Help ID Trek 520.
03-31-24, 05:45 PM
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Help ID Trek 520.
Can anyone identify this bike? Seller says it’s black and possibly from the 1990s. I don’t see any black 520s in the Trek timeline. Thanks!
03-31-24, 06:01 PM
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I'll go out on a limb and say it's a Trek 520. 
If it has Shimano components, one way to get a rough date on the bike is to look up the date code on the parts. It's a two-letter code stamped on the part showing year and month of manufacture, typically separate from other information. For example, on the rear derailleur, the date code is usually on the back of the derailleur parallelogram. You then look it up on a chart like this:
If it has Shimano components, one way to get a rough date on the bike is to look up the date code on the parts. It's a two-letter code stamped on the part showing year and month of manufacture, typically separate from other information. For example, on the rear derailleur, the date code is usually on the back of the derailleur parallelogram. You then look it up on a chart like this:
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Richard C. Moeur, PE - Phoenix AZ, USA
https://www.richardcmoeur.com/bikestuf.html
Richard C. Moeur, PE - Phoenix AZ, USA
https://www.richardcmoeur.com/bikestuf.html
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03-31-24, 06:38 PM
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It’s got a straight top tube, and looks to be a non lugged frame. Is it a 520?
03-31-24, 07:14 PM
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Trek switched to non-lugged frame and unicrown forks for the 520 sometime in the 90s. V-brakes were introduced in 99, so if this one has original components it's safe to say it's a 99 or later.
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03-31-24, 08:30 PM
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From what I can find, it's likely somewhere between 2007 after Vintage Trek leaves off and 2009, before Trek's archives pick up. 2010 didn't have a 520, but 2011 had a gorgeous root beer with V-brakes. HTH.
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04-01-24, 07:20 AM
#6
Not so New
2007-2008 model years.
Last edited by John D; 04-01-24 at 07:23 AM. Reason: add year
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04-01-24, 09:25 AM
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John D is right; 2008. It appears to be the only time they made the 520 in black.
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