'93 Trek 520.... $420?
09-04-09 | 09:36 AM
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 389
Likes: 1
Bikes: '93 Cannondale T-1000, '03 Cannondale R800
'93 Trek 520.... $420?
I'm looking at buying this bike, it is the right size for my height, but a little out of my price range. Is this bike worth $420?
https://philadelphia.craigslist.org/bik/1350604072.html
This is what I believe is a 1993 Trek 520, the last year Trek made a lugged steel version. It has been Trek's main touring model for for 20+ years. It’s a 23”/58.5 cm center to top.
It has
*True Temper & Tange chromoly frame & fork
*Cantilever studs
*triple water bottle bosses, 2 bottle cages are included
*Double eyelets rear, single front and lowrider bosses.
*The cranks and deraillers are Shimano DX (which would probably be comparable to LX today)
*Bar-end shifters.
It looks like it should take 700 X 35s with fenders easily. The wheelset is not original but is functional, and the tires are new. I have a nice wheelset (105 rear hub, nexus dynamo front) for an optional upgrade if you wish. It’s a nice bike, both for touring or around-town use; it’s the second one I’ve owned. Cash only.
https://philadelphia.craigslist.org/bik/1350604072.html
This is what I believe is a 1993 Trek 520, the last year Trek made a lugged steel version. It has been Trek's main touring model for for 20+ years. It’s a 23”/58.5 cm center to top.
It has
*True Temper & Tange chromoly frame & fork
*Cantilever studs
*triple water bottle bosses, 2 bottle cages are included
*Double eyelets rear, single front and lowrider bosses.
*The cranks and deraillers are Shimano DX (which would probably be comparable to LX today)
*Bar-end shifters.
It looks like it should take 700 X 35s with fenders easily. The wheelset is not original but is functional, and the tires are new. I have a nice wheelset (105 rear hub, nexus dynamo front) for an optional upgrade if you wish. It’s a nice bike, both for touring or around-town use; it’s the second one I’ve owned. Cash only.
09-04-09 | 09:48 AM
#2
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,414
Likes: 0
From: Central CA
Bikes: A little of everything
The ad has been up for 5 days now; if $400 is really too far out, I'd toss him a $300 offer and promise of a quick sale and haggle from there. Not sure what the wheels are; I'd inquire as to what the current and extra sets are (though the extras are probably out of your range).
It looks like a very capable bike, and replacement parts for it would be cheap.
It looks like a very capable bike, and replacement parts for it would be cheap.
09-04-09 | 03:00 PM
#3
Full Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 437
Likes: 37
From: Central IL
Bikes: 2020 Scott Speedster 10 Disc
I just bought a 1991, model, in very good condition, for $200. The guy started at $450. He had been trying to sell it for a month before I saw the ad and contacted him.
09-04-09 | 04:30 PM
#4
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,119
Likes: 159
From: Kalamazoo, Mi.
Bikes: Sam, The Hunq and that Old Guy, Soma Buena Vista, Giant Talon 2, Brompton
I'm looking at buying this bike, it is the right size for my height, but a little out of my price range. Is this bike worth $420?
https://philadelphia.craigslist.org/bik/1350604072.html
This is what I believe is a 1993 Trek 520, the last year Trek made a lugged steel version. It has been Trek's main touring model for for 20+ years. It’s a 23”/58.5 cm center to top.
It has
*True Temper & Tange chromoly frame & fork
*Cantilever studs
*triple water bottle bosses, 2 bottle cages are included
*Double eyelets rear, single front and lowrider bosses.
*The cranks and deraillers are Shimano DX (which would probably be comparable to LX today)
*Bar-end shifters.
