Long distance tours that last for weeks or even months on end require an exceptional bicycle. When the roads aren't even roads, the bike needs to be ready for anything! The Trek 520 Grando is that bike.
A purpose-built touring machine will make every mile (paved or unpaved) easier when loaded down with a tent, panniers, sleeping bag, and food for two weeks. The frame needs to be strong and stable, while the drivetrain should be ready for day-long hilly excursions. With all that extra cargo you'll probably have on board, disc brakes are practically required to help reign in speed on steep descents. Trek has been building touring bicycles since the 80's, ensuring that it is one of the most refined dedicated touring machines of the last 30 years.
Butted cro-moly steel is an excellent choice for a touring bicycle's frame. Durability and ride quality is needed for every mile, and the 520 Grando's frame has it covered. The bike can carry up to 275 pounds of total weight (rider+cargo+ total weight of bicycle), making it more than ready for a rider who packs two of everything. Mounts for, well, everything are found throughout the 520 Grando's frame, including bottle cages, front and rear racks, fenders and even a pump peg at the back of the head tube for a full-length frame pump. Tire clearance is generous, allowing tires up to a 29x2.0" for a comfortable ride on rough and unpaved trails. An alloy fork with disc brake caliper mounts and low-rider rack eyelets is equally up to the task. The front rack shown in the photos is included. Cool, huh?
When tackling multi-hour rides with a heavy load, the 520 Grando has your back with a wide gearing range and fingertip Shimano shifting. 10-speed Shimano Tiagra shifters operate a Shimano GRX rear derailleur and Tiagra front derailleur, ensuring precise shifts and long service life. The GRX derailleur has a clutch that helps prevent dropped chains while traversing washboard surfaces and railway crossings. The 520 Grando's 42/28T alloy crankset and 11-36T Shimano cassette boast a huge gearing range for challenging steep inclines on a fully loaded tour.
With all that is expected of it, the 520 Grando's Bontrager Affinity Disc wheels are up to the job. 36 spokes per wheel ensure durability as well as a smooth ride quality. They're tubeless-ready, and are shod with 700x40c Bontrager GR1 Expert gravel-ready tires. TRP Spyre cable-operated disc brakes bring excellent stopping power to the party.
Bontrager also supplies the Arvada saddle, alloy seatpost, Elite alloy stem and alloy Comp VR-C handlebars to complete this expedition-ready steed.
* Subject to change without notice.
