Used Trek 520
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 126
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 67 Post(s)
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Used Trek 520
Hey folks,
What do you think of the price for this used trek 520?
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/bik...436658281.html
And do you think I could raise the stem somehow to get the handllebars higher?
I was surprised to see it has v brakes.
JP
What do you think of the price for this used trek 520?
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/bik...436658281.html
And do you think I could raise the stem somehow to get the handllebars higher?
I was surprised to see it has v brakes.
JP
#2
Senior Member
"Expertly inspected and refurbished (and totally sanitized!)" - really? One look at the chainrings tells me that cleaning is apparently not part of refurbishing.
Could you put a taller stem in? Sure, if the frame fits you otherwise, but if you're trying to squeeze an extra size out of this frame, don't bother - just get a bigger frame.
V-brakes instead of cantis - maybe someone got sick of setting up cantis!
Could you put a taller stem in? Sure, if the frame fits you otherwise, but if you're trying to squeeze an extra size out of this frame, don't bother - just get a bigger frame.
V-brakes instead of cantis - maybe someone got sick of setting up cantis!
Likes For bargainguy:
Likes For TugaDude:
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Golden, CO and Tucson, AZ
Posts: 2,836
Bikes: 2016 Fuji Tread, 1983 Trek 520
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 675 Post(s)
Liked 741 Times
in
430 Posts
The brake levers probably aren't compatible with those V-brakes. They probably work for a test ride okay but have lower leverage, and more stopping distance under load.
Changing the stem may need longer cable housings. Changing back to cantis would need new housings and frame/fork stops.
Changing the stem may need longer cable housings. Changing back to cantis would need new housings and frame/fork stops.
#5
Forum Moderator
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Kalamazoo MI
Posts: 20,647
Bikes: Fuji SL2.1 Carbon Di2 Cannondale Synapse Alloy 4 Trek Checkpoint ALR-5 Viscount Aerospace Pro Colnago Classic Rabobank Schwinn Waterford PMount Raleigh C50 Cromoly Hybrid Legnano Tipo Roma Pista
Mentioned: 58 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3089 Post(s)
Liked 6,589 Times
in
3,779 Posts
Pic Assist
__________________
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Salem Oregon
Posts: 1,030
Bikes: 2019 Trek Stash 7, 1994 Specialized Epic 1986 Diamondback Ascent 1996 Klein Pulse Comp, 2006 Specialized Sequoia Elite
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 418 Post(s)
Liked 521 Times
in
290 Posts
The brake levers probably aren't compatible with those V-brakes. They probably work for a test ride okay but have lower leverage, and more stopping distance under load.
Changing the stem may need longer cable housings. Changing back to cantis would need new housings and frame/fork stops.
Changing the stem may need longer cable housings. Changing back to cantis would need new housings and frame/fork stops.
OP. If you're close by drive over and take it out for a test ride. Bicycle co-ops are fun to check out. You never know what you might find.
Likes For mtnbud:
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Menomonee Falls, WI
Posts: 1,833
Bikes: 1984 Schwinn Supersport, 1988 Trek 400T, 1977 Trek TX900, 1982 Bianchi Champione del Mondo, 1978 Raleigh Supercourse, 1986 Trek 400 Elance, 1991 Waterford PDG OS Paramount, 1971 Schwinn Sports Tourer, 1985 Trek 670
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 604 Post(s)
Liked 1,063 Times
in
535 Posts
Small ring, small cog is how I park all my bikes, takes the tension off the cables.
Tim
Tim
Likes For tkamd73:
#8
Senior Member
Why are the barcons pointing up? In the neutral (i.e., no tension on the cable) position, they should point down. Whoever set up this bike is winging it. Pass.
Likes For bargainguy:
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2020
Posts: 478
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 166 Post(s)
Liked 252 Times
in
147 Posts
that doesn't seem like a bad price to me for that bike.
you should for sure be able to raise the stem.
I would rather have vbrakes anyway, and those tektro levers which are not original do come in a version with the right pull rate for vbrakes.
Im not sure what all the fuss is about the bike it looks CooP clean and if it fits that is a nice touring/commuter bike.
you should for sure be able to raise the stem.
I would rather have vbrakes anyway, and those tektro levers which are not original do come in a version with the right pull rate for vbrakes.
Im not sure what all the fuss is about the bike it looks CooP clean and if it fits that is a nice touring/commuter bike.
Likes For sloppy12:
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2019
Posts: 1,606
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 581 Post(s)
Liked 921 Times
in
518 Posts
1. Small-small gear combo is possibly because wheel was removed or some other maintenance was completed where the gears were shifted through their range and just left there with no particular reason. I don't have much faith in most home mechanics' (or flippers) skills, but having the bike in small-small isn't a major clue.
2. I have seen a few Trek touring bikes that had full length V brakes and short pull levers. I got the impression some may have come from the factory like this, but I don't know for sure. What I do know is that, even if you can get such a setup to work acceptably on the repair stand, any additional friction in the system, or a tiny bit of lateral runout at the rim, will make them work much less acceptably. From the picture I can't tell if those are short pull levers or aftermarket long pull levers like Tektro make.
3. bargainguy may have noticed something important - those bar end shifters might be installed upside down, which is a sure indicator that whoever assembled the bike doesn't know their arse from a hole in the ground. I would not assume anything is properly set up after seeing that. So, yeah, unless you are experienced and fully competent to do a full rebuild on this bike I would pass.
