trek 520 disc touring bike review

• MAGAZINE OFFERS
• BIKE INSURANCE
• Best Products
• Maintenance
• Accessories
• Long-Term Reviews
• BikeRadar Podcast
• First Look Friday
• Bike of the Week
• Tech Features
• Routes and Rides
• Bike Galleries
• BikeRadar Bargains
• Buyer's Guides
• Fitness & Training
• Sizing & Fit
• Mountain Biking UK
• Cycling Plus

Trek 520 Disc first ride review

BikeRadar gets world’s first test of Trek’s revamped steel tourer

Robert Smith / Immediate Media

Simon Withers

The Wisconsin-based company has been making its steel 520 bike since 1983 — making it a couple of years younger than Specialized’s Allez and a decade or so younger than the Dawes Galaxy, probably the standard bearer for steel touring bikes, at least in Britain — and started out as an all-round road bike. But in the years since 1983 the bike has flitted between all-rounder and full-on tourer.

The 2019 incarnation is very much the latter beast, having gained even more touring-friendly features than the 2018 model, and it now has some serious expedition chops to its name.

• Best gravel and all-road bikes of 2018
• This Pinion-equipped touring wagon is unashamedly practical

Trek 520 Disc spec as tested

• Frame : TIG-welded butted chromoly steel
• Fork : Alloy disc touring with lowrider mounts
• Handlebar : Bontrager Comp VR-C
• Stem : Bontrager Elite ‘Blendr’ with computer and light mounts
• Seatpost : Bontrager 27.2mm alloy, 12mm offset
• Saddle : Bontrager Evoke 1.5
• Shifters : Shimano Sora
• Front derailleur : Shimano Sora
• Rear derailleur : Shimano Alivio rear
• Brakes : TRP Spyre C2.0 mechanical disc
• Brake levers : Shimano Sora
• Cassette : Shimano HG200, 11-36, 9-speed
• Chain : KMC X9
• Chainset : Shimano Alivio triple 48/38/26T
• Bottom bracket : Shimano external cartridge bearing
• Wheels : Bontrager Affinity TLR tubeless-ready 36-hole rims, Shimano M475 hubs
• Tyres : Bontrager H1 Hard-case Ultimate, 700x38mm with reflective sidewall
• Extras : Bontrager 15kg-max capacity front rack and 25kg-capacity rear rack
• Weight : 13.97kg (57cm including racks but not pedals)

Trek’s 520 ups its touring chops for 2019

Most notably for 2019 the 520 has gained a 15kg-capacity Bontrager front rack and a much lower bottom gear — the all-important one — compared with the 2018 model. It has also moved from bar-end shifters to more familiar Sora STI levers.

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.

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. There are three bottle bosses on the down tube, allowing you to fix the bottle cage at different points, and further fittings on the fork, so you can adjust the height of the rack or carry more bottle cages if you forego it altogether.

Triple the fun

Most significantly for 2019, and a sign of its more adventurous ambitions, is that the gearing has gone even lower than before. Make no mistake, this is a good thing.

If your bike is carrying a 70kg rider (okay, nearer 75kg in my case) and approaching 40kg of kit, and you reach the bottom of a long or/and steep hill, you can never have a bottom gear that’s too low. This is where the very-rarely-seen-on-a-road-bike triple chainset comes in.

Trek should also be praised for making it a 48/36/26t Alivio mountain bike chainset, with a teeny-tiny 26t inner chainring, rather than a Shimano 105 road bike 50/39/30 or similar.

Trek really makes the most of this with the saucer-sized 36t sprocket, which delivers a very low bottom gear (under 20in). The 48x11 top gear (around 120in) is more than adequate for powering down hills, and the Sora gear lever and Alivio rear derailleur pairing works well, even with the large jumps necessitated by the 9-speed 11-36 cassette.

Is that bailout/granny gear too small? Not if you find yourself on an unsurfaced road at the foot of a 2,000ft / 600m peak, which happened to me touring in New Zealand years ago.

The front thru-axles help you get the most from the TRP Spyre brakes, which are among the best mechanical disc brakes around with the advantage of being easier to fix and fettle than hydraulics when off the beaten track. Okay, they require more effort through the brake levers than even low-end hydraulic disc brakes, but they work in all weather conditions.

That said, the 36-spoke Bontrager Affinity rims give the impression they’d survive the apocalypse. The 38mm Bontrager Hard-Case tyres ride well on tarmac and were fine on the light gravel of my local canal towpath, and the rims will take wider rubber too, so you can fit more gravel-specific or off-road-flavoured tyres.

Go low, go slow, go long…

The geometry is touring leisurely, with long chainstays, a wheelbase well over a metre and a slack head-tube angle. This creates a very stable, comfortable, semi-upright riding position, ideal for both touring and commuting.

Contact points are good and you can rack up those miles comfortably, albeit slowly. Where it really comes into its own is in its ability to carry considerable quantities of kit, which is where the super-low gearing helps.

My 16-mile commute ends with a few hundred metres of climbing at 10–12 percent, which usually requires out-of-the-saddle honking or even zig-zagging on the steepest section.

Not with the Trek 520. Even with bulging panniers I could stay seated in the bottom gear and spin-spin-spin. On a tourer you want to twiddle and maintain a high cadence rather than crank a knee-crunching gear. If you are loading the 520 up to the gunwales, split the load between the 25kg capacity rear rack and 15kg front, which will balance the handling better.

Trek 520 Disc early verdict

The 2019 is £100 / $215 more expensive than last year’s model, but I think it justifies the extra cost (in the UK at least) if you fancy tackling some full-on, continent-traversing treks.

The front rack ups carrying capacity to the max, with more bosses for greater adaptability, and while Sora STI may nominally be a lower spec than 2018’s bar-end shifters, the move to a much lower bottom gear more than makes up for that.

Upping tyre spec from 32mm to 38mm adds weight, yes, but increases comfort, which can be further added to by going tubeless or to even chunkier rubber.

If you carry heavy loads you could use Trek’s 520 for tough commuter runs but the 520 is most at home on the wide-open road. Thirty-five years of history so far, and we reckon you could get a lifetime of trekking adventure on this well-specced, attractively priced bike.

Share this article

Contributor

• Terms & Conditions
• Subscribe to our magazines
• Manage preferences

• Balance Bikes
• Touring Bikes
• Indoor Recumbent Bikes
• Indoor Folding Bikes
• Indoor Upright Bikes
• Indoor Spin Bikes
• Dirt Bike Helmets
• Best Electrical Dirt Bikes
• BMX Bike Frame Size Calculator
• Hybrid Bike Frame Size Calculator
• Kids Bike Frame Size Calculator
• Mountain Bike Frame Size Calculator Guide [2023]
• Road Bike Frame Size Calculator
• Deals & Offers

Trek 520 Touring Bike Review  

  June 10, 2019

By   Max Shumpert

Trek offers its customers only one touring bike option, the Trek 520.  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.

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. This ensures that you have the ideal biking experience when going out on an expedition.

The Trek 520 touring bike shows its more adventurous ambitions with its gearing , which has gone lower than before.

This feature will prove significant when you are carrying a heavy load and you get to a long mountain pass. In such a situation, it would be nice to switch into a lower gear.  

Trek 520 Tech Specs

FRAME SIZE : TIG-welded butted Chromoly in sizes 48, 51, 54, 57, and 60cm BRAKE TYPE : TRP Spyre C2.0 mechanical discs SHIFTER : Shimano Sora RIMS : Bontrager Tubeless ready, 36h TIRES : Bontrager H1 Hard-case Ultimate, 29 x 2" (without fenders) CHAIN:  KMC X9 9sp

Features of Trek 520

• The 520 is the longest-running model in the Trek lineup and has been in the market since 1983.
• It enhances the versatility through built-in mounts that help in adding racks and fenders easily.
• This comes with Blendr Stem that allows you to clip your gear directly to the stem for maximum use.
• It also comes with puncture-resistant tires (38mm Bontrager Hard-case tires).
• The Trek 520 offers a wide range of sizes of frames in order to suffice various body sizes.
• Improved gear ratios.
• Upgraded to TRP Spyre-C calipers , it offers assistance close to the hydraulic brakes system.
• One of the advantages also includes the warranty offered by Trek that ensures a bike check-up during its malfunction.
• The geometry and frame of the bike ensure a smooth and comfortable ride on a rough road.

The bike’s front thru-axles ensure that you get the most out of the TRP Spyre brakes. 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.

Even though they need more effort through brake levers compared to hydraulic disk brakes, they still work in all kinds of weather conditions .

Another feature you’ll like is the 36-spoke Bontrager Affinity rims, which add to the 520’s sturdy build.

The 38mm Bontrager Hard-case tires are well-suited for the tarmac and will offer a smooth ride on light gravel . 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.

There is a step up on the tire clearance from 700 x45c to 700 x50c. 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.

The Trek 520 frame features five different sizes of frames that include 48, 51, 54, 57, and 60 cm to accommodate a wider range of body sizes .

