Touring dilema: Trek 520 or Trek X700

[Nenad Cabrilo]

Hello everyone!

First off, sorry I don't speak Dutch, yet.

I have moved in to Netherlands a year and half ago, and since then idea of bicycle touring has been growing with me. Unfortunately, I have almost zero experience with it. I have been mostly on MTB before, and recently on old racing bike, so I definitely need some tips about tour bikes.

To try to long story short, I have a very good opportunity to buy a nice touring bike, and I have to do it before Sunday 1. March, so time is critical. After I did some research for couple of weeks, I narrowed down my choices to these two:

Trek X700
http://www.12gobiking.nl/stadsfietsen/t ... tent_specs

Trek 520
http://www.12gobiking.nl/p/trek-520-dis ... tent_specs

And my question to you would be, what do you think how they compare against each other, pros and cons, how would it fit a beginner like me... Or would you recommend something different within that price range?

Thank you in advance!


P.S. I've chosen Trek only for sentimental reasons

P.S.2 I plan to start off with only weekend tours to get some experience, but hopefully in future to expand it quite a bit

[den boete]

For weekend-trips en trips on holidays, I should take the Trek 520 Disc 2015.
It is the faster bike of the 2.

For bike-traveling, I should take the Trek X700 2014 because it's more comfortable, it can carry more luggage. The Trek X700 2014 is slower than the Trek 520 Disc 2015.
The Trek X700 2014 also gives more protection against dirt, it has al lock, a standaard, light, ...

The choice is up to you, it all depends on what you want to do with the bike.

[Wim]

Of these, I would personally prefer the 520, but with rim brakes. However, for that sort of money, I would god for either a German bike from Fahrradmanufaktur, or if you are into more classic styles, a Surly Crosscheck or Long Haul Trucker (both a bit more expensive, but much better than the Treks).
http://www.fahrradmanufaktur.de/en/index.php