kidpurple

I stopped in at the LBS and was talked into riding this Specialized Centrum. They don't have any more big enough for me, but the new ones should be coming soon. I know I could get the new one now - but I'd still want to ride it first.

With rack and fenders added to that bike I think it is just about exactly what I want. I've been riding around town on this old thrift store single speed convert and I could really go for an upgrade.

I wonder how many people commute on this bike. It just seems like almost the perfect bike for what I wanted to do with that old Schwinn.

Now I just have to find about a thousand dollars and I'll be good to go.

daven1986

Looks nice, I prefer drop bars myself, but I started on a Specialized Globe sport disc and it was a very nice bike. I love disc brakes - a must for commuting and if it works for you flatbars + IGH are a good option.

no1mad 

Looks kinda like a rip-off of Breezer's 'Range' bikes with disc brakes.

uke

It's your money, but I wouldn't pay $1000 for that bike. If it works for you, though, rock on.

daven1986

as I said specialized are good, but if you are riding any distance you should try drop bars. I still ride my globe but hybrids feel SLOW!

Sirrus Rider

Unless it's a Specilaized Sirrus.

daven1986

compared to a road bike though?

Sirrus Rider

My '07 Sirrus feels just as fast as my '88 one which is a racing bike.

daven1986

fair enough I found my globe quite sluggish - I think it is the tyres, with drop bars it is a bit better but I plan to swap out the 35s for some 28s or so, this should make it a bit nippier. But it is slowly becoming my around town bike while I use my road bike for commuting and I plan to get a cross bike with disc brakes for wet commuting

Nice bike though

Ken Wind

I like the Specialized Globe San Francisco, formerly the Globe Centrum. It comes in at three different price points, and the cheapest one, a single speed, is priced at $500 USD. The only things that concern me are the tire clearance and rear fender mounts. The cheapest version is an excellent deal.

rumrunn6

Viva la difference! Good thing we don't have to marry our bikes and can always upgrade and try the greener grass! :-)

ch9862

I don't, but it looks very good. Internal gear hub, disc brakes - what's not to love?

Elderberry

Somehow I've gotten along sans discs for a few years now...

m_yates

The Specialized Globe Centrum seems way overpriced to me. I'd buy a Trek Soho for less money. It comes with fenders, has belt drive, includes 8 internal gears instead of 3, has front+rear rack mounts, and has internal brakes. The Soho seems like a very low maintenance bike perfect for commuting in all kinds of weather.

kshapero

That is a discontinued model.

kshapero

I tried hybrids. I prefer drop bars and more speed. I was worried that if I got a road bike to commute on it would be too "fragile". It has not been the case. Although I spent more than I expected, I am really happy with my rig.

mikeybikes

+1

I love my Specialized Sirrus!

JeffS

"Way overpriced" is a huge stretch here.

The San Franciso 3 is only $100 more msrp.
- 8 gears
- disc brakes (which most people here would prefer to a roller brake)

Yes, they're vaguely comparable bikes, but in my mind 10% is not a big difference. For comparison, the Giant Seek 1 is $1025. The more commuter-oriented Transend EX is only $920 though - besting the Trek by $80.

These "urban" bikes always seem to command a price premium over their more utilitarian cousins.

gholland

I originally looked at the 09' Trek Soho myself. In discussions with Trek I learned the internal hub is the plain vanilla Nexus - not even the red band version. The San Fran 3 has the Alfine hub which I think is awesome. The Seek1 also has hydraulic disc brakes instead of mechanical. From what I understand the brakes on the seek 1 are outstanding. All told, the San Fran 3 is priced about right for an Alfine hub. In my opinion the Seek 1 is probably the best value in this category of bikes.

porq

Can someone explain what is going on with the dropout on the Soho? Is it because of the belt drive?

Ken Wind

Yes. A chain can be separated, but a belt cannot. There must be a way to get the belt inside the frame, which is why the dropout is designed that way.