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Trek 520 Review: Is It a Good Bike or Waste of Money in 2024?

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Trek 520 is an affordable touring road bike with a rich history.

The question is:

Is it a good bike worth your consideration?

One of the highlights of the Trek 520 is that it comes with front and rear racks, allowing you to equip it with panniers and bags for increased cargo capacity. The stylish yet durable steel frame. The entire bike’s geometry is more relaxed so that you can sit in a more upright position.

Let’s scrutinize this bike in-depth to find out more.

Is Trek 520 a Good Bike?

Trek 520 retails for around $1,829 (the actual price may vary).

So, what do you get for this money?

• A stylish, old-school-looking bike based on a steel frame.
• Front and rear racks for panniers and bags to expand the storage capacity for your long bike adventures.
• Shimano Sora 3×9spd groupset, providing enough gears for all terrains.
• Disc brakes for effective stopping power in all conditions.
• An overall capacity of 275 lbs (125 kg).

It’s clear from the quick description above that the Trek 520 is not a standard road bike, but it’s designed as a touring/adventure bike.

Bikepackers and other adventure seekers love it for its large storage capacity, so they can pack everything they need.

The bike’s geometry allows you to sit upright, unlike on racing road bikes. This riding position is more beginner-friendly and suitable for people with limited mobility.

Trek 520 is available in 6 sizes suitable for riders from 5’2″ to 6’6″ (from 158 to 197 cm) tall.

Pros and Cons of Trek 520

Here I summarized the pros and cons of Trek 520.

Pros of Trek 520

• Front and rear racks included
• Timeless look of the steel frame
• 3×9spd drivetrain offering 27 gears
• Disc brakes
• Comfortable geometry, allowing upright riding position
• Available in a wide range of sizes
• Tubeless-ready rims
• High weight limit of up to 300 lbs (136 kg)
• Platform cage pedals included
• Lifetime warranty and wide distributors (support) network

Cons of Trek 520

• Limited color selection
• The higher weight of 31.4 lbs (14.24 kg)
• Relatively low weight limit of 275 lbs (125 kg)

Owner’s Experience with Trek 520

The following part summarizes the experience of the owner of Trek 520 Grando, who was kind enough to provide us with pictures and his insights.

“Trek 520 Grando – the ‘do it all’ bike. Go anywhere, everywhere, on any surface, and in any condition.

Steel frame, aluminum fork with Shimano Tiagra front derailleur and shifters & Shimano GRX rear derailleur.

I’m almost at 3000 miles as of August 7th. I bought the bike on December 29th, 2021.

I’ve added the Bontrager Adventure Boss frame bag, switched out the pedals to Shimano SPD, the handlebars to GR Elite with 13° flare, and the red tape. Also switched out the saddle to the Verse Comp.

The most important and noticeable change was the wheels, which I upgraded to Bontrager Aeolus Pro 3V with a 108 rapid drive hub.

The tires are Origin 8 Wildfire CX 700x38C tires for gravel/sand and Bontrager H2 for the road.

I take the bike through sandy trails, over gravel, mud, grass, and on the road too. The gearing goes all the way from crawling to max out at 34mph (55 km/h) on flat terrain.

The changes I’ve made are all personal things I wanted to upgrade or change for my comfort and performance. The bike stock was perfect, except for the pedals and saddle. It came with toe cages that are not good, and the saddle was not very comfortable (personal preference).

Otherwise, I love the bike so much! I’m averaging about 120-160 miles a week on it. Unfortunately, I am limited because of the 40°C temperatures we have this time of year.

I can definitely recommend this bike to someone looking for a versatile and comfortable bike! “

Main Features of Trek 520

Trek 520 has been in Trek’s lineup since 1983. Below, I focus on the 2023 model.

Durable Steel Frame

Trek 520 is based on a timeless steel frame with a relaxed geometry.

This is good news for bike packers because they can sit in a more upright riding position that is not as demanding in terms of flexibility and core strength.

Steel is also a bike material that is relatively easily fixable on the go (unlike carbon).

Its other benefits include high durability, affordability, and the iconic look of the rounded tubes.

29-Inch Wheels

The 29-inch wheels are a standard size on road bikes. Those on the 520 are tubeless ready so that you can use tubeless tires.

They are made of aluminum and use stainless steel spokes, providing great durability while keeping reasonable weight.

NOTE : The wheelset in the following picture is not stock. The owner replaced it with the Bontrager Aelous 3V carbon wheels.

The 520’s offers tire clearance for up to 2″ wide tires (without fenders). So, depending on the terrain you want to ride, you can replace the stock 38mm tires.

Trek 520 is equipped with Shimano Sora/Alivio (shifters, derailleurs, cranks, cassette), Bontrager, and other 3rd party components.

The Grando comes with a combination of Shimano Tiagra and GRX and has easier gears. It also has wider tires and doesn’t include the rear rack.

I am sure you will appreciate the mechanical disc brakes that are more effective in tougher conditions (like in the rain).

Some owners report the stock saddle is not comfortable, but everybody has different preferences. You can always replace it later.

One of the main highlights of Trek 520 are its aluminum racks with a capacity of up to 55 lbs (25 kg).

Remember, the Grando only comes with the front rack. The rear rack is not included.

NOTE : The rack is not shown in the pictures because the owner took it down and uses frame bags instead.

These racks will allow you to expand your bike’s storage capacity, so you will pack everything you need for your trip.

The current generation of Trek 520 comes with a 3×7spd drivetrain, offering 21 gears. The Trek 520 Grando comes with a 2×10spd drivetrain.

This range is wide enough for various terrains. Just make sure you avoid cross-chaining.

The disadvantage of the 3X drivetrains is their complexity, more complicated maintenance, and higher weight.

More expensive mountain bikes come with 2X or 1X drivetrains that are much simpler than 3X.

You don’t have to think about the cross-chaining as much. That’s why they are more popular.

Trek 520 Specifications

Below, I summarize the most important technical specifications. Remember, they differ based on the year:

• Frame material: Steel
• Trek 520: ±14.24 kg (31.4 lbs)
• Trek 520 (Grando): ±13.28 kg (29.27 lbs)
• Wheel size: 29-inch (tubeless-ready)
• Brakes: Mechanical disc brakes
• Trek 520: Shimano Sora/Alivio
• Trek 520 (Grando): Shimano Tiagra/GRX
• Trek 520: Front and rear included
• Trek 520 (Grando): Front only
• Trek 520: 3×9spd
• Trek 520 (Grando): 2×10spd

What Trek 520 Size Do You Need?

To choose the correct size of Trek 520 (Grando) for your height and inseam, refer to the following Trek 520 sizing charts.

Trek 520 (also available in the ‘Grando’ option) is a reliable touring road bike worth buying if you want to undertake long bike adventures.

It has racks that allow you to equip the bike with panniers and bags to extend your storage capacity.

