why,yes, kris, yes I do work in a bike shop.

I also think the majority of 'road bikes' pushed by the big companies are doing everyday and casual riders a disservice in america. 28c, fender and rack clearance should be on a majority of bikes pimped by spec or trek, and not the one or two models of their 'road' framesets.

i see riders every week chagrined when they wheel in their CF bike expecting to put a rack and fenders on them to make their bike more USEFUL.... its sad but telling to let them know they should have been more astute in the pick of bicycles...


if Trek positioned high end steel and tire clearance in their frames (compliant, supple, infinite fatigue curve if below stress thresholds, absorbs road vibration, heat treated steel stronger at the frame junctions) the market WOULD change. and it is possible to make a 15 pound welded steel road bike (Rodriguez)