bikerHen: because I want one as it is, with slick race-lite tires for touring and another I'm going to customize a lil' bit with maybe cyclo-cross style brake levers, knobbier tires, etc (studded tires for winter) what-ever tickles my fancy. I just like the geometry of the 520. Out of all of the bikes I've owned - is really perfect for me. *for me being the operative words* I know some might say - get a race bike - etc. I am short-legged but long torsoed. Touring bikes work for me because of this. Most bikes I can stand over - but the top tube is too short. If the top-tube length is correct, then I can't stand over it. So, some might say - wow - go custom, well - I don't have that kind of cash. I would love to have a bike built to my specs. Love it - but alas - I don't make that kind of scratch. I know a few people who own two of a bike they love. I've had one bike in the shop before -and had to ride a back-up bike: I usually prefer one over the other - so why not the same bike? I don't want them to be twins so a different model year would be good. It works for me, but everybody is different. The other bike I was debating was the LHT - I like my bikes - sturdy, durable, and fast enough to be fun. ;D We're all different. Celebrate the difference. I used to own a mountain bike and I hated it. Weird, huh? I'm a loveable weird, I promise.