Thanks to the durable steel frame, you will stand out in the flood of carbon road and gravel bikes.

It also offers a wide enough gear range (3×9spd) suitable for various gradients.

There are really not many downsides, except for the limited color selection and weight limit of 275 lbs (125 kg).

Trek 520 FAQ

Yes. Trek 520 is a worthy touring bike for people seeking bike-packing adventures. It has a durable steel frame with a relaxed geometry, comes with racks for extending storage capacity, and wide enough gear range so you can tackle any terrain. Read this entire article for more info.

The Trek 520 comes with narrower tires and front + rear racks. Grando has wider tires, only a front rack, and different gearing and components (Shimano Sora/Alivio vs. Tiagra/GRX). 520 Grando is also about 1 kg (2 lbs) lighter.

Trek 520 weighs ±14.24 kg (31.4 lbs). Trek 520 Grando weighs ±13.28 kg (29.27 lbs).

Trek 520 has been in Trek’s lineup since 1987. ( Source )

About The Author

Petr Minarik

5 thoughts on “trek 520 review: is it a good bike or waste of money in 2024”.

I loved this bike, but after about 1,500 miles the crank bearing were worn and the ultimate disappointment, the frame cracked. It was my ideal touring bike up tao that point. Trek cannot even replace the frame, but offered an aluminum gravel bike frame which does not meet my needs. I’ll keep looking for a frame.

Hi Kurt, I am sorry to hear that. I am also surprised that Trek didn’t offer the same frame as a compensation. What frame did they offer? And why it doesn’t meet your needs? – Petr

Luckily got Trek 520 from Dbyke store, Pune, India. Weight factor is a concern as it weighs pretty 14 Kgs. Should weight could be compromised by Al alloy speed could also have picked up as its not designed for speed. Should have come with fenders and a dynamo. I didn’t find the stock pedals effective and got it replaced. Overall tough bike and didn’t face any issue from 9 months. No bike is complete but have to accept the reality.

I have owned 520 since 2020. In that time I have driven 8000 km (end 2023). I happened to weigh over 135 kg. The Shimano hardware and paint is poor, a gentle bump is a chip. I have HeadSet bearings to replace. The 520 has not let me down in Switzerland, Italy, Germany, France, Holland, Belgium, Austria, Hungary, Poland … Is it worth buying? I can’t think of anything better in Europe at this price. The Koga is two, three times more expensive.

Have a good trip

Hi Dominik, Thanks for sharing your experience! I wish you a lot of kilometers ridden. 🙂 – Petr

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Road Test: Trek 520

If the Trek 520 were a person instead of a bicycle, it would be old enough to run for president.

Not to serve, mind you — not this term anyway. The Trek 520 is “only” 34 years old, a year short of the constitutional requirement for ascension to the presidency. Anyway, that position has been filled.

Hiring policies in the nation’s capital notwithstanding, the 520 remains the elder statesman of the Trek line, according to Eric Maves, curator of the Trek Historical Collection.

“Thirty-four consecutive years in the product line; no other Trek model comes close to that track record,” he said.

As you might expect, this venerable touring bike has seen a few changes since 1983, when Ronald Reagan was in the White House and I was in the newspaper business. The lugged Reynolds 501 tubeset has given way to welded 4130; chainstays and wheelbase have stretched a couple of centimeters; and the brakes have evolved from sidepulls through cantilevers to mechanical discs.

But, at rock bottom, the 520 remains stable, sturdy, and steel, available in six sizes from small to tall, and anyone who liked it in ’83 is liable to like it today.

Heck, if you were a fan 10 years ago, you’ll probably be one now because the 520 isn’t much different. Why mess with success?

You’ll find quite a few Shimano components on the 520 — 36-hole M475 hubs with quick-release skewers, Deore M590 triple crankset, Alivio and Deore derailers, Dura-Ace bar-end shifters, and a nine-cog HG50 cassette.

And, because this is a Trek, you’ll see a lot of Bontrager bits too, as in just about everything else. Stem, handlebar, tape, seatpost, saddle, rims, tires, rear rack — even the sealant in the inner tubes bears the B.

There are a few exceptions. The brakes are Hayes CX Expert mechanical discs, with levers from Tektro, just as on the comparably priced Kona Sutra, which I reviewed in May 2014. The chain is a KMC X9. And the pedals are Wellgos, with toe clips and straps. 

Gearing is what you’d expect from a touring bike with more than three decades on the road — a 48/36/26T triple up front and an 11–32T cassette in back. The Deore trekking crank even includes a chainguard to keep lube off your chinos, if you occasionally do your cycling in street clothes.

And the color is basic black, which is always in style.

A Little History

My first Trek was considerably less subtle. That 1985 560 was an eye-popping purple and yellow, like a bruise with wheels, which seemed oddly appropriate as my years spent working a series of copy desks had left me looking a bit puffy.

I rode the wheels off it, shedding weight and a nicotine habit, and I know 520 owners who have recouped similar value from their Treks. A friend’s wife still loves her ’09 model, which has been converted to a flat-bar bike, and a neighbor only recently sold his 520 after first transforming it into a singlespeed.

But when it comes to finding out what the bike is truly capable of, I tip my hat to the late great David Lamb. In 1994, the veteran Los Angeles Times correspondent rode his 520 more than 3,000 miles from the Potomac to the Pacific, eventually spinning the three-month journey into a book, Over the Hills: A Midlife Escape Across America by Bicycle.

In an excerpt reprinted in Adventure Cyclist, he wrote, “My American-made bike — a Trek 520 — proved as roadworthy as the most expensive Mercedes-Benz, and it strikes me as remarkable that such a simple contraption was capable of carrying me so far without extracting a single penny for fuel, oil, or mechanical repairs.”

Twenty-three years later, the descendant of Lamb’s bike seems equally well suited to adventures large and small.

Size and Carrying Capacity

With sizes ranging from 48cm to 63cm, fit shouldn’t be an issue for most customers. A 57cm fit me like an old slipper, with an assist from the short-reach, shallow-drop Bontrager VR-C bar. The Blendr-compatible stem lets you mount lights, computers, and accessories above or below the faceplate. And because pedals and a rear rack are included in the $1,360 price tag, you’ll be ready to roll as soon as the credit card clears.

That rack, a Bontrager BackRack Deluxe L, is rated for a maximum of 55 lbs. The company doesn’t offer a front rack for the 520, but I had a Tubus Ergo low-rider on hand; it needed a few spacers to clear the fork’s stout lower legs and disc-brake caliper.

Performance

Once on the road, the 520’s performance was just what you’d expect from a bike that was all about adventure before the concept became a category. The ride was relaxed but responsive — just the ticket for those impromptu coast-to-coast getaways — and the Bontrager AW1 Hard-Cases felt surprisingly plush for an all-weather, puncture-resistant 32mm tire. You can go bigger if you want, but I found the Hard-Cases well suited to my rides around Albuquerque.

