Commuting - Felt Z80 for Commuting?

Hi All, First post here and I am about to start commuting to work. I live in Florida so rain will be an issue. It's about 16 miles round trip mostly on 4 lane highway and city streets. I am looking at either the Felt Z80 or the Raleigh Cadent 2.0. Just want some opinions on which of the two would work out better. I like the Felt more because of the ability for me to grow into it as more of a road/ race bike. This will be my first road bike and I have ridden both at my LBS. The only thing thats holding me back about the Felt is the fact that the frame does not have braze-ons, even though the guy at the shop said a seat post mounted rack will be able to hold enough weight. Also will I be able to mount fenders to it? Any help would be greatly appreciated since I would like to purchase the bike and start commuting by next month. Thanks in advance!

You can commute on a racing bike. It is more of a matter of personal preference than anything.
However, it is possible a different type of bike may be more appropriate due to various factors.

Personally, I would use a messenger bag if I was commuting on a bike without braze-ons.
This may work for fenders:
http://ecom1.planetbike.com/7017.html

You could also purchase a carradice saddle bag instead.
http://www.wallbike.com/carradice/carradicesaddlebags.html

If it were me I would pick up a dedicated commuter and add a racing bike later. Actually that is what I am doing.... the racing bike part. :p You could also look at Cx bikes as a compromise. More aggressive, tough, usually have braze-ons, and can also race. I would suspect that they may be a tad slower than something like a specialized tarmac.

Thanks for the advice Data Junkie. I am going to go ride the z80 again today after work and hopefully pick the brain of the shop owner on different ways to carry loads without braze ons.

I will deffinately look into the freddy fenders you suggested!

The reason I am purchasing a more or less race bike is for the ability to tour with it later on this year and I have researdhed the OMM racks to use with large panniers. The only thing I don't like is the price of them!! I will only be using a seat post stlye rack for commuting to make it easier to change flats. I am just worried what the handling will be like after loading 30 lbs of gear on the Z80.

It's about 16 miles round trip mostly on 4 lane highway and city streets.

You're allowed to ride on 4 lane highway?!?

<looks toward an imaginary fellow kentuckian cyclist>
we got hosed tommy, we got hosed.

Seriously, if the road goes faster than 50mph the state forbids cyclists farm implements, mopeds another such vehicles.

/jealousy off

I commuted for a time on a 70 MPH...

...scariest ****ing 8 miles of my life, twice a day for a year.

I have a cadent 3.0 and have ridden it a few times to commute, its a very capable bike and I put a rack on mine so I can mount my bike trunk and also a space bar for a headlight. Its not a perfect commuter since its not intended for that specific purpose but any roadbike can be used to commute just stap on a backpack and go

The only thing thats holding me back about the Felt is the fact that the frame does not have braze-ons, even though the guy at the shop said a seat post mounted rack will be able to hold enough weight. Also will I be able to mount fenders to it?

I own a Felt 80 and I love it. It's my first road bike but it seems to do what I need and what I want from it. I haven't commuted on it but feel comfortable that I could.

I've ridden with a Chrome Metro messenger bag and once on the bike the messenger bag becomes very comfortable.

Regarding the rack...You don't need braze-ons for a rear rack. They come with brackets that attach to the seat stays. I had a rack mounted on my F80 and had it taken off when I changed my mind.

Fenders are a different story. I understand that there are clip on fenders for bikes w/o braze-ons. This gives you flexibility to mirror your weather situation. Permanently mounted fenders would require braze-ons or some sort of creative attachment which a good LBS should be able to accomplish.

BTW...I have had great success with Specialized Armadillos which I recommend if you're going to commute. They look great on the yellow F80 too.

Good luck.

The reason I am purchasing a more or less race bike is for the ability to tour with it later on this year and I have researdhed the OMM racks to use with large panniers. The only thing I don't like is the price of them!! I will only be using a seat post stlye rack for commuting to make it easier to change flats. I am just worried what the handling will be like after loading 30 lbs of gear on the Z80.
To me that seems a very good reason to NOT buy a race bike. Can you please clarify?

Without braze-ons, doing more than a very short credit card tour is very difficult.

Regarding M_S's post. I have been looking at the Old Man Mountain rack systems that do not require braze-on (Red Rock/White Rock). I am trying to kill 2 birds with one stone in that I am looking to buy a bike that will be a dedicated communter and also something I can take on a week long tour with my wife. I also plan on giving up the car almost completely since the house I am buying is within riding distance to everything I need. I test rode the Z80 again and love the feel. I have no idea what the handling caracteristics will be when loaded down with 20-30 lbs of gear. That is the only thing is am worried about. Thanks for all the great advice.

Oh yeah, sorry I forgot to mention it but the highway is 4 lanes all together (2 going the same direction). There is also a bike lane on the right and the speed limit is 45 MPH

I do my 15+ mile round trip commute on a trek 2100. I have a Jandd mountain wedge 3 to put some gear in, but it is definitely not a tourer. A lot of people on here have touring bikes that they use to commute, like a Surly LHT. You could also try a cyclocross bike.