Originally Posted by
woodpecker01
how much slower would my bike be compared to the trek ones i mentioned?
the only reason im even thinking of getting a new bike is because ive had this one for so long and it feels to be "lower quality" compared to my friends. now i finally have money, and i wont be getting money like this for a while, so i want the best bike for what i need thatll last me for years
but if this bike can do that like you said, thats cool too, just trying to think ahead
Speed is a combination of many factors, with the #1 being the rider; your legs control your speed. That said, your suspension equipped comfort bike certainly absorbs more of your pedaling power than a rigid (i.e. no suspension) bike, and that power loss translates into less speed.
One thought: can you justify keeping your current ride as your commuter, and getting a second bike for 'fun'? As many have mentioned, bike theft is a real issue (as I learned, again, last week). This might satisfy both of your needs -- a good commuter is, often, one that gets you where you are going, and is still there when you come out. A good fun bike is one that lets you do the riding you want to do, the way you want to do it. Theft is far less of an issue, as you don't tend to leave fun bikes unattended as much. I certainly understand that this might not be an option for you, but if it is, that might be a great solution.