This has the dropout looping all the way around the skewer to make sure that the wheel won’t fall out without removing the skewer. The Wisconsin-based manufacturer has been producing the 520 since 1983 and each year, the bike is altered with a fresh outer design and paint color. ... We provided an in-depth review of the best bike tires that may help you find the best one within your price range. Schwinn 430 Elliptical Machine Review (2020): Can this Elliptical Trainer Work. That’s a fair bit of change for a bike that’s been as steady as the sun, and it comes at a cost. Reviews × Trek 520 Disc JOIN CLUB TREK. Why you'll love it These cable-operated brakes utilize a special design that pulls the two brake pads simultaneously, providing a breaking performance close to hydraulic brakes system. Learn more about why you can shop with confidence at Trek … Join us at the water cooler to catch up on the latest and swap stories with Trek fans from around the world. Generally, the 520 uses Shimano for most of its components. Cape Coral. The good thing is that despite the chipping of the paint, the metal underneath does not rust easily. The bottom bracket is low, the chainstays are long and the steering pretty slow. Trek’s hydraulic disc-braked take on the tourer Our rating . BRAKE TYPE: TRP Spyre C2.0 mechanical discs Trek’s original 520 was lugged, whereas today’s model has a neatly TIG-welded chromoly steel frame with an alloy thru-axled fork; the rear wheel has a standard quick-release. It ensures that the quick release wheel is perfectly aligned in the fork, as is the case in a thru-axle system. The retail price might be expensive to some, but the parts are affordable when you want to replace them. 520 Disc. Sure, but sometimes you don't need to. The retail price might be expensive to some, but the parts are affordable when you want to replace them. The armored 700c x 38mm H1 Hard-Case Ultimate tires sport reflective strips and a ride reminiscent of Schwalbe Marathons, which is to say firm but predictable. The price may also be a bit costly for those who are on a budget. The Trek Boone 7 model comes with hydraulic disc brakes, a one-by crank and 12-speed cassette and they’ve all got Bontrager’s own 33c cyclocross tyres. Reviews × Trek 520 Disc Get Florida’s hottest deals delivered to your inbox. If there’s one thing about the 520 that is still wanting, I would say it's the paint job! Trek did a good job of fitting an already industry-tested bike model with features that make it even more touring-friendly in its latest offering. Download bike photo. Shop now! To be under 74kg to meet this bikes requirement!!? See the bike and visit your local Trek retailer. Trek 520's have been around for ages. All good things for touring. The best gravel bikes are characterized by dropped handlebars, disc brakes, and wide tires. Its durability, comfort, style, and combination of convenient features make it all the worthwhile. Your email address will not be published. For 2015, two new models are joining it in Trek stores: the rugged 920 adventure bike and the lightweight 720, both made with aluminum frames and decidedly different than each other and their grandpappy, the 520. what you mean? So does the 520 remake betray its heritage, move it to the top of the heap, or something else entirely? The 520 turns 36 in 2019, and true believers in the Wisconsin brand’s touring heritage search out vintage editions with as much fervor as they watch for new releases. With three bikes in the British brand’s touring range, … 520 Disc. Even though they need more effort through brake levers compared to hydraulic disk brakes, they still work in all kinds of weather conditions. Hi! French is my first language, I don’t get everything right 😂 Plus, they should be good for about a zillion miles. These are among the top mechanical disc brakes in the market, offering an option that is easier to fix than hydraulics when you’ve been on a beaten track. Read it's strength, weaknesses, find deals and pricing - roadbikereview.com You, Trek, the world's greatest athletes, 140 characters. So if it's hauling capability and solidness on the road you're after, go for the Surly. The 48×11 top gear is built for powering down hills while the Alivio rear derailleur and Sora gear lever pairing work nicely together. Whereas most manufacturers abide by international tire clearance standards- at least 4mm of space- Trek adds an extra 2mm so that you can potentially fit 54mm tires in the 520. Over the last few years, I’ve taken my love of the outdoors, hiking, skiing, trekking and exploring to the next level by starting this site. 520 is a comfortable steel workhorse that's capable of everything from daily rides to expedition tours. You’ll find quite a few Shimano components on the 520 — 36-hole M475 hubs with quick-release skewers, Deore M590 triple crankset, Alivio and Deore derailers, Dura-Ace bar-end shifters, and a nine-cog HG50 cassette. I don’t know all the technical terms and I surely not (yet) knowledgeable