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.  

However, a controversial feature of this model is the step down from the Shimano Deodre gears to Alivio.

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.

Another new feature on the bike’s fork is the trek t hru-skew secure skewer system . 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. 

It ensures that the quick release wheel is perfectly aligned in the fork, as is the case in a thru-axle system.

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.

The manufacturer has used a saucer-sized 36t sprocket that delivers a low-bottom gear. The 48×11 top gear is built for powering downhills while the Alivio rear derailleur and Sora gear lever pairing work nicely together.

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 bike's requirement.

Recommended - Trek Emonda SL6 2020 Review

What We Like

Quite a lot...actually.

The Trek 520 is a functional touring bike with improved features that will serve you well on long-distance rides . 

What impressed us about this bike is that the gear ratios have been improved . 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.

The brakes have also been upgraded to TRP Spyre-C calipers. These cable-operated brakes utilize a special design that pulls the two brake pads simultaneously, providing a breaking performance close to the hydraulic brakes system.

Another notable change on the 520 that we liked is the larger diameter downtube . This helps to boost the lateral frame stiffness, increasing the bike’s stability with both front and rear loads. It doesn’t get better than this when it comes to frame stiffness on a touring bike.

Generally, the 520 uses Shimano for most of its components. The advantage here is that these parts are relatively inexpensive and easy to replace . Not to mention the lifetime warranty provided by Trek that ensures you can get your bike checked by experts whenever it develops a malfunction.

If you are planning a long bike tour with a significant load, the 520 has the right geometry for a comfortable ride . The upright posture, chainstay length, and low center of gravity were meant for these kinds of circumstances.

• Increased capacity
• Comfortable on long rides
• Customizable
• Different Sizes

What We Don’t Like

If there’s one thing about the 520 that is still wanting, I would say it's the paint job! 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.

An easily chipped paint job is not something you want on a touring bike given the prolonged exposure to elements involved.

The good thing is that despite the chipping of the paint, the metal underneath does not rust easily. The price may also be a bit costly for those who are on a budget.

• A bit Pricy
• Paintjob chips easily

Recommended - Cannondale Bike Hybrid

This bike is a bit pricey, but the replaceable parts are quite affordable.

Buying Advice

If you are looking to buy a classic touring bike, the Trek 520 is an investment worth making. Its durability, comfort, style, and combination of convenient features make it all worthwhile.

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. 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.

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. The Trek 520 is a bike you can take a chance on!   

The Trek 520 is a classic and functional touring bike that has stood the test of time. Trek has been supplying its customers with quality long-distance bikes for more than three decades.

The retail price might be expensive to some, but the parts are affordable when you want to replace them. 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.

If you want a practical bike that will ensure your comfort on a long expedition, consider acquiring the Trek 520 .

Related Post

Session expired

Please log in again. The login page will open in a new tab. After logging in you can close it and return to this page.

• Lapierre X Lite 400 FDJ review
• Scott Addict R4 review
• Condor Bellissima review
• Santa Cruz Driver 8 review
• Titanium Hardtail Comparison – Five Ti Hardtails Put To The Test

Your cart is empty

The argument in favor of using filler text goes something like this: If you use arey real content in the Consulting Process anytime you reachtent.

Mountain Bikes

Parts & Components

Contact info.

Trek 520 Disc first ride review

• by Cyclesgo

The Wisconsin-based company has been making its steel 520 bike since 1983 — making it a couple of years younger than Specialized’s Allez and a decade or so younger than the Dawes Galaxy, probably the standard bearer for steel touring bikes, at least in Britain — and started out as an all-round road bike. But in the years since 1983 the bike has flitted between all-rounder and full-on tourer. The 2019 incarnation is very much the latter beast, having gained even more touring-friendly features than the 2018 model, and it now has some serious expedition chops to its name. Most notably for 2019 the 520 has gained a 15kg-capacity Bontrager front rack and a much lower bottom gear — the all-important one — compared with the 2018 model. It has also moved from bar-end shifters to more familiar Sora STI levers. 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.

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. There are BMC Roadmachine AMP three bottle bosses on the down tube, allowing you to fix the bottle cage at different points, and further fittings on the fork, so you can adjust the height of the rack or carry more bottle cages if you forego it altogether. Most significantly for 2019, and a sign of its more adventurous ambitions, is that the gearing has gone even lower than before. Make no mistake, this is a good thing. If your bike is carrying a 70kg rider (okay, nearer 75kg in my case) and approaching 40kg of kit, and you reach the bottom of a long or/and steep hill, you can never have a bottom gear that’s too low. This is where the very-rarely-seen-on-a-road-bike triple chainset comes in. Trek should also be praised for making it a 48/36/26t Alivio mountain bike chainset, with a teeny-tiny 26t inner chainring, rather than a Shimano 105 road bike 50/39/30 or similar.

Trek really makes the most of this with the saucer-sized 36t sprocket, which delivers a very low bottom gear (under 20in). The 48×11 top gear (around 120in) is more than adequate for powering down hills, and the Sora gear lever and Alivio rear derailleur pairing works well, even with the large jumps necessitated by the 9-speed 11-36 cassette. Is that bailout/granny gear too small? Not if you find yourself on an unsurfaced road at the foot of a 2,000ft / 600m peak, which happened to me touring in New Zealand years ago.

The BMC Roadmachine AMP front thru-axles help you get the most from the TRP Spyre brakes, which are among the best mechanical disc brakes around with the advantage of being easier to fix and fettle than hydraulics when off the beaten track. Okay, they require more effort through the brake levers than even low-end hydraulic disc brakes, but they work in all weather conditions. That said, the 36-spoke Bontrager Affinity rims give the impression they’d survive the apocalypse. The 38mm Bontrager Hard-Case tyres ride well on tarmac and were fine on the light gravel of my local canal towpath, and the rims will take wider rubber too, so you can fit more gravel-specific or off-road-flavoured tyres.

The geometry is touring leisurely, with long chainstays, a wheelbase well over a metre and a slack head-tube angle. This creates a very stable, comfortable, semi-upright riding position, ideal for both touring and commuting. Contact points are good and you can rack up those miles comfortably, albeit slowly. Where it really comes into its own is in its ability to carry considerable quantities of kit, which is where the super-low gearing helps.

My 16-mile commute ends with a few hundred metres of climbing at 10–12 percent, which usually requires out-of-the-saddle honking or even zig-zagging on the steepest section. Not with the Trek 520. Even with bulging panniers I could stay seated in the bottom gear and spin-spin-spin. On a tourer you want to twiddle and maintain a high cadence rather than crank a knee-crunching gear. If you are loading the 520 up to the gunwales, split the load between the 25kg capacity rear rack and 15kg front, which will balance the handling better.

The 2019 is £100 / $215 more expensive than last year’s model, but I think it justifies the extra cost (in the UK at least) if you fancy tackling some full-on, continent-traversing treks. The front rack ups carrying capacity to the max, with more bosses for greater adaptability, and while Sora STI may nominally be a lower spec than 2018’s bar-end shifters, the move to a much lower bottom gear more than makes up for that.

Upping tyre spec from 32mm to 38mm adds weight, yes, but increases comfort, which can be further added to by going tubeless or to even chunkier rubber. If you carry heavy loads you could use Trek’s 520 for tough commuter runs but the 520 is most at home on the wide-open road. Thirty-five years of history so far, and we reckon you could get a lifetime of trekking adventure on this well-specced, attractively priced bike.

Share This Post:

Cannondale caad12 disc dura-ace review, rapha criterium mitts review, related post.

Boardman SLR 9.4 AXS Disc Carbon review

Brand-X Road Bike review

Cannondale Synapse Ultegra disc – video review

Focus Paralane² e-road bike first ride review

Trek Emonda SL 5 Disc review

Tout Terrain Silkroad tourer review

• ALL (67 Forums)
• WHEELS & TIRES
• SPECIALIZED
• CYCLOCROSS BIKES
• TIRES & WHEELS

Trek 520 Touring Bike

Frame Material: chromoly Frame Angles: 71.0 head, 73.5 seat Sizes: 17", 19", 21", 23", 25" Colors: Rainforest Green Fork: Trek Rear Shock: Not applicable Brake Levers: Dia-Compe 287 Handlebar: Bontrager Select Stem: Bontrager Race Headset: 1 1/8" threadless Cane Creek C1 Front Der: Shimano 105 Crankset: Shimano 105 Triple, 30/42/52 teeth Rear Der: Shimano Deore LX SGS Pedals: Shimano PD-M520 SPD Tires: 700 x 35c Bontrager Select

• USER REVIEWS

I LOVE this bike! I have a collection of vintage touring bicycles and on my recent move to NYC I had to choose just one for the first few months. My wife and I are subletting until we find a more permanent rental. So I took my 1984 520 as my one all rounder. It commutes, gets groceries, and it takes me on weekend fun rides. Mine has the stock running gear but it does have new wheels, peddles, stem, bars, and saddle. I’ve put SKS fenders on it, MKS-11 pedals, a Brooks pro for summer use, a Unicantor saddle for winter, aero brake levers, and ergo bend bars and a low rider front rack. For tires I have Vitoria Rubino Control in 700x28. Switching from 27” to 700c wheels was no problem with the stock canti brakes. The frame is solid but still absorbs chatter. It’s a double butted Reynolds 501 Cro-mo triangle with Tange Manga-moly fork and stays. The stays are 45.5cm long! Awesome heel clearance and she rides like a caddy!

