How much is a 2006 Trek 520 worth, and a couple questions
 

I found a used 2006 Trek 520 in pretty good shape for sale for $900. I was wondering what you think this bike is worth. $900 seems pretty high to me.

I've also read a bit that some earlier models had gearing problems. What exactly are the problems? Also, does the 520 have hookups for a front rack and panniers?

520's hold their value *very* well. Considering that this is prime bike sales season I'm sure there's a premium attached. Problem is that someone out there will pay it. New 520's are gone, no more until next year. That and considering it's never been a high turnover bike will work to keep the price high. It's on the high side, but if immaculate it's worth the $.

Yes, it has all hookups. Gearing complaints you've heard of are limited to the fact that may feel it could benefit from deeper gearing in the front than what it has. No issue with the components. Many change the front crank to MTB and all done.

-Roger

Time to cue the LHT people now :P

I had a 2006 Trek 520. I switched the crank to a MTB crank (Deore) and loved the bike. I sold it a year ago for $750 (I think)....sold it in a day on CL. Given the speed with which I sold it, might have under priced it. Mine was in near-perfect condition except it had a couple of thousands of miles worth of wear on the rims.

Given the the weather is finally clearing up here in the Pac NW, it's bike season....

sold my 2007 with 1500 miles and 400.00 in extras - deore (LX I think) crank, different front rings, 11-34 rear, front rack - for I think 900.00 to another forum member last fall. I think we split the shipping.

if has stock crank, you have extra cost as in my opinion, you will definately want a MTB crank. also IMO, go with a 22-34 low gearing. I have used mine a-plenty. But then I tour in BIG mountains, its what I prefer.

Yeah. Don't buy it. Instead, sit by the side of the road and mug someone coming along on an LHT. :roflmao2:

NB Just kidding.

A bike shop in my area (sort of) had a 2008 23 inch 520 for $1199 Back in November/December of 08. I thought it was a bit high considering the season was basically over and the new 520's were expected I think in January of 09. http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=490423

Problem was they never really showed up in volume, nor at that time. Now the few that did come in are pretty much gone.

BTW, I saw 10 (!) fully built up Surly LHT's in one bike shop yesterday....the same shop had half a dozen Jamis Aurora Elite's as well (great shop: Counterbalance Cycles, U-village location...Surly, Soma, Masi, Salsa, Jamis, Co-Motion, Baron, Independent Fabrication, De Salvo).

We have one of the larger Trek dealers in the U.S. in Seattle (Gregg's), and it's rare for me to see a 520 in their store -- never more than 1 out of several hundred bikes on the floor. Maybe if Lance rode a 520 for a race or two Trek would get behind it...

Im interested in this as well. I want to sell my Trek 520 frame and pickup a surly travelers check.

trek doesn't make enough 520s for any shop to keep them in stock regularily, given this decades' surge of interest in touring bikes. Greggs did have LHTs on the floor all summer long last year...and the Volpe, and the Rocky Mountain Sherpa 30s.

I pulled up the craigslist ad that I assume you are referencing and it appears that the bike being offered is essentially the stock 520, with the only changes being the addition of straps and a front fender (neither of which should impact the price in a meaningful way). I own the 2006 model of the 520 which I picked up on clearance from my LBS last summer for $900 (before upgrades). If you want the specs for the bike being offered, they should be the same as referenced on Trek's website:

http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/2006/archive/520

Given that the bike is used (and it is a year later), I would expect something less than $900, but with this being prime selling season combined with the shortage of 520s from Trek right now, I would say that the price is not unreasonable, though you may be able to negotiate something a bit lower.

my rule of thumb is a five year old bike is worth half what the new bike cost. I knock off a hundred bucks a year just w&t alone, and depreciation as soon as a bike is no longer new knocks a 1-2k bike down a few hundred bucks.

I sold a three year old Trek 520 for 600 bucks a couple of winters ago. great bikes. I looked today, Greggs had a few 520s on the floor. hurry in, Benge, if you want to see them, they sell like hotcakes at a church breakfast...