side_fx, First off, you should consider seeking out a bike shop that stocks the 520 and test ride it. I took the Surly long haul trucker, and the Salsa Vaya out for direct comparison to the 520. For me, the LHT was exactly that. A big ole truck-capable of hauling anything I could throw at it. The Salsa Vaya was a lightweight, very nimble bike that I more doubted it could handle a more than a tour or two. The 520 on the other hand was a great mix of the two. As a commuter,bop around town kinda bike the 520 will do ya good.