For weaknesses I’d say brazes and eyelets. One eyelet per drop out means both your fenders and your racks share the same bolt and drop out. It can be fiddly to set up. Only one set of water bottle basements, on the down tube, so you’ll need to sort that out. Tire clearance is a little tight, 28mm with fenders, 32mm without. I’d love to be able to squeeze 32’s in WITH fenders, but it is what it is. It’s not a 620 or 720? I have both an ‘84 620 and an ‘83 720. Both of those frames have the attachment points the 520 doesn’t. Since I can compare the ride quality of these three icons (in the 24” frame size) I would note that the 720, with the 47cm stays is particularly finicky with weight placement. If you overload the rear end, you end up with a tail wagging the dog situation. It’s a luxe touring bike in early ‘80s fashion but I think the 620 has it beat. It’s a little stouter and so it feels more modern. Of the 3 I would take the ‘84 620 across the country. The 520 is the best commuter you could want. And the 720 would be my choice for Randonneuring, ultralight touring, or credit card touring.

I’ve had my Trek 520 for close on 20 years. It’s an old friend with whom I have had many adventures. Like the Times ad - takes a lickin and keeps on tickin. It’s like an apocalypse bake for me. All else is dead but my Trek will keep rolling.

I can’t think of any. It has what I need and nothing I don’t need

Excellent range of gears especially for women with the lower top chain ring of 48. Responsive frame. Good wheel hubs, I get a great freewheel. Love the control offered by the disc brakes. Good saddle. Not too long.

Weight doesn't bother me though it does some. Bar end changers took a little getting used to but I appreciate how much more comfortable they are for small hands. Thrilled with this bike, best I've owned for years.

All around great bike for touring and has been one of the most reliable touring bike models for years.

if you plan to ride considerable distances then do yourself a favor and replace the tires. I rode across the US with a few friends who keep the stock tires and out of the four tires that started the trip only one made it. We had a day where one tire got 7 flats! Get a good touring tire like a marathon or a gatorskin.

Great bike for a tour after you replace the tires.

bulletproof bike, rode 12 years approx 30,000 kms rebuilt cassette few times as i never wash my bike and change the chain every 5 to 6 thousand kms. The power train gave me no trouble. I accept the cassette ware damage due to sand etc in the chain so I cannot blame the bike. This is my pickup truck. I find it unbelievable that other reviewers with very low milage had problems. The 520 is probably the most common touring bike in our club with 600 members and very few complaints. Cross Canada tour cycling club. A touring bike is built to be trouble free and basic.

I have racing bike that is 15 lbs but once one accepts what a touring bike(about 28 lbs) is (pickup truck vs a sports car) there are no complaints. I often use it for my winter bike on Vancouver island. The bar end shifters are trouble free. The bearing in the steering column probably need replacing but all other moving parts are working fine. I ride it in the rain and on good crushed stone trails. I upgraded the wheels, handlebars and seat posts, not that i needed to - just wanted to lower the weight a few lbs.

My typical tours are 10 to 28 days with 15 to 20 lbs of luggage. I use marathon plus tires that are heavy but mostly flat free. Have never adjusted the spokes but obviously have adjusted the cables and changed the rubber in the brakes. I wore thru the front wheel due to small stone chips embeded in the brake rubber.The bike can get water in the frame but very little if any damage. I had a hard time taking the seat post off to pack the bike for air travel. The 105 components and gearing are great for touring. With 27 gears I can climb a wall as one just can spin in lowest gear with no issues about my knees. I'm 69 years old and just back from 28 day tour of Europe. THe last few years I use my high end race bikes for daily rides because they are supper light. However as a touring bike there are none better. I would recommend this bike for a touring bike and buy a lighter bike for fast pack riding.

Similar Products Used:

trek 5.9, bmc race machine, various cheap mountain bikes and older classic racing bikes

Bullet-proof. Stable. Low Rolling resistance. Dead Sexy

Heavy. But if you want a racing bike, buy a racing bike

As an entry level Clydesdale (205 lbs) I rode my 520 around Lake Huron last summer. 1025 miles in 14 days. 50 pounds of panniers and I did not have a problem. Still have all my spokes. I rode on Schwalbe Marathon tubes and tires and cannot say enough about them. I have put air in them twice since July 2013. Also added a Brooks B17 saddle, SPD pedals and raised the stem 2 inches. This is my daily commuting bike in the pothole capital, Pittsburgh and I love it. It actually rolls better than my Trek 1000 road bike. Top speed on the 520 is 47 mph!

It's problem free.

I just completed a cross country tour with my 520 and had zero problems. It worked flawlessly.

It has a smooth ride and the top tube slants so that the stand over height works better for me. The bike is a stable secure ride. I had no problems with the drive train.

The tires were marginal. The 700cm wheels did not stay true when under load and touring in Europe. The spokes started to break after a few years of light use with a few trips in between. I am only 160 pounds and so with gear the load on this bike was only 210 to 215 pounds. When your bike fails on tour it feels like a betrayal. No room for a wider tire.

I would not re-buy this bike. I do not think the wheels are strong enough. The rack was adequate but just barely. I am going with 26 inch wheels and at least 36 spokes on my next bike. Also it could be just a problem in Florida but, rust is an issue with this bike. I think this is a good bike for nice roads with light loads and short hauls.

simple and easy to ride

The tires (Bontrager) that came on the bike were junk. They would go flat if you looked at them cross-eyed -- including one fun ride when I had 4 flats in 10 miles. (No glass was involved, just road side pebbles and one thorn) A VERY poor tire for a touring bike. The crank bearings failed in less than six months of light riding. The shop where I bought the bike replaced them for free (Bike Gallery, Portland OR) -- possibly because I had a fit, but they said the bearings weren't covered by the Trek warranty because the failure was considered "normal" wear and tear. In what junk-shop world is bearing failure in perhaps 300 miles (I did very little riding at the time) considered "normal"?

The bike shop told me I could expect to replace the crank bearings every year (or more often if I ride very much) This is not a bike I would recommend for anyone.

great ride, or I wouldn't have gone to all the trouble and expense, fits me perfectly, great comfort and stability, I can ride a hundred miles, hop off the bike, shower and I'm ready for sushi...

orginal 2006 rim cracked after 6K, seat post was miss shaped and kept slipping down, had road gearing, btw, road crank & 135 mm spacing, no spacer drive side, 5mm spacer left when converting to outboard bearing, to keep the chain line correct. front brake squeal, switch to shimano BR-M330 pads stopped front squeal. drilled hole in bottom bracket to drain

Hi second review of my Trek 520, 2006 19" frame. I've got about 16,000 miles on the bike. OK, here is what i've done. Brooks b17 saddle, schmidt dyno front hub and lumitec light system (peter white), rebuilt back wheel and front with velocity synergy rims, morningstar seal, krytox grease, in the rear LX hub (silent now, may never need further service), salsa moto ace 120mm 25^ stem, planet bike fenders, conti gatorskin 77 x 32's, michelin A2 tubes, cane creek V brake levers, planet bike fenders, kalloy seat post,salsa seat clamp, phil wood outboard bearings, deore 48/36/26 170mm crankset, deore lx front derailiur, several chains cn-7701 & sram, rivendale front bag, trek rear bag with drop down panniers

1984 trek 520 retired in 2006 @ 33,000

Get the latest road bike reviews, news, race results, and much more by signing up for the Roadbikereview Newsletter

Hot Deals See All Hot Deals >>

Get the latest roadbike reviews, news, race results, and much more by signing up for the Roadbikereview Newsletter

• EDITORIAL REVIEWS
• CLASSIFIEDS

ABOUT ROADBIKEREVIEW

• TERMS OF USE
• PRIVACY POLICY
• ADVERTISING

VISIT US AT

© Copyright 2024 VerticalScope Inc. All rights reserved.

• RIDE YOUR BIKE.
• Video Course Login
• Success Stories
• Give Your Support

No products in the cart.

• Bike Tour Shop
• Search for:

Trek 520 – Touring Bicycle Review

• Pinterest 3

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.

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 long-distance bicycle touring. The stretched out geometry is just right for staying comfortable on the bike and at the same time allows you to get in a good aerodynamic stance for optimal speed. The 520 is perfect for long-distance bicycle tours or for the daily commute. Its classic touring geometry has stood the test of time and is considered a cult classic by many. Having been around since the 1970’s, The Trek 520 has earned its place in bicycle touring history.

