - can you believe it? why mess with such a proven desigin?
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2009 Custom TI Frame touring Bike. S&S couplers, XTR Drivetrain. LOW granny.
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01-31-09, 10:04 AM
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I was searching for a touring bike I saw a TREK 520. I went to the TREK store and was told that it would be a long wait. I have since decided on a Waterford steel bike made in WI. I am riding my Ritchey Breakaway Cross for as an all purpose bike by changing tires for the different uses. I will be getting a custom frame with couplers for about $1600 and outfitting it with a Campy Centaur group from parts I have laying around. I have ordered a TK7.1 set of rims to lace up to a set of 36H Centaur hubs. It won't be cheap but it will fit and give me what I want in touring which is a geometry between a cross and pure touring frame. It will be my all purpose ride with different wheel sets. I do have one unusual hub...a campy hub with a shimano splined campy hub body. I am using a campy 10spd ergo lever with a 9spd SRAM 11-34t cassette and a campy long cage RD. Works very well as my "touring" setup. Definitely want a steel bike.
The Long Haul Trucker by Surly is a good low cost deal as well (steel frame with couplers $1100).
Keep your eye on eBay as I have seen a few for auction there in the last year.
The Long Haul Trucker by Surly is a good low cost deal as well (steel frame with couplers $1100).
Keep your eye on eBay as I have seen a few for auction there in the last year.
Another one bites the dust...
01-31-09, 07:36 PM
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How reliable can one expect one of these bicycles to be for tours of 400 miles and under? Which components of the 80s and 90s Trek 520s are typically the first to fail?
01-31-09, 07:58 PM
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I had a 94 Trek 520 and loved it. The only thing I had a problem with was the bottom bracket. Square taper, ball bearing type. Simple, but if you don't keep it full of grease, it can cause some issues. Same thing with the wheels. Forgot about that. Had the front wheel bearings go out on me on one of my rides.
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01-31-09, 08:32 PM
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I have purchased several older bikes in the past couple of years. I pretty much plan on replacing tires, tubes, cables, cable housing, brake pads and handlebar tape on any older bike. Make sure the bottom bracket and hubs are overhauled and in good condition, and that brakes and derailleurs are adjusted, and that the wheels are trued and strong.
If all that is done, ride the bike a few hundred miles and make sure it's happy.
Should be ready for a tour.
02-01-09, 09:48 AM
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I would spend a little time going through the bike from end to end, in part to become very familiar with all of the components. Fresh bearings, cables, tubes and tires should last well beyond this tour.
02-02-09, 06:35 AM
#21
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Strange question from an European reader:
What's so special about the years 1991 and 1994?
What's so special about the years 1991 and 1994?
Last edited by jurjan; 02-02-09 at 06:36 AM. Reason: two signatures is a bit much.... ;-)
02-02-09, 09:54 AM
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02-02-09, 12:41 PM
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I'm also curious.
A) Why American?
B) Why that time frame over say the mid-80s when there were many superior steel touring bikes produced?
A) Why American?
B) Why that time frame over say the mid-80s when there were many superior steel touring bikes produced?
02-02-09, 10:34 PM
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American brand or a frame actually mad in America? I don't think that list would be too long.
02-03-09, 01:50 AM
#25
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And, you may prefer made in the USA, but.. how far can (and / or will) you go for that?
What I mean: maybe the frame was designed and build by workers in the USA, but the paint used was made in China, or the grease used to lubricate the screws on the frame-jig (do they even exist? no matter, it's just an example) was made in (gasp!) Spain or the tools where made from steel made in Argentina.
I don't think it's humanly possible to even be sure anymore of where something is made with any kind of detail knowledge.
Again, this is NOT to flame you, or dis you. I'm just curious.
What I mean: maybe the frame was designed and build by workers in the USA, but the paint used was made in China, or the grease used to lubricate the screws on the frame-jig (do they even exist? no matter, it's just an example) was made in (gasp!) Spain or the tools where made from steel made in Argentina.
I don't think it's humanly possible to even be sure anymore of where something is made with any kind of detail knowledge.
Again, this is NOT to flame you, or dis you. I'm just curious.
Last edited by jurjan; 02-03-09 at 09:08 AM. Reason: argentina, not agentinia, sigh...
