Originally Posted by
tahoe_girl
Hi everyone,
I'm quite new to this site, but have already posted various threads because there is so many knowledgeable people around here. So here is yet another one for your reading enjoyment
I'm currently riding a 2012 Trek Lexa. Been riding it for a little over a week and it is a great bike. However, my main purpose for a new bike is for commuting. I've been commuting the past 2 years on a hybrid bike with some charity bike rides sprinkled throughout the summer. My current commute is about 100 miles per week. I did my 2nd commute today on this new road bike, but I'm not quite sure I am on the right bike. I have a rack and when I put my bags on it, the bike tends to be heavy in the back but really light in the front, almost too light and tends to be a bit tempermental to control. I am reluctant to believe that the frame of this road bike is meant for my commute.
I've thought about taking this bike back and replacing it with a 2012 Trek 7.6 or 7.5. I need something mainly for my commute, but also something that will be good for some charity rides this year (30-60 mile rides) and to do my first century ride on, too.
What do you guys think? Should I just bite the bullet and get the Trek 7.6 or 7.5, or should I stick with the road bike?
Thanks everyone!
I wouldn't say there is a "best bike" as in a "best make and model" for anyone so much as there is a better type of bike and what would be a good compliment of accessories. I'm always a fan of a hybrid bike with fenders and a rear rack. Your standard hybrid has a much more comfort-focused geometry and will be much less "squirrely" than a road bike in pretty much any conditions.
- Hybrid Frame Bike (700c wheel with 32-38 width)
- Mounts for rear rack (bonus if it has front rack mounts!)
- Mounts for fenders
- Front and Rear Lights
You have a rack and bags already, so all you would need is fenders with pretty much any of the Trek 7.x bikes and you would be set. Lastly, I would suggest that, as a female, you shop around for a ladies frame bike from the year prior. These are always SO VERY DISCOUNTED and you can save yourself hundreds of dollars with a bit of searching. In fact, I have a co-worked who just recently started bike commuting who went out and got a 2011 GT ladies hybrid with a carbon fork for $450. The guy even threw in fenders and a rear rack.