Trek only offers one touring option – the Trek 520, which is altered each year with a new paint color and exterior design. While the paint may change, the components haven’t varied too much throughout the recent years.

The Trek 520 MSRP is set at $1,429.99 USD.

It comes in five different frame sizes: 48, 51, 54, 57, 60cm. I am 5’8” with a 30” inseam and the 54cm fits me perfect.

The included components are great for touring right out of the box. The Shimano Dura-Ace bar-end shifters are low maintenance and easy to fix on the go. If they do break, they’re also inexpensive to replace compared to other styles of shifters. (My friends shifter broke in a minor crash on his Cannondale T-1 and the cost to replace the broken part was almost $500. He was able to switch to bar-end shifters for under $100 USD – including labor.)

The wheel set on the Trek 520 is durable and able to take a heavy load even on mild trails, with Bontrager Race Lite Hard-Case 700x32c tires that are wide enough to add cushion yet able to keep good speed.

The bike also comes with a Bontrager Back Rack Deluxe (a rear rack) that is good for loads lighter than 20lbs.

The stock brakes hold their power and are able to stop your fully-loaded bicycle, even when traveling at high speeds and in downhill scenarios.

The Purchase

I went about purchasing this bike first by spending a good amount of time researching touring bikes online. After hours of research I had narrowed my choices to the Surly Long Haul Trucker and the Trek 520. My next step in purchasing the bike was trying to find a store that had one of these bikes in stock to test drive. I could not find any local stores that had the Surly Long Haul Trucker in stock. I quickly discovered that touring bicycles can be hard to find in many local bike shops.

After calling about 20 stores that carried Trek bicycles, I came across Helen’s Cycles in Santa Monica, CA that stocked the 520, and it just so happens they had my size! I took the bike for a test drive and loved the comfort and stability of the bike. I was sold! I was able to pick mine up in 2010 for just under $1,050 USD (including tax) due to some minor chips in the paint on the top tube.

The suggested retail price of the Trek 520 is a little steep in my opinion, because there are similar bikes of similar quality that sell for less. However, the 520 is specialty bicycle, which somewhat justifies its price.

Experience With The Bike & Upgrades for Long Distance Touring

I purchased my Trek 520 in the spring of 2010 with plans to use it as a touring bike, road bike and commuter. I had never owned a road bike before, as I was mainly an avid mountain biker at the time, so the Trek 520 had a completely different feel for me. After a few longer rides, however, I was hooked! I loved that I could cover 50-80 miles in a day without being exhausted.

After many long rides to train for my month-long Canada tour that I did in the summer of 2010, I invested in some upgrades. While the bike is set up for touring, I made some upgrades to meet my specific riding/touring needs. The biggest upgrade for comfort I have made was the saddle. The Trek 520 comes with a decent stock saddle, fine for 60-mile rides, but after doing a few 80-100 mile days in a row, I decided an upgrade was a worthy investment. After doing my research I decided on leather Selle An-Atomica . It is the best seat I have ever sat on! After proper adjustment and wear-in it feels like riding on air.

Soon after that I added Shimano 520 SPD pedals . Next, I installed a set of Kevlar lined Schwalbe Marathon Plus 700 x 35c tires . With the new tires I have only had one flat in 3,500 miles. My friend bought the same tires for his Cannondale touring bike and was able to ride over 6,000 miles on one set before replacing them. I also upgraded the stock fenders to SKS fenders . They give a lot better coverage for riding in the rain and dusty conditions.

The stock rear rack is good for carrying 20lbs or less. I carry my tent and all my gear on my bike while touring so I decided to upgrade to an Axiom rear rack and purchased Axiom Low-rider front racks to carry my 35-40 lbs worth of camping gear and clothes. To hold my gear I invested in the Axiom journey series panniers – front and back. Everything mounted very well, and the bike has sufficient braze-ons and welds for mounting heavy duty racks.

The one upgrade I have always thought about is lower crank gears. The stock gear ratio of 48/36/26 is a little high if you are using the bike to carry heavier loads on longer trips with mountains. My full load including the bike weighs in at close to 70lbs, while the bike itself weighs in at 27lbs. On long mountain passes, it sure would be nice to have a lower gear to switch into.

If I had to say one thing negative about the bike, I would say the paint job is not without its flaws. In 2010, when I purchased the bike, a rusty root-beer color was the only color option. For some, the color along might have been enough to turn them away from the bike. The brownish color of my bike has grown on me, however, and the metallic brownish/orange high gloss paint really stands out in the sun.

The problem that I have noticed, however, is that the metallic paint chips off easier than any other bike I have ever owned. An easily chipped paint job, of course, is not what you want in a touring bicycle that can be exposed to the elements for long periods of time. While the paint may be chipping, there isn’t a single spot or chip that has started to rust. You should also remember that the current models paint is different and I have not heard if it still suffers from paint chipping.

Would I Recommend The Trek 520 Touring Bike?

I would highly recommend this bike if you have the money to invest, and are serious about bike touring. You definitely get your moneys worth. The bikes durability, style and comfort definitely justify the price. I also get comments on the style of the bike frequently; a lot of people enjoy the classic look of it. This is the most comfortable bike I have ever ridden. The steel frame and geometry of the bike minimizes the bumpiest of roads and can take on some mild dirt trails – even when fully loaded.

Conclusion and Rating

Looking back I have had no regrets or any major technical issues with the Trek 520. I have also yet to come across any major complaints from fellow bikers that own this particular bicycle. On a Scale of 1 to 10, I would give this bike a 9. The durability of the paint and the fact that the bike is slightly overpriced when compared to similar bicycle models are the only things holding the 520 back from being a perfect 10. The Trek 520 is and will continue to remain a classic choice in the bicycle touring world.

About The Author: Justin Bernstein is a 23-year-old student at Cal State Channel Islands where he works part-time as a bicycle technician. Justin says he enjoys anything that has wheels and notes that bicycle touring has allowed him to see some amazing places and meet some great people. “I love touring by bike and plan to never stop riding!”

Justin Bernstein

40 thoughts on “ trek 520 – touring bicycle review ”.

I too have a 2003 520, has been an awsome bike…lots of miles touring with 0 problems. Great article!

I have someone telling me that a 30 year old trek 520 made in the USA is superior to a new one. What is your opinion?

ha. I don’t know about that.

I also love the 520, but there is or was for me toe wheel clip or what ever we call it when your shoe’s clip the front wheel…what do you think about using butterfly handle bars on the 520, with a 650 wheel you can add a little wider tire?

Rodney, I’m not quite sure I understand you. Are you saying that when you ride the Trek 520 that the front wheel clips the front of your toes when you turn? If so, that could indeed be the right of the bike… or it might just be the way you have the toe clips set up.

As for butterfly bars, this is a personal decision and it is quite a lot of work to change out the handlebars on a touring bicycle like this. If you want to make that change, then yes, it can be done. But the drop bars that come on the Trek 520 are great in my opinion and most people will be quite happy with them.

I had toe overlap….

I’d really like to get one of these for my own touring but they don’t seem to be available in the uk?

Yes, the Trek 520 is available in the UK. You will probably have to special order it, however. You just need to search for a Trek dealer in your area. You can do so by searching for a dealer on this page of the Trek website https://locator.trekbikes.com/locator/search?lang=en

It may be a good touring bike but as any Trek it is just ridiculously too short for tall people. I am 6.8″ and I would never buy Trek (except for Garry Fisher of course – shame they have a Trek label on it now…). So if you look closely you will see that the geometry of Trek bikes is really stupid where the tall people are concerned. They make some bikes up to size 25″ but still only about 10 cm longer then the 15″ version – what is that about. Plus you end up paying too much for the label, I’d rather go for Surly or something else.

I have enjoyed my 520 since 2010. I tour about 6,000 miles a tear and the 520 is very dependable and comfortable. The only negative has been the 3rd bottle holder. When you add the detachable fenders the 3rd bottle holder cannot be used because it hits the fender. I have recommended the 520 to others but it can be difficult to find in stock. Most bike stores want you to purchase before they order….without a test ride. If you do not like the bike you are stuck with it or you can return it but you are committed to buy something else.

Wow, thanks for your help there was actually a dealer 2 miles away. Going to make a trip down tomorrow.

The inability to use the third bottle cage is quite common. There just isn’t that much room under there. A normal 21 oz water bottle is too long. But the cage is still useful for other things. If you use a stove that feeds off of traditional liquid fuel bottles, you can fit a half-liter fuel bottle in the third cage. I have a half-liter storage bottle down there that holds a spare tube, rag, patches, and wrenches. It makes sense to put something heavy down there. It wouldn’t be a great place for an actual water bottle anyway–it’s difficult to access while riding and it tends to pick up a lot of road grit. This is the storage bottle that I use: https://www.amazon.com/Pro-Storage-Bottle-500cc/dp/B004MGICFS

“there are similar bikes of similar quality that sell for less” could you name some of them for us, the budget tourers? 🙂 I’m currently touring on an aluminum trek 7.3FX, is steel really much more suppler than alu?

