TREK 520 Fan Club
#251
Sunshine
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Des Moines, IA
Posts: 16,614
Bikes: '18 class built steel roadbike, '19 Fairlight Secan, '88 Schwinn Premis , Black Mountain Cycles Monstercross V4, '89 Novara Trionfo
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#252
Junior Member
Short version: bought bike off CL, rode it 9 thousand miles, seat stay snapped from seat tube in Index, WA, friends bought me a new bike... A 520, once I returned home contacted Trek rep and explained the failure, they sent me a 520 frame. I then modified it for 26" wheels. End tale.
#253
Sunshine
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Des Moines, IA
Posts: 16,614
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Wow, it was based on previous owner's frame even?
#254
aka: Mike J.
Index, WA is not a good place to break anything. Do you think the break was just due to fatigue or something else?
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#255
Junior Member
It was due to several other breaks which were repaired, but ultimately tweaked the rear stays at the drop out. Didn't make sense why I was constantly breaking racks until the final pop. The rafting company in Index were a great help. A friend came from Tacoma to get me. I think it was replaced just out of me being honest about the loss.
#256
Junior Member
This is the donated bike at Cascade Locks. The pup and I had just ridden from Portland to The Dalles to do the Velo Dirt route. This one modified gearing to run 36 and 38 toothed cassette. Clement sent new fresh set of tires. Origin 8 Gary bars.
#257
Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Allentown, PA
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Bikes: 2012 Fuji Traverse,
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So after reading all the reviews of Surly's, Salsa's, Treks and others- After test riding the Surly's, Salsa's and Treks. After riding a sport road bike for years and aluminum mountain bikes, all the test rides I have gotten a really good understanding of the jargon and feel of bikes. I have also come to an understanding of what I prefer to ride on when. I love the agility of a mountain bike and got a Fuji Traverse hybrid. But after riding that on the road, which it is not that good at, I realized I wanted a road bike again. When I test rode the 520 it felt as if I was getting on a mountain bike again but for the road. I mean it was east to ride. I didn't have to reach for hoods and I didn't feel top heavy on the 520 either. My 2016 Trek 520 is on it's way to me.
#258
Newbie
Nice. Same here. Should be ordering my black 520 disc soon.
#260
Newbie
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Belgium
Posts: 4
Bikes: Idworx off rohler 2011, Brompton
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Hi,
l want to get a 520 but size are 54 or 57.
I'm afraid the 54 will be too small and the 57 too big...
l have an inseam of 83cm (32,8'') and I measure 176 cm (5'93'')
what do you think?
I like a medium upright position, and would like to make centuries with the bike.
thanks,
youcoolele
l want to get a 520 but size are 54 or 57.
I'm afraid the 54 will be too small and the 57 too big...
l have an inseam of 83cm (32,8'') and I measure 176 cm (5'93'')
what do you think?
I like a medium upright position, and would like to make centuries with the bike.
thanks,
youcoolele
#261
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
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I'm 5'10" and the 57 fits me well. It seems you likely have a shorter upper torso and longer legs similar to my anatomy. I'll bet you're looking at the 57 with a slightly shorter stem. The reach isn't that much greater than the 54 but the much shorter stack of the 54 will make it difficult to get you in the medium upright position you seek without a large angle upright stem. Unfortunately I'm told that the 520's now come with fork steerer tubes already cut and so you can't just leave it longer with a lot of spacers to get the stack you need. Best thing would be to find a Trek dealer and ride the two.
#262
Newbie
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Belgium
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Thank Robow,
I did test ride the 57 at my Lbs, but since I have no previous experience with dropbars...except when I was 7 years old (I had a beautiful orange eddy Merckx bike!)
But it looked and rode fine. That said, I just rode it for 15 min so it's not really enough to have a good idea of the fit on a long ride. They didn't have the 54 to compare with the 57, but I believe it will be too small.
I checked their geometry at the trek web site, and indeed the top tube is short for a 57.
Strange they have all their bike in size 54-56-58 but not for the 520.
so I will probably go with the 57 and get a shorter stem if needed.
and a brooks b17 of course!
But I'm still looking at the lht but can't find one to test.
youcoolele
I did test ride the 57 at my Lbs, but since I have no previous experience with dropbars...except when I was 7 years old (I had a beautiful orange eddy Merckx bike!)
But it looked and rode fine. That said, I just rode it for 15 min so it's not really enough to have a good idea of the fit on a long ride. They didn't have the 54 to compare with the 57, but I believe it will be too small.
I checked their geometry at the trek web site, and indeed the top tube is short for a 57.
Strange they have all their bike in size 54-56-58 but not for the 520.
so I will probably go with the 57 and get a shorter stem if needed.
and a brooks b17 of course!
But I'm still looking at the lht but can't find one to test.
youcoolele
#263
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
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Thank Robow,
I did test ride the 57 at my Lbs, but since I have no previous experience with dropbars...except when I was 7 years old (I had a beautiful orange eddy Merckx bike!)
But it looked and rode fine. That said, I just rode it for 15 min so it's not really enough to have a good idea of the fit on a long ride. They didn't have the 54 to compare with the 57, but I believe it will be too small.
I checked their geometry at the trek web site, and indeed the top tube is short for a 57.
Strange they have all their bike in size 54-56-58 but not for the 520.
so I will probably go with the 57 and get a shorter stem if needed.
and a brooks b17 of course!
But I'm still looking at the lht but can't find one to test.
youcoolele
I did test ride the 57 at my Lbs, but since I have no previous experience with dropbars...except when I was 7 years old (I had a beautiful orange eddy Merckx bike!)
