This is my modified Riverside 520 Touring, with modifications based on my experience riding the 920 on the European Divide Bikepacking trail. Ready to head out on any expedition...
Hello, I love your reviews, I am about to buy one 520 or 900 touring but want to know if the wheels have bearings in the hub or spheres . My best regards
Hello, thank you for this video! Where did you buy the front rack? Can't find it on Decathlon website, I guess it is not available in every country. Thanks!
It is the original rack from Decathlon for the Riverside 900 Touring, they have the same frame. If the 900 is sold where you are, you should be able to order it as a spare part.
Hi Wombat Vision, thanks for the video. I'm considering buying this bike from Decathlon, firstly because the 900 is forever out of stock in NLD, secondly because it's very affordable, and thirdly because it has a less sophisticated gear system than the 900. However, I'm curious about the suitability of this gear set on very hilly and/or mountainous roads. Do you have any experience with this? Is the lowest gear suitable for relatively steep slopes?
I would personally lower the gearing a bit for real off-road bikepacking or long days in hilly terrain, I would just change to a smaller front chain ring and I am sure it would work just great!
@@wombat.vision Thanks. My next bicycle trip will probably be from south Sweden to Finland to the Baltic states and with the ferry back to Sweden. I think the Riverside 520 will be very suitable for a trip like this.
Hi, I bought this bike too but have found the gear range is not adequate for steep hill climbing. I took it to the bike shop to try and convert to a 3x sora set up but frame rub was an issue and the upgrade was reversed. Do you have any suggestions for a 2x conversion that will work?
The frame is the same as on the Riverside 900 which I 3x so there should really be no problem with the right equipment. Just check what gears are used on the 900…
great video thank you. Do you think this bike would be enough to travel around scandinavia and going down to portugal during 5months? How does it the bike feel when loaded and on mountain road? thank you :)
I am quite sure that it would work fine for that. It only depends on how rough the tracks you are considering going on are. The bike should cope with everything except the roughest single-track, and even that works if you just go a bit slower. I did the southern part of the European Divide on a 920 which is basically the same frame and geometry and it worked fine. The steering is a little bit quick compared to a modern mountain bike, but that works out really well when you put some weight on the front wheel, and then it feels just right! :)
@@wombat.vision I'm thinking on building a cheaper version of the Bombtrack Beyond+ ADV and getting a Mountain bike for when needing more suspension on some bikepacking trips... Already getting a Cinelli Double Trouble handlebars and some Magura Trail Sport brakes. Still thinking what to do about the groupset and tires... I want this bike to be able to do it all haha
Do you happen to know the spindle length of the bottom bracket on this bike? I've put about 8,000k or so on the bike so far. I've had what I believe is two bottom brackets replaced so far at two different local bike shops. The third one I'm going to do myself as I noticed it started to feel a bit gravelly under load. I managed to get off the cranks after nearly stripping the drive-side crank pinch bolt. After getting out the bottom bracket and cleaning out the shell for the next one I started to inspect the bottom bracket the local bike shop had thrown in there (during COVID I think) it's a Feimin fp-b908, which after some Googling turns up nearly nothing. I measured the spindle length with my digital caliper and its showing 124.1mm (124mm is my guess). It seems 124mm is a pretty unusual size with 122.5mm being available in a Shimano BB UN-300. Since the original bottom bracket is long since gone I have no idea if 124mm x 73mm is the original bottom bracket size or something they jammed on in a COVID supply shortage haze. Hoping maybe you knew the exactly OEM spindle length! Cheers 🖐
I no longer have the bike so I can not measure it for you. Strange that you have had to replace 3 bottom brackets in 8000 km. I know the bike I had now has done at least 6000 km and it is still on the original bottom bracket. My Riverside 920 did more than that with the original and was still going strong... You seem to have been very unlucky!
@@wombat.vision thanks for your fast reply,have you had any problems with the KMC chain?I have had my bike 2 weeks and done about 40 km and today the chain snapped leaving me to walk 3km homenow fitted a Shimano.
@@user-nh8dk1gh7d No, no problems. I actually sold the bike to a couple that just finished a bike tour from Sweden to Portugal without any problem. I have used plenty of KMC chains before and have never experienced any problems, I think that you were just unlucky!
I have now actually sold both the 920 and the 520. Not because I wasn't happy with them, but because I am starting to plan another long-term project that requires a different kind of bike. You could also keep your eyes out for the 900, a more touring-ready version.