Excellent review….I am in the process of looking around for a tourer, the top of my list was the Cannondale Touring but I understand these stopped being produced in 2010..Will be following your advise closely

Keep up the good work

Nice review. I picked up a 2010 520 (barely used) this March and put 1200 miles on it over the summer. Never a problem. I really like the metallic root beer color and haven’t had the chipping problems you experienced. The bike rides smooth and shifts smooth. I also put SKS fenders on mine as well as a Brooks B-17. I’m still on the Bontrager Hardcase Race Lite tires that came on it and have not had a flat yet. The updated gearing has the granny necessary for the steep 13-14% grades that we routinely face in our area. The longevity of this particular model speaks volumes. Maybe more have crossed the continent than any other single bike model.

The Trek store sized me and sold me a 57cm Trek 520. They said I was borderline between the 57 and the 54. After 3 years I have to say the bike is too small. I’m 5’9″, and to get it to fit right the seat has to be way up, and Trek had to order a new uncut fork to get the handlebars way up – to get almost level with seat. It looks funny. Another local bike store, that does not sell Trek, told me it looks too small. REI put my wife, at 5’4″ on a “medium” Novara Randonee touring bike (often compared to the Trek 520). Her bike is bigger than mine!

I think Trek sizing works for guys with really short legs, and people who like that “seat post up in the sky” look you see with racers. The old Trek 520s, with less compact geometry, look far better to my eye.

I’ll probably swap the parts to another frame. Big $ loss.

Other than that, it’s a great., flawless bike.

Howdy. 🙂 Nice review, but I’m not sure what sort of rack your 520 had to have come with to only carry up to 20 lbs. o.O That seems really low. The current model of the 520, which you have pictured at the top, comes with the “deluxe” back rack from Bontrager, which is rated to hold up to 25 kgs, or about 55 lbs (and even their smaller rack is rated for the same weight). Anyway, I’ve had my eye on the 520 for a while now, dreaming about the day I finally manage to get myself set up for touring! 🙂

I just bought the 520 and I did a lot of research before I made the purchase. I will stay in touch with all and tell you my thoughts as soon as get the bike this sunday.

I bought the Trek 520 this year for a 3 day tour through the Rockie Mountains. The bike performed well and was able to carry my 20 lb. panniers with ease. The steel frame was heavier than my other bikes but did not feel heavy riding. The smaller frame size fit my short torso although I had to raise the seat quite a bit for my long legs. That being said the 520 is the most comfortable bike I have ever ridden.

I purchased my Trek 520 about 20 years ago and used it for many touring trips. I have always taken good care of it, and today it still remains to be one of my favorite bikes to take day rides on. I paid about $500 for it 20 years ago and has proven to be a great buy.

In Europe Idid use for self supporting tours mind condition Cannondale 1000X . My brother try it and he was also hooked … When return to Canada I did buy new Trek 520 . About 20000 miles fully loaded touring on my trusted and comfortable burgundy red Trek 520 was poore pleasure and I do not complain at all. Set up: Brooks , Shimano SPD , Satori stem and stem riser , AC Lowrider , Axiom rack just slightly modified , Voyager heavy duty paniers front and rear + Voyager handlebar bag , ( you do not buy those quality anymore). Czech made Pigeon framebag is superior quality also so by Bilenky Bicycle Work installed S&S couplings for reason . This Trek 520 is last series proudly build in Wisconsin USA .

Thanks for the great review and information. The Trek 520 is on my short-list of bikes and this is helping me make up my mind!

Wondered if you still have the 520 or gotten rid of it? I see the CoMotion now with S&S couplers. I am purchasing a 520, and building it with components equal to the Americano, along with S&S couplers, a SON28 hub and Luxos U headlight. Your thoughts on this set up?

This bicycle review was written by a BicycleTouringPro.com reader named Justin Bernstein. I don’t own a Trek 520 and I never have.

You are correct about me owning a Co-Motion Pangea , however. The Pangea is the touring bicycle I have been riding since May of 2012.

I’ve never heard of anyone buying a Trek 520 and totally transforming it the way you say you plan to do. It sounds like a lot of work and money. Why did you decided to do this rather than just keep the Trek 520 the way it is… or rather than just buying a touring bicycle with the parts/components that you want?

I’d be interested in hearing how that hub works out for you and what you end up charging with it (besides the headlight).

This review reads too much like a brochure from Trek, at least the first half. Today’s 520 is a relatively more compact geometry than the original. My 2002 is a completely different bike than the current model in both geometry and stock components. Trek has finally figured out what parts a touring bike should have, however, for years they were putting a standard road triple (52/42/30). While it’s a solid bike, I’m critical of the idea that it hasn’t changed over the years. Also, given this review was written two years ago, I should mention that Trek is adding disc brakes for 2015 (mentioning this for the sake of anyone reading the above review and considering the 520).

Where are you getting that the rack (Back Rack Deluxe) can only hold 20#? Trek lists it at 50#. I’ve upgraded to this newer version and I’ve had no issues fully loaded with somewhere in the area of 50# of gear. It’s a well made rack.

I purchased a 2013 Trek 520 earlier this year and enjoy riding it regularly. The bike rides smooth and steady and, while not necessarily built for speed, can sail down the road quickly. I chose to replace the stock Bontrager seat with a Brooks Flyer (springed) saddle which is almost broken in now – it works great to reduce road vibrations. I added a Light and Motion headlight for night-time daylight and a Bontrager pannier which easily mounts to and disconnects from the back rack. This is the second Trek touring bike I have owned – I love it!

My 520 has over 46k mile on it. It’s a fine bike but I have one beef; the SD-7 brakes that came with it were noisy crap. On a wet loaded downhill I had to reach round to the drops to get any stopping power at all. I replaced the front brake with a Single Digit Ultimate and replaced both brake levers with Tektro RS520 levers. Braking is much better now although I couldn’t launch myself over the bars if I tried, they still require effort but I can now brake from the hoods. If I replace it I’ll get the disc brake version.

I bought a new green 2015, without the disc brakes. Love the ride. Very stable. Digging the bar end shifters. I certainly am not doing well with the forward position. I added a Dimension stem extender that raised the bars about 3 inches and that had helped, but I still need a shorter stem. I ordered the Bontrager Elite in the much shorter 7 rise, 70mm. Hope it will take away the pain in the lower part of my neck in back. But if need be, I will add either the tried and true Nitto Albatross I have been using for sometime on a old GT Nomad hybrid, or a set of Jones bars since they are back and will pair well with the stem color. Otherwise, I do hope to make the drops work.. even consider some wider ones along with the shorter stem and any needed stacking like I see on many Surly LHT bikes. Planning a Fit at a bike shop to rule out my options.

I currently have a Trek 8000 mountain bike. For riding around town, neck pain is my main complain. I also have a trike that totally gets rid of any seat or neck pain but it is only good for perfect roads. I am considering Trek 520 and would be interested to know about the changes to the stem that you made to get remedy you neck pain.

I had similar neck and shoulder pain riding in a peloton with this bike, particularly on roads that are not great quality. The underlying cause was that the hoods don’t have much padding (like most bikes), but you need to rest your hands here to brake or use the drops the entire time. The solution was to install in-line brake levers so I could also brake from the padded handle bars while drafting. The levers were ~$30 and are cheap/easy to install when you are replacing your brake cables and bar tape at the same time.

I’ve ordered a 2015 disc model which I’m pickng up this week. Planning an epic tour from Ireland to Turkey and will enjoy training rides around N. Ireland. Slightly concerned about the “small” sizing of the bike but hopeful that the 57′ will fit my 5.10 height.

Hey Darren, im a huge fan

Im planning a long trip to South America, I preffer the less travel or off road path. Im from Colombia and here the obly two touring bikes avaliable are the Giant Thoughroad slr 1 and Specialized Sequoia. Im not sure about this bikes, because the giant have an aluminium frame and carbon fork and the Sequoia have a 48/32 crank. My dream bike is the Surly Troll but is out of my reach. What can I do?

It is possible to have a bicycle shipped to you from the United States or elsewhere in the world. It’s just more expensive when you do this, of course.

After getting my Surly LHT stolen two weeks before my XC trip… A friend of a friend got me a brand new Trek 520 for a good price. Along with the bike being stolen (I live in NYC), the racks went with it… so two comments I’d like to make.

1. During my 5,019 mile ride, I used the stock rear rack and only the rear rack the whole way to stow everything (panniers, tent, sleeping bag and sleeping mat). Per Adventure Cycling Association, my total weight (bike included) was 89lbs. The only issue I had with the rack was after getting off a rocky road, the rack started to squeak. I simply tightened the screws and no more squeak. So I’d hardly say that was a problem.

