Trek 520

Quoted message said:

Is there even a competition in the $1,000 range touring bike? I'll hate
to
buy a Shrek, though.

Trek isn't the only company still making a "classic" touring bike (bar-ends,
conventional, heavy-duty wheels, long-wheelbase steel frame, lots of
eyelets), but they do have the advantage of having had this bike for about a
zillion years with very little ever changing... it's rock-solid, can't be
killed, and boring. Exactly what most are looking for in a touring bike. The
gearing's a bit odd for some (much higher high-end than needed), but that
can be changed... on the other hand, when you've got 27 gears, why bother?
It's not as if the silly super-high gear is taking something away elsewhere.
If super-low is what you want, you can use a smaller front chainring...
dropping it 4 teeth is still useable.

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReactionBicycles.com

ellis said:

Is there even a competition in the $1,000 range touring bike? I'll hate to
buy a Shrek, though.

The models that I'm aware of are the Jamis Aurora, Bianchi Velope, Fuji
Touring, and Cannondale T800/T2000.

-Mike

ellis said:

Is there even a competition in the $1,000 range touring bike? I'll hate to
buy a Shrek, though.

The other $1,000 touring bikes have been mentioned by "none". And as
Mike J. points out, the gearing on the Trek 520 can be easily changed
for the better by putting on a 24 tooth inner ring instead of the 30.
This is what I did with my Trek 520 back in 1992. The new low gear of
24x32 was about low enough. My Trek 520 ran very well and did
everything I needed it to for many years. Its a good bike. I replaced
it with a better fitting frame because I bought a too small bike.

If you have some bike mechanical skill, the best alternative would be
the Surly Long Haul Trucker ($420 frame/fork from Harris Cyclery and
any other bike shop). Then round up the other parts cheaply.

ellis said:

Is there even a competition in the $1,000 range touring bike? I'll hate to
buy a Shrek, though.

Your might check out the Fuji Touring Series. I have one of them and
my girlfriend's touring bike is a 520. They seem pretty comparable. My
only complaint with the Fuji is that the Alan AL-DA16 rims aren't
available in the US. I had one tacoed in an accident (google groups
for details) and have been unable to secure a replacement.

I assume the 520's Matrixes (Matrices?) are readily available.

jeverett3<AT>earthlink<DOT>net http://home.earthlink.net/~jeverett3

I notice the Novara Randonee is no longer listed on the REI web site.
Maybe they're just out of stock for the year.

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Quoted message said:

ellis said:

Is there even a competition in the $1,000 range touring bike? I'll hate

to

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

buy a Shrek, though.

The other $1,000 touring bikes have been mentioned by "none". And as
Mike J. points out, the gearing on the Trek 520 can be easily changed
for the better by putting on a 24 tooth inner ring instead of the 30.
This is what I did with my Trek 520 back in 1992. The new low gear of
24x32 was about low enough. My Trek 520 ran very well and did
everything I needed it to for many years. Its a good bike. I replaced
it with a better fitting frame because I bought a too small bike.

If you have some bike mechanical skill, the best alternative would be
the Surly Long Haul Trucker ($420 frame/fork from Harris Cyclery and
any other bike shop). Then round up the other parts cheaply.

Thanks. I've been looking hard at the Surly.

LewW said:

I notice the Novara Randonee is no longer listed on the REI web site.
Maybe they're just out of stock for the year.

They usually disappear from the web site about mid-July every year.
If you're near a store, it may have one in stock. If you're extremely
lucky, it'll be your size and $100 off!

Pat

Email address works as is.

I did the same 30t granny to 24t, the shifting was OK.
The bike was too small for me, If'd have kept the bike I'd would put
a Sugino XD on it. 48/36/24. The Volpe is another good choice,
and come with a 110 aka compact triple. You get STI shifters,
not as nice front shifting as the 520 but you get cantilever brakes,
which handle wobbly wheels better the Vbrakes on the 520.

I've owned a 520, C-dale T800 and riden a Volpe a lot.
I replaced the too small 520 with an Atlantis.

Scott G.