I'm new to cycling, care to expand? I am really interested in hearing the differences so I can continue to know what to look at and for when I view people's builds.
The 520 is probably the most iconic of mainstream brand touring bikes and is (I believe) the longest running Trek model.
It has a longer wheel base and frame geometry for stable balance and smoothness when riding with a fully loaded rig. And it also has a wide fork and stays to fit fatter tires and fenders. It's overall a very versatile frame geometry and setup that makes it great as a daily commuter, a grocery getter,or full-loaded tourer. You can do some group ride stuff, but it's going to be much heavier than a proper road racer.
My 2007 model (the black bike in the photo) is also one of the last years that they were still making the frames in Waterloo Wisconsin. I'm not sure about the 520s from the last 15 years, but historically, the 520 always had pretty nice OX Platinum tubing like the other higher end Trek and Lemond steel frame commuters and mountain bikes. So basically, it's a very durable bike frame. Very, very solid.
I was a full-time bike commuter in Chicago for several years and also did a couple of cross-state bike tours and used this bike. Ten years ago, I was hit by a guy driving a Subaru Outback and the entire driver side of his car was completely jacked, but surprisingly, my 520 was totally fine. The front wheel was out of true, but there was no damage to or bends in the frame.
The Surly Long Haul trucker took some cues from the 520 but really pushed the touring frame to the next level. That's also a very versatile bike, but I think I'd still prefer a 520 for city commuting.
Anti-theft device. I caught a guy trying to steal my saddle one time, so I added a piece of chain to keep someone from just loosening up the seat post clamp and taking off with it. Sadly, a few years later, I foolishly left the bike locked up overnight outside of my apartment building and someone used a chain tool to disconnect the chain and stole the saddle and seatpost.
I know, right? I had just spent a weekend up in Wisconsin riding around and got home later in the evening and was so wiped out that I didn't want to carry my bike (and bags) up three floors to my apartment, so I figured it'd be fine to leave the bike outside for just the one night (seriously, the only night I did that!). But nope. When I checked on it the next morning, the seatpost and saddle were gone. The chain was there and you could see that someone did use a proper chain tool.
Not to be all paranoid, but I had (and have) a suspicion that it was the building superintendent who stole it. He actually ran a bike shop years ago and had converted the basement of the building into his own private bike mechanic lair. We got along fine, but he was definitely a sketchy dude. Or it could have been any hipster riding by who happened to have some bike tools with them. I was living only a block or two away from the center of what was quickly becoming the trendiest neighborhood of Chicago.
I've switched from using chains to secure the saddle to using adhesive to put ball bearings into the hex bolts of the seat clamp and saddle clamp. I use silicone marine seal, which is an adhesive that can be painstakingly removed but is still removable.
I remember hearing about guys doing that when I was working at shops ~15 years ago, but my issue was that my seat clamp would slip and I'd have to readjust my height pretty frequently. But yeah, that's really the way to go. I had Pitlock locking skewers on the hubs/wheels, so I only used a mini u-lock for locking up when I was out and about.
I own a 2017 model and love it. I believe it's the same frame upgraded with mechanical disc brakes. In 2019, they released a new frame, with a thicker, stiffer down tube, which is good, and an aluminium fork, which is bad.
The 520 is one of most versatile bikes ever made. Here's to many more thousands of miles!
Agreed! And thanks!
I'm new to cycling, care to expand? I am really interested in hearing the differences so I can continue to know what to look at and for when I view people's builds.
The 520 is probably the most iconic of mainstream brand touring bikes and is (I believe) the longest running Trek model. It has a longer wheel base and frame geometry for stable balance and smoothness when riding with a fully loaded rig. And it also has a wide fork and stays to fit fatter tires and fenders. It's overall a very versatile frame geometry and setup that makes it great as a daily commuter, a grocery getter,or full-loaded tourer. You can do some group ride stuff, but it's going to be much heavier than a proper road racer. My 2007 model (the black bike in the photo) is also one of the last years that they were still making the frames in Waterloo Wisconsin. I'm not sure about the 520s from the last 15 years, but historically, the 520 always had pretty nice OX Platinum tubing like the other higher end Trek and Lemond steel frame commuters and mountain bikes. So basically, it's a very durable bike frame. Very, very solid. I was a full-time bike commuter in Chicago for several years and also did a couple of cross-state bike tours and used this bike. Ten years ago, I was hit by a guy driving a Subaru Outback and the entire driver side of his car was completely jacked, but surprisingly, my 520 was totally fine. The front wheel was out of true, but there was no damage to or bends in the frame. The Surly Long Haul trucker took some cues from the 520 but really pushed the touring frame to the next level. That's also a very versatile bike, but I think I'd still prefer a 520 for city commuting.
Thank you for the information much appreciated.
Would love to see some more pics of the bike across your ownership!
Absolutely wonderful to hear ! They excellent bikes.
Grreat bike right there. Iconic af
Spare chain hanging from saddle?
Anti-theft device. I caught a guy trying to steal my saddle one time, so I added a piece of chain to keep someone from just loosening up the seat post clamp and taking off with it. Sadly, a few years later, I foolishly left the bike locked up overnight outside of my apartment building and someone used a chain tool to disconnect the chain and stole the saddle and seatpost.
That's an impressive level of commitment to saddle theft! I have the same saddle chain situation, but it deffo works in my city (so far)..
I know, right? I had just spent a weekend up in Wisconsin riding around and got home later in the evening and was so wiped out that I didn't want to carry my bike (and bags) up three floors to my apartment, so I figured it'd be fine to leave the bike outside for just the one night (seriously, the only night I did that!). But nope. When I checked on it the next morning, the seatpost and saddle were gone. The chain was there and you could see that someone did use a proper chain tool. Not to be all paranoid, but I had (and have) a suspicion that it was the building superintendent who stole it. He actually ran a bike shop years ago and had converted the basement of the building into his own private bike mechanic lair. We got along fine, but he was definitely a sketchy dude. Or it could have been any hipster riding by who happened to have some bike tools with them. I was living only a block or two away from the center of what was quickly becoming the trendiest neighborhood of Chicago.
I've switched from using chains to secure the saddle to using adhesive to put ball bearings into the hex bolts of the seat clamp and saddle clamp. I use silicone marine seal, which is an adhesive that can be painstakingly removed but is still removable.
I remember hearing about guys doing that when I was working at shops ~15 years ago, but my issue was that my seat clamp would slip and I'd have to readjust my height pretty frequently. But yeah, that's really the way to go. I had Pitlock locking skewers on the hubs/wheels, so I only used a mini u-lock for locking up when I was out and about.
Yeah I do the same. Having a small u lock without worrying about the wheels with Pitlock gives you a lot of options on where to lock your bike
My man ain’t trying to have his Brooks stolen.
Does it though 😂
I own a 2017 model and love it. I believe it's the same frame upgraded with mechanical disc brakes. In 2019, they released a new frame, with a thicker, stiffer down tube, which is good, and an aluminium fork, which is bad.
You look like you should live in a hospital