2. I believe this was the article that solidified my decision to go with the LHT and Trek 520 was my back up option while I price compared stores in the area. Having ridden both bikes, I would say they are just about the same, comfort wise. Jumping on the Trek 520 for the first time felt no different than the LHT. The difference may be the size and how Trek and Surly measure their frame size. I got them both in a 54 and for whatever reason the Trek felt just a little more comfortable. Whether it’s because it was bigger or smaller by a fraction I am not sure.

Anyway, Darren your resources were an incredible help to making me feel comfortable before leaving for my first touring trip. I am not the person to just jump on a bike and leave, so I can’t thank you enough!!!

I purchased a 54cm Trek 520 in September of 2015 and have put over 1500 miles on it to date. I ride on my days off and have done two over night trips. The second trip I took was around 110 mile round trip and about 20 miles was gravel roads. I do wish Trek would design the lower water bottle holder so it would clear with fenders. I recently replaced the the tires after four flats on the original tires. Little things I am changing to fit my riding styles to make the bike more comfortable for me. Over all I am very pleased with the bike and am happy with my purchase. I will be using this bicycle on my New Mexico trip in September of 2018. I know this is along way off but I have other obligations that come first. I am however doing small trips here in Mo. and one trip to my uncles in Oklahoma. I am also getting ready to do the entire Katy Trail in Missouri. Other than the flats I have had zero issues with my 520 but I am only 5’8″ and quite stocky . I would recommend this bike to anyone in my size range.

I considered the 520 because it was a light touring bicycle and a Trek – however, I opted for a Jamis Aurora (more bang for the buck) and have not been disappointed. I added a front Surly rack and clipless pedals – the bike came with fenders, good 9-speed triple crank gearing, bar end shifters, and a rear rack. When shopping, I noticed many shops in the Baltimore area did not stock steel frame touring bicycles. After riding my touring bike around – I seem to prefer the ride of steel frame bicycles.

Hello. I’m looking into purchasing a 2018 Trek 520 for bike touring. I have a Specialized CrossTrail that I use for touring and it is very limited for what I can haul. I took this bike for a road test and it was wonderful. It was very responsive and comfortable, indeed. I liked the fact that it was a 27 speed. The multiple, lower gears, are a plus for heavy load climbing. The bike dealer is asking 1100.00 dollars for this Trek. Am I getting a good deal, thanks!

I have a Trek 520. Bought in 2004, upgraded to Rohloff rear gear hub and schmidt generating front hub in 2010. Repainted at the same time. Does about 6000km pa. Brilliant.

Had mine for 7 years now, best bike I ever owned 🙂

It seems you can buy a good used steel frame and build up the bike to your choosing just fine. Just check out a bike shop which sells used bikes of on CL for old steel, many with classic lugs.

I have a 1984 Miyata 210 which I bought new and it is in fine shape, albeit ridden very infrequently as I have a number of bikes. It still has the original Araya wheels and are still perfect after all these years, original brake pads too! I have thought of adding a Rohloff internal gearing and taking it for an extended tour.

As for the Trek 520, they are good, them and Surly LHT’s are everywhere, can’t go wrong with either.

Comments are closed.

Username or email address  *

Password  *

Remember me Log in

Lost your password?

The New 2019 Trek 520 Touring Bike

Table of Contents

The 2019 trek 520 touring bike, want to compare this touring bike with dozens of others, helpful resources, touring & bikepacking bike overview.

The Trek 520 is the longest running model in Trek’s history. It’s hard to believe that this USA-based company has been refining their dedicated touring bike for 36 years now! Today, we’ll be looking at the controversial changes to the frame, fork and components of the 2019 Trek 520 model.

Ok, the most controversial change to the Trek 520 is the new aluminium fork. 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. Almost all European touring bikes employ aluminium forks on their builds, and it follows that if this material was inherently unreliable or dangerous, manufacturers would’ve switched back to steel over a decade ago.

From the outset, it might seem strange that Trek chose an aluminium fork for the 520, especially when it causes concern for some. I can’t comment on the precise reason why Trek would have chosen aluminium over steel, but it seems logical to me that they’ve managed to achieve increased fork stiffness with a tidy weight reduction of 318 grams.

Is an aluminium fork less comfortable than a steel fork? Not in my experience. When you’re running tyres in the 38-50mm width range you experience lots of tyre deformation over bumps making any difference in vertical fork compliance unnoticeable. It is worth mentioning that some steel forks with a long rake can be optimised for vertical flex, but this style of fork wasn’t fitted to the outgoing 520 model.

Moving on, a new feature of the fork is what Trek calls the thru-skew secure skewer system. The dropout loops all the way around the skewer, meaning that the wheel cannot fall out unless the skewer is removed. This is designed to keep the quick release wheel perfectly aligned in the fork, similar to a thru-axle system. The fork itself comes with eyelets to fit a cargo cage on either side, as well as eyelets behind the dropout for full fenders.

Included with the bike is a Bontrager front rack unique to the 520. The rack features an upper tray to fit a front basket or a porteur-style bag. Alternatively, you can use the tray to simply strap a drybag to the top. It’s great to see some eyelets on the rack to help mount a front dynamo light too.

The Trek 520 now uses Shimano STI shifters rather than the tried-and-trusted barend shifters of the previous models. While this may seem like a bad decision for a round-the-world touring bike, STI shifters have become much more reliable in the past five years and many people who travel a bit closer to home certainly prefer the better access to the shift levers. You can always swap the levers out if you’d prefer to know your shifter will outlast the rest of the bike.

The bars on the 520 are a pretty typical road handlebar. It’d be nice to see a flared drop handlebar offered with this bike for two reasons: the flared drops provide a bit more steering leverage and the handlebar shape provides additional clearance for a bikepacking handlebar pack, should you decide to pack light.

The gear ratios have improved on the 2019 Trek 520 which I’m really happy about. While many users of the old model opted to swap in a 11-36t cassette to achieve a sub-20″ climbing gear, the new model comes with one as standard.

Another moot point found in the forums about the 2019 model is the downgrade from Shimano Deore gearing to Alivio. The reason for this move is that Deore has now moved on to 10-speed, and unfortunately there are no Shimano STI shifters which will work with the new 10-speed Deore drivetrain parts.

The brakes have received an upgrade to TRP Spyre-C callipers, however. These cable-operated brakes use a unique design that pulls both brake pads in at the same time, providing near-hydraulic braking performance (most cable disc callipers pull just one pad).

Tyre clearance has stepped up from 700x45c to 700x50c. While most companies abide by international standards for tyre clearance (at least 4mm of space on either side of the tyre), Trek adds another 2mm on top of that, so you can likely fit 54mm tyres (29×2.2″) in the 520. Another change to the 520 frame is the larger diameter downtube. This increases the lateral frame stiffness and therefore increases the stability with a front and rear load. As far as I’m concerned, you can never have enough frame stiffness on a touring bike!

And finally, there’s been some discussion around the 125kg maximum total weight limit for this bike. If the bike weighs 13kg itself and you were to carry the maximum rack capacity of 38kg, that means that technically you’d have to be under 74kg as a rider to meet this requirement.

I’m not too sure why Trek have opted for this limit (it’s been like this for a while – something legal perhaps?), but it’s my experience that a frameset of this build type will comfortably handle more. The wheels, although spec’d with 36 spokes, are possibly the only area which may not stand the test of time under a 125kg+ load. Check out THIS resource for my rim recommendations for super heavy loaded touring (ie. tandem-strength rims).

In addition, most bigger manufacturers like Trek are typically a bit more generous with their warranties as they prefer to provide good after-sales service to keep their customers happy. Not always, but I do often hear this.

What do you think of the choice of two colours? I’m digging the simple retro graphics of this years model and think the Anthracite Grey would be a good theft-deterring colour option. At US $1679 , the bike is a bit more expensive than previous years, but with the front rack, upgraded brakes and STI shifters it’s still competitive enough in this segment. Don’t like the build? You can also get the frameset for US $640 if you’d prefer to do build it your way.

You can find out more at Trek .

Check out the  Touring Bicycle Buyer’s Guide  which compares touring bike steering, sizing, gear ratios, specification, pricing and more. The Bikepacking Bike Buyer’s Guide does the same thing, however, with a focus on lighter bikes and models with more off-road capability. Both of these guides are updated annually with the latest models at no extra cost!

All About Touring Bike Brakes Frame Materials for Bicycle Touring How to Select Touring Bike Gearing Understand Bicycle Frame Geometry What’s the Difference between Cyclocross and Touring Bikes?

