ds650

Hi,
First post. I'm ready to get my first decent bike. I was leaning toward the Trek Gary Fisher Utopia. I'm not sure I want to spend that much but if its worth it over the Trek Kaitai I will.

With that said....

I see so many other brands I'm confused. I'll post a few I've been thinking about and hopefully you guys can give the pluses or minus of each. Like which components are better, which rides easier etc? Better factory warranty etc?

Sorry I cant get the links to work

https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes...eries/utopia/#
https://www.raleighusa.com/bikes/hybrid/misceo-20-11/
https://www.gtbicycles.com/bikes/urba...3-0-disc-black
https://www.gtbicycles.com/bikes/urba...-2-0-disc-blue
https://www.diamondback.com/bikes/dua.../trace-pro-11/

Thanks guy

ds650

I also found this. I guess its the 2012 Gary Fisher Kaitai, now called an 8.3

https://agees.com/product/trek-ds-8.3...on-94393-1.htm

kashride

I had a Trek 7.2 FX, purchased from someone from Craigslist. It was a good bike, but I ended up selling it and keeping the Cannondale quick 4. I'd recommend going down to the bike shop and try them out. It's the best way to know which fit you the best.

derf36

Like you I'm contemplating the kaitai/utopia/montare line. Personally I'm likely to wind up with the montare.

Interesting that they are moving from the model names to numbers. Makes sense I guess given the 7.- numbering sequence. By looking at the specs the kaitai will be the 8.3, and the utopia will be the 8.4. I don't see an 8.5 on that page; hopefully there is an 8.5 because the montare is the sweetest of the bunch.

Also seems weird that the 2012 are released so early ?

nfmisso

all are fine bicycles; which one works best for you?

chibibike

I have the utopia I love it I think it's one of the best hybrids trek has to offer. The FX series are also great too my girlfriend just bought a 7.3 and it's real light. The FX bikes without shocks are way lighter than the utopia and similar bikes but the utopia is much smoother.

chanfoli

I just speccial ordered the 8.5 DS yesterday from my LBS. I was wanting a Montare and learned that were sold out just about everywhere within a days drive. I learned from a distant LBS in Columbus I had emailed, the 2012 Montare equivalent was the 8.5 and that Trek in CA had 2 in my size, I called the local store back and put the order in. I can't wait!

chanfoli

I have the spec sheet if you are interested. A tad too large to attach.

derf36

I am interested in the specs but can't seem to find them online. Have they changed much from the '11 Montare?

chanfoli

Drop me an email: naturaldog at gmail dot com and I will reply with the spec sheet. Not a large file but the forum says it is too big to attach. It has what looks like an artists rendering, the frame looks the same as the Montare.

derf36

Thanks for the spec sheet. Specs seem to be mostly unchanged from the '11. Looks like they brakes have changed from the Promax Hornet to the Shimano M446, not sure if that is significant or not.

catonec 

I would say the raleigh or the diamondback have a higher component group. the frames and forks will all be comparable. go for the one that you think looks the best, I like the look of the trek.

ds650

Thanks guys.

I rode the 2011 trek Utopia at my LBS. VERY NICE. Rode a Specialzed hybrid too. The brakes were better but overall I liked the trek better.

So now I'm thinking I may wait on the 2012. I see the 2012 Trek Kaitai (ds8.3) gets the disc brakes back. But the Utopia (ds8.4) gets a remote lock fork & hydraulic disc. does that matter?

Also another local shop sells the Raleigh Misceo 2.0. He has never sold one but offered it at $750. Which is less than the 2011 Trek Utopia at $800. The 2012 has a list at $840 currently. The 2012 Kaitai (8.3) is at $640.

So the Raleigh is in between yet maybe component wise better than both Treks?

My gf has a Raleigh & loves it. I think I'm between those three bikes.

Though the Giant Roam1 at $620 is attractive

As far as looks I love the dark on dark of the Kaitai models. The all white of the Raleigh is boring..... however it if bothered me that much my brother is an accomplished auto painter!

