As the title states, at my lbs there is an trek 520 that i am interested in getting for touring, this would be my first touring bike, here is a picture of it, is it worth it for the price? its 579$ on sale and i don't know of the year, i checked it out online they made the same one in 2009,2010,2011. the specs are very similar might you know which it is? it has aftermaket fenders and the rest seems stock. it fits me pretty well for a 54 size.



thanks.

I sold a 1991 Trek 520 (all stock, except tires), with no fenders for $500. It was in very good shape. I'm thinking you're getting a good ride for $579. If you LOVE the bike, buy it!

Good price if this is New Old Stock. If it's a used bike someone traded in, it would depend on the condition of everything that's on it. I don't believe a new 520's came with fenders. The shop could have installed them though.

$579 for a Trek 520 w/ fenders, clipless pedal, bar-ends? That's a smoking deal! If this is the only bike there in your size, I would be jumping in the car right now to get it. SERIOUSLY!

Thanks for the input, i will think about it some more.

oh hell yes

what kind of seat should i put on it for touring?

whatever works for you, there is no magic bullet answer for that one.

This is a difficult question to answer as saddles are so personal. Many folks here like the Brooks B17 (myself included!) Also, keep reading many positive reviews on the Selle Anatomica Titanico. These saddles will set you back between $120-$175. Try the saddle that comes with the bike. It might work well for you. Go on a few long rides (2-3 hours) and decide from there.

alexasschwanden, Smokin' deal if a leftover new bike. Still a good deal even if used.

Try the saddle that comes with the bike first, if unsatisfied try what you have on your roadie or even the mountain bike. Because my posture on my touring bike is a little less aggresive than on my roadie I've learned that some saddles I've swapped on my roadies work very well on the tourer. If you have any, try any old saddles also.

Brad

If the bike is in your size do not pass go and go and snag it straight away... external bb points to it being at least an '08 and if it has Bontrager Maverick rims these are something Trek will warranty and replace at no charge as the rear wheel with it'd offset spoke drilling has shown itself to be extremely prone to failure. The replacement frokm Trek will be a new set of their current wheels.

Looking closer it seemes like it has the newer wheelset so it is newer than an '08 or had the original wheels replaced under warranty.

MSRP on a new 2012 Trek 520 is $1500.00 Cdn so paying 1/3 of that is a smoking deal.

Ok, i will try to get it, for panniers i was thinking of getting the avenir large excursion panniers 1700 cu. inches do you think that might be big enough for a week's ride? also what year should i say this is 09 ,10, 11?

The difference in the parts group over the past 6 years has been minor... the change from a square taper bb to external bb happened in '09 methinks and having looked at an 2008 and 2012 in the past week (side by side) would say that they are almost identical bicycles.

That's a great deal if the frame is the right size for you. I would snap it up in a minute if my size. Great color too.

Here is my (new to me) 2010 trek 520!





tell me how you like it.

alexaschwanden, Looks like a winner.

Brad

Yeah!! Congratulations! That was a real steal.

It's a beaut, you did well alexaschwanden, happy riding!

Thanks alot you guys, the shifting is so responsive and smoother than i thought.

very nice find!

Very nice! When I got my Trek 520 (2007), the frames were still black (although the paint is actually flecked with small bits of color -- just barely visible in direct sunlight.) The first time I saw one of the "root beer" 520s in real life, I loved the color!

It's a great bike, have fun on it!

I always advise putting at least several hundred miles on the saddle that came with the bike. I have always wound up being happy with whatever came with my bikes as long as they were not excessively padded. Even the one that I thought felt awful at first, I adjusted to and used for a coast to coast tour. That may not always be the case, but why not give what you have a good chance?

You are a lucky person. You absolutely could not have done any better for a NOS touring bike of that quality. Be glad the shop didn't put it on ebay because they could have gotten more than that for sure.

That's good to read. Oft times it takes some cyclists awhile to become accustomed to bar end shifters.

Brad

Tried bar ends for the first time about a year and a half ago on a used Miyata 610 I bought that came w/ them. Loved them from the get-go even though they could only be used effectively on friction mode (8 spd cassette matched with 9 spd shifters.) Built a splashing brand new touring bike just a few months ago with bar-ends and had the same experience as the O.P..... Wow! Index shifting was accurate. Felt like butter!