2016 Advocate Lorax 2018 All City Gorilla Monsoon 2016 Basso Ulisse 2016 Bianchi Volpe and Lupo 2016 2016 Bombtrack Beyond 2017 Bombtrack Beyond 2018 Bombtrack Beyond 2018 Bombtrack Arise Tour 2019 Bombtrack Beyond 2016 Brodie Elan Vital 2016 Cannondale Touring 2019 Cannondale Topstone 2020 Cannondale Topstone 2016 Cinelli Hobootleg Geo 2018 Co-Op ADV 4.2 2017 Curve Grovel V2 2017 Diamondback Haanjo EXP Carbon 2016 Fuji Touring 2017 Fuji Touring 2018 Fuji Touring 2018 Fuji Touring Disc 2016 Genesis Tour de Fer 2016 Giant ToughRoad 2017 Giant ToughRoad 2018 Giant ToughRoad and ToughRoad GX 2016 Jamis Aurora and Aurora Elite 2019 Jones Plus SWB 2020 KOGA WorldTraveller-S 2016 Kona Big Rove 2016 Kona Roadhouse and Sutra LTD 2016 Kona Sutra 2017 Kona Sutra 2018 Kona Sutra 2018 Kona Sutra LTD 2019 Kona Sutra and Sutra LTD 2020 Kona Sutra and Sutra LTD 2020 Kona Unit X 2016 Marin Four Corners 2017 Marin Four Corners 2018 Marin Four Corners 2016 Masi Giramondo 2018 Masi Giramondo 2016 Niner RLT9 2016 Rawland Ulv and Ravn 2016 Salsa Deadwood 2017 Salsa Fargo 2018 Salsa Fargo Ti Frameset 2018 Salsa Journeyman 2016 Salsa Marrakesh 2017 Salsa Marrakesh 2018 Salsa Marrakesh 2020 Salsa Marrakesh 2017 Salsa Vaya 2019 Salsa Warbird 2016 Specialized AWOL 2017 Specialized AWOL 2017 Specialized Diverge 2018 Specialized Diverge 2019 Specialized Diverge 2017 Specialized Sequoia 2018 Specialized Sequoia 2019 Specialized Sequoia 2018 Surly Bridge Club 2017 Surly Troll 2016 Traitor Wander 2019 Trek 520 2016 Trek 920, 720, 520 & CrossRip 2017 Trek CrossRip 2018 Trek 920 2018 Trek 1120

2023 Trek 520 Grando Review

Thinking about how the bike will handle long trips with multiple luggage bags? Look no further – The Trek 520 is the ultimate road bike for any adventure!

The Trek 520 Grando is designed to be an all-around reliable and durable adventure bike. 

With its durable steel frame, powerful brakes, and wide range of gears, it allows adventurers to cover longer distances with ease and comfort. 

Its carefully chosen wheelset adds extra stability without compromising speed. 

All these features make this one of the most popular adventure bikes on the market.

For those looking for an affordable yet quality ride, investing in a Trek 520 Grando could prove to be one of the best decisions you ever made. 

Check out this comprehensive review that gives insight into its construction, performance, pros and cons and much more related information!

The Trek 520 Grando is an amazing all-terrain touring bike that is perfect for long distance rides. 

The Grando has a light and responsive frame, comfortable geometry and a wide range of gears to take on any hills you may encounter.

It’s designed to excel in all weather conditions, with big mudguard clearance, strong disc brakes and extra mounts for racks and bottles. 

All this makes it ideal for cycle touring – whether it be loaded up with camping gear or simply enjoying the scenery at a leisurely pace.

The 2023 Trek 520 Grando is an adventure bike designed for the open road. 

This rugged touring machine features a reliable steel frame, Shimano components, and a wide-range of gears for tackling those challenging hills and trails. 

Its components ensure a secure fit for cyclists of all sizes and the included rear rack allows for convenient carrying of gear on overnight tours or extended journeys.

Whether you’re riding to the store, around town exploring nearby sights, or taking a long journey across Europe, the Trek 520 Grando is up to every challenge and ready to show you what adventure cycling is all about!

– Durable Trek butted chromoly frame

– Shimano Tiagra and GRX components providing smooth shifts over long distances

– Wide range of gears; suitable for biking on both flat terrain and hilly areas

– ProWheel forged alloy, 42/28t chainrings up front and a Shimano HG50, 11-36t, 10 speed cassette

– Front rack with attachment points for gear such as panniers or water bottles

– Bontrager Affinity Disc, Tubeless Ready rims offering increased flexibility and strength over gravel roads or other terrain

– Fender and mudguard mounts

Frame & Geometry

The Trek 520 Grando’s frame is constructed from Trek butted chromoly tubing that is highly corrosion-resistant and incredibly durable throughout its lifetime. 

It also has a relaxed geometry which adds to its comfort level on longer rides – allowing full control when fully loaded with bags of camping gear. 

The lightweight design ensures that you won’t be slowed down by the additional weight when cycling uphill either.

Gearing System & Wheels

To make life easier when hauling up hills or dealing with strong headwinds, the Grando offers a wide range of gearing courtesy of Shimano Tiagra 2×10 derailleurs – giving you plenty of control over your speed along different terrain types without sacrificing traction or stability on long-distance treks. 

Additionally, thanks to its 700c Bontrager wheels paired with wide Bontrager GR1 Expert 40mm tires, the 520 offers an extremely smooth ride without compromising grip on slick roads or letting any bumps be felt through your handlebars!

The Trek 520 Grando offers an excellent blend between low maintenance components and endurance features that make it a reliable companion on every cycle tour you take it on. 

Its relaxed geometry ensures ultimate comfort while its powerful brakes give riders peace of mind in hazardous weather conditions – making it a great choice for anyone looking to tackle long distances aboard two wheels!

Order online and have it shipped to your local dealer for final assembly!!

Related Posts

State 6061 All-Road Apex XPLR AXS Review

All-City Space Horse microShift Review

Vitus Sommet 29 CR Mountain Bike Review

Schwinn Discover Review

• Rider Notes

2022 Trek 520 Disc

A steel frame gravel bike with mid-range components and mechanical disc brakes. Compare the full range

For This Bike

View more similar bikes →

Based on frame geometry and build specs.

A bike with lower gearing will be easier to ride up steep hills, while a higher top end means it will pedal faster down hills.

Similar Bikes

(descending)

Add custom gearing

Based on build material and quality level of the frame, fork, wheelset, groupset, suspension system, and more.

Compare the full 520 model range

Feb 2020 · Miles Arbour

The stock Trek 520, the quintessential steel touring bike in the brand's lineup, wasn't quite doing it for Miles. Here is his take on a classic, complete with a flat bar conversion, 1x11 drivetrain, and the absolute biggest tires he could fit. Find details, lots of photos, and a complete build kit here...

Read Review

Last updated June 28 Not listed for 641 days

Based on 20 review s

The Looria Grade (A - F) accounts for multiple factors, including sentiment, helpfulness, and more. Learn about our sources and ranking.

• Great for touring
• Built as a tank to be able to hold up for long hauls
• Whole bunch of features to it
• Good value for the price
• Retro-grouch, and often get downvoted for saying stuff

Top reviews

KMC X10, 10 speed

TRP Spyre C 2.0 mechanical disc, 160mm rotor

Bontrager alloy, 27.2mm, 12mm offset

QUICK QUESTION!

Got an opinion on a product you've used? If so, we want to hear from you! Write an authentic longevity review about the product and share your experience with our community. You'll have the chance to win a $100 gift card.

You might also like

• Things to Do
• Restaurants
• Vacation Rentals
• Travel Stories
• Rental Cars
• Add a Place
• Travel Forum
• Travelers' Choice
• Help Center

A great way to start the week - Moscow Bike Tours

• Europe    
• Russia    
• Central Russia    
• Moscow    
• Moscow - Things to Do    
• Moscow Bike Tours

I was a solo traveler and I just had one day in Moscow. This bike tour was great not only did it... read more

Vado was a fabulous tour guide and he took us to unexpected and delightful places. His ability to... read more

A great way to start the week

I spent a week in Moscow with a friend and we wanted to get a good overview of the city on the first stay, which we got with the bike tour. The tour was worth every penny we paid for it. We started at midday right on time and the tour ended at about 7 pm with a lunch break. We got to see the main sights of the city and since we booked a private tour we could stop anywhere we wanted, to take pictures, to visit a couple of monasteries... Our guide, Nadia, was very nice, she knew many stories about many things we got to see, recommended more things we could do during our stay, restaurants we could go to, good Russian or Soviet movies we should watch... We had a great time. I would highly recommend this tour.

The tour was everyting and more than what we expected. Vado is a very frienly and knowledgeable person. He speaks fluent english with a lot of humor. We covered the whole city in 6 hours, had a lovely lunch at an old soviet diner. I would definately advice any person who visits Moscow to do the cycling tour on their first or second day. Thanks Vado for a great day well spend!

Moscow can be overwhelming with the number of must-see places, but five hours of cycling allows you to cover many spots, accompanied with Vado's colorful stories. In fact, he tweaked the tour to accommodate my interests (and also helped me buy souvenirs for great prices!). Highly recommended!

