Commuting - High Performance Commuter Recommendations?

I am looking for a high performance commuter bike to use with my bad weather/winter Trek 720. It has to have rear rack mounts for my Arkel panniers. I would like shimano dura ace or ultegra but will do 105 (or comp). Must have drop bars, prefer disk brakes. Would like fender mounts and plan to run something like a 700x28 tire. Little to no off road use but really want something fast, comfortable, and reliable. Like to be below $2k. Suggestions?

TIA

Tim

I commute on a Cervelo P2k. I'd say it's a pretty high performance bike, but it basically strikes out on your other qualifications. :D

When you say "high performance," how do you mean the "performance" part? Do you mean "fast bike that others might consider using for races," or do you mean "really good at commuting?"

Trek SU 200

http://www2.trekbikes.com/images/bikes_my07/medium/su200_navy.jpg

Trek SOHO

http://www2.trekbikes.com/images/bikes_my07/medium/soho_ti.jpg

High performance as in not a tank like my entry level Trek. I really want to go faster and be more responsive all the way around. I won't race it.

Sounds like the Trek Portland.
Other than that if you want drop bars and disc brakes you are looking at cyclocross bikes. Most of the cyclocross bikes that have disc brakes do not have the mounts for racks and fenders so you would have to improvise.
If disc brakes are an option then it opens up a few more options such as a custom configured Surly Pacer or Cross Check, or several other cyclocross or light touring bikes.
Craig

That's kind of the problem. The Trek 5.2 looks great but no rack mounts. I keep going back and forth between touring and cyclocross. It's really hard to tell who has rack mounts and who doesn't. Discs are just a like to have.

http://www.irocycle.com/imagelib/robroybike.jpg

IRO Rob Roy

http://www.surlybikes.com/frames/images/bikes_window_BK.jpg

surly complete

http://www.surlybikes.com/frames/images/truckerStreet.jpg

Surly LHT

I have a specialized sequoia. It meets the mins of most of your requirements, but a couple of my gripes might be a problem for you as well. I have 700x25c tires, i wouldn't go much larger. I had 32c's on there but they were too big. With the 25c tires I can fit full coverage fenders on it but it's a tight fit. It has road brakes. Most components are 105. Will accept a rear rack. I was at the LBS last week and saw that the new sequoia has a hole in the fork to accept a lowrider front rack.I'm not sure which model year the one in the shop was though.

As far as comfort and reliability...it's very comfortable. It's been very reliable also, in almost 4000 miles I've only replaced brake pads and 2 front spokes.

If I had it to do over now though, i'd probably go for a tricross or other cross bike. I'd like the ability to use wider tires + fenders.

A Salsa Las Cruces (http://www.salsacycles.com/frames_06LasCruces.html) would be a nice frame to build up to those specs.

http://www.salsacycles.com/frames/images/05_LasCruces_300.jpg

I commute on a 2006 Fuji World touring bike. I think they may have dropped this one for 2007 but you might be able to find one from last year. 853 steel frame, carbon fork, drop bars, 105 level components, rack and fender eylets. Avid Shorty cantilevers for stopping. They work great in wet conditions. There's plenty of room for tires and fenders--I run 28's and fenders with lots of clearance. The bike came with 32's.

It's fun to ride, though a little heavy. I think it's about 24.5# with the rack and fenders.

gordon

I was just going to recommend that Salsa La Cruces.

You could build one up with disc brakes, and a Campy Veloce group for under $2k easily.

I've been pondering building up a soma smoothie.

High performance as in not a tank like my entry level Trek. I really want to go faster and be more responsive all the way around. I won't race it.

Entry level Trek? That 720 (from 1983-84) was the highest level touring bike they made, lower quality units were 620, 520 (still in production today but welded now instead of lugged) and 420. Regardless, even today the 720 is still considered to be a very good touring frame and was ranked amoung the best in the world for that purpose.

Maybe the components on it have been downgraded over the years but it should have (if made in 83)Sugino Aero Mighty forged triple cranks, Huret DuoPar deraillours (now considered a classic deraillour), brakes were DiaCompe 960's cantilevers, Maillard hubs, the frame was Reynolds 531st. This was all top end touring components of the day even though it represented the most costly route to the consumer. So in response to try to keep the price lower in 84 they went with Shimano top of the line touring platform for the brakes and cranks only, everything else remained virtually the same. Then in 85, the final year of the 720, they went back to the Sugino cranks because they were less troublesome then the Shimano, but stayed with the Shimano brakes because they were reliable and very effective at stopping loaded bikes.

