Kona Dew or Trek 1000
 

I've narrowed it down to two: the Kona Dew or Trek 1000.

my commute is ca 18 km each way on mainly bike lanes and roads. If i want to I can take a shortcut through some woods the last 5 kms. I really don't expect to ride all through winter, but it is my goal that someday be able to bike the whole year -- come snow, come shine.

the money is not an issue, the difference aint that big.

I like them both, but am leaning towards the Trek, mainly because I've always dreamt of being a racerchick.

but maybe it's not really in me.

please help. i need to decide before lunch tomorrow, since the offer only stands until then.

I own a trek flatbar
I just bought a Kona cross bike

Both are good brands, both well built, both good value for your cash.

Pick the one that looks the best when its that close :)

Edit : Some added criteria i use when choosing, besides the standard "whichever fits best"

-do both accept fenders front and back ?
-whats the largest tires that can be mounted with fenders installed ?
-can a rack be mounted on the back
-which has the best gearing for your route you intend to ride
-Which has the most braze ons and areas to mount water bottles, pump, batteries.
-which has longest chainstays for heel clearance with a pannier

Since I have a trek 1000 that I use for commuting I can answer some of the questions from Jarery.

I can fit fenders front and back, SKS P35.
With fenders the largest tires will likely be 23-622, maybe 25-622.
A rack can easily be mounted on the back. All the eylets are present.
I don't know what is appropriate gearing for the OP.
Chainstays are 41.7cm. I can mount panniers and not suffer from heel rub but my feet aren't too big, size 42.

I was looking at Kona Dew vs. Specialized Sirrus, and got the Sirrus, and love it.

Have a Dew Deluxe,owned a Sirrus Sport Disc. Didn't like the Sirrus. The ride wasn't nearly as smooth as the Dew,and the bigger gears didn't match well with my hilly commute.

Stockholm:which Dew model? If it's the Deluxe or Dr.,I'd vote Kona all the way. In an urban environment,you need to stay close to your brakes,so the Trek's advantage of more handlebar positions is mooted. The lower gearing on the Dews handle hills better. The wider tires will soak up bumps better and do better off the pavement. The disc brakes last longer,won't wear on your rims,and will work better in rain/snow. Axiom makes a disc-compatable rack that will work,and I've seen a Deluxe with a set of full Freddy Fenders mounted(he did have to bend the left struts for clearance).

Thanks all for replying.

I'm listening to my adult side on this after all, I'll get the Kona Dew.

It is probably a better commuter than the Trek, simply because if I was to transform the Trek into the commuter I need, it would no longer be the bike I fell in love with at the store. Did that make any sense?

I'll probably get myself a decent beginner's roadie to the next season -- and use it at such. But meanwhile, I'll have a great kona commuter with racks, fenders, and stuff.

Again, thanks for the input. This forum is a fantastic resource!

Well, as another option, get a Kona Jake.

All the best of both worlds. Drop bars for when you wanna be a racerchick. Takes fenders, racks, has a triple gearing for loaded down and hills, etc.

I often transform my trek 1000 from commuter to weekend group ride bike by removing the rear rack and front fender (I don't use a rear fender because the rack keeps the spray off my back). It doesn't take long at all to remove the stuff.
It's nice to have more than one bike though. Most often on group rides I ride a trek 5500.