StalkerZERO

Why does everybody think I don't care about the function? I'm just saying looks is a factor. But if all I cared about was looks I would be buying anything with a pretty paint job. But I'm looking for something in the $800.00 price range that is the best value I can get. For instance, the drivetrain. Shimano 105 is what I would be aiming for.
Look, you all can imagine all you want about me being this shallow guy who likes the looks of a bike alone from the few words you read on a screen. But I'm very complicated and I consider all the factors.

slvoid

Oh, so you're saying my black OCR touring is ugly then... is it because it's BLACK?
Come on... $600... disc brakes... ultegra shifters... yea.... come here...

Jarery

LOL yes you convey your priorities quite well in your posts.

As I said, buy the one that looks the best to you within your budget. Then over the next year upgrade anything that falls off.

I'm not actually sure whats most econimical. Buying the functionality and upgrading looks, or buying looks and upgrading functionality. Id say upgrading the looks is cheaper in the end.

Banzai

slvoid...you crack me up, man!

ZachS

with that goal in mind, your only choice will be to do a custom build of one kind or another. there is no off-the-shelf option that will fulfil your needs. cost could be anywhere from $300 - $3k+, depending on what you want, how creative you are, and how well you can wrench. best get started instead of wasting time being a troll on BF.

StalkerZERO

To tell you the truth when I was originally shopping for my high end carbon bike last year I seriously considered alot of bikes including the carbon ocr. I went to a bunch of shops in nyc and gazed and touched (i.e. gently caressed ) alot of bikes. And even though I admired the design of the ocr ultimately I didn't like how the curves were laid for the frame......cool blackness notwithstanding. Although disc brakes and ultegra would be cool too.

gear

If you enjoy riding bicycles, why not spend some money building one up from scratch. You might enjoy the process and you'll be more likely to have a ride with the functionality, ride qualities and the looks you want.

StalkerZERO

Sounds cool. Is it possible to do all that you suggest while at the same time saving some money? Perhaps I could buy a flyte1 frame and fork then get a wheelset and drivetrain off of ebay. What sources would you buy from?

gear

I've built up four bikes. I start with the frame (my road bike was a custom frame, the rest were "off the rack") then do the research on each part. I try to have a bike that is fun to ride no matter what it's purpose is. You could do it with an eye to save money, I didn't because bicycling is a priority in my life and I pinch pennies in other areas. It was a fun process. It probably goes without saying that I like delayed gratification.

gear

Oh, about my sources, varoius catalog and online companies along with my LBS. I bet ebay would be good too.

picuomaha

Well, I'm no expert. In fact, I'm pretty much a newbie. But I do know a little bit about the Trek Portland. I've had mine for about a month, and I absolutely LOVE the bike. I bought it based on its fit, not because of its purported purpose as a commuter.

The bike is quick, comfortable and responsive. The fenders work just fine for keeping water from puddles off my back, but I haven't ridden it in the rain. My guess is they are more effective than you might guess, but not as effective as the full coverage of a cruiser's fenders.

The disk brakes are great. Are they overkill? Probably. But you've got to spend your money on something--might as well spend it on something that makes you happy (and maybe a little safer). I don't know if this bike is a good deal. I'm sure there are better bargins out there. To be honest, I couldn't care less. All I know is that I think this is the best $1,250 I've spent in a long time.

vrkelley

I'm probably jumping into this too late. But while waiting for a bike repair my LBS shop owner showed me the Portland. The pitch: This bike was specificlly designed for our rainy, messy weather.

The floor model looked kind of cheapy in appearance. @$1,600 for full fenders and a rack seemed pricy to me.

joejack951

Here's a question to ask yourself: do you actually plan to commute in bad weather? If so, then a road bike that can't fit full coverage fenders and/or has caliper brakes probably isn't the best choice. Find a frame that can take full coverage fenders and has v-brakes and you'll be fine. If you are so concerned about looking good, buy whatever looks good to you and deal with it's shortcomings.

People get annoyed when someone asks the same or similar question, gets great answers, then obviously ignores all of that advice and comes back to ask the same question again. No one is following you; people are reading the forum and you've earned yourself the rep as the guy who asks for advice when he really thinks he knows it all already (yes, I'm in a bad mood)

dynaryder

Schwinn SuperSport DBX. You'll need to add your own fenders,but it's got plenty of clearance for them(plus wider cross tires),second brake levers on the uprights,and it's about $400 cheaper.

Emerson

I'll second the idea of a Tricross, I rode one several time before deciding on my Surly for an "in-between," commuter bike. I think the Tricross looks pretty damn cool, but there is also the Surly "cachet" to consider. It's got the whole steel retro thing going--that might appeal to your "complicated" nature.

donutboy

I have a Portland--I love it. I've had it about a month; did the local MS150 about a week ago and it made a fine ride. The carbon fork helps to dampen the chipseal that our local department of transportation likes to use for the roads around here. The fenders work well enough for keeping water off of you, and they're easily removable for those days when you don't need them at all (the majority of days in these parts). I paid a little over $1300 for it. The UK magazine, Cycling+, reviewed it in the latest issue and they really liked it. Their only concern was toe-overlap issues on the 56 cm frame. That's the size I have and I haven't noticed any problems. As far as the color goes, it matches my Honda Element perfectly.

I tried to find a Schwinn DBX about a year ago. NONE of the Schwinn dealers around here had one, but they would be glad to order me one--yeah, right. I didn't realize until recently that the front gears on the DBX are only a double. My 40+ year old knees need a triple, thank you very much.

dynaryder

Just to throw a little gas on the fire;I looked over a Portland at the LBS this weekend. Very nice machine,which is why I was surprised at the chincy fenders. They're basically the equivalent of the clip-ons you put on MTB's. Don't think the fork had eyelets or clearance for anything else. I think this thing would make a nice weekend bike,but for serious touring/commuting,I'd go with a cross bike,Surly,or my DBX.

Donutboy: so far my 36(37 next month)yr old knees haven't had a prob with the DC hills and the double. Knock on wood....

newbojeff

The fork does have eyelets half way up for full front fenders. Someone posted pics of a Portland with full fenders and rack on flickr.com (just search Trek Portland).

There is also clearance for larger tires. I am waiting for my Portland to come in. I would have liked to test out the front fender with the rain we're having and give a report.

In reply to the OP, is the Portland good for the money? Depends. Has the discs, components, and geometry I wanted for my mostly suburban ride and will work as a light tourer/charity rider.

donutboy

You're lucky. I tore one of mine up skateboarding when I was younger. As long as I keep the RPMs all is well.

I also found I can't use Eggbeater clipless pedals--not enough float. The sideward pressure on my right knee killed it. Went with Frogs and all is happy now.

zeratul

full rack support, carbon fork (which DOES dampen rough road quite well, though shudders under hard braking), 3 chainrings, kevlar belted tires on 24 spoke wheels, and overkill hardware did help me justify my purchase. I am not a huge fan of the discs, but the fenders do satisfy my needs--keep puddles and road wetness off of me--while clipping off in 2 seconds when i do not need them 90% of the time.

Trek made an attempt to satisfy all consumers and hence their commuter turned out more like a high-end utility/road bike with sticker price to boot. It's no slouch as a road bike but can pick up groceries and get me to work (this last point is vulnerable to the full-fenders in rain argument).

No regrets here, though I fully support building a custom if one has more time than money. The portland is no value bike--though it fits my needs (and wants) better than any bike I looked at, and that in itself is valuable.

cyclingjack

I am looking at the Novara (REI) Randonee, looks like a lot of bike for the $$ priced at $949 at any REI store, great looking commuter........Let me know if anybody has one & what they think of it..