Drop bars with discs and eyelets:

Redline Conquest Disc-R
Brodie Romax
Kona Sutra (steel, sliding dropouts)
Giant OCR Touring (what I got, discontinued)
Schwinn DBX
(I'm pretty sure these all have full eyelets)


The Las Cruces is dreamily gorgeous, not sure if it's got FULL eyelets... there's always P-clips.

Is the Trek 720 a road or mountain bike?

Here is the link to the frame I have been thinking about:
http://www.somafab.com/smoothie.html
However, I tend to change my mind every month or so. Next month it could be something different like a lemond frame.
I actually could care less about the fender or rack mounts. Seems odd for a road bike with that geometry.
My build will be a weight weenie fair weather bike.

Sorry, I was sloppy Froze, I have a 720 Multi-track (hybrid), not the tourer.

That's kind of the problem. The Trek 5.2 looks great but no rack mounts. I keep going back and forth between touring and cyclocross. It's really hard to tell who has rack mounts and who doesn't. Discs are just a like to have.

5.2 Pilot has rack mounts - at least on the dropouts and fork.

I think you have too many options. You can get:

1. A regular road bike and make it work.
2. A comfort road bike (Giant OCR, Spec. Sequoia, Trek Pilot, C'dale SR) that has rack eyelets and room for fenders.
3. A cyclocross bike with eyelets, either with cantis or discs.
4. A touring bike
5. An oddball drop-bar disc bike

So you should consider what priorities are important to you. I wanted discs because I wanted to ride through a Pacific NW winter, and I hear there's a lot of rain up here. So I went with a Giant OCR Touring, a bike that I'd place in category 5. But it's not particularly *light*...

If you're not going to ride in the rain, I don't see a compelling reason to get discs. If you want sporty handling, skip the touring bikes. I'd recommend a Trek Pilot or something...

Sorry, I was sloppy Froze, I have a 720 Multi-track (hybrid), not the tourer.

Being from the old school days I was thinking of that, I forgot they made a 720 multi-track. Oh well, now you know something about a bike you could care less about!!! :eek:

Try the '07 Lemond Poprad. Had a Trek demo at my LBS the other day, very nice, discs, eyelets, though the front were on the inside of the fork, 105 equipped I believe. I'd rate it better than the Trek Portland.
http://www.lemondbikes.com/bikes/cyclocross/classic_steel/poprad_disc.php

Edit. Looked around the Lemond site a little. The '06 looks just as good.

http://fujibikes.com/2007/bikes.asp?id=288&subcat=2
Fuji Cross Pro
Ultegra Shifters
Dura-Ace rear derailleur
Ultegra front derailleur
700x32 cyclocross tires
avid cantis
within your price range

That's the 2007. The 2006 has an ultegra rear derailleur and will be a bit cheaper. This is going to be my next bike.

Allow me, please, to suggest what i did:
http://velospace.org/node/806
I hope this can inspire you.

For a steel frame, will require you to build it up.

For high performance for a commuter I would suggest using a steel frame with 853 quality of steel. 36 spoke open pro wheelset with 25cc or 28cc slick tires depending on load weight or quality of roads. Using lightweight stem, handlebar, and seatpost.

Some 853 frames are the Salsa La Cruces (already mentioned) or Gunnar Crosshairs.

If you acquire the frame first then are patient and acquire the other components off internet bike shops at marked down prices or off ebay, Craigslist, etc... you can have the bicycle ready to go by Spring with the most savings possible.

One interesting bicycle is the Jamis Coda Supreme (http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/bikes/06_codasupreme.html). It features an 853 steel frame with a carbon fork. Really fast. However, if you wanted a rack you would have to buy an adaptor to install. If you will be a commuter using messenger bag or backpack it would work. No drop bars, however.

That's kind of the problem. The Trek 5.2 looks great but no rack mounts. I keep going back and forth between touring and cyclocross. It's really hard to tell who has rack mounts and who doesn't. Discs are just a like to have.
Trek Portland:
http://www2.trekbikes.com/images/bikes_my07/large/portland_burntorange.jpg
If you can do without disc brakes build up something like a Surly Pacer:
http://www.surlybikes.com/pacer.html
Craig

I have an '06 Poprad. I wouldn't call it my "high performance" bike. The cyclocross geometry is different than a road bike; you sit high with a long wheelbase. It's very stable and solid, much like a touring bike, but it tends to feel a little like a SUV position. High and big. The ride is fantastic for sure, especially after they replaced my alu fork with a carbon (this is a standard replacement now). It's light, accelerates well with good snap to the steel, and it brakes like a mofo with strong cantis (watch out for chatter, tho).

But it isn't what I ride when I want "high performance" and I don't think I'd recommend it for that. 'Cross geometry is different and not as sporty feeling to me.

