Commuting - Do you think its worth it?

I currently have a 7100 Trek Hybrid with nothing on it, no rack - nothing. That I been using to commute. I was wondering if its worth it to get a one of those bikes that have skinner tires and you have to drop down to hold the handlebars (I think its called cylocross or something -sorry).


Whats your opinion?

How long is your commute, and how hilly is it? I'm perfectly fine on a 10 mile commute with upright bars and a "cruiser" style seat. No biggie. Go to a bike shop and try out a bike like that, and see if you truly do like it.

12 minute ride to work (downhill) and a 30+ minute ride back (uphill).

12 minute ride to work (downhill) and a 30+ minute ride back (uphill).

Unless you use the bike for more than that commute, it's not worth it to change.

Good point. Than I guess it okay to put fenders and a rack on my 7100. Have you tried those Topeak Beam racks?

I would say stick with what you've got unless you've got an urge to go faster. If you can fit a traditional rack, rather than a seatpost "beam rack", you'll be better off.

I'm not a fan of seatpost racks either and would only use one if I had no other choice.

I assume that the 7100 has at least one set of rear eyelets on the frame (down near where the rear wheel hub attaches to the frame). You can attach both a rack and a fender to a single set of eyelets.

I have 2 bikes one is a Trek 7200 and I put fenders and rack on it and commute without issue 16 miles round trip.
Given the street conditions around here, it seemed the better choice over a road bike for the rough terrain it travels over.

If your ride home is all uphill,a cross or road bike may be geared too high to comfortably spin up the incline. If you want to make your commute easier,you'd do better by ditching the suspension fork in favor of a rigid one. A decent steel fork won't be expensive,will shed some weight,and won't suck up your pedal input.

I had a 7200. Putting fenders on should be straight forward. A rack may require more fiddling. Unless they've changed the frame significantly from my old '05,the braze-ons for the upper rack mount have to slant down. If you do a search in this forum you'll find a couple threads on mounting racks to Trek 7xxx series bikes.

I've been commuting on a $300 Giant hybrid for 4 years and 17000 miles so far. My commute is 11 miles each way, including hills and gravel roads, and I commute 12 months of the year in Michigan. I have no real need or desire to upgrade. YMMV.

Go for a real rack if you at all can. The seatpost racks I've seen won't handle panniers, only rack trunks. I don't personally like rack trunks.

Depends on what you want to do with your riding. Over the years I have expermented with my bikes, clipless pedals, moustache handlebars and so far I have been glad about the new changes in my bikes. However, in additon to riding to work I also do touring so I do more than one type of riding.

Gas, .69 cents the price of a can of beans.

Well I want to gradually get into it more..than do it durign the winter (brrr). Than even useit to go liek grocery shopping or to a friends house. So I prob need couple bikes....make this one I have a winter bike with widder tires or something.

How much would it cost me to build a bike? I tried searching my craiglist under Bikes..but I can't find anything. I use to ride my dads bike with the curved handle bars (what do you call that btw? Is there oen that can have a rack?). But I don't know much about bikes to find a stealer on craigslist.

Well I want to gradually get into it more..than do it durign the winter (brrr). Than even useit to go liek grocery shopping or to a friends house. So I prob need couple bikes....make this one I have a winter bike with widder tires or something.

How much would it cost me to build a bike? I tried searching my craiglist under Bikes..but I can't find anything. I use to ride my dads bike with the curved handle bars (what do you call that btw? Is there oen that can have a rack?). But I don't know much about bikes to find a stealer on craigslist.

Now those are good questions...

To your first, I'd say you don't need anything special for commuting. I'm an old roadie, but commute on a $300 mountain bike.

On the other hand, the more you ride the more you enjoy it, and the more you want to upgrade. You could upgrade your commuter, but that kind of defeats the purpose. You need a bike you can ride in the rain, park outside stores running errands, abuse and not feel guilty about.
For a second bike then, building one is almost always more expensive than buying new. And buying new is almost always more expensive than buying used...the basic choices are a road bike or a cyclo-cross bike, and if you haven't done a lot of riding the differences are probably just fine points. I'd recommend setting a budget, figure out what size fits you (talk to your lbs - the all important Local Bike Shop), and shop. Craigs list, ebay, bike shops, online retailers, etc - if you have money to spend that's almost the best part. Enjoy the process and don't decide on anything too early - spring's still aways off. Good luck!

Whats the deal on buying used? I found this: http://portland.craigslist.org/clk/bik/1052008617.html

I use a topeak explorer dx rack on 2 bikes and I find them very good.

Whats the deal on buying used? I found this: http://portland.craigslist.org/clk/bik/1052008617.html

The first and most important question... does that bike fit you?
IMO unless acting under the guidance of a trusted and knowledable friend, a inexperienced rider should probably stay away from craigslist and ebay and the like. Go to a knowledgable bikeshop, one that understands not all riders are racers. Make it clear to them your intended usage and expectations of the bike and have them make suggestions on models and the fit. And then test ride, test ride, test ride.

All that said, if your current bike fits, stick with it for now.
Curved handlebars are called "drop bars".