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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, puncture-resistant tires with reflective sidewalls, 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.
favorite_borderWhy you'll love it
- 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
- 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
- There's no better way to see the world than from the saddle, and this is the bike that answers your wanderlust
- All-weather disc brakes and puncture-resistant tires give you the confidence to take on bigger adventures in any conditions
- 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
How to: Fix a flat tire
Flat? Fixed. Our simple how-to video will show you how to get back on two wheels in no time flat.
Watch the video
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Features
Tubeless Ready rims
Bontrager TLR (Tubeless Ready) Road is the first fully integrated tubeless system for road wheels. When you go tubeless with TLR, you can run lower tire pressure for increased traction and comfort without the threat of pinch flats.
Rack & fender ready
Built-in mounts make it easy to add racks and fenders for added versatility.
Low touring mounts
Touring-specific mounts stabilize loads for multi-day trips, with no additional hardware required.
Racks
Racks make commuting and hauling a practical reality, so it’s easier to go by bike.
Blendr stem
Bontrager stem technology lets you clip your gear directly to the stem for clean looks, maximum user friendliness.
Learn more
Steel frame
Bombproof butted Platinum Series frame with a steel-smooth ride.
Puncture-resistant tires
Tough Bontrager Hard-Case tires help keep flats from slowing you down.
36-spoke wheels
Super-strong 36-hole rims give 520 a stout foundation for miles and miles of fully loaded riding.
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.
Specifications
*spec applies to all sizes unless otherwise noted
| Frame | Trek butted chromoly disc touring, rack & fender mounts, 135x5mm QR |
|---|---|
| Fork | 520 alloy disc touring, rack mounts, 100x5mm ThruSkew |
| Fender/rack mounts | Bontrager BackRack Deluxe, Interchange compatible, size small |
| Hub front | Shimano M475, 6-bolt disc, 100x5mm QR |
|---|---|
| Skewer front | Trek ThruSkew |
| Hub rear | Shimano M475, 6-bolt disc, 135x5mm QR |
| Rim | Bontrager Affinity Disc, Tubeless Ready, 36-hole, 21mm width, presta valve |
| Tire | Bontrager H1 Hard-case Ultimate, 700x38c w/reflective sidewall |
| Max tire size | 29x2.00" without fenders |
| *Shifter |
Size:
48, 51, 54, 57, 60, 63 Shimano Sora R3000, 9 speed |
|---|---|
|
Size:
48, 51, 54, 57, 60, 63 Shimano Sora R3030, 3 speed |
|
| Front derailleur | Shimano Sora R3030, 34.9mm (w/28.6 adapter) clamp |
| Rear derailleur | Shimano Alivio M4000, long cage, 36T max cog |
| *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 |
|
| Cassette | Shimano HG200, 11-36, 9 speed |
| Chain | KMC X9 |
| Pedal | Wellgo nylon body, alloy cage |
| 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 |
|
| *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 |
|
| Handlebar tape | Bontrager Gel Cork tape |
| *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 |
| Brake | TRP Spyre C 2.0 mechanical disc, 160mm rotor |
| *Cargo rack |
Size:
48, 51, 54 Bontrager BackRack Deluxe, Interchange compatible, size small |
|---|---|
|
Size:
48, 51, 54, 57, 60, 63 Bontrager Carry Forward |
|
|
Size:
57, 60, 63 Bontrager BackRack Deluxe, Interchange compatible, size large |
| Weight | 54 - 14.24 kg / 31.4 lbs |
|---|---|
| Weight limit | This bike has a maximum total weight limit (combined weight of bicycle, rider, and cargo) of 275 pounds (125 kg). |
Sizing & Tech
The charts below show our recommended sizes based on height, but there are some other factors, like arm and leg length, that determine a great fit. That’s why you’ll see some overlap in our recommendations. Not every rider who’s 5´8˝, for example, will fit on the same size bike. The best way to find your perfect fit is to consult the experts at your local retailer.
Rider Height
Inseam
48
158.0 - 163.0 cm
5'2.2" - 5'4.2"
74.0 - 77.0 cm
29.1" - 30.3"
51
162.0 - 168.0 cm
5'3.8" - 5'6.1"
76.0 - 79.0 cm
29.9" - 31.1"
54
168.0 - 174.0 cm
5'6.1" - 5'8.5"
78.0 - 82.0 cm
30.7" - 32.3"
57
173.0 - 184.0 cm
5'8.1" - 6'0.4"
81.0 - 86.0 cm
31.9" - 33.9"
60
185.0 - 190.0 cm
6'0.8" - 6'2.8"
86.0 - 90.0 cm
33.9" - 35.4"
63
190.0 - 197.0 cm
6'2.8" - 6'5.6"
89.0 - 93.0 cm
35.0" - 36.6"
All measurements provided in cm unless otherwise noted.
| Frame size number | Wheel size | A — Seat tube | B — Seat tube angle | C — Head tube length | D — Head angle | E — Effective top tube | F — Bottom bracket height | G — Bottom bracket drop | H — Chainstay length | I — Offset | J — Trail | K — Wheelbase | L — Standover | M — Frame reach | N — Frame stack |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 48 cm | 700c | 44.0 | 74.3° | 11.5 | 69.5° | 52.0 | 27.4 | 7.5 | 45.0 | 5.2 | 7.4 | 104.1 | 71.3 | 36.8 | 54.0 |
| 51 cm | 700c | 48.2 | 74.0° | 12.5 | 70.0° | 53.1 | 27.4 | 7.5 | 45.0 | 5.2 | 7.1 | 104.5 | 74.1 | 37.3 | 55.1 |
| 54 cm | 700c | 51.2 | 73.8° | 14.0 | 71.0° | 54.3 | 27.8 | 7.0 | 45.0 | 5.2 | 6.5 | 104.8 | 76.8 | 37.8 | 56.5 |
| 57 cm | 700c | 54.3 | 73.5° | 16.0 | 71.8° | 55.7 | 27.8 | 7.0 | 45.0 | 5.2 | 5.9 | 105.2 | 79.4 | 38.3 | 58.7 |
| 60 cm | 700c | 57.5 | 73.0° | 20.0 | 71.8° | 58.3 | 27.8 | 7.0 | 45.0 | 5.2 | 5.9 | 107.4 | 82.6 | 39.2 | 62.5 |
| 63 cm | 700c | 60.5 | 72.8° | 23.0 | 72.3° | 60.3 | 27.8 | 7.0 | 45.0 | 5.2 | 5.6 | 108.6 | 85.4 | 40.0 | 65.5 |