2. I have seen a few Trek touring bikes that had full length V brakes and short pull levers. I got the impression some may have come from the factory like this, but I don't know for sure. What I do know is that, even if you can get such a setup to work acceptably on the repair stand, any additional friction in the system, or a tiny bit of lateral runout at the rim, will make them work much less acceptably. From the picture I can't tell if those are short pull levers or aftermarket long pull levers like Tektro make.
3. bargainguy may have noticed something important - those bar end shifters might be installed upside down, which is a sure indicator that whoever assembled the bike doesn't know their arse from a hole in the ground. I would not assume anything is properly set up after seeing that. So, yeah, unless you are experienced and fully competent to do a full rebuild on this bike I would pass.
Likes For ClydeClydeson:
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2020
Posts: 478
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 166 Post(s)
Liked 252 Times
in
147 Posts
1. Small-small gear combo is possibly because wheel was removed or some other maintenance was completed where the gears were shifted through their range and just left there with no particular reason. I don't have much faith in most home mechanics' (or flippers) skills, but having the bike in small-small isn't a major clue.
2. I have seen a few Trek touring bikes that had full length V brakes and short pull levers. I got the impression some may have come from the factory like this, but I don't know for sure. What I do know is that, even if you can get such a setup to work acceptably on the repair stand, any additional friction in the system, or a tiny bit of lateral runout at the rim, will make them work much less acceptably. From the picture I can't tell if those are short pull levers or aftermarket long pull levers like Tektro make.
3. bargainguy may have noticed something important - those bar end shifters might be installed upside down, which is a sure indicator that whoever assembled the bike doesn't know their arse from a hole in the ground. I would not assume anything is properly set up after seeing that. So, yeah, unless you are experienced and fully competent to do a full rebuild on this bike I would pass.
2. I have seen a few Trek touring bikes that had full length V brakes and short pull levers. I got the impression some may have come from the factory like this, but I don't know for sure. What I do know is that, even if you can get such a setup to work acceptably on the repair stand, any additional friction in the system, or a tiny bit of lateral runout at the rim, will make them work much less acceptably. From the picture I can't tell if those are short pull levers or aftermarket long pull levers like Tektro make.
3. bargainguy may have noticed something important - those bar end shifters might be installed upside down, which is a sure indicator that whoever assembled the bike doesn't know their arse from a hole in the ground. I would not assume anything is properly set up after seeing that. So, yeah, unless you are experienced and fully competent to do a full rebuild on this bike I would pass.
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: SE Wisconsin
Posts: 1,851
Bikes: Lemond '01 Maillot Jaune, Lemond '02 Victoire, Lemond '03 Poprad, Lemond '03 Wayzata DB conv(Poprad), '79 AcerMex Windsor Carrera Professional(pur new), '88 GT Tequesta(pur new), '01 Bianchi Grizzly, 1993 Trek 970 DB conv, Trek 8900 DB conv
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 759 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 810 Times
in
471 Posts
The asking price is fairly reasonable for a 520 in that condition. That said, anytime I see "has been expertly gone through..." my first assumption is it needs to be completely gone through. I agree it looks more like a 57cm frame than a 59. While upside down shifters and other minor tuneup stuff can be addressed without too much more than some effort, the bike's wheels would be important to take hard look at. If the wheels are poor then even inexpensive replacement wheels will be $300 or more.
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2019
Posts: 1,606
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 581 Post(s)
Liked 921 Times
in
518 Posts
The asking price is fairly reasonable for a 520 in that condition. That said, anytime I see "has been expertly gone through..." my first assumption is it needs to be completely gone through. I agree it looks more like a 57cm frame than a 59. While upside down shifters and other minor tuneup stuff can be addressed without too much more than some effort, the bike's wheels would be important to take hard look at. If the wheels are poor then even inexpensive replacement wheels will be $300 or more.
#14
Thrifty Bill
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Mountains of Western NC
Posts: 23,524
Bikes: 86 Katakura Silk, 87 Prologue X2, 88 Cimarron LE, 1975 Sekai 4000 Professional, 73 Paramount, plus more
Mentioned: 96 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1236 Post(s)
Liked 964 Times
in
628 Posts
This is exactly my concern. If the person didn't know enough to get the shifters installed correctly (and it's not like bar end shifters are new technology) I can't tell you how much I would want to avoid that bike if I suspected the same person tried to rebuild the wheel bearings.
There is a flipper in my area and his work is terrible! I try to buy stuff before he touches the bike, as I know I will have to redo everything. The "worst" expert I bought a bike from painted the rusty cables with model paint, so they looked new. Of course, as soon as you moved a shift lever or brake, the cables would get stuck in the housings!! He professed to have over 30 years in the bicycle industry....
Another expert bike I bought, the bottom bracket cups were sticking out. Huh? Opened it up, the guy had put the caged bearings in backwards, cage was hitting the spindle, so the cups could not seat fully. Ouch.
Now these are exceptions. Most are much better. But I look for tell tale signs.
Last edited by wrk101; 01-24-22 at 06:44 PM.
#15
señor miembro
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Pac NW
Posts: 6,619
Bikes: '70s - '80s Campagnolo
Mentioned: 92 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3880 Post(s)
Liked 6,467 Times
in
3,199 Posts
Is that the original fork? Why is the headset stack height so tall with that huge, ugly spacer?
Gross build.
Gross build.
Likes For SurferRosa: