Commuting - New bike fever

My wife and I stopped by the LBS today to pick up some Christmas gifts and while there we both fell in love with the Trek Crossrip :love:. Really took some will power to not walk out with two new bikes too! The only thing that prevented us from buying is that it is early winter so we wouldn't be able to enjoy them like we would want to! So I was looking around on line and was wondering if anyone could suggest similar style bikes from other brands to look at? We would like to try out a few others before we pull out the wallet.

My wife and I fell in love with the Trek Crossrip :love:.

You will get a lot of opinions on this, but mine is very simple: If you will ride, and it takes buying something new to keep you turning the cranks over; buy it.

Yes, I'm an enabler, but what the he!!, if you have a fire in the belly...I say use that to get all of the other advantages of cycling.

Now, here come the retro-grouches that will tell you that your current bike, or a 1980s jobby off craigslist will be just as functional. That's true, but hey, I love to LOVE cycling. And if new paint and the latest components make you love cycling, I say go for it.

...: If you will ride, and it takes buying something new to keep you turning the cranks over; buy it...

+1. In the grand scheme of things even if you buy a $5k carbon Racerboyblingbling to commute on it's still cheaper than a car and better for your health.

My wife and I stopped by the LBS today to pick up some Christmas gifts and while there we both fell in love with the Trek Crossrip :love:. Really took some will power to not walk out with two new bikes too! The only thing that prevented us from buying is that it is early winter so we wouldn't be able to enjoy them like we would want to! So I was looking around on line and was wondering if anyone could suggest similar style bikes from other brands to look at? We would like to try out a few others before we pull out the wallet.

Awwww, I bought a FX7.5 with disc brakes last year for winter commuter only to discover I hate upright riding. The Portland is no longer sold. But I have to admit, $1100 for Shimano 2300 components looks overpriced to me.

My wife and I stopped by the LBS today to pick up some Christmas gifts and while there we both fell in love with the Trek Crossrip :love:. Really took some will power to not walk out with two new bikes too! The only thing that prevented us from buying is that it is early winter so we wouldn't be able to enjoy them like we would want to! So I was looking around on line and was wondering if anyone could suggest similar style bikes from other brands to look at? We would like to try out a few others before we pull out the wallet.

The base Specialized Tricross is a bit cheaper with similar stuff on it, assuming you meant the lower priced CrossRip. The Bianchi Volpe is close to the higher level CrossRip and looks pretty sweet also.

Got to agree on the $1100 for Shimano 2300 is over priced.

Here's a couple on my short list.

http://www.myjamis.com/SSP%20Applications/JamisBikes/MyJamis/consumer/bike.html?year=2013&model=Bosanova&cat_grp=road_9

http://www.redlinebicycles.com/bikes/commute/2013-metro-classic

Salsa Vaya and Salsa makes some other disk brake bikes.

Got to agree on the $1100 for Shimano 2300 is over priced.

Here's a couple on my short list.

http://www.myjamis.com/SSP%20Applications/JamisBikes/MyJamis/consumer/bike.html?year=2013&model=Bosanova&cat_grp=road_9

http://www.redlinebicycles.com/bikes/commute/2013-metro-classic

You may have caused another fellow cyclist to fall...the Redline looks like a great bike for my new commuter. Wanting to dedicate my CX bike to CX, and was simply going to buy another and race the better of the two. But the Redline might do just what I need for commuting, AND give me the option of longer touring trips on a steel frame with disk brakes. Very interesting....

To be honest, I own three bikes and feel that is far too extravagant. Bought them within a 6 month span too after starting to commute to work and bicycle as a hobby. Some will disagree with me but a bike that isn't being ridden is a waste and you can only ride one bicycle at a time.
Even though, I rotate my bikes I still feel like one or the other isn't being ridden as much as it should.

Consider this before adding another bike to the stable I suppose!

Looks nice, but it does seem like a lot of money for 2300. And the Elite model is just Sora. I would look at this: http://www.konaworld.com/bike.cfm?content=jake

To be honest, I own three bikes and feel that is far too extravagant. Bought them within a 6 month span too after starting to commute to work and bicycle as a hobby. Some will disagree with me but a bike that isn't being ridden is a waste and you can only ride one bicycle at a time.
Even though, I rotate my bikes I still feel like one or the other isn't being ridden as much as it should.

