Trek Commuter bikes
 

Check out the new 2004 catalog, page 53, fenders, chainguards, rack, lights, internal hubs. Guess they started listening!

Nothing about it on the web yet. Have you seen Trek's lineup of European models. Take a look at the "trekking" bikes at http://www.trekbikes.com/bikes/2003/citybike/index.jsp. They've been offering these in Europe for some time, since that's what the competition sells.

The T550, for example, is a *full suspension* bike with fenders, rack, lights, dynamo, and even a pump!

Is this US bike you're talking about the same as one of the European models?

RichC

Go Here http://www.jpghosting.nl/dirkvisbeek/assortiment.php. I just rec'd the 2004 hard copy catalog. The commuter bikes are not on the web site yet. I am going to call the LBS today and see if they have any in stock. They list an internal 8 speed rear derailleur in the catalog-it is probably a 7 speed Nexus because they list a roller brake. There are two internal gear bikes and one regular derailleur-8 speed w/a triple crankset. Bottle generator on one dynamo on the other,full chainguard on the internal hub, hockey stick chainguard on the other. I think they should have offered a three speed to keep the price down, I think these are gooing to be costly.

I have no doubt they will appear expensive, compared to the stripped-down bicycle that US buyers have come to accept as normal.

Looking at the bikes offered in Europe makes me jealous. Not that I necessarly *want* a FS touring bike with front and rear racks, fenders, lighting system, and kickstand, but I wouldn't mind living in a world where you could walk into any bike shop and buy one.

btw, that URL doesn't seem to work.

RichC

I COULD NOT GET THE url TO WORK EITHER. Go to google and enter"trek L200" go to the URL i listed and you can see a picture of them.

I doubt you'll see any of these Treks in local bike shops. Trek has been selling these bikes for YEARS in Europe. What makes you think they're about to ship these bikes in the U.S.? Don't tell me Breezer is moving in on them and now they're afraid?

When I see one, I'll believe it. Quite frankly. I'm not holding my breath.

The L200 is a European model. If you go to www.trekbike.com you can navigate to the European pages and see their whole range of commuter and trekking bikes, none of which have heretofore been available in the US.

Are you saying the new US catalog shows a US version of the L200?

RichC

That URL will work if you copy it and remove the "." period off the end. Darn URL recognition ;)

The new 2004 hard copy of the USA catalog has these bikes listed on page 53L. They offer L200,L300 & T200.

I don't know ... I think they look rather hideous. Just my opinion.

I can't imagin paying that kind of money for something that heavy and, in my eyes, terribly ugly...
Using a touring, mountain, or road bike for commuting, yes.
Using a comfort "old lady" bike for the daily 26 miles, NO!

I don't like the look but would like to give them a chance on the road.

In the US, a cycle commuter often means some sporty guy who rides 26 miles to work. Over here in Europe, even old ladies can ride 3 miles into town, hence the requirement for "old-lady" bikes. They dont have to be heavy or ugly, but too often they are.

http://www.trekbike.com/bikes/2003/citybike/index.jsp

Check the Dutch Trek catalogue to see the full line of 'L' and 'T' series bikes. There are many more of these Trek 'Euro' models than the three models Trek apparently will be importing to the USA next year. And yes, they are planning to introduce them nationally. Trek demo'd some of these bikes in Portland last year, but it looks like they are only going to import the low end of the line. I paid about $950 for an L400 Navigator; I don't recall specifically which 4 or 5 'L' and 'T' series models they made available in Portland, but the price range was approximately $750 to $1,150; or at least $200 to $300 more than comparable Breezer models.

Kettlers are another option in this style bike, they are made in Germany and have an established US distributor and a small dealer network. Go to the following URL and work your way through the frames to 'city bikes':

http://www.kettler.net/e_frame_ie.html

BTW--I don't find this style of bike ugly at all; to the contrary, not only might 'normal' folks ride more often instead of driving (that's the market segment that's being targeted here folks, not all you road racers) if they had a practical bike like this, but I think they are quite elegant...