New Model , 2021 Trek 520 Grando ?
 

I hear this will replace the 920 and be released end of Sept .
Any info on this new model ?

tried your Trek Dealer? (Interbike trade show was cancelled a year ago)

Trek support will only confirm it's drop bar . Release end of September .

My guess is it's an aluminum frame/fork 520 with clearance for 29 x 2.3 tires and similar but updated component group of 920 . (could be a 1x)
Maybe they'll offer this variant stock with 650b/27.5
Offered in the 920 frame sizes ; 49 ,52 , 54 , 56 , 58 , 61 . vs . 520's 48 ,51 , 54 , 57 , 60 , 63 .

"The Trek 520 Grando is a go-anywhere adventure touring bike. It's built with drop-bars and 27.5 / 29er mountain bike wheels for balance and capability on any surface you'll encounter on a bikepacking expedition."

Or maybe it's a CroMoly frame , alloy fork 520 stock with 650b/27.5 's .
"Grando" does suggest Plus sized tires .

I note: you must have a large virtual collection by now, after asking for all those revues, did you actually buy any of them ?


:rolleyes:

Good to see your still with us , my good friend Bob !
Surely I will add this to my stable sight unseen .
It must be a very special one to receive the legendary moniker 520 .

As you may have noted, Shimano & Trek keep applying product names & in this case numbers
as they change the product they attach it to.. over the years

So plus is the trend? 700c whells are being replaced by 650B ("27,5") suppose spare tires in France will be easy to buy..

next time I'm in the local Trek Dealer I'll look it up..

I assume you are quoting Trek when you say "The Trek 520 Grando is a go-anywhere adventure touring bike. It's built with drop-bars and 27.5 / 29er mountain bike wheels for balance and capability on any surface you'll encounter on a bikepackingexpedition." Why would trek downgrade the 520 to an aluminum alloy frame from steel? Aluminum frames are a dime a dozen and their staying with steel I believe makes the 520, even with all the changes over the years, still fairly unique. Heck, look at other companies catalog and they don't even offer 1 steel bike. With respect to the wheel size, the smaller 27.5 will probably only be available on the smaller frames, and the 29er only available on larger frames (with possibly a little overlap in the middle). Trek wouldn't be the first to do this. Sounds to me like a marketing ploy/desperation; the 920 struggled to gain any traction (pun intended) with the adventure/gravel/bikepacking/whatever crowd so lets try a different approach. Could be wrong and it will be the best thing since - well since the invention of the pneumatic bike tire!

Yes , I was quoting Trek's 920 copy but changed it to 520 and added in the 27.5 as a guess .
I was also guessing about alloy frame since I was told the 520 is replacing the 920 but on second thought the 520 Grando is most probably steel frame / alloy fork like the current 520 .
Trek support said the Grando is a good looking drop bar bike but wouldn't say anything more since it's not yet released .
Whatever it is it'll be ... Grando !

Here's a Flat Bar 520 that bike packing.com built .

https://bikepacking.com/bikes/miles-flat-bar-trek-520/


https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...805263b808.jpg

Is Lance Armstrong still associated with Trek bikes? I haven’t given them much thought since the cheater was caught.

... so , it's an off-road touring 520 ; we just don't know the details .
Most importantly , what color is it ?
Trek support said it's a good looking bike .

Coming soon , the new Trek 520 Gordo , I mean Grando !
Sounds like something Big and Fat .

That it was seemingly impossible to find a 920 to even look at in a dealer, let alone one that was remotely in my size to test ride, certainly didn't help matters. That was my experience anyway.

No, they distanced themselves just as every other sponsor he once had, after the stuff hit the fan.

Information on the new 520 Grando is now up on the Trek website.

Thanks !


https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...14e7da790.jpeg

42/28 , 11-36 ten speed, not a bad setup. With the stock 40mm tires, gives 21-104 gear inch range, which is not bad.
I suspect the rd can take more than the official 36max, so could get lower possibly.

they certainly are going with what is popular and what a beginner tourer will react to (framebag, seatbag,)

36 spoke wheels, 21mm wide rims and can go tubeless.
not clear how much wider tires it could take.
stock 40s can probably take fenders ok

According to Trek on-line Chat Support the Grando is the same frame / fork as the 520 "Classic"
29 x 2.0 without fenders is max tire size .
700 x 38 with fenders . (That doesn't sound correct , but that was the reply re: with fenders )
Trek does not recommend running 27.5 on these models .

So basically a drivetrain change, and bags and stuff to appeal to the consumer somewhat familiar with gravelly stuff.
still a pretty good bike.

SAY HELLO TO THE NEW TREK 520 GRANDO: GRAVEL RANDONNEUR
https://bikepacking.com/news/trek-520-grando/

Pretty sure the bags are sold separately.

yes, I didn't word that well.
I Was meaning the whole marketing visuals thing going on, clearly getting on the bikepacking bandwagon for appeal.

Hip Now is Rear Panniers on the front racks..

ass backwards , or is that ass forwards :)