How to change stock '05 trek 520

[esmr]

I am about to take delivery on a 23 inch '05 Trek 520 that I ordered from my LBS. I've already talked to the bike shop guy and I changed the front cog from the stock 52/42/30 to 26/36/46 removed the stock rack, and replaced the Shimano 520 clipless pedals for my pair of Crank Brothers Chrome Eggbeaters. I'm torn between a Continental Top Touring 2000 tire and the new Continental Contact tire. I was wondering if you guys had any suggestions as to the wheels, or any other changes (stem, handlebars, seatpost) you guys would make on the bike.

Oh I'm planning to take a 1600 mile tour through Europe next summer from amsterdam to milan by way of Germany. Hoping to get by with little to no camping staying mostly in B&B's. Any recommendations for panniers and racks would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks Alot

 

[rayTerrace]

I'm torn between a Continental Top Touring 2000 tire and the new Continental Contact tire.

I just changed my tyres from TT 2000 to the contact model. I don't know why but it feels more comfortable on my cannondale t800. The TT 2000 were great but its as if the contacts are better for soaking up the bumps & potholes - thats how it feels anyway.

 

[philso]

i'd recommend keeping yur 52 tooth cog up front, maybe a ratio like 26/40/52 or something, as long as you don't encounter shifting problems. you're not heading uphill all the time. it's good to have a big cog up front when you want to fly with the wind at your back.

also, see how comfortable you are with the bar-end shifters. many years ago, i switched from my original downtube levers to barend. the hype was that you could shift and still keep both hands on your bars. some years back i had my frame chromed and put the original levers back on. now i'm saying yeah, yeah for those. what i realize now is that making those microadjustments on your shifters make you have to be really careful with your steering. outside of the u.s., a lot of roads are really narrow, with trucks screaming past you litterally only a few inches away. (that's how it is here in japan, a very mountainous country). you may want to consider going with sti or ergo type so you can keep maximum steering control and have instant braking capabilities.

you may want some fenders too. some people say that if you are using panniers, they're not necessary, but i find that they make a world of difference.

as far as panniers go, if you're a hiker, go with a similar style pannier,i.e. one big bag or a somewhat smaller bag with a lot of pockets on the outside. the versions with the pockets will tend to be less waterproof, but you'll probably want to keep things in heavy mill plastic bags anyway.

 

[captn willard]

I was wondering if you guys had any suggestions as to the wheels, or any other changes (stem, handlebars, seatpost) you guys would make on the bike.

I like my 520 but feel the stock set up on is inadequate for anything beyond a short weekender on well-graded roads.

For more serious loaded rides, swap the crankset and BB for a MTB setup. The spec'd stems on each model size are generally a bit too long for your average tourer. Check this out before taking the bike home. Your LBS should swap out the stock Bontrager Race stem for a short...or even a greater rise...stem at no cost to you.

I have also seen many failures with the stock Bontranger Maverick OSB rims. Mine blew apart after only 1000mi. If you use them, get them destressed and properly tensioned/trued before loading. Otherwise, consider swapping to a more durable rim like Mavic 719 or Sun Rhynolites.

"Any recommendations for panniers and racks would be greatly appreciated."

Panniers...I prefer Ortliebs for the way they attach to racks and the durability. Racks...Jandd, Gordon or Tubus for serious weight capacity. The Bontrager has a sub-50lb capacity.

Happy cycling

 

[esmr]

So here's the final bike equipment:
-Crank Bros Egg Beaters
-Schwalbe 700x32 Marathon tires
-no rack
-48/38/26 front cog with 11-32 cassette

And the rest stock. Still worrying about what racks/ panniers I need to get, but I guess its not neccessary this early in the game.

Thanks for all the advice