Originally Posted by
exmechanic89
Personally I'd probably have it repaired if possible for around the money you mentioned, since I agree those are nice frames. But.. while that is going on I would buy a replacement bike. Since you can now buy definitely rideable bikes for pennies on the dollar on CL, I'd find something on there.
I agree, I need to get a backup commuter. I used to have this bike as a nice comfy steel bike for long slower rides, and a faster newer road bike (I'd use when I felt like pushing it on a weekend ride) and a mountain bike (my previous primary commuter); the Trek fit nicely between in that it was fast enough to hang very nicely on club rides, but sturdy enough to commute on - very versatile. Whereas the other two bikes were very purpose-specific.
I love commuting by bike so much that even having the main bike down for repairs for a week or two drives me nuts!