on bike parts. Join the conversation. Conclusion. Your email address will not be published. Details Support You might also like: Share the ride. Trek has been supplying its customers with quality long-distance bikes for more than three decades. Trek hopes its new $499 ‘credit card touring bike,’ the 520, will appeal to these folks who want a hill-leveling triple crankset but don’t need the extra weight and slow handling of a typical touring frame.” Whoever wrote this deserves a high-five. It rides easily and smoothly, is festooned with mounts, can shrug off nasty weather, and is very unlikely to fail the rider. Although the components have had little variation in recent years, the new incarnation has added more tourist-friendly features compared to its predecessor, the 2018 model. Another feature you’ll like is the 36-spoke Bontrager Affinity rims, which add to the 520’s sturdy build. The bike maintains the usual Chromoly frame, with the break from tradition being an aluminum alloy fork as opposed to the previously used steel forks. Thank you. I personally feel like it’s the perfect bike to set out on a long tour with, especially if you have a lot of supplies to bring along. Limber up those fingers and go. This feature will prove significant when you are carrying a heavy load and you get to a long mountain pass. What if I weight 84-86kg? Does that mean it won’t be good for me. The trek 520 weighs around 13kg itself and with the rack weight of 38 kg, the rider technically has to be under 74kg to meet this bikes requirement. “, What do you mean exactly? First and foremost, rim brakes are nowhere to be found, and the 520 Disc’s adequate Hayes CX mechanical discs are upgraded to TRP’s excellent Spyre-Cs, which combine the field-serviceability of cables and the closest approximation to a hydraulic feel without any fluid involved. Front hub : Shimano M475. The Trek 520 is a classic and functional touring bike that has stood the test of time. am 87 kg and no problem at all to load the bike full out. Most other parts, from the cockpit to the wheels to the rubber, wear Bontrager branding and have been no-nonsense. If you are planning a long bike tour with a significant load, the 520 has the right geometry for a comfortable ride. Trek has been supplying its customers with quality long-distance bikes for more than three decades. The Trek 520 has been around since 1983. What impressed us about this bike is that the gear ratios have been improved. Rims : Bontrager Affinity, Tubeless Ready, 36h. It doesn’t get better than this when it comes to frame stiffness on a touring bike. The spec is super simple, solid and reliable with 36 spoke wheels, cable brakes and bar-end shifters. If you want a practical bike that will ensure your comfort on a long expedition, consider acquiring the Trek 520. If you are looking to buy a classic touring bike, the Trek 520 is an investment worth making. Sign up and get new stories and inspiration delivered right to you. Stem, handlebar, tape, seatpost, saddle, rims, tires, rear rack — even the sealant in the inner tubes bears the B. Shimano Deore LX and Deore components take care of shifting, and Hayes mechanical discs add confident braking. Trek says, "Madone SLR 9 Disc is the hero of the road disc revolution. It only made sense that I expanded my reach and got online, making it possible for me to help people all over the world. In such a situation, it would be nice to switch into a lower gear. This workhorse is perfect for the daily trip to work, or places far beyond. Thank you for writing this review. While the majority of users of the old models chose to swap in a 11-36t cassette to attain a sub-20” climbing gear, this new model comes with one as standard. Let me know what you think in the comments below & Don't forget to subscribe!! Braking is handled by the excellent TRP Hylex hydraulic system. I’m about to buy myself a Trek 520 and it was pretty useful read. Trek 920 review. Do Not Input. It began life as a steel-framed road bike and due to its rugged design quickly was adopted by the biketouring crowd. It offers the ideal mix of comfort, flexibility, and durability for those who are into long-distance bike touring. TIRES: Bontrager H1 Hard-case Ultimate, 700x38mm (reflective sidewall). It’s tough, rides well and is covered with mounts. Tires : Bontrager H1 Hard-case Ultimate, 700x38c w/reflective sidewall Drivetrain Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Get exclusive access to member benefits and discounts. The Trek 520 is a bike you can take a chance on! Discover your next great ride with 520 Disc. The 520 adds a front rack to its included equipment, and it’s a doozy with a top deck and multiple options for mounting luggage. The 520 features a rugged steel frame and fork. Limber up those fingers and go. When you write “the rider technically has to be under 74kg to meet this bikes requirement. That’s also what led me to start BikesReviewed.com. We believe in providing you with the best products, the