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TREK TOURING, PART 1: BUILD PLAN

I often get inspiration for a bike build from unexpected sources. For my Raleigh, it was the vintage Dura Ace centerpulls. For this touring build, it’s the honey color of the saddle and tire sidewalls. Luckily, I found this Trek 520 frameset with rootbeer paint that’s a great match.

The drivetrain will be “Shimergo,” a proven combination of Campagnolo and Shimano. Long story short, Campy 11-speed shifters can drive Shimano 9-speed derailleurs given matching pull ratios. This bike will be a wide-ratio 3x9 setup.

There’s quite a bit of work ahead for this build. The frame is in rough shape: lots of scratches and grime. After cleaning, I might decide to paint the worst spots; that would add considerable time and effort. I also need to build the front wheel. Luckily, the components are in mostly good shape. I’m excited to see the results. I think it’ll build up beautifully.