Fairmont

I'm looking for a new commuter bike. Currently I'm riding a low end Trek (7001). It's a great bike, and when I was hopping curbs and cutting across grass, etc., it was great (front and seat suspension).

But now that I'm riding smoother surfaces (asphalt) on our cartpath system, I want something that's lighter and more efficient on hills. I ride four miles each way to work, and most of it is slight downhill or flat with three hills. The first is very steep, but short (about 100 yards of intense pumping). The second is about five hundred yards long, and is by far the hardest hill. I don't know how steep it is, but it probably drops a couple hundred feet in five hundred yards (my best guess). The third hill is very easy (but it's right before work, so it brings up the sweat level a bit).

I'm leaning toward two bike models, the Trek FX 3.0 (very light fitness bike) and the Trek Soho 1.0 (heavier, but I really like the way it looks and it's more rugged than the FX). Both have a much better wheel set than the Trek 7001, which is built mostly for paths, grass, dirt, etc. Light offroad. The tires hold me back a bit because they're wider and have less air pressure.

Anyway, if anyone has advice about those two specific models, or can direct me to the most up-to-date bicycle review site, that would be great.

Thanks

ragboy

Use the "search the forums" function at the top -- and then use Google.

you'll find tons of stuff on either bike.

no1mad 

You can also check out roadbikereview.com.

homebody146

i'm a clyde and have the fx3.....it's a good bike, i got it so that i can get the exercise in and hopefully the weight down....it's been dependable and holds me and the gears are pretty good for my area. I ride on paved bike path in the Washington, DC --->Alexandria, VA area---pretty flat with minimal hills......

Fairmont

I've learned that there really isn't a very good bike review site that is up to date.


Hmmm.

shubonker

Pick up something with a decent frame and decent parts, and you'd be fine. I would say stay around the 500 - 700 dollar range. The Iron Horse Triumph 3.0 road bike seems like a good deal on amazon.com

ShadowGray

Triumph 5.0*

The 3.0 is $700 with sora components. The 5.0 is $500 with tiagra components.

shubonker

^^ Yep, thats what i meant, thanks.

Fairmont

Thanks, but I'm going with either the Soho or the FX 3.

The FX is lighter, as mentioned, but the Soho is far more durable. It's designed to get beat up a little.

I'm leaning toward the Soho.

ragboy

What makes you say that?


I bought a 7.3fx for the wife and it's plenty durable. The Soho has the urban style/vibe thing going for it if that trips your tigger, but I don't know that it's any more durable.

shubonker

I would personally go with the lighter bike, heck carrying my 25lb road bike up 4 flights of stairs is already harsh, just think about a good 40 lbs..... what a workout!

elTwitcho

I find that the search button is pretty good. Just put in a search for the bike model you want info on, and you'll usually get a couple threads that comprise of

30% people who own the bike and their experiences
20% people who have seen the bike online or in person and have an opinion on it
30% people who own a similar bike and give you their opinion on that particular model
20% random comments
1 guy who hasn't ridden your bike but considers it equivalent to a unicycle and will start explaining the strengths and weaknesses of your bike based on his experience with a unicycle

All in all, pretty useful info. Google is really useful as well. Keep an eye on the model's year as well as they sometimes make fairly drastic changes and a review that was relevant one year may not be relevant the next.

Good luck