agrych

Hi there! Looking for help in appraising a 2014 Trek 520 - I know that's not exactly classic but I'm new to this world and wasn't sure where to go on this. The bike itself was bought new in 2014 and barely ridden in that time, just sitting in a garage. Owner is looking for $600 for it but a bicycle blue book estimate comes in around $250. Would the lack of mileage on it change that valuation? I can't post pictures on here for some reason but it looks to be in very good condition with all stock parts.

Thanks!

bboy314

Tough to value as it’s not a classic, but a very capable bike (and Trek just discontinued the 520 this year). If it’s in as good of shape as described, I’d value it somewhere between the blue book and asking price. Depends on the market too - if somewhere with lots of demand, it might just go for the $600.

SoCaled 

Hard to tell without pics and more details but my guess is the right number is in between the 2. Blue book tends to be low, Bike market is slow so $600 is likely high.

Polaris OBark

If it is in nearly new condition, you are paying $600 for a steel touring frame and fork, which by itself would be a reasonable deal, and the components are solid, though perhaps a bit dated. As long as you are ok with rim brakes, and the bike is rideable, I think it is a fair asking price. I had a 1990 520, and used it heavily and finally gave it to one of my grad students. It was still in fine condition.

Trek eventually moved to aluminum forks for the 520; I would not recommend that, even though they are newer. I'm guessing the 10 year old bike would hit the sweet spot for most people who want a good solid rim-brake touring bike.

abdon 

Rim brakes are only a problem to people that don't bother to maintain them. I'll never forget the day a friend borrowed one of my bikes so we could ride, a Surly Cross check. I did warn him that I toured the bike and as such I had the brakes set very twitchy. Well I guess he was used to crappy bikes because at the first interception he slammed on the brakes and went flying over the handlebars. Not a small feat for a 200+ pound grown man.

Polaris OBark

wrk101

Bicycle Blue Book does not use data to support, it's just a formula. Most bikes come up low, really low. Look at sold Trek 520s on ebay, then discount it for local only sale.


Regardless, seller believes it is worth more, so if you are looking for one at $250, move on. Over time, you will know market values in your area, which is the best guide.

Trakhak

The move to aluminum forks was interesting. My guess is that Trek was courting the European touring market, where aluminum forks are accepted better than they are here. For example, among the bikes in Koga-Miyata's extensive touring and (their term) "trekking" range, most have aluminum forks, one has a carbon fiber fork, and none have steel forks.

abdon 

So somehow your "As long as you are ok with rim brakes" was not meant to say that they were substandard? Heck complaining that a bike doesn't have disk brakes on a vintage forum is rather odd on itself.

bboy314

I think they probably meant that many buyers are wary of rim brakes these days, since the industry is pushing discs as necessary equipment. Personally I have no qualms with them.

Polaris OBark

I bought a Soma Saga disc frame because I wanted disc brakes.

The rest of your off-point speculation is irrelevant, gratuitious, off-topic speculation.

If I say "as long as you are ok with a purple frame," it does not mean I have anything against purple frames.

Do you really think a "2014 Trek 520" is vintage?

Spring will be here any day now. Hang in there.

abdon 

I see. So your opinion on brakes are valid and on-point, but my opinion on brakes are off-point, irrelevant, gratuitious, off-topic speculation. My apologies for exposing the OP to an opinion different to yours.

Polaris OBark

I'll put you on ignore if you will be kind enough to do the same for me.

Nwvlvtnr 

My local CL has one for $600ish,

https://boise.craigslist.org/bik/d/b...733745423.html

I believe it was first listed in an add from Ontario, OR with four wal mart bikes and a list price of $50 for all, that add was shortly revised to just the dept store rides and this appeared in Boise a few days latter. IIRC it was near stock and then updated to the build shown, same seller.

Polaris OBark

Wow, abdon is right, those brakes are FAR superior to hydraulic disc brakes. I take it all back.

KFC

It's a superior touring bike and a very good all round cruising bike. Trek has stopped production of the 520, and prices for it, and other comparable touring bikes, has been steadily rising rising. Frankly, IF YOU USE THE BIKE, it's worth the asking price. If it just sits in the garage it's a waste of money at any price.You might try $500 if the bike is in excellent shape and is the correct size for you. Good LUck!

Nwvlvtnr 

Agreed, I have a ‘98 520 I purchased in like new condition for $400 in 2018, worth every penny. But I was living in a middle eastern country where quality bicycles of any kind were not common, I certainly would have been willing to pay $600.

Caliwild

IMO, the 520 is a great bike but $600 seems on the high end of it. Around these parts, I see them listed often between $300 and $500 in good condition. YMMV

bikemig 

If you have problems with rim brakes, you probably shouldn't be spending much time on C&V. Just 'sayin . . .

bikemig 

Blue book is low and sometimes crazy low. $600 isn't bad for a quality steel touring bike. Offer $400-$500 for the bike. Maybe you can get a better deal if you're patient; maybe you won't. This is a top end steel touring bike. The bike was $1400 new. Plus the '014 model looks good (white with a blue panel like an old school Trek) and has quality components.

bboy314

Sure… but this was in reference to a comment directed at the OP, who is asking for opinions on a 10 year old bike, so who knows whether they have strong feelings about brake types.

Polaris OBark

To be honest, I didn't notice this 2014 bike was in the C&V subforum. All I meant by my comment was that unless one specifically wants a disc brake touring bike, this is pretty much as good as it gets. (Most other components you can change.)

abdon 

I saw the comment and found it hilarious. I see he is still salty about somebody in a vintage bike forum daring to say rim brakes are fine. The way he kept doubling and tripling down was adorkable.

Nwvlvtnr 

Looks like the OP hasn’t been back, I suppose they could have read the replies without logging in.

I once loaned a bike to a young avid mountain biker who had a fairly entitled life and had never ridden anything old than 5 years or with an MSRP below $2500. He was initially terrified that the V brakes would barely even function, after a ride he couldn’t stop talking about how well they worked.

bboy314

Did I miss where rim brakes were actually disparaged in this thread??