The current landscape of purchasing a touring bike . . .

[Rixtoy]

I am new to this site, but have been lurking and researching for several months the aspects of a cross country tour - for me, I believe it will be the Southern Tier.

Regardless of the route, having just retired from a manufacturing company I am acutely aware of the impact of COVID-19 on all worldwide supply chains - from guitars to bleu cheese. But, I had not really put the supply chain issues in perspective with respect to new bicycles.

I was at one LBS in my hometown and they are having their worst year, albeit with the highest consumer demand in history, due to the supply chain issues from China. Lead time on new bikes is extending now into 2022.

So, as I had come down to a Surly Disc Trucker or Trek 520 as my bike of choice I was still surprised the Surly is looking at 2022 for any new deliveries and the Trek lead-time is also quite extended - but, the dealer in my town is a large volume dealer and they did put an order in last July (2020) for a Trek 520 in 57cm - my need. It will be delivered in October of this year, but the novel situation has also dictated new purchase rules: No deposits taken - the first buyer to purchase the bike and pay in full + sales tax will take delivery of the bike when it comes in (October or later). And, No cancellations. If you are injured, have cancer, whatever - you have to take the bike or sacrifice all your money.

I get it. Supply and demand.
My interest in the Southern Tier would need to depart San Diego next March, so if I want to be ASSURED of a new 520 I feel I will need to purchase it in the next couple of months. if something would happen that I cannot make the tour I think I would have no problem finding a buyer of the bike for all the reasons mentioned above - but, still a risk.

I have called a few other trek dealers and they are all in the same boat - if you order a 520 now it may not be delivered until the summer of 2022 or later.

Now, my question - is anyone else seeing this phenomenon? I believe it is real, but wanted any supporting or contrary thoughts.


I have looked extensively at used bike sites, but most of the 520's are 10 years or older. I turned 71 yesterday and don't want any additional risk to a journey in bike break down or old parts (my old parts are risk enough . . .).

Please let me know if anyone else is seeing this or knows of a shop with a new 520 in 57cm in stock.
Thanks.

[Nyimbo]

Rixtoy,
What state are you in (if in USA)?  I just found 6 available in 57 in California.  4 in S. CA and one in SF and a 2nd one in the Bay Area? 
I just bought one in November and I see on the Trek web site that the price has gone up $100 since I purchased mine

[Rixtoy]

Rixtoy,
What state are you in (if in USA)?  I just found 6 available in 57 in California.  4 in S. CA and one in SF and a 2nd one in the Bay Area? 
I just bought one in November and I see on the Trek web site that the price has gone up $100 since I purchased mine

I am in Kansas - can you search an individual Trek dealer inventory, typically?
I would go to Dallas, for example.

thanks for your input.

[Nyimbo]

Available
In store
Horizon Outdoor
3607 South Belt Highway, , Missouri, St. Joseph, 64503-1565
Distance: 45.3 mi
Call To inquire: 816-364-2453
check_circle
In store
Bike World - Urbandale
6600 Douglas Avenue, Iowa, Urbandale, 50322-3314
Distance: 180.5 mi
Call To inquire: 515-255-7047
check_circle
In store
Bike World - Ames
126 South 3rd Street, Iowa, Ames, 50010-7040
Distance: 207.8 mi
Call To inquire: 515-232-3669
check_circle
In store
Phat Tire Bike Shop - Broken Arrow
120 E Commercial St, , Oklahoma, Broken Arrow, 74012
Distance: 220.5 mi
Call To inquire: 918-334-6230
check_circle
In store
Bicycle World
1072 Central Avenue, Iowa, Dubuque, 52001-5013
Distance: 311.8 mi
Call To inquire: 563-556-6122

[John Nettles]

Don't forget to consider a high quality used bike on eBay. 

[Nyimbo]

When I got mine in November I called the stores listed in Northern Calif (which at the time was 4 stores today was only 2 stores). Anyway both had them as was described in the list however one of the stores only had theirs in a box and required me to put a deposit down on the bike before they would put it together for me.  Anyway I purchased it from the other store that had it on the showroom floor ready for a test ride/


To answer your question specifically you can search for the dealers on the Trek website.  You have to choose the bike model and size you want and click on purchase.  It will then tell you they can't be purchased online and offer you to choose a bike shop near you.  Somewhere on the page (at least on the desktop computer version of the web page) is a small tick box that says only show stores with bicycles in stock.  Once I found that option to click it was easy.  I was between size 54 and 57 and I checked both to find a bikes in both sizes to test ride.  That was helpful for me because I found the 54 fit me best but if I would have ordered unseen I probably would have ordered the 57.

[Rixtoy]

Available
In store
Horizon Outdoor
3607 South Belt Highway, , Missouri, St. Joseph, 64503-1565
Distance: 45.3 mi
Call To inquire: 816-364-2453
check_circle
In store
Bike World - Urbandale
6600 Douglas Avenue, Iowa, Urbandale, 50322-3314
Distance: 180.5 mi
Call To inquire: 515-255-7047
check_circle
In store
Bike World - Ames
126 South 3rd Street, Iowa, Ames, 50010-7040
Distance: 207.8 mi
Call To inquire: 515-232-3669
check_circle
In store
Phat Tire Bike Shop - Broken Arrow
120 E Commercial St, , Oklahoma, Broken Arrow, 74012
Distance: 220.5 mi
Call To inquire: 918-334-6230
check_circle
In store
Bicycle World
1072 Central Avenue, Iowa, Dubuque, 52001-5013
Distance: 311.8 mi
Call To inquire: 563-556-6122

Well, Thank you, Sir.
Well done.