An excellent way to see the main sights of Moscow. The route is surprisingly nearly all off road, and therefore safe and is mainly flat so easy for most people to manage. The guide (Nadya) is really friendly and relaxed - happy to stop at any coffee/snack places you want along the way and very knowledgable. There is one steep part and you are out for about 6 hours so a certain level of fitness is required but a very fun way to see the city. You do not get to go into places so for more detailed visits you would have to go back, but after this initial tour it would help you decide easily what you want to go back to. I would never have thought Moscow was so easy to get around by bike!

We booked a parks&nature tour. Vado was our tourguide, although he showed up a bit late he texted he was late and compensated the time by extending the tour. Parks&nature tour shows you a beautiful part of Moscow. Vado knows a lot about all the places and statues we visited. He also made a lot of pictures which was nice! We had a great time during this tour and would recommend it to anyone who would visit Moscow!

We did a private tour with Vado that lasted well over 6 hours. It was just fantastic. We saw so much and went to places we would never have found on our own. Vado had worked out what we wanted and got it exactly right. While it was long it was not too hard as it's mostly flat, and mostly off the road, on cycle paths, footpaths, through parks, or on vehicle-free roads. We stopped for coffee, lunch, a glass of delicious Kvass and a snack at the market in the park. Vado took some really good photos which we received almost immediately after the tour. He was an excellent guide, full of information and fun to be with. We absolutely loved it all and highly recommend it as a great way to see a bit of the 'real' Moscow.

Moscow Bike TOur

• Page active

Description

Highlights:.

• Find adventure at every turn
• Take pride in covering Moscow in record time
• Enjoy the icons in style
• Explore off the beaten path routes of Moscow
• Expert commentary as you travel around the city
• Test your nerve, driving on crazy Russian roads
• Get an Endorphin Rush
• Savour delicacies from different regions of Russia in a traditional restaurant

Only in Moscow for a short time and want to get the most out of the city and have fun? Then a 3-hour bike tour in Moscow is what you need! You won’t hear much about Russian history or become an expert on Russian art, but you will experience all the rest of Russian culture! This tour gives you a unique perspective of a little bit of everything in 3 or 5 hours: must-see tourist sights, local hangouts, Russian food, a glimpse of the modern Moscow life, amazing photo opportunities, a bit of Russian history, and a lot of fun!

This is a great opportunity to cut the usual all day tour down to only 3 or 5 hours and get the most out of the city while having fun and being fit in the greatest locations around Moscow!

A bike trip is sure to capture your heart. It enables you to see the heart of Moscow within the Boulevard Ring and to explore some non-touristic areas of the city, to get an image of the city centre and to work out at the same time.

Our tours differ and depend on whether you are interested in city scenery or nature-like landscape. A variety of places in Moscow are great for riding a bike: these are large parks, yards with old mansions, and historical streets in the centre.

Let’s see what’s waiting for you!

Here are 4 suggested itineraries for a 3-hour tour:.

Moscow Bike Route #1

St. Basil's Cathedral, GUM, Kazan Cathedral, State Historical Museum and Lenin's Mausoleum

Revolution Square and Theatrical Square

Bolshoy Theatre, Metropol Hotel, Chinese Wall, State Duma of Moscow

Alexander Garden

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, fountains, the Grotto, Central Exhibition center, Kutafya tower, Kremlin wall and towers

Historic City Center

Tverskaya street with its beautiful historical architecture, China town (Kitai-gorod), an old historical area of Moscow

Beautiful  City bridge  leading to  Gorky Park  with scenic views of  Christ the Savior  cathedral and the Moscow River. Explore all the beauties riding a bike along the riverside pathways.

Sculpture Park

Peaceful  Crimean embankment  is one of the quietest area of Moscow city with painters' works at the  Vernisage , close proximity to new  Tretyakov Gallery  and good views of  Christ the Savior Cathedral ,  Peter the Great  monument and the Crimean bridge.

Delicious lunch at a café/restaurant

Arbat street + Stalin Skyscraper

The  Arbat  has existed since at least the 15th century and is proud of being the oldest surviving street of the Russian capital. Nowadays, it is now an entertainment and event mecca for Muscovites and tourists alike.

Victory park

Get thrilled with 142 metres  Obelisk  and  Victory Park museum , which is an open-air museum dedicated to the Russian victory of 1945, built in 1995 to celebrate 50 years of victory

Moscow Bike Route #2

Pyatnitskaya street - the Tretyakov Gallery - Luzhkov Bridge - the Cathedral of Christ the Savior - the Gogolevsky Boulevard - the Nikitsky Boulevard - the Tverskoy boulevard - Teatralnaya street - the Bolshoi Theatre – the Kitai - Gorod - Red Square and GUM store - the Bolshoi Moskvoretsky Bridge

This route is the best one if you want to see the heart of Moscow. It goes right through the major places of interest and touches upon the most exciting and vibrant areas of Moscow such as part of the Boulevard Ring, which is absolutely loved by everyone.

Cozy streets of Zamoskvorechye will never leave you indifferent. This district has a long and vivid history and is full of old baroque houses along with Stalinist buildings. It includes three theatres, three museums and sixteen churches.

Back in the 18 th century Zamoskvorechye was known as a quiet, country-like land of single-storey houses and conservative businessmen. It remained country-like and is much more filled with business than before, as this area is just right in the city centre.

You’ll learn:

• what was previously on the site of the Novokuznetskaya metro-station;
• names of four abandoned metro stations and how to find these stations;
• what is the oldest bridge among all the bridges in Moscow;
• how old was Pavel Tretyakov when he decided to collect paintings, that are now exhibited in the Tretyakov gallery;
• what does the real form of the Boulevard Ring in Moscow look like;
• what tricks did the Russian government used to save the houses and buildings from bombing during the World War II;
• what unofficial name the Bolshoi Moskvoretsky bridge has

Moscow Bike Route #3

View over the Kremlin - The Luzhkov Bridge –  The Strelka Institute –  The Muzeon Park –  The Gorky Park –  Neskuchny Garden –  Sparrow Hills –  The Luzhniki Stadium -  Novodevichy Convent – The Arbat Street – The Gogolevsky boulevard - The Cathedral of Christ the Savior –  The Bolotnaya Square

This route includes the most popular city-sights and goes along the Moskva-River. It starts with an observation point, from which you may enjoy the view over the Kremlin, and covers all the most beautiful green areas of Moscow. Historical sites are included into the route so you can feel the historical vibes of ancient Moscow.

• where is hidden an island Moscow;
• where in Moscow you can get printed music of the most sweet masterpieces like “Chocolate waltz” and “Cake-gallop” along with a box of chocolates of the 18 th century;
• why the Luzhkov bridge is also called “the bridge of kisses”;
• the place where the famous Olympic symbol – the Olympic Bear of the Olympics-1980 was flown from;
• the stage where Rolling Stones and Madonna performed when they came to Moscow;
• why the Krymsky bridge was Stalin’s favourite bridge and what musical instrument it represents;
• where living statues in Moscow could be found in 1740s;
• myths and legends about inhabitants of the main building of Moscow State University;
• story about why Sparrow Hills were called that way;
• how Napoleon was cheated when he was going to burn down the Novodevichy convent;
• what was supposed to be on the site where the Cathedral of Christ the Savior is now;
• why Moscow was nearly burnt down in the 15 th century and which role the Arbat street played in it.

Moscow Bike Route #4

Starting with wide area of the VDNKh, you are to learn interesting and fun facts about this spectacular part of Moscow.

• where is a hidden the secret bunker under Moscow (and no, it’s not a famous Bunker 42 everybody knows about;
• why the number of golden statues at the fountain is more than the number of Soviet republics, although it is said to correspond them;
• why one of the Stalin statues was called “matryoshka” (Russian doll);
• what was Picasso’s favourite statue at the exhibition in Paris in 1937.

You’ll see:

• the world’s first light-music fountain that was built in 1950-1954;
• pavilions that symbolize Soviet republics;
• the Botanic garden which is twice as big as the Principality of Monaco;
• the largest green-house in Europe (for the opening day in 1945);
• English garden at the Ostankino mansion;
• Ostankino Tower, one of the tallest structures in Europe;
• the most beautiful flowers in hidden places of the parks.

Biking through VDNKh, Botanic garden and the territory of the Ostankino park will definitely be appreciated by nature-lovers and all those who are keen on speed, who knows no limits and want to explore off the beaten path of Moscow.

We can customize your bike adventure to meet your individual interests.

Our bicycle tour in Moscow gives you a chance to have a s pectacular ride  with  wonderful photo opportunities  and an  unforgettable cultural experience!

What you get:

• + A friend in Moscow
• + Private & customized tour
• + An exciting tour, not just boring history lessons
• + An authentic experience of local life
• + Flexibility during the tour: changes can be made at any time to suit individual preferences
• + Amazing deals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the very best cafes & restaurants. Discounts on weekdays (Mon-Fri)
• + A photo session amongst spectacular Moscow scenery that can be treasured for a lifetime
• + Good value for souvenirs, taxis, and hotels
• + Expert advice on what to do, where to go, and how to make the most of your time in Moscow

*This tour can be modified to meet your preferences

Write your review