@@wombat.vision Just order a 520 today. Should arrive next week. A major problem with my current bike is it would accept maximum 38mm wide tyres. I would like to run 45-50mm wide for some gravel road riding. If everything goes as plan, I will be doing a six month trip riding from Kyrgystan back home to Holland in 2024.
To each their own. I prefer the simplicity of a one-by drivetrain and with the new wide-ratio cassettes that are available, there is no longer any problem achieving a wide gear range.
@@fratylmaz706 Yes, which is why I suggest that you could use a modern wide ratio cassette, like those on a mountain bike. That will result in sufficiently low gear for anything that would not be easier and quicker to just walk.
Just curious, is it the gearing is not for higher speeds or the weight? I just check it out at decathlon and for me it was lighter than expected but it was also the small size I think. Debating this or the Riverside 900L
Excellent upgrades
Thanks!
I just bought a 900L Touring...so far very impressed with it.
Good choice!
Hello, I love your reviews, I am about to buy one 520 or 900 touring but want to know if the wheels have bearings in the hub or spheres .
My best regards
Hello, thank you for this video! Where did you buy the front rack? Can't find it on Decathlon website, I guess it is not available in every country. Thanks!
It is the original rack from Decathlon for the Riverside 900 Touring, they have the same frame. If the 900 is sold where you are, you should be able to order it as a spare part.
Just wondering, what is the brand and model of center frame pack that is shown in the video? Thanks
It is a Porcelain Rocket 52Hz frame bag. I have a quick review of it here: czcams.com/video/lXDbUoW1_uQ/video.html
Hi Wombat Vision, thanks for the video. I'm considering buying this bike from Decathlon, firstly because the 900 is forever out of stock in NLD, secondly because it's very affordable, and thirdly because it has a less sophisticated gear system than the 900. However, I'm curious about the suitability of this gear set on very hilly and/or mountainous roads. Do you have any experience with this? Is the lowest gear suitable for relatively steep slopes?
I would personally lower the gearing a bit for real off-road bikepacking or long days in hilly terrain, I would just change to a smaller front chain ring and I am sure it would work just great!
@@wombat.vision Thanks for your quick reply!
@@thijsverkaaik5946 No problem, I would be interested in hearing how it works out for you,
@@wombat.vision Thanks. My next bicycle trip will probably be from south Sweden to Finland to the Baltic states and with the ferry back to Sweden. I think the Riverside 520 will be very suitable for a trip like this.
@@thijsverkaaik5946 That will be a nice ride. I have cycled those areas myself and there is plenty to see and enjoy!
Hi, I bought this bike too but have found the gear range is not adequate for steep hill climbing. I took it to the bike shop to try and convert to a 3x sora set up but frame rub was an issue and the upgrade was reversed. Do you have any suggestions for a 2x conversion that will work?
The frame is the same as on the Riverside 900 which I 3x so there should really be no problem with the right equipment. Just check what gears are used on the 900…
great video thank you. Do you think this bike would be enough to travel around scandinavia and going down to portugal during 5months? How does it the bike feel when loaded and on mountain road? thank you :)
I am quite sure that it would work fine for that. It only depends on how rough the tracks you are considering going on are. The bike should cope with everything except the roughest single-track, and even that works if you just go a bit slower. I did the southern part of the European Divide on a 920 which is basically the same frame and geometry and it worked fine.
The steering is a little bit quick compared to a modern mountain bike, but that works out really well when you put some weight on the front wheel, and then it feels just right!
:)
I recently bought a 520 to modify and it's a tank... I've actually left it like that until I destroy some original components
@@PedroDVC Be interesting to hear what mods you do eventually decide to make!
