Commuting - Trek Portland Should I?

I am starting a new job at a Hospital so I finally have access to a shower. My Commute one way will be ~20 miles. I don't want to commute on my Cervelo. I really love the looks of the Portland, but for the life of me can't figure out why it retails so high. Would I be better off getting a lower end Trek and converting it? I will be sticking with my LBS on this and Trek most likely since I have owned one in the past, and it served me well.

Thanks,

Ryan

They're quality bikes designed to handle almost anything you can throw at them. If youcan find something that with a minimum of conversion can match the ride-away TP then try that. Good luck though as the flat bar alternatives would require a new stem, drop bars and brifters.
trek portland - http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/2008/urban/portland/portland/



Don't forget there are other, similar, options.

cannondale cross xr7 - http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/08/cusa/model-8XR7C.html

Brodie Ronin '08 - http://www.brodiebikes.com/2008/2008_bikes/ronin.php
Brodie romax '07 - http://www.brodiebikes.com/2007/2007_bikes/romax.php
brodie ronin '07 - http://www.brodiebikes.com/2007/2007_bikes/ronin.php

lemond poprad disc - http://www.lemondbikes.com/bikes/cross/poprad_disc.php

rocky mountain sherpa - http://www.bikes.com/bikes/2007/TOURING/sherpa-10.aspx

kona sutra - http://www.konaworld.com/08_sutra_w.htm

orbea diem drop disc - http://www.orbea.com/ingles/interior.php?tipo=1&familia=6&gama=13

focus cross disc - http://www.focusbikesuk.com/focuscyclocrossbikes/cyclocross_bikes_cross_disc.php

devinci caribou2 - http://www.devinci.com/10479_an.html

raleighusa sojourn - http://www.raleighusa.com/items.asp?deptid=5&itemid=427

rei novara element - http://www.rei.com/product/744808

co-motion mazama - http://www.co-motion.com/mazama.html

rocky mountain Solo CXD - http://bikes.com/2008_preview/2008_preview.html

rotwild rs1cx - http://www.rotwild.de/en/ (street bikes section)

fixie inc. pureblood - http://www.cycles-for-heroes.com/2008/download/pureblood.html

maxx roadmaxx custom (you choose the color and parts at the LBS and the factory puts it together, i.e., not a custom frame) - http://www.maxx.de/frmain_bikes.htm (road - roadmaxx custom)

Salsa la Cruz - http://www.salsacycles.com/laCruzComp08.html

What about Schwinn World DBX? I came across one recently in a store, and it seems pretty decent. Somewhat heavy (at least after picking up the Fastback Elite!) but coming "stock" with a triple, discs, fenders, 'cross brakes and rack attachement points, it seems like a decent enough deal. I did see that it also had an adjustable stem too, and SPD/platform pedals, along with carbon fork and seatpost.

Just pointing it out, as it was rather tempting to me (since it was a marked down model).

You have a Cervelo and you are questioning the price of a Trek Portland? :eek:

For the record, I have a Portland (3000+ miles of sunny/rainy/salty/snowy commuting with zero issues, bar a retentioning of the rear wheel) and I have a Cervelo on order. :D

What about Schwinn World DBX?

Just pointing it out, as it was rather tempting to me (since it was a marked down model).

There's a prof. at my school who LOVES his Schwinn World, though he thinks the disc brakes are over-rated.

There are several things that drive the price of the Portland up:

1) It's a low-production model--not many units to spread the costs over.
2) The fork: Carbon, rides sweet yet it's stoutly built. Only carbon fork I'm aware of that has lowrider rack mounts. Used only on one other model, the LeMond Poprad Disk.
3) The frame: It's Trek's highest-level aluminum frame, and is unique to this model. It's noticeably lighter, yet better riding than my other aluminum Trek.
4) The wheelset: Disk hubs cost more, and these wheels are used on only one other model, the LeMond Poprad Disk
5) 105 drivetrain (with a splash of Ultegra) and levers. Mid-teens is about right for a 105/Ultegra bike.

My Portland was twice the price of my other Trek, and that's a bargain because to me, it's worth more than even that.

I was liking these Portlands as well. Could you ride cross with knobbies on one?

