Originally Posted by
Rob_E
... while I'm not familiar with the 820, I'd guess that they can take a rack, and hope that they can take fenders, and then all you have to worry about is your chain getting derailed. In a perfect world, perhaps, you'd want everyone to choose function over style, but until that world comes along, I think this is a good compromise.
But regardless of the choice of bikes, I think this is a good move. If you can get 2/3 of your student population to commit to a year without a car, then they'll see it can be done. And hopefully they'll also see that a bike could be a viable alternative.
I just happen to have a Trek 820, modified for commuting:
Not perfect, but not bad, either. Rather forgiving. The rack went on with no problem, but the fenders were another story:
The front needed some spacers; I had taken the moto-x style fender off.
The back was no picnic, either:
But I've had worse.
The conti's were my addition, and they actually do clear the rear fender, but not by a whole lot.
The college's idea is so great, though, I'm not going to knock them for not giving out the "perfect" bike. I'm just glad they did something.