Commuting - A good bike for... commuting! (New)

I've been looking into several bikes, and I've gone to several bike shops around in Portland, OR, and I've narrowed my search down to about 3 bikes:

Trek 7300 FX
Kona Smoke
and a Gary Fisher

This is my first foray into commuter biking, and my budget (including accesories like helmet, lights, etc) is $500 - $525. Most bike shops that I've gone to are telling me that they can do this with these bikes.

I rode the Smoke yesterday, and I'm going to try out the Trek tomorrow.

What are the advantages/disadvantages among these bikes? Are there any other bikes I should keep in concideration? What should I be getting as far as the accesories are concerned? What should I expect riding around in Portland and being completely new to city riding?

Thanks!

What are the advantages/disadvantages among these bikes? Are there any other bikes I should keep in concideration? What should I be getting as far as the accesories are concerned? What should I expect riding around in Portland and being completely new to city riding?

Thanks!

I don't know the bikes so I can't comment there, but as for the rest of it:

- Frame pump
- Patch kit
- Spare tube
- Multi-tool
- Lights
- Helmet
- Gloves (if you have any $$ left over)

Good luck and let us all know what you got (picture, please!!)

Whoops! Forgot the fenders!! You could add those later. I think fenders are a nice add-on, though. Helmet and flat repair stuff is mandatory, though.

For a damp climate commuter bike, ensure that the frame has threaded eyelets for a fenders and luggage rack. The clip-on equivelents are not as good as bolt on versions.
Ensure that you bike has sufficient clearance to accept a good sized tyre (eg 32mm) + fenders.
Get the correct size bike.
If the bike comes with knobbly tyres you should exchange them for medium sized, slick , kevlar protected commuter tyres such as Specialized armadillo.

I have a Trek 7000FX, and for my needs (26 km/day round trip), it's a peach I tell ya, a peach. It has the 700 x 38 tires and is sturdy and geared beautifully. The fenders are a definite as is an extra flap from the bottom of the front fender down to the road to catch all the splash and guk. I have put 800 km on my trek since May, and I will put many more km on it

I have a Gary Fisher Nirvana that I use to commute on, has all the eyelets for fenders and racks. Great bike, been very happy with it thus far. Like everyone else said, fenders, good lights and get some good tough road tires that can take a beating. Specialized Armadillo and Infinity tires are great. A lot of people on this board use Schwalbe Marathon tires too.

I've been looking into several bikes, and I've gone to several bike shops around in Portland, OR, and I've narrowed my search down to about 3 bikes:

Trek 7300 FX
Kona Smoke
and a Gary Fisher

This is my first foray into commuter biking, and my budget (including accesories like helmet, lights, etc) is $500 - $525. Most bike shops that I've gone to are telling me that they can do this with these bikes.

I rode the Smoke yesterday, and I'm going to try out the Trek tomorrow.

What are the advantages/disadvantages among these bikes? Are there any other bikes I should keep in concideration? What should I be getting as far as the accesories are concerned? What should I expect riding around in Portland and being completely new to city riding?

Thanks!

I recently purchased the 2005 Kona Smoke to ride around the city. I am very impressed with it so far as it seems built to take some bumps. The wheels are 26" Alexrims Z1000 36 spokes; which should take a beating. It has fenders and a mystery horn. I added a rack to carry things if necessary.

I like the flat black stealth military look of it.

http://www.konaworld.com/shopping_cart/FrontEnd/Products/product_detail.aspx?productid=85&parentid=182

You live in Portland. Buying a early to mid-90s unsuspended mountain bike that's in good shape will set you back maybe $100. Craigslist.org Another $100 to get a good tune-up (if you can't do it yourself) will make the bike run like new if needed. Replace the tires with slicks ($20), add fenders, rack, panniers and you're still about $300 max. Here are a few good candidates I see today in craiglist:

http://portland.craigslist.org/bik/94466786.html
http://portland.craigslist.org/bik/94466166.html
http://portland.craigslist.org/bik/94235883.html
http://portland.craigslist.org/bik/94213123.html
http://portland.craigslist.org/bik/93942028.html Miyata for $35!!!!!!!!!!!

Just make sure they have index shifting, 7 speed cassette in the rear is optimal. Also insure they have front and rear rack/fender eyelets.