I'd say go with a road bike. The Lemond Sarthe was my other choice... Sometimes I wish I had bought that one.

When I'm looking for high performance, though, I ride my Pista. This thing flies with the 48x16 (if you can push it!), is light enough to toss around, has lightning quick handling... But she's a harsh mistress, I have to be on top of my game to ride her well. A good bike to date, on those days you want high performance. To be honest it's probably slower than a road bike but damn it feels fast. Cheap, to boot.

http://www.bianchiusa.com/typo3temp/25333b4a76.jpg

Really, though, with $2k and if you're not into fixie... Get a road bike.

A Salsa Las Cruces (http://www.salsacycles.com/frames_06LasCruces.html) would be a nice frame to build up to those specs.

http://www.salsacycles.com/frames/images/05_LasCruces_300.jpg

Why is the Salsa so much more then frame builders like Soma or Surly

Because Salsa uses high end tubing and not low end steel. Reynolds 853 vs cheaper carbon steel. Lighter, just as strong. Columbus owns me, though.

http://www.dahon.com/images/bikes/large/unfold/speedprott.jpg

I test rode a Pilot 5.2 yesterday. Ohh my ... was that a sweet ride. I think that is the way I am going. I just don't see how I could build up a bike with 10 speed ultegra and get close to $2k.

I may feel a little silly with 2 panniers on and all my lights, but on the weekends ... I'll be flying.

Because Salsa uses high end tubing and not low end steel.

Las Cruces is aluminum (with a tad of Sc). I think it's pretty similar to a Kona Major Jake. It's imported by Salsa.

http://www.dahon.com/images/bikes/large/unfold/speedprott.jpg


How fast can you get on a folder?

The Lemond Poprad also comes in disc version, but I can't recall if it has fender/rack mounts or no.

Kona just released a super sweet single-speed cross bike with rack mounts.

If you are content to forgo the disc, you open yourself to a wide range of possibilities under $2000, including the Jamis Nova, with which I am super happy (cantis mounted with Kool Stop MTB pads do pretty well in the crap weather).

I just got a soma smoothie 48 to build up for my wife. Great tubing (Tange Prestige) and paint job, and the thing has mounts for just about anything you want to throw on it. The hand welds are pretty lame, though. I don't know if that's just the case with hand-welded TIG stuff.

I would get a tricked out Surly Cross Check.

The Long Haul Trucker is heavy and I would not call it a "performance commuter" even though I really LOVE my LHT on my 23 mile commute.

Las Cruces is nice too and you can put a disk brake on that. I would expect it to be a bit lighter than the Cross Check.

The hand welds are pretty lame, though. I don't know if that's just the case with hand-welded TIG stuff.

Could you speak more regarding why the welds are lame? This was the part I was curious about. I can not seem to find a decent picture where I can see their welds. Nice looking welds are a high priority for me.

You need a sport touring bike. They are not common in the US. Check out the Rivendell Rambouillet, you can stuff 28s with fenders on it, it has braze-ons for racks and it's sporting enough to do club rides on the weekends.

Good luck.

Another vote for the Trek Portland. I traded up to this from a hybrid and am loving it.

I've written before that although Trek markets it as a "commuter" bike, I more view it as a road bike, optimized for the rain. It is perfect for my mostly suburban ride.

I still need to decide what I'm going to do come deep, dark winter, but am seriously considering continuing to ride it, albeit with wider (maybe even studded) tires.

My thinking is to go for the Trek Pilot 5.2. I can put a rack on it and commute. On the weekend, I can have a fast ride. Awfully nice compromise. When it gets real nasty, I'll use my current commuter (Trek 720 Multitrack). Sound good?

I was thinking of the Surly Pacer. It's a road bike geometry, but takes "standard" reach brakes (insteady of the more standard "short" reach brakes) so you can fit fenders - it also has eyelets for rack and fenders.

Myself, I bought a Schwinn steel road bike off eBay and built it up to use as my commuter. I have always preferred road bikes for commuting.

Sorry: you wanted disk brakes. I live in Portland and have never needed them, but if you want it, I'd recommend the Trek Portland. Just exchange the fenders for some full coverage ones when you buy the bike; SKS makes some good fenders which are durable and solid.

Another vote for sport touring style such as Soma ES (http://www.somafab.com/extrasmoothie.html)or IF Club Racer (http://www.ifbikes.com/frames2/steelclubracer.shtml)


For a high performance commuter you need long drop caliper brakes, 28mm tyres + rack and fender fittings. Disk brakes are for serious foul weather riding and require an extra stiff (and heavy duty) fork. If you have another foul-weather bike then go for a carbon or quality steel fork.

