kidadam

Hi all,

I’ve been looking for an older Trek 520 for some time and just came across this one locally.

It’s all original with Shimano delore dx.

list price is 900cad or 660usd. I think he’s padded the price.

Size is a 56 - I typically ride 54 but think this may work well from what I read.

SoccerBallXan

In that price range you could change "Deore" to "Dura-Ace" if you're patient enough. This Trek is a fine, fine bike, but I would look into negotiating a couple hundred off.

MSRP on this bike was probably less than what the seller is asking now.

kidadam

I passed on one just over 3 years ago, maybe 4 and have not seen one since. I think the seller may know.

I’m thinking 650cad is still plenty for it.

tmh657

I sold a 1990 Trek 520 in Sept 2013 for $600 on the bay. It literally looked new, a garage queen for sure. The price you mention for a local sale does seem a bit high but.... I have sold a bunch of Trek, 420, 520, 620, 720 back in the heyday of vintage bike flipping and when somebody REALLY wants a Trek touring bike with the long wheelbase, cant's etc and finds one in their size then the cash comes out. Today's market may be different. I stopped flipping when the market tanked.

Are you in strong market? The seller might get his price on eaby with all the hassles that go with it. What Soccer said- Offer $450 and go from there.

katsup

I saw a clean 91 sell locally for around $400 about a month ago (not sure the exact price the seller got). I'd place this one around $300 USD.

kidadam

Bike are moving like crazy locally. Unfortunately it was a tad too big. Stand over was tight - I'm 5'9 and the bike was a 56. I was hoping it was a small 56 but no.

fishboat

I'd agree the seller is rather..let's say..optimistic with the asking price. 450 USD seems plenty, in my market at least. No idea what the market is like in CA.

Passing thought..having just bought and sold(too small for me) a 1990 Trek 970 and comparing the 970 to my GF's 1991 Trek 750 Multitrack.. The 970 and 750 looked like same frame. The seatpost cluster on the 520 photos here look identical to the 1991 750 and 1990 970. I compared the geometry of the 520, 750, and 970 a while back and if memory serves..they were basically identical in the 1990-1993 range. I didn't check the tubing though. After 1993 the 970 top tube got longer, but in the 90-93 range the top tube of a 20 inch frame(the size typically for a person that rides a 56cm road frame..like me..and you apparently) was 57.5cm. The 1990 520 (21 inch frame, as the spec manual lists it) has a 56.5cm top tube.

The short version of the above..if you're having a hard time finding a 520, you could consider a 750, 790, 950, or 970 from the 1990-1993 range and do a drop bar conversion into a touring bike. These bikes will run $100-$250USD range. I saw a converted 970 this morning on CL..with a 30.5" standover height..it's a 20 inch frame. Looks t be a 1990 bike.
https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/h...145363931.html

madpogue 

^^^^^ The 950/970 must be a different frame; they take 26-inch wheels.

Cyclist0108

I had that bike, that year, that color, but I upgraded the saddle by 1991. It is a great bike, and served me well for many years. I finally gave it to my best grad student, and she kept it going for several more years, and finally donated it to the bike co-op. If I could buy it back for $660, I would. What is in your pictures looks to be in great shape.

I think I paid about US$750 for it in 1990.

kidadam

I have a Surly LHT 26" - love the bike but don't need another 26er in my life.

kidadam

Having said that - if I came across that 970 I may pick it up lol.

fishboat

minor differences, but sooo close. Forgot to mention..the fork on the 970 is beefier than the 750..which is beefier than the 520. 520's though..so much demand and prices to match..

The 750 and 790 will be a 700c wheeled bike...with lots of room for cushy tires.

fishboat

Just comparing the frame geometry of the 750 and 520, 1990, looks like the same bike. You seem to be in a limited market..just another option.

Trek, Fisher, Klein, Lemond bike catalogs, bicycle brochures

kidadam

It's extremely limited. I'll never pass on a bike I want here as it could be years before another appears.

fishboat

Understandable. I'm about 80 miles north of Chicago..which you'd think would offer lots of options..but they are much fewer than one would expect.

The Minneapolis metropolitan area seems to be a mecca of used bike sales. I do specific, regional, distance-radius type searches and often about 50% of the bikes are up in the Minneapolis area.

oddjob2

Just sold a 58cm 1984 520 with VG paint and full refurb for $375.

plonz 

As recent as 9 months ago I watched 520s get dusty on CL when over $250USD. Now it seems like they’re a steal at $300. Good to see a mid-level C&V holding some value.

SoccerBallXan

I am surely kind of surprised at the comments on this thread. This Trek is very nice, but not $660 USD nice. I frequent many markets and understand that I live in a soft bicycle market. However, you should be able to wait it out and if you search diligently (on eBay as well) find something x2 as nice as this Trek. But hey... if it calls your name or something do it!!

Takeshi

Pricey for a bike that's not perfect.

ramzilla

The only way $660 is a fair price is if the bike has been completely reconditioned with all new tubes, tires, handlebar tape, brake hoods, brake pads, ball bearings, grease, chain, cables, cable covers, seat, pedals and, all other necessary parts. I completely refurbish bikes exactly like that one with all new parts and sell them for around $285 to $455. (Anything over $400 must be perfect).

I must be crazy. But, most of my customers are very happy. I gave my Trek 520 to my brother a few years ago. It was completely refurbished. It's probably got about 5000 miles on it by now & it's still going strong.

barnfind

With the way prices of old bikes are going right now, that may be downright cheap. I see coaster brake bikes selling for $300 and up.
I had an older Trek 500 here that I got from a recent clean out, I went through it real quick, cleaned and regreased all the bearings, added a period correct saddle and pedals and listed it for $550, I had a three guys here fighting over it. I sold it to one guy for $550, he then turned around and sold it for $600 to a guy who showed up as he was loading it up. He turned around and bought a 410 I had sitting in the corner that I hadn't listed yet. Stuff like that hasn't happened around here in years.
Lately every bike is a hot seller, the bike shops are sold out and over loaded with repairs, and there are far fewer bike shops these days than there were say 15-20 years ago.

The bad part is people seem to be panic buying, the don't much care what it is or if it fits. they just want a bike now. A bike that's $600 today may be an $800 bike a week from now, or more if this keeps up. The key is that they have to be ready to ride, people realize that shops are back logged and often can't or won't work on bikes they didn't sell these days. They want something they can take home and start using right now.

Takeshi

Are we witnessing the bike boom 2.0, then?..

canopus 

Is your heart set on Trek 520 complete bike? I have a Trek '85 21" 620 frame and fork I wouldn't mind parting with. I probably have enough components to put it together but not in a group sense. And shipping has gotten ridiculous so F&F is definitely cheaper but only if you want to build...

kidadam

I’d love to build one but It can get pretty expensive. Mind sharing a photo?

canopus 

Sure. There are two dings on it. One on the down tube and one on the top tube. They don't affect the tube strength, are not creased and don't affect the paint, I will put those pics first. There are the usual chips and some touch up spots but overall not bad. The white stuff in the crevices is the wax I didn't get out, nothing that affects the paint. If those are more issues than you want in a frame, I understand completely. If you are interested we can discuss the other items I may have for it.


Small down tube ding

Small top tube ding. It is not creased.







Touch paint spots