It looks like it should take 700 X 35s with fenders easily. The wheelset is not original but is functional, and the tires are new. I have a nice wheelset (105 rear hub, nexus dynamo front) for an optional upgrade if you wish. It’s a nice bike, both for touring or around-town use; it’s the second one I’ve owned. Cash only.
https://philadelphia.craigslist.org/bik/1350604072.html
This is what I believe is a 1993 Trek 520, the last year Trek made a lugged steel version. It has been Trek's main touring model for for 20+ years. It’s a 23”/58.5 cm center to top.
It has
*True Temper & Tange chromoly frame & fork
*Cantilever studs
*triple water bottle bosses, 2 bottle cages are included
*Double eyelets rear, single front and lowrider bosses.
*The cranks and deraillers are Shimano DX (which would probably be comparable to LX today)
*Bar-end shifters.
It looks like it should take 700 X 35s with fenders easily. The wheelset is not original but is functional, and the tires are new. I have a nice wheelset (105 rear hub, nexus dynamo front) for an optional upgrade if you wish. It’s a nice bike, both for touring or around-town use; it’s the second one I’ve owned. Cash only.
09-04-09 | 08:42 PM
#5
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 724
Likes: 0
From: Plymouth,WI
Bikes: TREK-520 & 830
Couple of things...
I own a '93 520, bought it new. It is not lugged.
It came with Shimano Deore LX derailers, hubs & cranks.
See if he will give you the serial number to check out here https://www.vintage-trek.com/
I'd ask for more/ better pictures because the handle bars are not original either.
The right wheel set will make all the difference if you plan to load it up for touring. If these are too weak you'll have to start from scratch (meaning he better be ready to lower the price).
I've seen some 520s of that era go for near $600 on E-Bay.
It's really only "worth" what your willing to pay. In other words, if it's a good deal to you, & your satisfied with it, then it's worth the price.
~Roger
I own a '93 520, bought it new. It is not lugged.
It came with Shimano Deore LX derailers, hubs & cranks.
See if he will give you the serial number to check out here https://www.vintage-trek.com/
I'd ask for more/ better pictures because the handle bars are not original either.
The right wheel set will make all the difference if you plan to load it up for touring. If these are too weak you'll have to start from scratch (meaning he better be ready to lower the price).
I've seen some 520s of that era go for near $600 on E-Bay.
It's really only "worth" what your willing to pay. In other words, if it's a good deal to you, & your satisfied with it, then it's worth the price.
~Roger
Last edited by Rogerinchrist; 09-04-09 at 08:51 PM.
09-05-09 | 05:43 AM
#6
Senior Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 91
Likes: 0
From: Indian Head, MD.
Bikes: '93 Trek 520, '98 Trek 1220, '01 C-dale T800
The bike looks good - if I wanted it, I'd grab it before someone else does. I'm loving my '93, and plan on using it for the Indianhead Century ride on Sept. 13 in MD. https://ohbike.org/century/
09-06-09 | 09:10 AM
#7
Parttime Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,104
Likes: 19
From: Central IL
Bikes: 2021 Cannondale Topstone Neo SL, 2021 Tesoro Neo SL EQ, 2012 Marin Bridgeway City; 1996 Cannondale MT1000 tandem
Definitely haggle, especially if you feel there are other fish in the sea and you don't have to have this bike. Touring bikes are not a popular commodity which means they often sit for a long time with no one even interested.
Case in point: there is an '09 Cannondale Touring 2 like new with 100 miles and front/rear bags and wireless computer valued at $1500 retail that has been on the Houston craigslist for almost 2 months. Asking price of $950, no takers, so now the seller has come down to $899 which is a fantastic buy. If I hadn't just bought a 2008 T2 off ebay I would have been all over that bike. It's my size, too.
Case in point: there is an '09 Cannondale Touring 2 like new with 100 miles and front/rear bags and wireless computer valued at $1500 retail that has been on the Houston craigslist for almost 2 months. Asking price of $950, no takers, so now the seller has come down to $899 which is a fantastic buy. If I hadn't just bought a 2008 T2 off ebay I would have been all over that bike. It's my size, too.