Could you speak more regarding why the welds are lame? This was the part I was curious about. I can not seem to find a decent picture where I can see their welds. Nice looking welds are a high priority for me.

sorry, haven't checked this lately.

biggish, amateurish tig welds in the main triangle (not as bad as alu, but not as nice as my Jamis), one side of the headtube is just a plain bad/ugly weld--depression along the weld line and a small air pocket to boot. seatstays look skimpy in the weld--almost glued-on.

This is a 48 cm frame, and a friend at a shop that sells a lot of somas speculated that maybe this was one of the first frames welded with the new Tange tubing (switched from Reynolds). I've seen other Somas and nothing jumped out at me. Soma gives a 5 year guarantee on frames, so we'll see, I guess.

Trek Portland:
http://www2.trekbikes.com/images/bikes_my07/large/portland_burntorange.jpg
If you can do without disc brakes build up something like a Surly Pacer:
http://www.surlybikes.com/pacer.html
Craig

I'm not too crazy about the front fork or the half coverage fenders. Well, actually, I LOVE the fenders. I think they look great. I just worry about how effective they'd be. Other than that, that thing is dead sexy!

I commute on a 2006 Fuji World touring bike. I think they may have dropped this one for 2007 but you might be able to find one from last year. 853 steel frame, carbon fork, drop bars, 105 level components, rack and fender eylets. Avid Shorty cantilevers for stopping. They work great in wet conditions. There's plenty of room for tires and fenders--I run 28's and fenders with lots of clearance. The bike came with 32's.

It's fun to ride, though a little heavy. I think it's about 24.5# with the rack and fenders.

gordon

I love my 2005 World, but what made you think you have a 2006? 2005 was the last year it was made.

http://www.fujibikes.com/2006/road.asp
http://www.fujibikes.com/2005/road.asp

I'm not too crazy about the front fork or the half coverage fenders. Well, actually, I LOVE the fenders. I think they look great. I just worry about how effective they'd be. Other than that, that thing is dead sexy!

Agreed. What I like is the way the rear brake is mounted, it looks like it would be out of the way of panniers.

With the Portland, the rear brake is completely out of the way. I have a rack and panniers. The front fork (http://www.bontrager.com/Road/Components/Forks/21236_popup.php) also has eyelets for full front fenders half way up. I am still using the stock ones shown above. They work OK, but my only comparison is to no fenders and I would think that full coverage fenders would certainly be better. The QR fenders are nice in that when I go for a group ride I only get teased for having disc brakes, a rack, and panniers rather than being teased for having disc brakes, a rack, panniers, and fenders.

How about the Torelli Gran Sasso? No disc brakes & 25 tires are the limit but it does have eyelets on the dropouts & Zefal fenders fit. You would need to use P clips to attach a rack to the seat stays. Spec is Campy Mirage but some came with a Daytona/Centaur mix. Truly high performance commuting. edit(the welds are filed so smooth it looks like a fillet brazed bike)edit. I have one & Jakey uses one for his "rain" bike. Don

Soma Smoothie ES, Surly Pacer or Trek 520. no discs though. lots of good frames out there.

I'm close to pulling the trigger over a Soma Smoothie ES. fits 32's with fenders and mid(long)reach 57mm brakes. i should just bite the bullet and order the frame...

Yeaaa! Here is my new ride. :) 2005 Trek Pilot 5.2 For $1,600 delivered, like new I am happy with the price. :)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=018&item=280032309800&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

Maybe a little overkill for commuting but my weekend rides will be much faster now.

Here is a thread I started. http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=235582

How fast can you get on a folder?

Quite fast on that one! It's geared up about as high as most road bikes.

I have a couple of 20-inch folders and they are much faster off the line than any 700c bike. And the 20-inch wheels turn more rapidly than the 700c too. So if you want to dart and weave - you could do much worse than a modern folder.

Probably not what you'd want for top end country road flying. Oh, if you can pedal them, the bikes will fly if you want but with 20-inch wheels being so much more responsive (twitchy?) than 700c - it can be nerve-racking.

Congrats on the new bike. Looks like a sweet ride.

Thanks Dalmore.

The Salsa Casseroll would be an amazing frame to build up into a fast commuter if you can wait until spring. Details here (http://www.salsacycles.com/07_frames_preview.html). Rack and fender mounts, clearance for 700x28 tires with fenders, horizontal dropouts, a pretty straight blade fork, and it's GOLD. This frame will use Salsa branded 4130 tubing so it *should* be cheaper.

http://www.salsacycles.com/images/07_casseroll_comp.jpg