But it looked and rode fine. That said, I just rode it for 15 min so it's not really enough to have a good idea of the fit on a long ride. They didn't have the 54 to compare with the 57, but I believe it will be too small.
I checked their geometry at the trek web site, and indeed the top tube is short for a 57.
Strange they have all their bike in size 54-56-58 but not for the 520.
so I will probably go with the 57 and get a shorter stem if needed.
and a brooks b17 of course!
But I'm still looking at the lht but can't find one to test.
youcoolele
#264
^that guy^
My '94 520.. all original except Nitto quill stem. Slightly too big for me though, it's a 25" frame
#265
Sunshine
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Des Moines, IA
Posts: 16,614
Bikes: '18 class built steel roadbike, '19 Fairlight Secan, '88 Schwinn Premis , Black Mountain Cycles Monstercross V4, '89 Novara Trionfo
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Wow, crazy geometry. That looks like a 23 or maybe 24" frame based on the headtube height.
#266
Banned
Why crazy?. You been looking at too many race Bikes I think . and want parallel head and seat tube angles of like 73 degrees?
#267
Sunshine
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Des Moines, IA
Posts: 16,614
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Its crazy because i ride 25" frames and none of mine have a head tube as small as the trek listed.
I have 1 bike that has aggressive geometry. All the others are touring, sport touring, or a drop bar hybrid.
#268
^that guy^
Yea, by the size if the head tube it looks like it's a 58-59cm in the picture, in person its much bigger
#269
Member
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Long Beach, CA
Posts: 26
Bikes: 2016 Trek 520 Disc, 2016 Giant Talon 4, 2015 Schwinn Admiral
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Pulled the trigger on a 2016 Disc 520 late last week, shipping from WI, really hoping it gets here quick! It will be my first proper road bike, and I plan on touring with it in the future (RAGBRAI, SF to LA). Not sure if I'm going to commute with it yet, because I'm worrying about locking it up on campus. I have ordered a Kryptonite New York lock along with their 7' 3/8" cable, but I may just continue to use my Schwinn Admiral for that and save the headache. I'll post pics when it arrives!
#270
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Cary, NC
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Got my 2016 520 (non-disc) the Friday before memorial day. My first geared bike in like 10 years. Been commuting on it almost daily and doing longer rides on weekends with friends/girlfriend. Honestly cannot put into words how happy I am with this purchase. I hope to ride this bike across the USA one day. Until then it does great as a commuter/grocery-getter. Sad thing is I don't have a pic of it yet. Guess I need to take care of that.
#271
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Austin, TX
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Steel frame, steel fork, v-brakes - are the nicer components worth the extra cost over the $699 Windsor Tourist? A lot of components are even the same or closely similar Shimano gear. Looks like the Trek 520 is basically double the money for an uncannily similar setup.
Just curious - I don't have a dog in the hunt.
Just curious - I don't have a dog in the hunt.
#272
Member
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Long Beach, CA
Posts: 26
Bikes: 2016 Trek 520 Disc, 2016 Giant Talon 4, 2015 Schwinn Admiral
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[IMG]
Finally picked it up today. Took it for a quick 5 miler. Rides beautifully, very smooth, stable, and surprisingly fast! Bar end shifters will need some getting used to. The flat bar hand position is lower then I'm used to, but still feels very natural. Cant wait to take this thing out for a long ride tomorrow! These pedals needed to be off 5 miles ago.
Finally picked it up today. Took it for a quick 5 miler. Rides beautifully, very smooth, stable, and surprisingly fast! Bar end shifters will need some getting used to. The flat bar hand position is lower then I'm used to, but still feels very natural. Cant wait to take this thing out for a long ride tomorrow! These pedals needed to be off 5 miles ago.
Last edited by roaming_art; 06-10-16 at 09:48 PM.
#273
Member
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Long Beach, CA
Posts: 26
Bikes: 2016 Trek 520 Disc, 2016 Giant Talon 4, 2015 Schwinn Admiral
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Anyone fit a 920 front rack on their 520? The guys at my shop thought it might work, and said they'd order one if I wanted, no obligations if it didn't fit. Might do that next time I'm over there. Rode 50 miles today, loving this thing. I have noticed a slight vibration in my low gears through the pedals. Hoping that's something that'll smooth out with a little stretch in the chain.
#274
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: The banks of the River Charles
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Bikes: 2022 Salsa Beargrease, 2020 Seven Evergreen, 2019 Honey Allroads Ti, 2018 Seven Redsky XX, 2017 Trek Boon 7, 2014 Trek 520
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Anyone fit a 920 front rack on their 520? The guys at my shop thought it might work, and said they'd order one if I wanted, no obligations if it didn't fit. Might do that next time I'm over there. Rode 50 miles today, loving this thing. I have noticed a slight vibration in my low gears through the pedals. Hoping that's something that'll smooth out with a little stretch in the chain.
its tough to see but it's the white bike in the back
Last edited by Ghazmh; 06-14-16 at 10:57 AM.
#275
Member
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Long Beach, CA
Posts: 26
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I'll buy a set of Schwalbes if I have any trouble with the Hard-cases, but I'm looking for a slightly more aggressive 38c or possibly a 40c (not planning to run fenders) to run some local gravel / overnight camping trips. The minimal time I've spent on the stock saddle has been fine, I don't know any better. How's the Brooks when it gets wet? That's my concern with leather. I've ordered the 920 rack. I'll post up if it works out.