Unexpected bike enjoyment
 

So my Charge Plug has been out of commission for a couple months now (head on collision with another cyclist) and not riding to work isn't really an option for me, so the Trek District got pulled out of the rack and put on commuting duty. Weird part of it, I'm enjoying riding it more than the charge (which is geared so much better for the hills in Seattle... 2x9 vs 1x8)

I can never seem to bring myself to get rid of the district, and now I'm seeing why.

I don't think this bike was designed with 31 mile days and Seattle's ridiculous hills in mind though. Wife hates it, since I keep buying tires for it (might have found a good set, fingers crossed)

It's always a delight when a tool works better than expected! The rear wheel on my regular commuter needs repacked, so I'm riding my Bianchi MTB. No rack, fatter tires, lower gearing. It's cool enough to use a backpack, and it's refreshing to glide over bumps and not feel like I have to go fast.

If you enjoy your Charge Plug because it is steel, as I do mine, be aware that for 2016 they are now aluminum, except for the 5 which is titanium.

You are fortunate to find enjoyment in unexpected challenges and changes; not everyone can do that.

What do you think it is about it that makes you like it better?

I had a Masi fixed gear commuter, long wheelbase like a touring bike, that I used to love... it got stolen. Couldn't find another like it at all, and settled for a Trek District fixed gear.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/vd...=w1268-h951-no

And now I like the District even more than I did the Masi. It's zippy and solid and great for urban use - riding off curbs eg (which I do all the time). The riding position is more upright which is also nice for traffic. Doesn't ride good no-hands though, maybe because of the high bottom bracket.

I think it's the overall package. The bike feels more solid, brakes better, etc.

Plus, I think I like the upright riding position (well, except for the other day when the wind was high, felt like a friggin sail.)

Overall I think I like the more relaxed feel of the bike. Sit up and enjoy your surroundings.

Just need to learn to tack when going upwind :-)

100% of my transportation bicycling is fully upright IGH. Tried road, mtn, and hybrids a few times and didn't like them nearly as much. In heavy headwinds I'll sometimes lean forward with my hands grabbing near the stem and elbows resting on the bars for brief bits. Not sure how much it helps.

Bending down for headwinds doesn't feel like it helps, but it does. This is why I won't commute on upright bars. I normally get brutal headwinds in the morning, and my ride takes over an hour. I need some very forward-reaching handlebars, though I don't need them low.

In the evening, you'd think I would get tailwinds, but no. The wind normally switches direction at midday, so I get milder headwinds in the evening, but they're still headwinds. But I have nice attributes to the commute. It's very scenic, and I'm going against most of the bike commuting traffic.

Attempting to upload a pic from my phone

@suncruiser, that doesn't look very upright.

Better pics
 

It's a relatively upright machine

I went from commuting with a road bike last year to a single speed cruiser this year and enjoy the ride more than ever.