Commuting - I'm getting a new bike and want your advice.

After much research on the internet and advice from the excellent LBS, I've pretty much settled on the $600 Trek T80: http://www2.trekbikes.com/Bikes/Specialty_Bikes/Trekking/T80/index.php

The shop was out of stock but I had it ordered, and have done everything short of buying it. I realize this is a bit late to ask for advice, but please consider bestowing some last-minute wisdom on me :).

I'll be using it on the New Orleans westbank for transportation. New Orleans is a small place, and everything I want to get to is within ten miles of my house. Everything is connected by bike-friendly streets (bike paths on the Expressway, wide shoulders on Fourth Street, and cycling-safe sidewalks everywhere else) and hills are unknown to this region. There aren't many potholes on this side of the river. I'm starting school soon and plan to ride it the 9 miles there and the 9 miles back, which comes to 18 miles every school day. I also want to be able to haul groceries in it and run errands. I'll probably have to lock it up outside at the school, if I can't work something out as far as getting an indoor place. The LBS said it would be fine with a really thick chain and a good padlock, but I'd also like to have your advice. I hope to make it ugly within a few weeks before school starts, to lower the chances of it getting stolen. It's looks aren't really important to me. As far as being exposed to the rain for those hours it's locked up outdoors, I thought I could just drape one of my G.I. wet weather ponchos over it? Would that work?

Let me know what you think. Am I getting something too expensive? Is it suited for the uses I have planned for it? What would you otherwise suggest?

use multiple locks.like a cable and padlock,chain and pad lock,and a u-lock.leave the cable and chain at the rack you will be leaving it at the most. really all you need is more protection then the bike next to yours.

is there a theft problem at the school? my guess is the fenders and racks arent nearly as attractive as a high dollar road bike or even worse a mountain bike! alot of theft on campus's is casual. someone needs a ride across campus and a bike is unlocked,its gone. I worked at a university and for the most part that was the common reason. I saw alot of expensive bikes around and asked the owners if they were scared of theft,but most didnt seem worried,and the ones that did used good quality,multiple locks.

myself I ride an older miyata mtn bike with racks and fenders and a big,sprung,brooks leather saddle. I currently am not in a financial state to replace it so I lock it everywhere. there isnt alot of theft,but its kinda a poor neigbor hood and sometimes the flashier bikes get picked up,even though most reported stolen are cheap mnt bikes from wal-mart and toys-r-us. I dont think mines flashy,but looks kinda like an old man bike. I wouldnt think yours is too expensive for what you describe,but use good locks and common sence and you should do great!

First of all, don't bother uglyfying your bike. Obscurity is the lowest level of security. Do, however, get some good locks. For locking up at school, consider a Kryptonite New York 3000 U-Lock AND a Kryptonite chain and padlock combination or equivalent OnGuard locks. At school is probably your biggest risk so use the best locks you can get. Since these are heavy, you might want to leave the chain and padlock attached to wherever you lock the bike at school and avoid carrying it around. Use the U-Lock for other errands where you will not be leaving the bike alone very long.

The bike you ordered has a wheel lock for the rear wheel. I would not rely on that by any means, While it might prevent a thief from riding away with your bike, it does little more than that.