Snapping through the gears was a breeze with the Dura-Ace bar-cons and Alivio/Deore derailers all meshing nicely. I do have an aesthetic problem with that Alivio front derailer — it looks boxy, cheap, and clunky, especially sitting next to that triple crank with its equally obtrusive chainguard — but the solution is to avoid looking down while riding. Trust me. After a while, I forgot that my ’85 560 looked like the upshot of a hard left to the ribs and just rode the bike.

Trust me. After a while, I forgot that my ’85 560 looked like the upshot of a hard left to the ribs and just rode the bike.

The Alivio derailer may not be sexy, “but it is functional, reliable, and easy to find an economical replacement for, should the need ever arise,” said David Studner, Trek’s assistant product manager for city bikes. “The low-clamp/top-swing format is also more durable by virtue of its tucked-away design.”

This was good to know because I found myself using that front derailer more than usual. I’m sloppy about shifting, generally slouching around in the middle ring until some emergency arises, but with the Trek I found I wanted to be in the little ring if using the 28T or 32T cog to keep a clean chainline and avoid the occasional auto-downshift from the middle ring.

Road Test: Co-op Cycles ADV 1.1

I don’t see the Hayes mechanicals as often as I do the Avids, but they impressed me on the Kona Sutra and I like them here too. This is another good thing because the rim-brake 520 has been discontinued effective this year. Thus, the disc-brake model is the only one you’ll see at your local dealer. When I picked up my review bike at the Albuquerque Trek Superstore, manager Mike Humphries had just one lonely V-brake 520 on the floor, which seemed to be where it would stay.

Oh, you can still have one if you must. Studner said both the disc- and rim-brake 520 framesets are stocked as service parts for $660, so if you break yours, or just want one to build to your own specifications, see your friendly neighborhood Trek dealer.

Or you could save yourself the time, hassle, and expense, and go with the instant gratification of the modern 520 to get started on your own midlife escape from the Potomac. The Pacific awaits.  

Patrick O’Grady has written and cartooned about cycling since 1989 for VeloNews, Bicycle Retailer & Industry News, and a variety of other publications. Read more from and about Patrick O’Grady   here .

• Price: $1,360
• Sizes available: 48cm, 51cm, 54cm, 57cm, 60cm, 63cm
• Size tested: 57cm
• Weight: 29.4 lbs with rear rack, stock pedals with toe clips and straps, and reflectors front and rear

Test Bike Measurements

• Stack: 587mm
• Reach: 383mm
• Head tube length: 160mm
• Head tube angle: 71.8°
• Seat tube: 543mm (center to top of seatpost clamp)
• Seat tube angle: 73.5°Top tube:557mm (effective)
• Chainstays: 450mm
• Bottom bracket drop: 70mm
• Fork offset: 52mm
• Fork trail: 59mm
• Wheelbase: 1052mm
• Standover: 794mm

Specification

• Frame: 4130 butted chromoly. Rack and fender mounts, disc mounts, pump peg, chain hanger, three sets of bottle bosses, down tube cable routing, down tube bosses for shifters/barrel adjusters
• Fork: Chromoly with rack and low-rider mounts, and fender and disc mounts
• Headset: VP Slimstak, sealed semi-cartridge bearings
• Rims: Bontrager tubeless ready
• Hubs: Shimano M475, 36-hole, QR
• Tires: Bontrager AW1 Hard-Case, 700c x 32mm
• Crankset: Shimano Trekking M590 with chainguard, 175mm, 48/36/26T
• Bottom bracket: Shimano sealed cartridge, threaded
• Cassette: Shimano HG, 11–32T, 9-speed
• Brake levers: Tektro RL340 aero
• Shift levers: Shimano Dura-Ace bar-cons
• Front derailer: Shimano Alivio
• Rear derailer: Shimano Deore
• Brakes: Hayes CX Expert mechanical disc, 160mm rotors
• Stem: Bontrager Elite, 100mm, 31.8mm four-bolt clamp, 7° +/-, Blendr compatible
• Handlebar: Bontrager Race VR-C, 440mm, 85mm reach, 125mm drop, 31.8mm clamp diameter
• Seatpost: Bontrager SSR, two-bolt head, 27.2mm, 12mm setback
• Saddle: Bontrager Evoke 1
• Rear rack: Bontrager Back Rack Deluxe L, 55 lbs
• Pedals: Wellgo R125 with toe clips and straps

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Size / 48cm, 51cm, 54cm, 57cm, 60cm, 63cm

At a glance

Where to buy.

Specifications

• Frame Trek butted chromoly disc touring, rack & fender mounts, 135x5mm QR
• Fork 520 alloy disc touring, rack mounts, 100x5mm ThruSkew
• Hubs Shimano M475, 6-bolt disc, 135x5mm QR
• Wheels Bontrager Affinity Disc, Tubeless Ready, 36-hole, 21mm width, presta valve
• Spokes 14g stainless steel
• Tires Bontrager H1 Hard-case Ultimate, 700x38c w/reflective sidewall
• Chain KMC X9
• Crank Size: 48, 51, Shimano Alivio T4060, 48/36/26, 2-piece w/chain guard, 170mm length; Size: 54, 57, 60, 63, Shimano Alivio T4060, 48/36/26, 2-piece w/chain guard, 175mm length
• Front Derailleur Shimano Sora R3030, 34.9mm (w/28.6 adapter) clamp
• Rear Derailleur Shimano Alivio M4000, long cage, 36T max cog
• Shifters Size: 48, 51, 54, 57, 60, 63, Shimano Sora R3000, 9 speed; Size: 48, 51, 54, 57, 60, 63, Shimano Sora R3030, 3 speed
• Brakeset TRP Spyre C 2.0 mechanical disc, 160mm rotor
• Handlebar Size: 48, Bontrager Comp VR-C, alloy, 31.8mm, 100mm reach, 124mm drop, 40cm width; Size: 51, 54, Bontrager Comp VR-C, alloy, 31.8mm, 100mm reach, 124mm drop, 42cm width; Size: 57, 60, 63, Bontrager Comp VR-C, alloy, 31.8mm, 100mm reach, 124mm drop, 44cm width
• Saddle Bontrager Evoke
• Seatpost Size: 48, Bontrager alloy, 27.2mm, 12mm offset, 250mm length; Size: 51, 54, 57, 60, 63, Bontrager alloy, 27.2mm, 12mm offset, 330mm length
• Stem Size: 48, Bontrager Elite, 31.8mm, Blendr compatible, 7 degree, 80mm length; Size: 51, Bontrager Elite, 31.8mm, Blendr compatible, 7 degree, 90mm length; Size: 54, 57, Bontrager Elite, 31.8mm clamp, Blendr compatible, 7 degree, 100mm length; Size: 60, 63, Bontrager Elite, 31.8mm clamp, Blendr compatible, 7 degree, 110mm length
• Headset 1-1/8'' threadless, sealed cartridge bearings

Q: How much is a 2021 Trek 520?

A 2021 Trek 520 is typically priced around $1,749 USD when new. Be sure to shop around for the best price, and also look to the used market for a great deal.

Q: Where to buy a 2021 Trek 520?

The 2021 Trek 520 may be purchased directly from Trek .

Q: What size 2021 Trek 520 should I get?

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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.

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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.

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Trek updates legendary 520 touring bike with new frame, fork, & more

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If your idea of a touring bike involves less gravel and more panniers, take a look at the new Trek 520. Continuing the 520’s streak as the longest running model in Trek’s history, the 520 has been around in the line up since 1983. And while it still retains the original’s touring focus, the new bike has a few key upgrades to make it better than ever.

In order to make it more comfortable and better handling, the frame and fork include a number of improvements. While the frame is still custom butted chromoly steel, the frame now has a larger diameter down tube for increased stiffness when fully loaded. The fork on the other hand has changed from steel to aluminum and includes Trek’s new ThruSkew captured quick release system. Trek describes it as a combination between a thru axle and quick release with the ability to remove the front wheel without having to remove the front cargo. It’s also 318g lighter than the previous steel fork.

The geometry has changed as well with a taller head tube that allows for a more upright position, a lower bottom bracket for better stability, and a longer wheelbase.

Built around 700c x 38mm tires, the frame and fork do have the capability of running up to 29 x 2.0″ tires if you want to get into more aggressive terrain. If not, there’s always the ability to run full coverage fenders around the stock tires.

Since this is a touring bike, the 520 comes equipped with full front and rear heavy duty racks capable of carrying 33lbs up front and 50lbs in the rear. Along with the three water bottle cage mounts, you should have plenty of gear carrying abilities. Between the gear and the rider, the bike carries a 300lb weight limit. The complete bike is said to weigh about 13.3kg.

The 520 also makes the jump from bar end to STI shifting with a Shimano Sora 3×9 wide range drivetrain. In order to handle the loads, the wheels are 36 spoke and tubeless ready – though to run tubeless, you’ll need to supply the rim strips, valves, sealant, and tubeless tires.

Available in red or grey, the complete bikes will be offered for $1,574.99 while a frameset will also be available for $639.99. Check out Trek’s website for more including the geometry numbers.

Zach Overholt is the Editor in Chief of Bikerumor . He has been writing about what’s new in the bicycle world for 12+ years. Prior to that, Zach spent many years in the back of a bicycle shop building and repairing nearly every type of bike, while figuring out how to (occasionally) ride them.

Based in Ohio, Zach is now slowly introducing a new generation to cycling and still trying to figure out how to fit the most rides into a busy schedule as a new dad.

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650b? The bb drop seems okay for it.

This is Trek’s official response to 650b from their FAQ section, “While this bike was designed for a 700c wheel, if a 650b wheel is desired, we recommend a 27.5×2.0 or 2.2” to provide enough ground clearance.”

The aluminum fork sounds awful. Why the departure from a steel fork ?

“It’s also 318g lighter than the previous steel fork.”

Then why not carbon?

@Seraph: A carbon fork would *not* be a good choice for a loaded touring bike with front panniers.

I’m sure carbon could be engineered to work just fine, but once you add the in-mold mounts and all the strength necessary for touring use, I wonder if it would wind up being that much lighter? It’d certainly be a lot more expensive.

This doesn’t exactly seem like the kinda bike you’re counting grams on.

That’s a lot of versatile, capable bike for not a lot of money. Nice.

Agree. At least put it on the frameset if cost is a driver and charge more.

300lb (136kg) max load: does that include the bike? If so, this is a deal breaker for a (expedition) touring bike. If the racks are aluminium, you probably want to replace them with steel ones. For the rest it ticks many boxes.

Weight limit does not include the bike weight.

It is about the rider and cargo for this bike.

No, all trek weight limits include the bike as well as rider and cargo. I’m not sure why its really its really rated the way it is though. Brakes? Trek’s lightest emonda slr carries the same weight limit, as do most of their bikes.

And I’m not sure the 520 was ever a “expedition class” tourer.

My late ‘80s Trek 520 had ~30000 miles on it when I finally retired it. Loaded touring, all around commuter, rain or shine. It was every bit an “expedition class” tourer for its time.

I just view “expedition class” as something built specifically for extremely long, self supported tours in areas of the world with poor or no roads…i.e. 26″ mtb wheels, possibly knobbies. 520 always just seems like a great “normal” long distance road tourer/everything bike.

Again, from the Trek FAQ, “Recommended rider/gear weight limit of 300 lbs.” That makes me think that it does not include the bike, but you should probably double check with Trek to be sure.

Totally agree with you, the only fork I ever cracked was alloy. Due to flex alloy forks go through under braking and vibration the alloy tends to work harden then crack. Steel doesn’t fatigue the same. Carbon forks don’t really fatigue at all. And I know some people will have a different take on this but that my experience – not theory.

All of that comes down to engineering and use case. I’ve only ever seen carbon forks break, though I ride them on all of my road bikes, because I trust where they came from.

38c tires on deep dish rims while loaded down does not sound like too much fun to me. Every other bike segment has proven the benefits of wider rubber. Specialized also nailed it with the big rubber and wide rims on Sequoia.

Looks OK otherwise.

38’s are nice for road touring. It’s got plenty of clearance for more, so an easy change.

I just bought one in diablo red and put veto orange Zeppelin fenders on, gorgeous. I have it parked next to my K1600 GT & R1200GSA. I am now ready for retirement.

Are there any information about the “ThruSkew”-System? Looks to me like a “normal” Through-Axle with inlets for a standard 9mm QR-Axle:

…eh… I mean: “Looks to me like a “normal” Through-Axle-Dropout”…. sry.

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Cycle Travel Overload

Bikepacking & Adventure Cycling

Trek 520 vs Trek 920

The Trek touring bike battle! So which bike is better? We are going to compare each of these well established touring bikes side by side and see what the difference is between them. When it comes to price the Trek 520 is $420 cheaper at $1679 when the Trek 920 is $2,099. But what really is the difference and which one is best for you and your riding goals?

To start off the Trek 520 comes in two new models for 2021. Either the 520 disc (which comes with a 3 x 9 Alivio, Sora groupset) or the 520 Grando (which is 900 grams lighter then the 520 Disc and comes with a 2 x 10 GRX 400, Tiagra groupset) we will go into detail about gear range, ratio and inches later to see what really is the difference for climbing. But that is the main difference between these two. Then Trek 520 Disc is their longest running bike in the lineup and has been a work horse for years when it comes bike touring, the more traditional touring bike if you like. With stable touring geometry that make it the perfect choice for loaded multi-day trips.

We will get into the detailed differences soon but essentially, the Trek 920 is consider a “go-anywhere adventure touring bike”. One would say more suited for bikepacking adventures than traditional road touring. Where this bike has 29er mountain bike wheels for balance and capability on any surface. Allowing you to explore those tracks less travelled.

Trek 520 Disc

The Trek 520 Disc comes weighs in at 31.4 lbs / 14.2 kg which is rather average for a touring bike made from steel but this bike has a Aluminium fork. It does come out of the box with front and rear racks which has to be a huge plus. Not all touring bikes are sold with rack systems.

However the differences we start to see between this bike and the Trek 920 is that. the 520 has Mechanical Disc while the 920 runs Hydraulic Disc. That leads me onto the gearing. Again the Trek 520 comes with the 3 x 9 Alivio, Sora groupset. With the Shimano Alivio T4060, 48/36/26 crank with 175mm length. And a Shimano HG200, 11-36 rear cassette. Rolling on some Bontrager H1 Hard-case Ultimate, 700x38c tires. So what does this mean for the bikes gear range?

Using these details above, the Trek 520 has a huge range from a 19.79″ climbing gear all the way up to 119.81″ for the highest gear . So for example if you are riding downhill on the smallest cog and largest rear ring at 90 RPM you could reach a speed of 51.6 kph or 32.1 mph. But the best part about the gearing is the climbing gear. You want something this low for a bike that is going to be loaded with gear. Allowing you to climb effortlessly. If you plan to ride fully loaded with 20kg or more gear on the bike anything under 20″ for the granny gear is ideal. This bike can do that!

Consider the Trek 520 Disc as a bike ideal for fully loaded road touring. Priced at $1679.99 If you want something that is a bit lighter and you only plan to carry a lightweight touring gear setup then the Trek 520 Grando, might be your cup of tea!

Trek 520 Grando

The Grando fits somewhere in the middle between the like of the 520 (traditional touring bike) and the 920 (off adventure bike). It is considered a “steel adventure bike made for off-road excursions”. Trek coined the terms “gravel randonneuring” to describe this bike. Bringing back the spirit of the classic rando bikes . This rig is ideal for bikepacking and gravel riding.

The only real difference between the Grando and the 520 Disc is the obvious aesthetics, groupset and saddle. Plus you only get the front rack with the Grando but it is more suited to lightweight adventure cycling. So that leaves room to fit a saddle bag and other bikepacking bags.

The Grando is lighter at 29.3 lbs / 13.3 kg you get the same Steel frame and alloy build. But just different colours and frame aesthetics. The gearing though? Isn’t the 2×10 GRX 400, Tiagra groupset more limiting? Let’s take a look! So you get the ProWheel forged alloy, 42/28 crank which is a 175 cm length. And the Shimano HG50, 11-36 cassette. With slightly wider tires more suited fro gravel grinding. The Bontrager GR1 Expert 700x40c tires. Which gives you a 21.56″ climbing gear and 105.58″ highest gear . So this means when riding downhill at 90 RPM you should hit around 45.5 kph or 28.3 mph.

Yes it is slightly more limited then the 520 Disc but you are not carrying as much gear. If you are running say front panniers and up to 10 kg of gear anywhere around 25″ on the granny is ideal which is what I would recommend for this bike. The Trek 520 Grando is priced the same at $1,679.99

However if you plan off road touring you want something around 18″ climbing gear which this bike doesn’t. Which leads me to the Trek 920!

The Trek 920 is an adventure touring bike that is capable at taking you just about anywhere. A lighter bike out of them all coming in at 28.4 lbs / 12.9 kg, thanks to the all aluminium frame and fork build. With Hydraulic Disc and 29″ wheels and with the Bontrager XR1, 29 x 2.00′ tires. It is the most preferred bike of choice if all you want to go is off-road!

The 920 comes with the Bontrager Duster Elite, Tubeless Ready, 100x15mm thru axle rims compared to the Trek 520’s Bontrager Affinity Disc, Tubeless Ready, 36-hole, 21mm width rims.

The main difference again comes in the groupset with the 2 x 10 GX, X5 option on the 920. Which is considered a high-end component level compared to the 520’s mid-range component level. The Trek 920 has a ProWheel forged alloy, 42/28 crank with 170 mm (5mm shorter then the 520 crank arms) and a SRAM PG-1030, 11-36 cassette. Resulting in a 22.22″ climbing gear which actually in theory is not any better than either the 520 Grando or 520 Disc when it comes to climbing. And a 108.82″ largest gear . Yes the Trek 920 has better quality components but their range is not better. If you are wanting to save money, I really think the 520 Grando is a capable bike. When it comes to riding at 90 RPM downhill on the largest gears you can expect around 46.9 kph or 29.1 mph. Priced at $2,099

Tire Clearance

But wait we have not discussed tire clearances. If a bike has room for wider tires this can allow your ride to feel more supple and gain you access to rougher roads with ease. And we have not discussed geometries yet. From my research the Trek 520 has clearance for up to 29 x 2.0’’ tires of 700c x 50 mm . While the Trek 920 can fit up too, 2.3″ without fenders or 2″ with fenders.

Geometry – Trek 520 Vs Trek 920

Want to learn more about understanding bike geometry? Read this article which goes through all the jargon and what it means for a comfortable ride!

Geometry can play a big part in the difference of how I bike rides and feels. It is definitely something to consider when buying a bike. On first impressions the Trek 920 seems to have more of a MTB geometry and the 520 has a dailed in touring geometry all the way back to 1983. But after looking at the specs the 920 has features of a touring bike geometry with upright positioning and long wheelbase and chainstays.

So I have compared all geometry measurements for both bikes to see where they differ. Please note that both the 520 Disc and the 520 Grando have identical measurements. But all the measurements below are in mm and are for both 54 cm sized bikes.

Looking at the numbers above you can see Trek have been able to match some of the 920’s measurements with their classic touring geometry of the 520. With the same 1.49 stack/reach ratio. Making it a rather upright riding position. Not as upright as something like the Surly Disc Trucker which has 1.57. With the same seat tube and head tube angles. Then we start to see some slight differences in the numbers. What does it mean? I will try and break it down for you.

The trails are fairly similar with a 3 mm difference. The 520 is on the edge of feeling predictable and stable with a 65mm trail which is what you want in a touring bike. The 920 has 68mm which makes it more stable but it is still not sluggish.

The chainstay has a 15mm difference. The 520 being shorter with 450 mm which makes it feel more chill in the rear. While the 920 has 465 mm which is on the long end, making the rear feel more stable. This results in a longer wheelbase on the 920 by 31 mm and a wider front centre by 20 mm. Meaning more weight distribution if you plan to load up the 920 and help you stay upright on some rougher road conditions. Also that 20mm extra room allows more room from toe striking the front wheel. Also the bottom bracket drop is lower on the 920 by 15 mm which lowers the centre of gravity to help even further for staying upright on the rough stuff.

Overall they are all great bikes and I highly recommend them for touring and adventure biking. But it really comes down to what you will be using your ideal bike for? Are you planning to road tour on tarmac and have front and back pannier setup (traditional touring)? Then the Trek 520 Disc is a good choice. If you want a taste of traditional touring but want to dip your toes in off-road adventure cycling, then the Grando might be your choice. But if you want to go full out bikepacking off-road and nothing else then the Trek 920 is the best option.

Honestly for the type of riding I like to do. Off-road adventures with some road riding. The Trek 520 Grando is my favourite. With the decent climbing gear and off-road capabilities. However it is not the lightest. If weight is most important then the Trek 920 is going to be your best best. But if you are looking for value for money and want to save $420 I recommend the Trek 520 Grando!

About The Author

Codey Orgill, a seasoned bicycle adventurer, has been exploring the world on two wheels for over 10 years. Since embarking on his initial cycling journey, Codey Orgill has traversed numerous countries, experiencing a series of epic adventures.

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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!!

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What Makes The Trek 520 Such A Powerful Gravel Road Bike

Table of Contents

• Price: $1829
• Frame: Steel
• Wheels: 700c
• Drivetrain: 3 × 9
• Groupset: Alivio, Sora
• Brakes: Mechanical Disc

What we like about it: Trek’s 520 is a high-performance, comfortable, versatile bike that balances performance, comfort, and versatility effectively. My Trek 520 accompanied me on numerous statewide touring expeditions and came home fully loaded.

What we do not like about it: Disc brakes would be a much better choice for the Trek 520 in wet weather and on long, steep descents.

Trek is continuing the legendary style with the release of the Trek 520. According to Trek, the Trek 520 is a long-distance touring bike.

The company has centered its research and development around that selling point and has continued to develop it for the masses.

Overall comfort, Trek 520 is not easy to cause fatigue, especially in the shoulders and neck, lumbar spine, prostate, and other key areas.

As a Trek 520, you’ll receive substantial, durable, easy-to-maintain, universally compatible parts that will serve your needs without too much servicing, and without having to spend a lot of money on tuned the bike or replacement parts.

When it breaks, it can be repaired easily or replaced easily (especially in remote locations).

Under high load conditions, the Trek 520 handles smoothly. All-road adaptability is primarily reflected in the frame’s high strength, the wide selection of gear ratios, strong traction, easy glide tires, and certain vibration dampening properties.

I’m sure you’re eager to learn more about the Trek 520 after reading all these compliments, so let’s follow our testers and find out more.

Learn more: How A Bike With Ambitions Did It – Trek 720 Review

Main features

Frame (4.5/5).

A lot of people aren’t aware of why the Trek 520’s frame is made of Chromoly steel. The reason for this is that a true fully loaded touring bike is very different from a normal bike (no-load capacity).

Your Trek 520 bike frame is more likely to deform if you put too much weight on it. This leads to some unsettling factors such as more wobbly and unstable riding. And sometimes it can be dangerous.

Therefore, a Trek 520 touring bike frame needs to be stronger and sturdier than normal to cope with the pressure when carrying a load.

It’s because of this reason that the Trek 520 uses super hard Chromoly steel as the frame material.

So, the core of the Trek 520 is the Trek butted Chromoly disc touring, and our testers suggested that the other parts could be replaced, but not the frame.

You might get the impression that the Trek 520 looks a bit rough under no weight, but once it’s underweight, the Trek 520 looks very well-coordinated, especially on climbs. This is where the strong frame comes into play.

Geometry (4.4/5)

Frame geometry is a very complex subject. As someone who has reviewed so many bikes, I’m sure you understand that there is a huge difference between “Comfort” and “Aggressive” frames.

The former frame geometry is designed for a comfortable, relaxed ride, i.e. designed for touring.

“Aggressive” geometry has been designed for racing, and it offers greater acceleration and agility, but not much comfort.

Trek has spent many years refining the 520 geometry for heavy duty and long distance touring needs.

In the Trek 520’s frame geometry, the head tube has been made taller for a more upright riding position.

The lowered height of the bottom bracket and longer wheelbase provide better stability.

Thus, the design logic of the Trek 520 can also be seen in its geometry changes.

Components and Specifications

Drivetrain (4.7/5).

The Trek 520 pointer uses Shimano Sora R3000, 9 speed, and R3030, 3 speed.

Shimano Sora is targeted at entry-level riders & high-level sports fitness and is the highest level of Shimano road kit.

The Shimano Sora R3000 and R3030 have STI dual control, meaning they can be used for 9 and 3-speed shifting and braking.

They also come with internal cable routing, making the Trek 520 driver’s seat neat and tidy.

With Shimano’s Optislick cable, the cable runs through the seat tube and connects to the handlebar-mounted lever, ensuring superior performance in dusty and muddy conditions.

The improved Super SLR technology ensures an optimal transition from joystick travel to braking power. SLR refers to Shimano’s linear response.

In Shimano Sora R3000 and R3030, this braking system is designed for maximum friction reduction in the brake caliper, brake lever, and inner cable. This improves the brake’s responsiveness and dosage.

Front and rear derailleurs

In our tester’s tests, the Trek 520 was found to be equipped with a Shimano Alivio M4000 rear derailleur and a Shimano Sora R3030 front derailleur.

In Shimano’s Sora R3030 front derailleur, wide pivot links increase rigidity while decreasing flex, improving shift response, and ensuring relatively precise shifting.

Aluminum links and straps reduce weight and increase rigidity.

Shimano Sora R3030 wraps around the Trek 520 seat tube. The item comes with two extra shims for seat tubes with smaller diameters, as well as a clamp on down pull.

The Shimano Alivio M4000 rear derailleur provides crisp on- and off-road performance for a 9-speed drivetrain.

The concealed rear derailleur design with a smooth skid plate surface has an ultra-low profile design that reduces the risk of encountering a mountain side endangering the Shimano Alivio M4000 with damage.

A wide link design increases rigidity and longevity.

The alloy body and external links result in lower weight without sacrificing strength and durability.

Shimano Alivio M4000 has 11-tooth pulleys to reduce pulley wear and chain noise.

Our recommendation is that if you intend to buy a real mountain bike that will allow you to start enjoying trails, the kit should at least include the Alivio.

Specifically, the Alivio is the first level of Shimano mountain bike kits to include a two-piece crank system (two-piece crankset) with a separate center shaft for increased crank strength.

The Trek 520 crankset uses Shimano Alivio T4060 at an affordable price.

Shimano Alivio T4060 crank rigidity, durability, and lubrication, the testers feel good after testing.

HYPERGLIDE sprockets are designed with specially positioned shift ramps and tooth profiles for better chain control during shifting.

In this way, indexed shifting becomes fast and responsive.

Shimano Alivio T4060 is a two-piece crank system. With an integrated crank arm and bottom bracket, rigidity is increased while weight is reduced.

