klester

I haven't bought a new bike since the fifth grade, but I just moved from suburban southern California to West Philadelphia, so both me and my wife are really interested in getting bike to help us get around and get some exercise too. I've been doing what research I can, but since I haven't been into bikes for a long long time, it's hard to dig through product specs, etc. I'm looking to get a reliable bike that can get me around the city for errands/recreation, and commute with if the job I get in the area is close enough.

We went to a local bike shop, where we had the nicest employee help us out (it was really, really nice to get good customer service, I used to work as a slave at Guitar Center so, whil eI empathize with poor clerks, I am anal about what kind of service I get at retail stores). I told the guy we were looking at getting two bikes, and had a total budget of $1,000. The nice guy recomended the Trek 7.2 FX, since its in our price range, isn't an "senior citizen hybrid", and would do good on the street as well as on bike path. He also recommended the SU100 or SU200, but they didn't have any in stock. My wife test-rode the 7.2 and loved it. I test rode the 7.2 and felt like I was trying to balance on a pogo stick; I'm a bigger guy and the tires are big and thin. The salesguy thought that I might like with of the Urban bikes better, since the tires and frame are thicker, and he said their other store across town had them in stock.

So we went across town to check them out, and it turns out they only had a size 13 in stock of the SU200, and I'm 6'1". No good. They did have a Trek 4300 in my size, and they said the frame and wheel size are very close to that of the SU-series. I took this bike for test ride and I felt much much much more comfortable. The frame didn't feel too high (the 7.2 felt like I was climbing a horse), and I didn't feel awkward or wobbly. But of course, they have none in stock and the SU100 (the one in my budget) is now special order only, which means I better like it if I order it.

We went to the local REI and the salesguy there said I should really check out a Marin Muirwoods, since it would be similar to the SU100 (more of an 'urban mountain bike'). But they're all out, and he commented that Marin might not make it anymore.

a) Do any of you have any advice on either the Trek SU100 or the Marin Muirwoods?
b) Is the SU200 significantly better that the SU100?
c) Are there any other bikes that I don't know about yet that might be what I'm looking for?

Any advice would be fantastic!!

-Kevin

dynaryder

A) Marin over Trek. I've owned a Trek and 2 Marins. The high-end Treks are nice,but when you're talking sub-$1k,the Marins are way better. I also currently own a Point Reyes,2 models up from the Muirwoods,and love it.
B) IMHO,yes. The 200 has disc brakes,the 100 only has rim brakes(cue disc vs rim flame war). Discs stop better in bad weather,the pads last way longer,they require fewer adjustments,they still work if you bend your rim,and they don't put any wear on the rims.
C) Since you mentioned REI,there's the Buzz. I have one and like it alot. Only negative is it geared slightly low(38/28 front rings),but I'm looking to swap the big ring for a 44 which should cure this. May be a little out of your budget,but you might be able to find a '06 on clearance.
There's also the Kona Smoke and Dew. The Smoke is similar to the Trek,only with fenders,and the Dew has larger wheels but wide tires. The Dew will fit your budget;if you can find a Dew Deluxe on sale you can get slightly better running gear and disc brakes.

Banzai

Okay, if you insist...

Disc brakes are not necessary for a commute. They add weight and $$...not that I really care about the weight part.

Without going back and looking at all those bikes, I'd make the following general recommendations for a commuter:

Drop bars: Multiple hand and back positions, and a simple and ergonomically correct way to get out of the wind.

Mounts for a rack and fenders: Key if you are going to commute. The rack w/ panniers especially.

On the drop bar subject...I am not familiar with any "brifters" that will work with discs. Since I'm a strong advocate of the drop bar, and most drops come with brifters, I'll say again no discs. Unless you intend to strip off a set of serviceable and pricey brifters, just to get use of some disc brakes with dubious advantages for the average commuter.

dynaryder

IHMO,discs are perfect for commuters. They work in all weather,don't care how true your rims are,and have longer lasting pads and need less tweaking.

My DBX has Shimano Tiagra Flightdeck STI's with it's discs. The Redline Conquest Disc-R,Lemond Poprad Disc,Cannondale Cyclocross Disc,and Novara Element all run STI's with discs.

alanbikehouston

The Trek 7.2 is an ideal bike for use on pavement and smoother, level dirt trails. The tires are plenty wide enough (at 32mm or 35mm) for riding on dirt and gravel. If you have not been riding much in the past year or so, any bike can feel "odd" for a short time. When I started riding road bikes with 23mm and 25mm tires after years of riding mountain bikes, the bikes felt unstable, especially on rougher roads. After a few weeks of riding everyday, the bikes ride so easily that I can (unfortunately) forget to pay the slightest attention while riding.

Don't buy a bike with wide 26 inch tires just because it feels good around the parking lot at the store. These bikes are terrific if most of your riding will be on dirt trails, but the 7.2 is a better design for pavement.

Fit is crucial. Visit a number of stores and get fitting suggestions from the staff. Most new riders buy bikes that are too small, because a small frame feels "safer" and closer to the ground. But, a too small frame will bunch you up and prevent you from ever being efficient and comfortable on longer rides.

Wogster

Take another look at the Trek 4300, with a set of slicks, the dealer might be willing to put them on for you, it should do just as well, nice low end gearing, and the frame has the mounts if you decide to add a rack or fenders the frame has the mounting holes, but the fork doesn't (my brother-in-laws is in the garage, I checked).