LoneCyclone

My commute is about 7 miles each way and I'm currently doing it on a crappy 25 pound single speed. I need something smoother and with gears as I have to climb a decent grade and it really sucks with 25 pounds of books and computer on your pack.

Our team sponsor at UF gives us great deals on bikes at their shop. So, I'm limited to Fuji and Scott. Does anyone have any suggestions? Any addons to make the trip easier? Racks to stay away from?

lambo_vt

Fuji Connoisseur maybe (seems pricey for what you get though)? Throw whatever rack on it.

Or Fuji Touring, Cambridge, whatever fits your budget and however you want to ride.

Hot Potato

A decent grade in Florida?

Fuji Touring is around $800? Your choice is pretty much limited to aluminum or steel becuase of the need for a rack. Think about fenders and tire clearance before you buy. Topeak racks have trunk bags that slide on and off super easy and quick.

gerv 

A touring bike would probably fit the bill for what you describe, so I'm going to vote for the Fuji Touring.

shubonker

The Scott Sub 10 looks like a great bike https://scottusa.com/us_en/product/8299/45253/sub_10

irclean

Whatever you buy, get those books and that computer off your back and into a pannier. I made the switch and will never go back. You never mentioned a price, but personally I like the Fuji Touring.

(BB)

Where is the bike when you are not riding it, public racks or safely tucked away?

waynesworld

Those Scott SUB series bikes do look nice. I can't seem to get the Fuji site to load correctly, but the SUB Scott bikes look like my Felt x:city.

irclean

Oh, you said pack, not back. My bad. Maybe you're already using panniers. In any case I also like the Scott Sub 35 Nexus. I have a soft spot for IGH bikes.

bugly64

Go to a pawn shop and get a beater, or look up Craigslist and Ebay. I have a Kona Blast that I upgraded to XT commute, a Surly Cross Check I built with Ultegra and Surly Nice Racks front and rear, an old Jamis I making ready for a Xtracycle free-radical kit, and lastly a Specialized comfort bike I picked up at a local pawn shop for $75. I bought the Specialized bike while waiting for months for bikes to arrive from overseas.

Luddite

+10000 on the panniers. I would murderlize my back if I wore a backpack riding, with the 45943595 school thingies I have to carry to college and back.

agarose2000

Love panniers ON the bike, but if you have to lug them around all friggin' day long as a student, you will hate them during the day if they're heavy. They're not designed at all for carrying around easily, and even if you get one with a strap holder, they will be bulky compared to messenger bags and backpacks.

If you have a locker or office, then panniers pull ahead, but I would not use them if I had to hand carry them all day long. I've done this and it totally sucks.

lambo_vt

All of this is true.

mrbrown

I have a Scott Sub 20 and I can testify that it is a very competent commuter bike. Built like a tank, nimble in traffic, and has the right mounting bits for a rack and fenders.

I use a Topeak DXP rack with it.

Here's a shot of it:



https://www.flickr.com/photos/mr-brown/3268015287/

I upgraded the Alivio stuff to a mix of SLX and XT but even with the original stock components it was fine.

The Sub 10 comes with nice components stock and disc brakes too.

I use panniers (usually just one) and trunk bags in my commute, but maybe an Arkel Bug backpack/pannier may work better for you?

irclean

I have an Arkel Commuter pannier. I love it for school. The rack system is second to none. Arkel products are expensive, but worth every penny IMHO. Mine has comes with a padded shoulder strap - it's very comfortable, but I will admit it gets pretty heavy when I have my laptop, a couple of binders, and a textbook or two. I keep a foldable luggage rack in my locker at school for when I'm loaded down. In retrospect, I wish I'd bought the Arkel Bug. It's a pannier/backpack and it even has a helmet holder! I bought the Commuter for the built-in laptop pouch. The same pouch is offered as an accessory for the Bug. My LBS didn't have my bag in stock but they ordered it in for the MSRP listed on Arkel's website and it was there in a couple of weeks. Check out the bag at this link and happy hunting!

https://www.arkel-od.com/panniers/bac...?fl=1&site=cdn

irclean

BTW - I also got the optional rain cover for my pannier. Also worth every penny and the yellow color with reflective stripe really stands out.