TECHNOLOGY STORIES BIKE INFO, GEOMETRY ... - Vintage Trek

New for 2001 (not)
The 520 is a Trek classic. We’ve been making this
frame for quite a few years, and wouldn’t dare change
it. In the world of bike touring, this is a very refined
design.
Geometry
The 520 has true long distance, self-supported touring
geometry. It is very stable, with relaxed steering that
feels just right when the bike is fully loaded. It has a
low bottom bracket to keep the center of gravity low,
and also to make it easier to mount the bike. Very long
chainstays provide lots of room for a rack and panniers,
without compromising heel clearance.
Ride
Thanks to the true long-distance design of the 520,
it’s very comfortable and stable. While it fits the classic
touring mold, we use slightly larger diameter frame
tubes than the bikes we built in the 70’s. This makes
the 520 more stable when fully loaded, when some bikes
get ‘whippy’.
Frame details
The 520 has all the amenities of a true tourer. It has
full braze-ons for 3 water bottles, front and rear racks,
and even fenders. Cantilever posts allow the use of more
powerful brakes, which provide a very comforting feeling
if you are sitting on a fully loaded bike at the top
of a long hill.
MILLIMETERS
INCHES
2002 Trek Technical Manual
Frame sizes
Head angle
Seat angle
Standover
Seat tube
Head tube
Eff top tube
Chainstays
BB height
Offset
Trail
Wheelbase
Standover
Seat tube
Head tube
Eff top tube
Chainstays
BB height
Offset
Trail
Wheelbase
Touring
17 19 21 23 25
71.0 71.0 71.0 72.0 72.5
74.0 74.0 73.5 73.0 72.0
697 727 764 806 852
432 483 533 584 635
90 90 90 120 165
540 545 555 566 590
450 450 450 450 450
268 268 268 268 268
52.0 52.0 52.0 52.0 52
64 64 64 58 55
1044 1046 1054 1052 1062
27.4 28.6 30.1 31.7 33.5
17.0 19.0 21.0 23.0 25.0
3.5 3.5 3.5 4.7 6.5
21.3 21.5 21.9 22.3 23.2
17.7 17.7 17.7 17.7 17.7
10.6 10.6 10.6 10.6 10.6
2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0
2.5 2.5 2.5 2.3 2.1
41.1 41.2 41.5 41.4 41.8
95