I have narrowed down my choices of commuting bikes between the 1000 and 7.3--mainly road an maybe a few seconds of grass around my school's campus. I will be commuting from home to the school, which is like a 10 min ride one way monstly through road, but with rocks and pebbles on the way.

Which bike would better fit these needs? I intend on putting fenders and a rack regardless. I am on a bidget, so I am also looking for something more affordable. I am not really sure what the 1000 goes for, but at my local shop, the 7.3 is $5xx.00, I think.

Thanks.

I don't think they make the 1000 anymore, it's called something else. The replacement model is probably between $600 and $800.

Will you be doing other types of riding as well? The 1000 may not be as easy to fit a rack + fenders on and any advantages it gives you won't be noticed much on a 10 minute commute.

I'm not knocking the 1000 mind you, I have a similar type of bike. It will certainly do the job if you have your heart set on it.

Yeah, what is the replacement for the 1000?
I have been looking for it online but it just doesn't show up anymore.

I have a 2004 Trek 1000, and I have a rear rack on it (it gets the job done). The new version of the 1000 is the 1.2, which is priced around $879...for that price you can get a Jamis Aurora, which has Tiagra components (instead of the Sora on the 1.2) and you will easily be able to fit fenders and a rear rack.

If all you'll be doing is the 10 minute stretch, and nothing else, the FX will be fine. If you think there is any chance you may get into cycling more, go for a cyclocross bike like the Surly Cross Check, Bianchi Volpe, or even a road bike like the 1.2 or Specialized Allez.

OK, so I will jsut ask, whick is the best road-commuting bike for under ~$750? Between specialized and trek?

I passed by another BS and they had the 1000 on sale for $675.00 , I am thinking I should pounce on that?

At the end of the day it depends what you want to do. If you do not want/need a road bike I would go with a Kona Dew.

I have a 7.3fx and it serves me fine but when I found out I could have gotten a brand new Dew from a LBS for $400 flat I would have jumped on that instead. Cheaper and at the end of the day functions the same.

If you want a road bike get a road bike. If you do not want a road bike just stick to something inexpensive that will last and function as you need.

The 7.3 is probably a better commuter, but for that distance, anything (including a *shudder* department store bike ) would suffice. Unless you are carrying a huge amount of stuff (books, papers, laptop), you could likely use a backpack and not worry if a road bike cannot mount a rack, even with p-clips. You mentioned school - do you have a secure place to lock the bike, or will it sit on a rack outside? A nice bike is a more likely theft target. At least you don't have to let it live outside all the time - at my son's college, bikes are not to be brought into the dorms (although I suspect anyone with a seriously nice bike would do so anyway).

I'd say the 7.3 if I wasn't so damn addicted to drop handlebars...

I guess that's where the cyclocross bikes come in... tough and versatile enough yet road bike fast when necessary.

I guess I will have to go to the shop. I was looking for a faster bike, so roadbikes are better for that. I see people riding them around all the time, so I think can handle the "terrain." The 7.3 is fine, but I was looking for more speed and something that would last longer. I would not leave it unattended for more than 3 hours. I don't think stealing will be a factor on campus that much.