gtragitt

I greatly enjoy riding my Specialized Roubaix Expert, but I need to prepare to ride it. It takes me a while to change into the appropriate costume to ride it.

I remember when I used to jump on my bicycle and ride everywhere when I was young. Bicycling was my primary means of transport.

I also remember 2 wheel commuting and the joys of riding my motorcycles. I no longer have motorcycles, but decided I want to use a bicycle more often.

I am committed to commuting and bought a "Fred" bicycle to accomplish this goal.

I am a newbie; so, advice will be greatly appreciated.

I carry 2 laptops to work and hope the panniers on the Topeak trunk bag will work well.

The commute is short. Otherwise, I would not have bought an urban bicycle. I also will ride home at lunch.

I have a lock and a Garmin Edge 800 accessories. I won't bother buying a cycling computer. I also have a MagicShine headlight and taillight that I have used on the Roubaix.

I love the belt and eight speed internal gear hub. I will ride in slacks and oxfords.

I found that I can still maintain 90 rpm cadence with the platform pedals and don't think I will bother with toe clips.

no1mad 

I'm puzzled by the thread title, but that's a picture of a 2011 Trek Soho DLX, right? The '11 has discs, the '10's had drums...

gtragitt

2011 Trek Soho DLX.

Halcyon days are good days gone by. I had great fun riding my bicycle everywhere when I was young. I want to ride more often and recapture what I had in my youth.

blakcloud

You seem to have it covered. The only thing I would do differently is buy a second lock and leave it at work so you don't have to lug it back and forth everyday. You have enough weight as it is to carry on your bike.

scroca

You Can't Go Home Again.

gtragitt

You are astute. I rode a 2010 Soho while I was in Nashville 9 days ago. It had roller brakes on the front. It was the only Sohoin the shop. I really enjoyed the test ride, but didn't buy it because I wanted the 2011 and also because I live in Houston.

The Trek dealer in Houston doesn't carry Sohos, but ordered this one for me. I ended up paying $111 more for the 2011 than the 2010. Besides the disc brakes on the front, the 2011 also has a carbon fork, which was a big deal for me after riding an aluminum bicycle without a carbon fork.

Steel would have been my choice for this bike, but I think I got the best bang for the buck with the DLX. A Co-Motion would have been 3 times the cost.

gtragitt

Thanks for the excellent advice. I have a second lock on order!

gtragitt

You are correct. Actually this bike is much better than any I rode in my youth. I can however start riding more often like I did when I was younger. I also ride more miles now, but less frequently.

The feeling of being able to hop on a bicycle and run a quick errand is so liberating.

RI_Swamp_Yankee

The fold-out panniers are a bit on the flimsy side, so you may want to invest in protective laptop sleeves... or even a pannier with laptop sleeves, as that will allow you to rest the pannier on the floor, something that might be awkward with the trunkbag with unfurled panniers.

Looks really good with that trunkbag, tho...

Joe Dog

That "Fred" bike is quite a bit nicer and newer than what most of the hard-core commuters I know ride. We tend to rock old mountain bikes with fenders and lights, but that's Minneapolis and our climate. Still, they work just fine - the more you ride, the less the bike matters, it seems.

adgmobile

[QUOTE=gtragitt;12518916]

that is a beautiful machine

gtragitt

I appreciate all the kind words, compliments and advice.

I do have neoprene computer sleeves for the panniers. I want to see how the Topeak trunk bag holds up before I consider switching my rack. The trunk bag will slide into a Topeak rack and latch. It will be more efficient for attaching and detaching the bag.
I hate to throw away a perfectly good rack that came with the bike; so, I may never get the Topeak rack even if the trunk bag works out marvelously.