[Rixtoy]

I just bought one in November and I see on the Trek web site that the price has gone up $100 since I purchased mine

are you happy with the bike?
have you been able to try climbs under load?
As a Kansas guy very curious about the climb gearing . . . I hear it is quite good.

rick

[Nyimbo]

are you happy with the bike?
have you been able to try climbs under load?
As a Kansas guy very curious about the climb gearing . . . I hear it is quite good.

rick

No, I haven't spent much time on it.  I rode it several times for day rides in December as we had a very mild weather (maybe 100 miles in total) but just rode it around local instead of riding my regular road bike. January turned raining and cold so have not ridden since then. 
I purchased the 520 Grando and it does not have the same gear ratio as the red 520 with the triple.  I liked that model for some reason not worth mentioning here but, the mechanic at the trek shop said he will set me up with a new cassette that will get me to where I want to be.  (currently the 520 Grando has a lowest gear inches of 21.4). The basic 520 with the triple has 20 gear inches "I think". 
So it depends on your age and fitness etc, if you will be happy with 21 or 20 or if you are a retired old guy like me you will love that extra low gear when traveling loaded in the mountains.

[Rixtoy]

[/quote]


No, I haven't spent much time on it.  I rode it several times for day rides in December as we had a very mild weather (maybe 100 miles in total) but just rode it around local instead of riding my regular road bike. January turned raining and cold so have not ridden since then. 
I purchased the 520 Grando and it does not have the same gear ratio as the red 520 with the triple.  I liked that model for some reason not worth mentioning here but, the mechanic at the trek shop said he will set me up with a new cassette that will get me to where I want to be.  (currently the 520 Grando has a lowest gear inches of 21.4). The basic 520 with the triple has 20 gear inches "I think". 
So it depends on your age and fitness etc, if you will be happy with 21 or 20 or if you are a retired old guy like me you will love that extra low gear when traveling loaded in the mountains.[/quote]



*************************************************************************************************************
Retired, old guy? YES.

What are these mountains you speak of?

Started riding in 2018 after pacemaker implanted.
Rode the Bike Across Kansas in 2019 (508 miles over 8 days, pitched my own tent and camped on the ground) It was SAG supported and, NO, Kansas is not all flat.

Plan to solo the Southern Tier and "just keep pedaling" .  .  . next March.

However, if I can hook up the Trek 520 sooner than October, I may try the Pacific Coast route in either AUG/SEP or SEP/OCT.
Looks like a great ride.

Kansas Kid

[/quote]

[Saburo]

I just bought a Trek 520 and I had to travel two hours away to get it.  The bike business is hurting right now in terms of supply chain issues.  When I picked up my bike I was told by the owner at the shop that the next time he could get a 520 would likely be early 2022.

[RonK]

I am in Australia. There is a global supply shortage - bike shops here are almost bare of stock, and spare parts are difficult to find.
I’ve also been looking around the world to buy a particular bike since mid last year but delivery dates keep blowing out and stock is currently not expected until June.
So you can assured you are not alone in facing this problem.
You may have to broaden your choice of bike. I hear Salsa Cycles are expecting new models this year, but have not looked into availability. Consider a Marrakesh or Fargo (Fargo stocks won’t last long once available as they are in high demand).

[Edbu1]

Rixtoy, I found the same shortage. My bike of choice for the Southern Tier is a Trek Checkpoint ALR in size 56. The closest to be found is a six hour drive each way. This I did last weekend to get that bike. It is what it is.

[Rixtoy]

Rixtoy, I found the same shortage. My bike of choice for the Southern Tier is a Trek Checkpoint ALR in size 56. The closest to be found is a six hour drive each way. This I did last weekend to get that bike. It is what it is.

Well, this has been validating, to say the least.
But, the good news is there is a Trek 520 in my size a 3 1/2 hour drive away, in stock.
I will need to decide in the next few days given the outlook for the "next one" available is October in my home town for "scheduled" delivery - who knows how that may turn out?

Adds a new dynamic to my touring opportunity, though.

If I make it until October 1st, I will celebrate 30 years of sobriety this year and a tour is what my wife is "gifting" me for that milestone. If I can get the bike now, I believe I could pull off the Pacific Coast tour in August/September, albeit without the Big Sur washout section.

Or, wait for the Southern Tier to start next March. Either way it will be solo, self contained. I am 71.
I like options.

[Edbu1]

I, too, am planning for the ST on or about March 1, 2022, going east to west. Will start from my house north of Orlando. See you on the trail maybe, though I will deviate from the ACA route quite a bit. Am re-routing around the hills of AZ, NM, and TX. Keeping it relatively flat. Wife will drive a SAG wagon.