:)
@@wombat.vision I'm thinking on building a cheaper version of the Bombtrack Beyond+ ADV and getting a Mountain bike for when needing more suspension on some bikepacking trips... Already getting a Cinelli Double Trouble handlebars and some Magura Trail Sport brakes. Still thinking what to do about the groupset and tires... I want this bike to be able to do it all haha
Do you happen to know the spindle length of the bottom bracket on this bike? I've put about 8,000k or so on the bike so far. I've had what I believe is two bottom brackets replaced so far at two different local bike shops. The third one I'm going to do myself as I noticed it started to feel a bit gravelly under load. I managed to get off the cranks after nearly stripping the drive-side crank pinch bolt. After getting out the bottom bracket and cleaning out the shell for the next one I started to inspect the bottom bracket the local bike shop had thrown in there (during COVID I think) it's a Feimin fp-b908, which after some Googling turns up nearly nothing. I measured the spindle length with my digital caliper and its showing 124.1mm (124mm is my guess). It seems 124mm is a pretty unusual size with 122.5mm being available in a Shimano BB UN-300. Since the original bottom bracket is long since gone I have no idea if 124mm x 73mm is the original bottom bracket size or something they jammed on in a COVID supply shortage haze. Hoping maybe you knew the exactly OEM spindle length! Cheers 🖐
I no longer have the bike so I can not measure it for you. Strange that you have had to replace 3 bottom brackets in 8000 km. I know the bike I had now has done at least 6000 km and it is still on the original bottom bracket. My Riverside 920 did more than that with the original and was still going strong...
You seem to have been very unlucky!
my chain snapped after less than 4 km so I am not supprised
Hi great video,when you changed the handlebars did you need to change any cables or did they just fit ok?
I dig have to charge the brake cables, byt as I charges to BB7 mechanical brakes I hand to do that anyway!
@@wombat.vision thanks for your fast reply,have you had any problems with the KMC chain?I have had my bike 2 weeks and done about 40 km and today the chain snapped leaving me to walk 3km homenow fitted a Shimano.
@@user-nh8dk1gh7d No, no problems. I actually sold the bike to a couple that just finished a bike tour from Sweden to Portugal without any problem. I have used plenty of KMC chains before and have never experienced any problems, I think that you were just unlucky!
Hello, did you keep the originals wheels?
No, I actually sold them together with my 920. I was lucky to be able to swap them as the buyer of the 920 actually wanted the narrower rims.
How's the gearing for higher speeds and how does it compare to the Riverside touring 900?
its slow,very slow,stupidly slow,and heavy,I put a 40 tooth chain ring on mine and now its ok.
Hey wombat! Nice review!
Was wondering if i can change the 1x to a 2x in the front.
That should be possible as the 920 has the same frame as the 900 which is fitted with 3 x 10 gearing.
@wombat.vision oh didn't know that! Cant seem to find the 900 in decathlon. I am looking the 520 though. Same frame as well right?
@@mrlogot Yes it is, just has a different fork (not carbon).
Why did you sell the 920 and keep the 520? I'm considering getting a 520 because the 920 is like forever out of stock.
I have now actually sold both the 920 and the 520. Not because I wasn't happy with them, but because I am starting to plan another long-term project that requires a different kind of bike. You could also keep your eyes out for the 900, a more touring-ready version.
@@wombat.vision Just order a 520 today. Should arrive next week. A major problem with my current bike is it would accept maximum 38mm wide tyres. I would like to run 45-50mm wide for some gravel road riding. If everything goes as plan, I will be doing a six month trip riding from Kyrgystan back home to Holland in 2024.
@@spektrumB Sounds like an epic trip! Good luck.
put a 30 front chain ring on and you would take for ever to ride ten metres
If you want to go faster you could always put a bigger chainring on it!
:)
Which size bike is it?
It was a large which was perfect for me (I am 183cm tall).
I don't understand why a single crank is attached to a touring bike. It's ridiculous.
To each their own. I prefer the simplicity of a one-by drivetrain and with the new wide-ratio cassettes that are available, there is no longer any problem achieving a wide gear range.
@@wombat.vision no, there is a problem, you can't go uphill with these rates, it's even harder with a load, This bike is designed to carry loads.
@@fratylmaz706 Yes, which is why I suggest that you could use a modern wide ratio cassette, like those on a mountain bike. That will result in sufficiently low gear for anything that would not be easier and quicker to just walk.
@@fratylmaz706a 30t or even 28t chainring with a 51t cassette will pull you up anything.
had this bike for 6 months,its heavy and stupidly slow
It's a touring bike with a 170kg loading capacity for a relatively low price. What were you expecting?
Just curious, is it the gearing is not for higher speeds or the weight? I just check it out at decathlon and for me it was lighter than expected but it was also the small size I think. Debating this or the Riverside 900L
I wasnt expecting toddlers on tricycles to overtake me going down hill@@gusjeazer
@@paulmcbride8164😂😂