best prices, and the best people - in-store and online. Details Support You might also like: Share the ride. The 38mm Bontrager Hard-case tires are well-suited for the tarmac and will offer a smooth ride on light gravel. Really, a steel frame and aluminium fork?Aluminium is a dirty word in the bike travel world, but the thing is – broken aluminium forks that are designed for the purpose of touring are about as rare as hen’s teeth. The frame remains Trek’s chromoly — clad in either “Diablo Red” or a silver “Anthracite” paint job and retro badging — but the new 520 breaks from tradition with an aluminum alloy fork. FRAME SIZE: TIG-welded butted Chromoly in sizes 48, 51, 54, 57, and 60cm © 1997-2021 Adventure Cycling Association, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, From the Magazine: The Year of Cycling Dangerously. Some other similar bikes are the Jamis Aurora and the Surly Long Haul Trucker, but the 520 predates both of those. Trek offer its customers only one touring bike option, the Trek 520. Advanced road bike aerodynamics, our lightest OCLV Carbon layup, adjustable compliance and a Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 electronic drivetrain make it the final stop in your search for a top-of-the-line aero road bike. Well, after releasing the 520 Disc a few years ago to provide a slightly more modern option, Trek has dropped “Disc” from the name but made the change to disc brakes permanent, along with a few other deviations from the traditional. Not to mention the lifetime warranty provided by Trek that ensures you can get your bike checked by experts whenever it develops a malfunction. Trek's 520 touring bike is a perennial favorite among long-distance riders, commuters, and adventurers. Spread the love. Can you teach an old dog new tricks? Trek 520 – Touring Bicycle Review. The drivetrain is a curious mix as well, with traditional-looking bar end shifters paired with a SRAM S1000 42/28 mountain bike crankset and 11-36 cassette. There’s a peg at the rear of the head tube to fix a frame pump under the top tube and a chain peg on the driveside seatstay. First Impressions: Trek 520 | Adventure Cycling Association The grounds for this move, I believe, could be since Deore has currently moved on to 10-speed, there are no Shimano STI shifters that will pair with the 10-speed Deodre drivetrain parts. Trek’s longest-running model is one of the touring world’s foundational bikes. In my shop, I spend a large amount of time helping people find the perfect bike for them and the style of biking they’re going to be doing. The 520 Grando is still based around a chromoly steel frame, alloy fork, and quick release skewers with Trek’s thru-skew upfront. The TRP mechanical disc brakes also remain unchanged, as well as most of the touch points, including the bar, stem, seatpost, and the Bontrager Affinity Disc wheelset. Compared to last year’s 520 Disc, the new 520 adds $215 to its price for a total of $1,575. This workhorse is perfect for the daily trip to work, or places far beyond. The Surly is heavier than the 520. What I noticed is that the metallic paint used on the bike peels off easier compared to any other bike I’ve owned in the past. Almost all European touring bikes employ aluminium forks on their builds, and it follows that if this material was inherently unreliable or dangerous, manufa… Adventure Cycling Association inspires, empowers and connects people to travel by bicycle. The advantage here is that these parts are relatively inexpensive and easy to replace. >>> Read our Trek Boone 5 review The Surly LHT and disc trucker are solid bikes, the rear geometry allows for more gear in back. Before buying you can also check for trek 520 touring bike for sale as these big manufacturers provide good deals and offer to keep their customers happy. The Trek 520 touring bike shows its more adventurous ambitions with its gearing, which has gone lower than before. Southwest Florida Locations. Bicycle touring can be done on almost any kind of bike. After a few 100-mile days, however, having the right touring bike will determine whether your body can live up to the demands of life on the road. The art deco branding was a big hit with Adventure Cycling’s design staff, who claim to have good taste in such things. Shimano Deore LX and Deore components take care of shifting and braking. We also liked the 48/36/26t Alivio mountain bike chainset, which comes with a tiny 26t internal chainring instead of a Shimano 105 road bike 50/39/30. However, a controversial feature on the this model is the step down from the Shimano Deodre gears to Alivio. I have a question for you. By Max Shumpert. An easily chipped paint job is not something you want on a touring bike given the prolonged exposure to elements involved. Trek 520 Touring Bike user reviews : 4 out of 5 - 50 reviews. favorite_border Why you'll love it. Another notable change on the 520 that we liked is the larger diameter downtube. The 520 uses 4130 steel for both the frame and fork. The