THE OVERVIEWDecathlon's Riverside Touring 520 is the mysterious entry level option to their latest and growing innovative bike touring range. It offers so much at an extremely competitive price. Textured will be putting it through its paces, testing its limits and exploring the RT520's capabilities. |
Decathlon's Riverside Touring 520 (RT520)
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After much Facebook Marketplace trawling, Gumtree vine swinging, and custom titanium build ogling, we landed on an unexpected discovery at our local Decathlon store! The Riverside Touring 520 pretty much met all our requirements for a dogpacking bike and even excelled in some points.
Our main goal was to have the following features for a multi-day bikepacking/bike touring setup:
The other options considered were:
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Our previous bike used was Aldi's 2017 29er in a medium (Polygon made) frame with a Topeak Super Tourist DX rear rack and it's maximum 26kg weight limit. This bike has seen 7000kms of use, roughly 2500km of that carrying Chino in a renovated milk crate. The thread for the rear rack mounting point began to shear on one side and was no longer a safe carrying option.
In came the Riverside Touring series which was a collaborative design effort between Decathlon and their chosen fleet of cyclists who provided feedback and design input over a combined 500,000kms of testing for what they would want in a bike touring setup. The range puts forward the 520 entry level flat bar model, a 900 flat bar model with higher components, and the drop bar offering 920 model with a few extra bells and whistles.
It's interesting to note from the information currently available (sometimes not official), that the models all share the same frame design. This could potentially mean that a conversion from flat bars to drop bars or visa versa should be possible with minimal negative effects.
In came the Riverside Touring series which was a collaborative design effort between Decathlon and their chosen fleet of cyclists who provided feedback and design input over a combined 500,000kms of testing for what they would want in a bike touring setup. The range puts forward the 520 entry level flat bar model, a 900 flat bar model with higher components, and the drop bar offering 920 model with a few extra bells and whistles.
It's interesting to note from the information currently available (sometimes not official), that the models all share the same frame design. This could potentially mean that a conversion from flat bars to drop bars or visa versa should be possible with minimal negative effects.
Walking it out of Decathlon Tempe
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It's current configuration.
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Decathlon's Specifications
NOTICE: For the sake of easy referencing, below are the provided specifications on Decathlon's website as of June 2023.
CLICK HERE to see the original page.
CLICK HERE to see the original page.
Frame Composition
We have designed this triple-butted aluminium frame for maximum durability, sturdiness and comfort.
More than 500,000 km of testing under its belt on all continents and in all weather conditions.
Internal cable routing.
33 mounts on the frame and fork to attach all your accessories and pannier racks.
Compatible with all pannier racks.
Removable rear derailleur hanger.
Trailer compatible using a specific and suitable thru axle (ref. 8618363)
Pannier rack
We have developed a uniquely robust rear pannier rack to carry your belongings. Six bolts attach it to the rear stays, allowing you to carry up to 40 kg of baggage or a child seat. This unique design choice also avoids the problem commonly encountered by bikepackers of the screws shearing.
- 100% Aluminium
We have designed this triple-butted aluminium frame for maximum durability, sturdiness and comfort.
More than 500,000 km of testing under its belt on all continents and in all weather conditions.
Internal cable routing.
33 mounts on the frame and fork to attach all your accessories and pannier racks.
Compatible with all pannier racks.
Removable rear derailleur hanger.
Trailer compatible using a specific and suitable thru axle (ref. 8618363)
Pannier rack
We have developed a uniquely robust rear pannier rack to carry your belongings. Six bolts attach it to the rear stays, allowing you to carry up to 40 kg of baggage or a child seat. This unique design choice also avoids the problem commonly encountered by bikepackers of the screws shearing.
Transmission
Riverside 36T single chainring
Microshift 11-speed (11-46) cassette
Crank length: 170 mm
Microshift RD-M665M derailleur
Chain: 11S KMC X11-1
Riverside toe clip compatible pedals
Riverside 36T single chainring
Microshift 11-speed (11-46) cassette
Crank length: 170 mm
Microshift RD-M665M derailleur
Chain: 11S KMC X11-1
Riverside toe clip compatible pedals
Handlebars, steering, stem: maintain control
We have opted for a 620-mm-wide flat handlebar for sizes S and M, and 660 mm for sizes L and XL.