A wider bearing position enhances rigidity and efficiently transmits pedaling force.

Its cassette range is 11-36T, and the gear cassettes are positioned precisely relative to each other so that the chain moves smoothly.

Trek 520 has a Shimano HG200 9-speed cassette, a gear ratio combination that provides smooth and comfortable pedaling.

Our testers found the Shimano HG200 flywheel’s clever angled chamfer and fast, smooth shifting to be the biggest advantages of the Trek 520. Even under high pedaling loads, smoother shifts are possible, both up and down.

Riders can put all their power into pedaling and achieve faster shifting for smoother and better speed translation.

Fork (4.5/5)

The corrosion resistance of aluminum alloy makes its own longevity and durable strength more convincing compared to other forks, more robust, durable, and smooth, making the whole ride full of excitement.

Trek 520 fork is using Alloy disc touring.

In order to improve comfort and reliability, Trek has improved and upgraded the frame + fork.

The main body of the frame is as described above, but the fork material has been changed from steel to aluminum, and the weight has been reduced as a result.

The frame is also equipped with Trek’s newly developed ThruSkew quick release technology.

Trek claims this technology is the result of the combination of a barrel axle and quick release, which allows riders to take off the front wheel without removing the front rack.

Another point that our testers happened to mention, I feel the need to say. You can make a reference.

Congratulations, if you bought a Trek 520 fork that hasn’t been cut yet. You can fit the handlebars to your needs instead of adapting to them.

You can find the height you feel most comfortable with (and cut it to your own requirements if necessary).

However, if the Trek 520 has been cut by the dealer before you get it, then it may not reach the height you want to adjust (in this case, the dealer cut the steering tube too short).

Although this is not very important, it should at least be a factor to consider.

Headset (4.4/5)

The headset is a bearing assembly located at the head tube that connects the handlebars to the top tube of the fork and is used to steer and control balance.

Threadless designs are now more common, and the Trek 520 uses a 1-1/8” threadless design with sealed bearings.

This threadless design is simpler and arguably superior. It is faster and easier to repair and can be done with standard tools.

Wheels (4.3/5)

The Trek 520 rims feature the Bontrager Affinity Disc, which can be paired with vacuum tires.

The Trek 520 can ride heavily loaded thanks to the Bontrager Affinity Disc’s highly robust 36-hole rim and 14g premium carbon steel spokes.

Notably, the rim is 21mm wide and features a presta valve.

The Presta valve is currently used mainly on the more mid-to-high-end models.

Manual locking valve, high-pressure resistance, smoother air leakage linearity, a thin base of the valve, light weight, air closure is also very good, the diameter of the valve is small, so the rim’s valve hole opening can be smaller, the natural impact on the strength of the rim is less.

In the eyes of our testers, the rim is important, and the Trek 520 is better off with a double-layer rim.

The Trek 520 front and rear hubs are Shimano M475.

The hubs are the core of the wheelset, and when you decide to build a wheelset, basically everyone starts with the hubs to choose.

Shimano’s hubs are well made, reliable, and smoothly rotating, and the Shimano M475 is strong and refuses to break an axle. 100mm in length for the Trek 520 front hub and 135mm for the rear hub.

The Trek 520 uses the Bontrager H1, 700x38c tire with a super strong nylon casing, 700mm outside diameter, and 38mm width.

The tire’s engineered tread design provides confidence in wet or dry conditions. the Bontrager H1 tread uses a durable compound for longer life.

Trek 520 Spece

Accessories.

1. How much weight can the rack support?

2. When mounting the kickstand, what bolt size is used?

3. This frame uses what type of rear brake mount?

The 520 has an IS mount brake.

Comparison table

Trek 520 grando vs trek 520.

Next, comes our comparison of the Trek 520 and Trek 520 Grando, and after reading it you will know which is the better final verdict.

So which is better? Well, the main difference between the Trek 520 and the Trek 520 Grando is their shifters.

For its rear derailleur, Trek 250 uses the Shimano Alivio, while its front derailleur uses the Shimano Sora. In contrast, the Trek 520 Grando uses a Shimano Tiagra front derailleur and Shimano GRX rear derailleur.

The rear derailleur, which is Shimano GRX RX400, will help you achieve better chain tension and smooth, highly reliable shifting, especially on rough terrain.

As part of the Trek 520 Grando, you will also get two-piece ProWheel alloy cranks.

However, both bikes use the 1136 cassette, even though the Trek 520 Grando is faster.

The Trek 520 has a more range than the Trek 520 Grando since it has three chain links instead of the Trek 520 Grando’s two chain links.

Unlike the 520 Grando, the Trek 520 has a backpack rack. The Trek 520 is equipped with a Bontrager backpack rack at the front and rear ends that can hold about 55 pounds or 25 kilograms.

Sleeping bags, food, tents, and other essentials can be stowed on the front and rear racks.

During your travels, the racks are made of durable materials that can support the weight of your gear.

However, the Trek 520 Grando only has a front rack, which means you won’t have enough room to store any luggage if you’re taking a road trip through the woods.

Both bikes are fitted with different tires, but the Trek 520 Grando has more versatile tires.

Bontrager H1 Hard-case Ultimate tires are fitted to the Trek 520, and they are 700×38c wide.

Nevertheless, the Trek Grando comes with 700×40c tires that are made by Bontrager.

There’s no way to compare the two tires to know which is better since they’re different. The Trek 520 tire, however, has a thinner casing, but it has a harder casing, so rocks, thorns, and other road debris are less likely to penetrate the tire.

Its wide and nimble tires provide more traction on dirt roads and gravel roads, making the Trek 520 Grando a more versatile bike.

Regarding the Trek 520 Grando tires. They’re wide and nimble, so they offer better traction on dirt and gravel roads, which makes the Trek 520 Grando a more versatile bicycle.

However, you can equip both bikes with 29.2-inch wheels to improve their traction and adaptability.

With the wide fat rolling tires, you will have enough traction on both pavement and gravel roads, so you can ride with confidence.

In comparison to the Trek 520, the Trek 520 Grando is lighter. Including the weight of the rider and bike cargo, the maximum total weight capacity of each bike is 275 pounds.

Although it might not seem significant, the Trek 520 Grando weighs 2 pounds less than the Trek 520.

In analyzing the differences between the two bikes, you should take this into account.

Salsa Marrakesh Alivio vs Trek 520

Unlike the Trek 520, the Salsa Marrakesh Alivio frame and fork are made of triple-butted Chromoly steel, which remains strong and durable even under wear and tear.

The Shimano Deore 3×9 drivetrain shifts with precision, and the 26x34t (21 gear inches) low-speed gears allow fully loaded travelers to climb rugged trails on the Salsa Marrakesh Alivio.

The 36-hole WTB ST i19 rims remained true to form after our testers struggled to ride 400km under heavy loads.