brakes are Hayes CX Expert mechanical disc… After analyzing and aggregating more than a dozen professional reviews, we believe the 2020 Trek 520 is the best mid-range road touring bicycle for most people. If biking and staying fit is your priority, too, you’ve come to the right place. The Trek 520 is one of the best touring bikes out there. Read it's strength, weaknesses, find deals and pricing - roadbikereview.com That said, the Trek 520 caters to the touring bike scene with its chromoly steel frame that offers the perfect mix of flexibility, comfort and durability needed for … SHIFTER: Shimano Sora I started a bike shop in Denver, CO, and have seen amazing growth over the last few years. ThruSkew ensures the front wheel will never drop out unintentionally, and makes it easier to remove your wheel without removing all of your front cargo. They updated the bike a few years back, and then, for 2021, have gone full tilt into the gravel adventure category with the Grando version of the 520 Disc. Trek's 520 Disc touring bike is a perennial favorite among long-distance riders, commuters, and adventurers. That switch to brifters also comes with a change from the old model’s Deore drivetrain to Shimano’s latest Alivio group. I was skeptical of this value-oriented mountain bike group at first, but shifts have been smooth and all parts trouble-free. Rear hub : Shimano M475. Frame : Trek butted chromoly disc touring, rack & fender mounts. The 520 features a rugged steel frame and fork. There is a step up on the tire clearance from 700 x45c to 700 x50c. Email Address. Fork : Alloy disc touring fork w/lowrider mounts and Thru-skew captured skewer system Wheels. The 520 rolls faster. And, because this is a Trek, you’ll see a lot of Bontrager bits too, as in just about everything else. user reviews : out of 5 - reviews. There are a few exceptions. If it's a combo of speed and ease of handling, go for the 520. This ensures that you have the ideal biking experience when going out on an expedition. 520 is built to hold up, and it's super reliable over the long haul—you'll leave this bike to someone in your will. The manufacturer has used a saucer-sized 36t sprocket that delivers a low bottom gear. While it was a hard call between the Trek 520 and the Surly Disc Trucker (winner of our Customizable Pick), we chose the Trek because we think it is a better value as an entry-level bike. The Trek 520 is a functional touring bike with improved features that will serve you well on long-distance rides. Honestly, I'm surprised Trek still makes it, but glad to hear they haven't let it go after all these years. The Trek 520 is a bike you can take a chance on! Watch the December 2018/January 2019 issue of Adventure Cyclist magazine for our full Road Test. It's ready for adventure right out of the box, with an included rear rack and a drivetrain that's ideal for hauling a heavy load. Join us at the water cooler to catch up on the latest and swap stories with Trek fans from around the world. The bike’s front thru-axles ensure that you get the most out of the TRP Spyre brakes. I’ve been testing the red bike, and it must be said, this thing looks fantastic. Because it’s bespoke, installation was a breeze, something anyone who’s fought with front rack compatibility issues can appreciate. Its chromoly steel frame, various mounts, and vintage graphics had me scheming. Join the conversation. For 2021, Trek has given the 520 a full gravel adventure makeover with the Grando version of the 520 Disc. Dawes Ultra Galaxy touring bike £1,200 / $NA. That puts the Trek very close to another stalwart of the market, the Surly Disc Trucker ($1,550), as well as Salsa’s dropbar Marrakesh ($1,500). Required fields are marked *. Download bike photo. 8001 Plaza Del Lago Dr. Another new feature on the bike’s fork is the trek thru-skew secure skewer system. Alex Strickland is the Editor-in-Chief of Adventure Cyclist Magazine. You, Trek, the world's greatest athletes, 140 characters. Estero. Getting paid to do what I love has been a dream come true for me. 7 Best Gravel Bikes Review [2021]: Trek & Adventure Bikes For Men & Women. Keeping your loaded rig under control is made much easier with the TRP Hylex hydraulic disc brakes. It’s a good thing that the rims will accommodate wider rubber, enabling the flexibility to fit a more off-road flavored or gravel-specific tire. The Trek 520 is a classic and functional touring bike that has stood the test of time. Ok, the most controversial change to the Trek 520 is the new aluminium fork. Braking – Trek 920. RIMS: Bontrager Tubeless ready, 36h 311 Del Prado Blvd S Unit 7 Cape Coral, FL 33990. call 239-673-8628. location_on Directions & Hours. The upright posture, chainstay length, and low center of gravity were meant for these kinds of circumstances. The brakes have also been upgraded to TRP Spyre-C calipers. The Trek 520 geometry and frame of the bicycle provide you with a smooth ride on a bumpy road and can still take on mild dirt trails when fully loaded.