I own a Schwinn DBX and the year end close out price did it for me.
I was drooling all over the Portland but Money still talks, I have been
disappointed with the wheels on the DBX, and I did change out the
Crank. Future plans are to upgrade the components each year to
spread out the financial pain, but after 1 year with this ride I am happy.

But man the new DBX frame is pretty cool...

I like the Portland and think it's fairly priced. But I'm thinking about going the Soho 4.0 route for my next commuter - internal hub, flat bars, disc brakes, easy rack/fender install, etc. A lot less maintenance with the internal hub, more comfort and fewer flats with the wider tires, and more durable wheels. It will be slightly slower, but on a 20 mile ride, it's probably a matter of 5 minutes more, so seems like a good tradeoff to me.

- Mark

I was liking these Portlands as well. Could you ride cross with knobbies on one?

By the strictest interpretation of the rules, no. It's because disk brakes are not allowed under international cross rules. Local races many times ignore this. I see disk brake equipped bikes all the time in local races.

As far as CX tires on the bike go, I have pair or Bontrager Jones CXR knobbies I use when off-road and fireroading. They're a smidge narrower than my Nokian Hakkapeliitta W106 studded snows. Both sets fit just fine under the full fenders I added to my Portland.

As for its off-road prowess, I'm not a serious off-roader, but I chase MTBers off-road all the time. They're amazed that some old guy on a "road bike" can keep up with them and go almost everywhere they can. I keep telling them, it's not about the bike. ;)

The Portland looks nice. Put a brown B-17 on it and your golden. I'm a steel is real kinda of guy, have you considered the Trek 520 ?

By the strictest interpretation of the rules, no. It's because disk brakes are not allowed under international cross rules. Local races many times ignore this. I see disk brake equipped bikes all the time in local races.

As far as CX tires on the bike go, I have pair or Bontrager Jones CXR knobbies I use when off-road and fireroading. They're a smidge narrower than my Nokian Hakkapeliitta W106 studded snows. Both sets fit just fine under the full fenders I added to my Portland.

As for its off-road prowess, I'm not a serious off-roader, but I chase MTBers off-road all the time. They're amazed that some old guy on a "road bike" can keep up with them and go almost everywhere they can. I keep telling them, it's not about the bike. ;)
Well I'm not planning on anything serious (racing or jumping or whatnot), I just want a bike that can "do it all" and that won't bend in half if I go off road. I know it's got the same fork as the Lemond Poprad Disc, so I thought it would be ok, but I wasn't sure.
What I really want is a disc equipped Tricross.

If I had money to piss away right now I'd totally buy a Portland. Actually, I think that's the sort of bike I'll look into when my current road bike is in its older years. I like that it's setup with a 105 group. I've seen many in this style of bikes with Deore rear dérailleurs and I just don't agree with that: My mountain bike has Deore's and they seem sluggish to me. Why does my road bike need mountain bike dérailleurs? My mountain bike has made me like disc brakes though. Waaay too much power, but just a light touch to brake. It's like having power assisted brakes on a car; so easy to squeeze!

If I had money to piss away right now I'd totally buy a Portland. Actually, I think that's the sort of bike I'll look into when my current road bike is in its older years. I like that it's setup with a 105 group. I've seen many in this style of bikes with Deore rear dérailleurs and I just don't agree with that: My mountain bike has Deore's and they seem sluggish to me. Why does my road bike need mountain bike dérailleurs? My mountain bike has made me like disc brakes though. Waaay too much power, but just a light touch to brake. It's like having power assisted brakes on a car; so easy to squeeze!

I think they cut costs by putting an mtb der on, as well as giving it a little bit of "oh look, you can use it of road b/c it has mtb components" cred.

9 speed STI + road FD + MTB rear deraileur = flexibility to run a wide range cassette. Sluggishness in shifting is more likely caused by the shifters themselves or the cables/housing. Derailleurs really don't do much other than swing back and forth...

If it fit, I would choose the LeMond Poprad Disc over the Portland. It's basically a steel Portland, but with LeMond's geometry, which tends to long top tubes.

I also looked & really like the Portland, but settled on a Trek520. Been commuting over a year approx 20 one way. Really happy with it. A little heavier but could loose the weight difference on my body. The 520 is really bombproof, which helps on the rough roads commuting to work. :)