College Student With a Decision
 

I'm a new student to Cal Poly in California's central coast and I'm excited to get on two wheels again. There are hills with -- relatively light -- trails galore and also a 10 mile ride (paved) to the beach, not to mention around town riding (commute). I've been trying to find a bike that will allow me to enjoy myself in each aspect. Here is what price and assumed function have taken my choices to:

Trek 8.2 DS (formally the Gary Fisher Bodega) http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes...eries/8_2_ds/#
GT Transeo 3.0 Disc http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/Product_10052_10551_1093302_-1_20000__400310
Giant Roam 1 http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/...am/7507/44080/
Focus Marakas Trekking Bike - US Exclusive http://www.performancebike.com/bikes..._20000__400310

The last time I bought a bike was 16 years ago, a specialized mountain bike, that I road 22 miles home from school on for a few years, which worked but just spent me. Needless to say, it's been a while and there is a whole new type of technology and I'm not familiar with any of it. Any help would be greatly appreciated.Top pick of these three?

Thanks.

Some people on the forum have noted that bikes seem to get stolen quite often in college, so you may want to consider a used bike for now.
Among the four you have chosen, it seems that the Giant has the best components, although they are all comparable. I know that Giant and Trek are top of the line, but have no knowledge of the other two.
It aslo seems that you are looking for shocks? If you are on paved trail, or hard trail, a rigid fork may be better, because it will be more efficient.
Any of these bikes should be good for you.
Good luck :)

Thanks so much. It looks like you ride both Gary Fisher and Giant. My biggest question was more or less a comparison of the parts. I have been reading about the quality issues with GTs, haven't heard much about Focus, and know all too well the Trek and Giant names from friends who ride predominantly road. But you've answered my overall curiosity about their comparisons. I'll be riding mostly paved, dirt and packed trails, but I'd still like the option to push across softer dirt or other somewhat uneven paths. But maybe I'll take one more look.

Thanks again.

clearance for larger tires
 

I think the Giant Roam and Trek dual sports would be good choices. A lock out fork is great for on the pavement. I would find out what the largest tire that could clear the frame and fork on these would be. If you went up to a 42 or even a 45mm tire it would take you through most of those soft and uneven places. Kenda has a great 700x45, the Bitumen. I believe it takes 85 lbs and would roll nicely on the pavement. I use a similar tire and keep it hard for the road and drop it down to near half pressure for the gravel roads if I'm going to be off pavement for awhile.

I like the idea of a used bike, too. Ought to be lost of choices in a place like that.

Of this group, the Giant Roam would be my pick. However, I would strongly suggest that you check out the Nevada line up of Fuji too.

The Fuji Nevada 2.0 beats all of these.... In a similar price range, yet better components.

Since most of your treks are on paved paths, allow me to suggest another option. Have you considered a road bike or a road/hybrid bike.

You really don't need a front suspension system for riding well-paved roads. You will enjoy the smooth speed of a road bike, much more than the bikes you've listed, as well as bikes in that particular category.

If your bike will be secure, I say, go to your nearest Jamis dealer and check out the 2011 Coda or the Coda Sport first, before looking at the bikes you've listed here.

However, prior to that, you should make certain that your new bike will be secure on your campus. Most college campuses suffer from high rates of bike-theft. Will your new bike be safe?

If you have any doubts at all, perhaps you should purchase a used bike on Craigslist.

Alternatively, you could go to a Schwinn dealer and get a new Schwinn Midmoor, if you're going to lock your bike up outside on campus.

The Schwinn Midmoor is a budget entry-level bike that costs about $250, it's aluminum, and if it's stolen after a year or so, just get another one! :)

- Slim :)