Commuting - New Here, Trek Questions (FX vs. Soho and more)

Howdy.

I've been doing 12 miles a day on a piece of garbage "hybrid" I bought at Target for about a hundred bucks. It shifts poorly, it weighs a ton, it's just a tragedy. I bought it expecting that, so I could get back into riding and learn what it was I wanted.

Well, I want something very light, upright seating and posture, with disc brakes. I want the disc brakes because I'd like to be able to commute in the rain if need be. I can get a Trek 7.3 FX with disc brakes for $350 used. It's a 2006. Is that a good deal? I can get a new 2008 7.3 for $519, but that obviously lacks the disc brakes. I ride on the street in Northeast Ohio.

If I go new, should I consider the Soho 1.0? Is that a fair heir to the FX with disc brakes? I called up the Trek store in Pittsburgh and they informed me that the FX no longer has a disc brake option because they expanded the Soho line. I've read the Soho may be a bit heavier than the FX.

Is there a bike I should be considering? I'd prefer to keep it below or just around $500.

Thanks!

I can't really say anything about the 7.3 FX myself, but I do own a 7.2 FX. Good bike, I really like it. Got it new on sale for like, $350ish or so. From the trek website, it looks like the 7.3 would be a step up from that. At the very least, it's a bit more expensive.

The only Soho I tried was the single speed model that comes with a flip-flop freewheel/fixie back wheel. I wasn't particularly crazy about it, but a big part of that is that I hate ss/fg bikes.

Well, I don't know how heavy it is, but the KHS Urban Xcel comes w/discs and msrp of 519.

There's also the Giant TranSend LX. Little over your budget, but comes w/discs, as well as a rear rack, fenders, bell, and kickstand.

I have a 7.3FX and love it. Light, responsive, a great commuter. I wouldn't have gotten discs on it though, in my opinion they are overkill for road bikes.

Yo ReaperBot, nice to see a familiar face!

I'd probably just get the 7.3 if I were you, but Specialized also has a well-regarded commuter (I think) called the Globe Centrum with Disk Brakes. It sells for $550 on Specialized's website, but generally I see them cheaper.

Both the entry-level GLobe Centrum and the Soho 1.0 are single speeds though. are you sure you're ready for that?

If you were willing to spend $200 more, I'd recommend a Swobo Otis. I have the Dixon and it's been a joy to commute on. THe otis is only different in that it has a 3 speed intern gear hub; the Dixon has a 9 speed.

http://www.swobo.com/catalog/product_info_b.php?cPath=201_207

Sonoma? From where do I know you?

Oh, the Soho 1.0 is an eight speed, I believe. The Soho S is the single speed.

Howzabout the Trek 7300? I can get a good deal on a used one as well.

The 7.3 is a decent price if it's in good shape. You don't need disc brakes.

Lil Brown Bat, don't you think they're useful if you're riding in the rain?

I have the '08 7.3FX and love it. I looked at the Soho and other models with disc brakes before I bought it, and couldn't see the point. The Avid V's on the the 7.3FX are nothing special to look at, but do the job well rain or shine. I use this bike as my commuting/shopping/everything bike, but have also taken it out for a few longer ( 30-50mile ) rides and it performs really well. Highly recommended.

don't you think they're useful if you're riding in the rain?

I can't really see how they'd improve braking performance in the rain: they're still getting wet themselves. Maybe a little less wet, but I don't really see that as being worth the extra money in your case. As far as I know they're mainly for riders who do more intensive mountain biking, although don't take my word on that.

I've always used rim brakes, and they work fine in the rain. Just take things slower (which you're kinda supposed to do in the rain anyways), and leave yourself more braking distance (which you're also supposed to do in the rain).

Lil Brown Bat, don't you think they're useful if you're riding in the rain?

Disk brakes are not some kind of rain proof magic brake. They can have more stopping power, if properly adjusted... but the average bike brake already has plenty of stopping power, even in rain. The main advantage of disk brakes is when you're riding in conditions that are so bad that the rim is utterly crudded up. On a paved or gravel road, this is not something that happens in rain, only in snow or other below freezing precipitation. This doesn't make disk brakes bad, but for the average rider they are not necessary.

The standard disk brake designs make adding a rack problematic, since there's no clearance. There are disk brake designs that don't cause such trouble, but if you're not good mechanically, it can be hard to identify them unless the bike comes with a rack. So I treat any bike with disk brakes and without a rack as a "toy bike".

If you have real reason to believe that you need all weather brakes (and by all weather I do mean *snow*), there are many options. Coaster brakes, drum brakes, roller brakes and disk brakes all can work. The first 3 all are older technology and are much more flexible in terms of rack mounting and combining with generators.

I *like* riding in rain and have used several different kinds of brakes in rain. All of them happily stop my bike with minimal practice. In snow and ice, my rim brakes combined with non-studded tires are *too* good and can cause skidding and sliding. I may manage to wear out my internal gear hub someday, and then it would be worth adding a coaster brake as backup to my rim brakes.

Sonoma? From where do I know you?

Oh, the Soho 1.0 is an eight speed, I believe. The Soho S is the single speed.

Howzabout the Trek 7300? I can get a good deal on a used one as well.

Ars- Signal Chaser ;)

As for the 7300- I had bad experiences with my 7500. Parts on it kept breaking within the first 500 miles. I sold it.

My brother has a 7100 that has survived several crashes and is comfortable. So while I wouldn't buy one, I'm sure you'd be fine with it.

Well, Signal Chaser, I'm wondering if I should go with the 7300 or the 7.3 FX? It'll cost me $350 and $60 in gas to get the 7.3 FX, but I can get the 7300 locally, and with somewhat more accessories (aftermarket seat and original seat, basic computer).

I want a light ride that'll do me right for my 12 miles a day. Logistically the 7300 will be easier to get, and probably between $50 and $100 cheaper than the FX.

Thoughts?

Oh, and wasn't this your old handle at Ars at one point?

the Trek FX 7.3 is a nice bike, but replace the breaks with something better. The avid SD 7's are a vast improvment over the stock SD 3's that come with it.

there are better bieks though for the price

Such as, Talkinghead?

I just made a long post,and the server ate it. So I'll summerize:

Reaper0Bot0: discs rock. They work in all weather,require less maintenance,the pads last longer,they don't wear or dirty your rims,and they work if you're rim's not perfectly true. You never actually said anything about racks,but the Soho will take normal racks and fenders(full fenders are a very good thing for the rain) with no mods. The 7.3 will take fenders with just some minor tweaking,and disc-specific racks are available.

Torrilin: I'm not retyping my whole responce for you,so... A - 'toy bike' comment = stupid. B - if the disc caliper is in the V of the seat and chain stays,racks will go on no prob. Not rocket science.