Any more thoughts?

mjwithtwins

Another praise for the Utopia. When I bought it the Montaire was nowhere to be found. Of course a week later my lbs got one in stock but I am still happy with the Utopia. It is pretty heavy but the ride is smooth and very comfortable.

chibibike

yup i love to ride on smooth ones

ds650

Well I never found a bike shop with the Raleigh to test ride.

So while out of town on a trail run I stopped at a Trek/Raleigh bike store. No Raleigh Misceo2.0, (they are like unicorns) but one 2011 Trek Utopia in my size (19). It was $100 less than my local shop. and $50 less than the Raleigh at my local shop.

So I ended up buying it on the advice of my gf. She loves the look. lol. And I guess I do also.

I hope i don't end up regretting not getting the Raleigh as for just $50 I had better shifters & crank. But not the Trek name which I'm hoping helps on resale. Plus I'm not sure if I'm a sophisticated enough rider to notice the difference between the Alivio & Deore shifters/crank anyway?

Anyway so far, so good on two rides.

mjwithtwins

Congratulations! You won't regret it, it is a great bike. I find the shifting to be very good and I have fairly high standards. My road bike has full Ultegra. My old mountain bike had all 7 speed XT on it from 13 years ago and the Alivio and deore mix on the utopia is lightyears ahead of what the mid to high end range was back then. I am amazed at how the trickle down technology has made the lower end groups so solid over the years.

ds650

ya I was confused. The older (08- 10) Treks seemed to have higher end components (by name anyway). So I was thinking are the older ones better or have the components moved up where what was a step down is now equal?

Some guys say there is a big diff between the alivio & deore shifters & crank, while another report I read said it was negligible and they were close. As a newbie I was unsure what to believe.

I know I'm not a hardcore biker so I'm not sure if I'd even notice.

What I like about running is the equipment (shirts, shoes, GPS) from bottom to top is fairly close in price. But if I ever got into biking alot the equipment bottom to top is $1000s!!!!

On another note my 6 year son walked in the garage & was crazy happy about the Trek. He liked it better than the all white Raleigh. I bought him a blue 20" Diamondback Cobra bike for Christmas. With the 6 gears he rides 11-12 miles while I run. Its good family time.

Exit3

I was wondering about the "lockout" fork. When you lock it out, is there any movement on the fork at all or it is completely stiff like a solid fork? I would think even a little bobbing on dry pavemment might be annoying. Also, what happens if you turn and have minor little bobbing on the locked out fork?

mjwithtwins

As far as I can tell there is no bobbing. I can leanly full weight on it and I don't feel anything. I am sure there is some give but I can't detect it when it is locked.

ds650

I agree. When mine is locked, its locked.

I also noticed I can reach the lockout while riding without much effort. Thats nice as the Utopia does not have a remote lockout.

On a side note I noticed the teeth on my sprocket were all different shapes. I was like WTF! The LBS says ya thats normal to help with shifting. I'm an idiot.....

S2K23

Ordered a Trek 8.4 Dual Sport couple weeks ago and it finally arrived at the LBS. Can't wait to pick it up tomorrow. Just from test riding the Utopia it felt great and the upgrade to hydraulic brakes and components was worth the price difference from the Utopia. Will post pics once I get it

ds650

I like you was going to wait. But when he sold me the Utopia for $100 less then what it was I bought it. I did ride a Trek with the hydraulic brakes. They did feel great. But after a few rides and brake cleaner on mine they are working better than in both the stores I test rode the Utopia. At first I kept asking why the brakes were weak. They aren't now thankfully. Although the bike is heavier than a straight street bike, I'm amazed how easy it rolls.

mjwithtwins

My mechanical brakes have been strong from the first ride, I get a bit startled by how sharp the stop sometimes. They did squeak a bit the first couple rides but that has gone away. I should probably clean them sometime soon but they are working well and look good right now.

It is kind of surprising how fast it is given the weight.

qmsdc15

What is brake cleaner?