Buying a New Trek 520

[RidersToTheSea]

I plan on buying a new Trek 520 for a Northern Tier trip next Summer.

Does the standard bike come equiped for everything that the trip will throw at me? Or do I need to upgrade parts and components?

Is there a general consensus?

I will be buying the bike in Europe (1month order time)



Thanks,

Don

[ptaylor]

Hi Riders:

I did the Northern Tier this past summer...one of our group had a new Trek 520 which was a fine bike except for one problem: the gearing was too high.

Don't leave the bike shop with the standard gearing. You need at least a 22 inch low gear, which probably means swapping out the chain-rings. See the How-To on bikes for touring.

You will need to add a front rack and a taillight, in addition to your panniers. Some people also like fenders but I personally don't like them on a touring bike.

Enjoy the trip.

Paul

[RussellSeaton]

As already mentioned, change the gearing slightly.  As a condition of the sale, have the shop swap the 30 tooth inner chainring for a 24 tooth ring.  It uses 74 mm bolt circle diameter.  Easy to find, cheap, and easy to swap out.  The overgeard problems of the Trek 520 that everyone seems to love talking about are then solved forever.  All for free and in less than 5 minutes.  If only all bike problems were that simple to solve.

Your new low gear is 24x32.  Low enough for the US on a loaded bike.  For fun you could switch out the 11-32 9 speed cassette for a 11-34 cassette to get a slightly lower low gear and maybe a better spread of gears at the upper end too.  Shop should do this switch for free too.  Make it a condition of sale.  The rear derailleur hanger may or may not accomodate a 34 tooth large cog depending on how its positioned.  Have to check to be sure.

I also recommend a chain watcher device as insurance that the chain will not drop onto the bottom bracket shell when shifting to the inner chainring.  Its a long drop to the 24 ring even when it can be smoothly controlled with bar eed shifters, unlike the throw it down method of STI shifting.

[fredlonas]

Enjoy your new Trek, it's a great touring bike. As for gearing you should also change the 52 chain ring to a 48 and the middle to a 36 and it's my understanding that a 22 will not fit unless you change the whole chain ring setup. Also keep an eye on the rims for spider cracks around the spoke holes after 2 or 3000 miles.
  Enjoy, Fred

[bri]

I just got a 2007 Trek 520 on August 1.  I have put about 1000 miles on it.  I love it.  The changes I made were as follows:

Replaced saddle with one I had around.

Replaced seatpost with zero offset post.  A personal positioning preference.

Front and Rear racks (Tubus).  Though stock rear rack should be fine on medium weight loads.

Changed 30 tooth inner chainring to a 24 and added a "Jump Stop". Works great!

I have not done any extended loaded touring, only short tours, but this set up has worked great.  

bri

[jimbeard]

   I also changed gearing to 24 32 44 on front .

Bri what is a jump stop?

Jim

[bri]

A "Jump Stop" prevents your chain from going off to the inside of your inner chainring.  Here is a link:  http://www.gvtc.com/~ngear/whatis.html

bri

[HONDO]

These guys know what they are talking about. my burley had the 52/42/30 setup.I was told to change to a 24 inner with chain watcher. did it. minimal cost. maximum difference.

[jimbeard]

A "Jump Stop" prevents your chain from going off to the inside of your inner chainring.  Here is a link:  http://www.gvtc.com/~ngear/whatis.html

bri .    Thanks Bri  

Jim

[cyclesafe]

The Jump Stop is an excellent product.  Works only with round-tubed frames.