Ergonomic grips with integrated bar ends.
Stem: Size S: 60 mm / Size M: 80 mm / Size L: 100 mm / Size XL: 110 mm
Saddle: be comfortable
Because it's important that your seat position is suitable for touring, we have chosen an ergonomic saddle.
Aluminium seat post with markings for easy adjustment.
Seat post diameter: 31.6 mm
Seat post dimensions: S, M, L: 350mm; XL: 400 mm.
We have opted for a 620-mm-wide flat handlebar for sizes S and M, and 660 mm for sizes L and XL.
Ergonomic grips with integrated bar ends.
Stem: Size S: 60 mm / Size M: 80 mm / Size L: 100 mm / Size XL: 110 mm
Saddle: be comfortable
Because it's important that your seat position is suitable for touring, we have chosen an ergonomic saddle.
Aluminium seat post with markings for easy adjustment.
Seat post diameter: 31.6 mm
Seat post dimensions: S, M, L: 350mm; XL: 400 mm.
Wheels and Tyres
We have chosen B'Twin Trekking 9 Grip Protect+ tyres. Dimensions: 28 x 1.75 (42-622). They offer excellent puncture resistance thanks to their 5 mm liners.
Riverside Touring double-walled, 36 spoke, 19c rims.
100/142 x 12 mm thru axle. Fastens with an Allen key.
Deore XT dynamo hubs to power the lighting
To use a trailer, you will need to purchase an adapter (ref. 8618363)
We have chosen B'Twin Trekking 9 Grip Protect+ tyres. Dimensions: 28 x 1.75 (42-622). They offer excellent puncture resistance thanks to their 5 mm liners.
Riverside Touring double-walled, 36 spoke, 19c rims.
100/142 x 12 mm thru axle. Fastens with an Allen key.
Deore XT dynamo hubs to power the lighting
To use a trailer, you will need to purchase an adapter (ref. 8618363)
Riverside Touring mudguard with aluminium stays.
Shimano Deore XT dynamo hub: 6V - 0.5A, 3W
Front light: Axa 30 Lux.
Rear light: Axa Blueline with a steady light function for 4 minutes of light when stationary
Shimano Deore XT dynamo hub: 6V - 0.5A, 3W
Front light: Axa 30 Lux.
Rear light: Axa Blueline with a steady light function for 4 minutes of light when stationary
OUR SPEC CORRECTIONS AND OBSERVATIONS
These observations may vary depending on your market and model of the RT520.
- Provided 620mm handlebars come with integrated bar ends. The bar ends effectively limit the neutral riding hand position to a width of 580mm.
- Stem fits 31.8mm handlebars
- Riverside Touring double-walled rims on our model were 23c, not the stated 19c
- Front thru axle is a quick release, rear is fastened with an Allen key
- Rear light: Decathlon state has a steady light function for 4 minutes of light when stationary. This was not the case on our bike. When stationary, the rear light turns off.
Pros and Cons
Here's where the Riverside Touring 520 excelled, and fell short for us.
Pros:
Pros:
- 40kg rear rack weight limit
- Heavy rear load capability on a standard bike geo
- Included XT Deore dynamo hub with front and rear lights included
- Integrated bar ends gives you a wider grip position for stability and the ability to change up your riding position on longer rides
- Bike touring/bikepacking add ons! Decathlon has a smorgasbord of products designed for the Riverside Touring models. It's like being at a bike buffet!
- 36 spoke wheels although heavy, provide more confidence on heavier loaded trips
Cons:
- Supplied Tektro brakes are spongy, weak and needed a bleed after 1 month of use
- The fitted 36 tooth chainring in most cases would not be suited for long trips fully loaded on uphills considering it is a 1x11 system
- Provided front and rear lights connected to the dynamo hub are not stand lights. They will turn off when stationary.
- The head tube angle is quite steep at 71.5 degrees. You may often get some toe overlap with the tyre.
- 2024 Update: Experiencing chain drops. Chain wedges itself between the chainring guard and chainring when heavy pedal strokes are performed mid range. Still inspecting cause.