When it comes to Gear Range, these two bikes are almost identical! So what else is the difference?

The Salsa Marrakesh Alivio comes with Shimano M475 QR 36h, WTB ST i19 TCS 2.0 rims, and Teravail Rampart 700c x 42mm durable, tubeless tires.

The Salsa Marrakesh Alivio is equipped with a WTB Volt Sport saddle, while the Trek 520 uses a Bontrager Evoke saddle.

The WTB Volt is our testers’ favorite mountain saddle, and the WTB Volt Sport is shaped with speed and comfort in mind. The medium-thickness padding and wonderful curves make the WTB Volt Sport saddle the most popular of the WTBs as well.

Looking at the shape, the WTB Volt Sport’s upward curved tail and slightly sloping nose make for propulsion during pedaling.

Trek 920 vs Trek 520

When it comes to price you’ll find that the Trek 520 costs $1829, which is $270 less than the Trek 920.

Trek’s 920 is positioned as an adventure touring bike in its own right, featuring an all-aluminum frame and fork construction that weighs just 28.4 lbs/12.9 kg.

With the Trek 920, you get hydraulic disc brakes, 29′′ wheels with Bontrager XR1 tires, and 29 x 2.00′′ tires.

The Trek 920 comes with a Bontrager Duster Elite, Tubeless Ready, 100x15mm thru-axle rim, while the Trek 520 has a Bontrager Affinity Disc, Tubeless Ready, 36-hole, 21mm width rim.

The Trek 520 has clearance for up to accommodate 29 x 2.0” 700c x 50 mm tires. And the Trek 920 can also fit, 2.3″ fenderless or 2″ with fenders.

Some of the Trek 920’s dimensions match the Trek 520’s classic touring geometry, with the same 1.49 stack/stretch ratio, making it a fairly upright riding position.

Trail refers to the horizontal distance of the front tire’s point of contact with the ground from the steering axis. A high trail value provides more stability at speed and a tendency to self-correct, which is good for rough terrain where it is important to maintain a line over roots and rocky roads.

The Trek 920 trails fairly similarly to the Trek 520 with only a 3mm difference. The Trek 920 has 68mm which makes it more stable, but it is still not sluggish.

Learn more ： Is Trek 1120 A Good Bike? [Trek 1120 Review]

Fuji Touring Disc vs Trek 520

The Fuji Touring model dates back to the 1990s and in 2018 it achieves a twenty-first century breakthrough.

This Fuji Touring Disc update comes with some nice spec Shimano Deore 10-speed cassette 11-46T to your Deore triple crank.

Microshift bar-end shifters and TRP break levers, Oval Concepts brands supplies handlebar, 3D-forged 6061stem, Selle Royal Vivo saddle, and 6061 alloy seat post.

Riders can easily handle both flats and hills thanks to the Shimano drivetrain’s ultra-wide 3×10 gearing ranges. Featuring a heavy-duty rear rack, dual eyelets for mounting additional racks, and low-rider mounting points for securing front panniers.

The Fuji Touring Disc frame is made of double-butted, heat-treated Reynolds 520 Chromoly steel, the Trek 520 uses Trek butted Chromoly disc touring.

They offer equal durability and similar mechanical properties. However, the Fuji Touring Disc frame offers a degree of flexibility that suppresses more pit vibrations during the ride.

Fuji Touring Disc is Shimano Deore for the entire drivetrain except for the KMC chain. it is a great value, reliable and durable. The rear shifter is indexed and the front shifter is friction.

Our testers did a lot of fine-tuning, and the shifting wasn’t as crisp and clean as the Trek 520 Shimano Sora shifting, but it was also 100% reliable in testing.

Comprehensive evaluation (4.6/5)

The Trek 520 is a great gravel bike with a medium price among the 4 bikes compared and good quality overall frame and components. The Trek 520 is the perfect choice when you are adventuring on your own or with family and friends. He can help you carry heavy loads, is stable and solid. Of course, we accidentally found many of our buddies also use it for commuting to and from work, which is also a comfortable experience. You’ll be happy with it!

Learn more: Top 8 Best Gravel Bikes Under $2000

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31.900.000 VND

It's right for you if...

You measure the success of a ride in the number of beautiful views, and when you're not riding you're likely to be found planning your next escape. You hear the call of the open road, and want a stable touring bike that's just as capable of carrying a heavy load on multi-day trips as it is on everyday rides.

The tech you get

A road-smoothing chromoly steel frame, alloy disc touring fork with a ThruSkew captured quick release skewer, wide-range 27-speed drivetrain that's great for hauling a heavy load up hills, Shimano Sora brake/shift levers, Bontrager Tubeless Ready wheels with puncture-resistant tires, included front and rear racks, and all-weather mechanical disc brakes.

The final word

520 is a comfortable steel workhorse that's capable of everything from daily rides to expedition tours. It's ready for adventure right out of the box, with an included front and rear rack and a drivetrain that's ideal for hauling a heavy load.

1 – 520 is built to hold up, and it’s super reliable over the long haul—you’ll leave this bike to someone in your will

2 – ThruSkew ensures the front wheel will never drop out unintentionally, and makes it easier to remove your wheel without removing all of your front cargo

3 – There’s no better way to see the world than from the saddle, and this is the bike that answers your wanderlust

4 – All-weather disc brakes and puncture-resistant tires give you the confidence to take on bigger adventures in any conditions

5 – It’s the longest-running model in our lineup, and we’ve kept it around so long because it’s one of the best-loved, too

• SPECIFICATIONS

*We reserve the right to make changes to the product information contained on this site at any time without notice, including with respect to equipment, specifications, models, colors, and materials.

Touring geometry

We've spent more than three decades perfecting the 520 geometry to suit the heavy loads and high miles of multi-day touring.

Mechanical disc brakes

Reliable stopping power in all conditions, including wet and muddy.

Puncture-resistant tires

Tough Bontrager Hard-Case tires help keep flats from slowing you down.

Tubeless Ready rims

Bontrager TLR (Tubeless Ready) Road is the first fully integrated tubeless system for the road. No tubes mean there’s no pinch flats, allowing you to run lower tire pressure. With lower tire pressure you can increase traction, control. and comfort, reduce fatigue on you. Best of all, the tire sealant seals up punctures as soon as they happen!

Blendr stem

Bontrager stem technology lets you clip your gear directly to the stem for clean looks, maximum user friendliness.

Built for the long haul

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• Rider Notes

2021 Trek 520

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

For This Bike

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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.

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Compare the full 520 model range

5'2" – 5'5"

5'3" – 5'7"

5'5" – 5'9"

5'7" – 6'2"

6'0" – 6'4"

6'2" – 6'6"

Do you have this bike? Help other riders make a decision about which size will work for them by sharing your own size and fit notes. Report your fit

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

Aug 2018 · Simon Withers

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.

Last updated April 16 Not listed for 1,072 days