Consider this before adding another bike to the stable I suppose!

It depends on what kind of bikes you buy. I can't mountain bike on my carbon road bike, it isn't practical to tour on a 29er full suspension mountain bike and I am probably not going to do well racing on a steel frame touring bike with racks and 70X37c tires! Different bikes for different purposes!

+1 on the Salsa Vaya. I have never ridden a more comfortable/versatile bike.

i was not sure what Crossrip was but googled it and I am intrigued with the idea. I have also seen the Specialized Tricross I thought that was an impressive combination for a whole lot of biking..

I bought a new bike last year for commuting Motobecane Fantom CX and I have to figure out if I can convert it from Compact for commuting to maybe a triple for touring and someday if I get crazy enough I want to try a Cyclocross race someday.

i agree if a new bike makes you ride more. then buy it! if you can ride with your spouse definately buy it.

in bike buying, emotion is your enemy

... Some will disagree with me but a bike that isn't being ridden is a waste and you can only ride one bicycle at a time...

That's how I feel about socks and underwear but I like owning a lot of bikes.

You're looking at a cyclocross bike, so I feel compelled to offer this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyV2cPLuFuA

With that out of the way, I'd suggest the Kona Rove or Kona Jake as possible alternatives.

Hey thanks for all the suggestions! We've been thinking of getting new bikes for a while. We're ready to upgrade from our Giant Farrago's (with full suspension) that we currently are riding. That Kona Jake is a sharp looking bike. I'll have to make sure we check those out! I'll have to keep an eye out for the spring sales in the next couple of months.
I'm very lucky in that my wife commutes most of the summer too, along with our weekend rides, getting new bikes will take very little arm twisting.

I rotate my bikes I still feel like one or the other isn't being ridden as much as it should.

Send it to me :D

That's how I feel about socks and underwear but I like owning a lot of bikes.

:thumb:

Looks nice, but it does seem like a lot of money for 2300. And the Elite model is just Sora. I would look at this: http://www.konaworld.com/bike.cfm?content=jake

That Jake looks really nice. Well, all except for the fugly crank (they look okay in black).

That Jake looks really nice. Well, all except for the fugly crank (they look okay in black).

I like the crank. It's the gaudy wheel decals that had to go for me.

You may have caused another fellow cyclist to fall...the Redline looks like a great bike for my new commuter. Wanting to dedicate my CX bike to CX, and was simply going to buy another and race the better of the two. But the Redline might do just what I need for commuting, AND give me the option of longer touring trips on a steel frame with disk brakes. Very interesting....

Stopped in Peak to check out the Salsa Vaya yesterday.....another really nice steel bike with Avid BB7. Plus, all bikes on sale starting tomorrow, at least 10% off.

http://salsacycles.com/bikes/vaya

I have 3 steel bikes now and really like how comfortable these bikes feel on the road.

Many good bikes recommended in this thread. Another that was mentioned in the Long Distance forum is this one from Specialized (http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bikes/road/tricross/tricrosselitesteeldisctriple). Might be worth a look.

Can not tell if the OP is riding a lot already or not. Six months ago, after commuting by bike for 25 years, I was getting burned out on riding. I considered getting an electric bike:twitchy:. Fortunately, some one work recommended the Surly Cross Check to me. It was love at first ride. In the past six months, I have ridden 3 centuries (my first 3 centuries that is), and a total of over 2500 miles. 2500 miles had been a decent year's worth of riding in the past. Every day I commute I am excited about the activity, I just hope it keeps up like this for years to come. If getting a new bike is what it takes together excited about riding, DOIT!!!

Can not tell if the OP is riding a lot already or not. Six months ago, after commuting by bike for 25 years, I was getting burned out on riding. I considered getting an electric bike:twitchy:. Fortunately, some one work recommended the Surly Cross Check to me. It was love at first ride. In the past six months, I have ridden 3 centuries (my first 3 centuries that is), and a total of over 2500 miles. 2500 miles had been a decent year's worth of riding in the past. Every day I commute I am excited about the activity, I just hope it keeps up like this for years to come. If getting a new bike is what it takes together excited about riding, DOIT!!!

Need to share your story with my wife. It'll help to justify my next N+1!! ;)

Good for you on finding new inspiration to keep on riding. :thumb:

we are all on the same team here, glad to me of help. :thumb: