Cyiu23

I am trying to decide which bike to get. Both of them has a internal hub, 700 x 32 tires, and weight around the same. Of course the big difference is the price, and brand name. But what do you guys think?

https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes.../soho_deluxe/#

and

https://www.raleighusa.com/bikes/perf.../cadent-i8-12/

megalowmatt

The Trek has what some would consider a better shifter.

It also has disc brakes, fenders, a rack and is belt drive. It's up to you to decide if that is enough to justify the $500 difference in price.

I personally like the look of the Trek better

canyoneagle

What are your needs and preferences?
- Disc brakes? (marginal benefit in dry climes, arguably better in wet/snowy conditions)
- Fenders and rack? - these are equipped on the Trek, but would be adders (to the cost) on the Raleigh
- Is the belt drive something you wish to try? It is a viable drive train, particularly in wet or snowy climates, but not particularly better (or worse) than a chain in dry climates

The sliding dropouts on the Trek are (IMO) preferable to the semi-horizontal standard dropouts on the Raleigh - rear wheel changes and chain tensioning are more easily accommodated with the sliders.

Either bike would be a great commuter.

Add to your list:
- Giant Seek 0
- Scott Sub 10 the 2012 model has gotten kind of flashy for my tastes, but it is a great bike, none the less.
- Brodie Ocho - I really like these - very nice bike for the money IMO

Cyiu23

I got to test ride the Trek, but can't find a place to see or ride the Raleigh (I live in NYC, so sad.). The Trek rode great, if it wasn't for the price I would have bought it already. That's the million dollar question, is the brand name worth the extra $500. From what I could see the bikes are very much alike, except for the brakes(clamp vs. disk), belt (vs. chain), shifter (trigger vs. revo), and extras that are included with the Trek (the rack I can buy). The frames and hubs are very much the same. I just want a new bike, itching to ride a new bike.

Cyiu23

Thanks for the extra bikes to consider canyoneagle. Honestly I don't even know what you are talking about with the sliding dropouts. The belt drive seems cool, it will keep my dress pants from getting dirty, and less maintenance overall. I do like the trigger shifter.

canyoneagle

The extra $500 gets you some features that are worthy improvements over the Raleigh, such as excellent disc brakes, belt drive, fenders, and rack. Raleigh makes a good bike, too so it is not so much about the name as it is the features. A comparable rack and fender setup would run you $100 alone, if you desired those for the raleigh.

I've ridden with the first generation (pre-centertrac) belt drive, and I quite liked it. The system is very smooth, and the belt is much cleaner than a chain - virtually 0 drive train maintenance other than the occasional wipe down with a wet rag. I've since gone back to a chain since I live in the high desert and semi-arid alpine environment of Western Colorado.

On the dropout thing, the rear "dropouts" are where the rear wheel axle fits into the frame. There are different kinds:

Horizontal Dropout: the "slot" for the axle angles towards the front of the bicycle. This allows the rear wheel position to be adjusted, so is beneficial for non-derailleur applications (such as single speed -SS- or Internally Geared Hub -IGH-) where the chain makes a simple loop from the front chainring to the rear cog, and the fore-aft positioning allows you to fine tune the tension. The drawback is that it takes some practice to properly do this.

Vertical dropout: these are probably the most commonly encountered type, where the "axle slot" is vertical - the position of the wheel is fixed, so it is not typically suitable for SS or IGH.

Track end: This is a horizontal "rear fork" that is common on track bicycles, urban "fixie" bikes and some utility/multi-use bikes:
Here's a link to a basic overview with som pics

The sliding dropouts are essentially vertical dropouts that are part of an adjustable assembly that allows forward and rearward movement of the axle location via a screw tensioner. Here is a pic of the Soho (not 2012):



Here's another type of sliding dropout:

Big Lebowski

If I said that about a bike that was available at my LBS and the cost didn't hurt, I'd buy it. You'll long forget the cost if you have a bike that you love.

mcrow

The Trek is the better bike, no doubt about that but the question is can you afford it and how much are the extras the Trek has worth the extra money for your purposes. If it's a bit on the expensive side perhaps you should look at another bike in the Trek line, I'm sure they have a lower priced bike that would suit your needs. Then again, I'm partial to Treks.

Cyiu23

Trust me I love the Trek, I just don't want it to be a impulse purchase that I regret later. But then the argument goes also if I buy something cheaper I will regret not getting something I really want and settling for something inferior. I don't see anything else from Trek that has a internal hub, so I don't think there are any other choices from Trek. I also checked Specialized and Cannondale and I don't see anything with a internal hub.

Trek_geek

I haven't seen the Trek (We own 3, a 1000SL and 520 for me and a 7.5 FX WSD for the wife) but I have been commuting from the train station to Fort Belvoir with a guy who rides the I8. He really likes it. His only comment has been he'd like a lower and higher gear "sometimes". But then again he went from buying a $200 Army PX bike that the pedal fell off on his 2nd day of commuting to buying the Raleigh from our LBS.
One of the first things I did this spring was install planet Bike fenders on my commuter, a Trek 520.

canyoneagle

Here ya go:
Specialized has a line known as "Globe"
https://www.specialized.com/us/en/bikes/globe/live/live3
https://www.specialized.com/us/en/bikes/globe/live/live2

hubcap

I think the Raleigh model spec'd closer to the Trek SOHO deluxe is the Detour City Sport DLX. No belt drive though.

https://www.raleighusa.com/bikes/hybr...-sport-dlx-12/

The bike tricked out with all the latest components that seems to be a great value is the Novara Gotham.

https://www.rei.com/product/825377/no...tham-bike-2012

fietsbob

By now shops that didn't do a pre-season order, to have it in stock,
may not be able to get some of those.

I think the SOHO's sell out fast. check with your LBS..

mcrow

If lack of internal hub is a deal breaker then I'd probably get the Raleigh. If internal hub isn't a deal breaker the the Trek PDX would probably work for you.

Cyiu23

Just a update, I ended up picking the Trek. I was able to find a used one on Craigslist. So far it rides really nice, hopefully I'll be able to make some changes to the bike.

canyoneagle

Awesome! Congrats!

DVC45

Pics!

Big Lebowski

Cool! Do you know which year? I looked at those in the past and it seems like they had different hubs.

canyoneagle

The first version (2007/2008 or so?) had roller brakes before the "deluxe" version with discs and the centertrac belt system was introduced (not sure when).

If the OP's new ride does not have the centertrac, it's no real big deal, but the new system is better from what I've read. Plus a conversion could be done at a later date (albeit at a cost).

Cyiu23

Here are a few picture that I took.

canyoneagle

Grats on the new ride! It looks sharp!

Cyiu23

Those are the pedal the guy had on the bike, I need to get toe clips if I keep using these


This is something I didn't like about the bike. The plastic pieces that they used on the frame are coming off, and the guy that sold it to me glue gun it back on.


These are the handle bars it came with, I think I want to change it to bullhorns in reverse. I have to see if I can fit the shifter and brakes onto a bullhorn. What do you guys think?

canyoneagle

I'm not a bullhorn fan - they are largely for a more aggressive cycling position, and are more limited in options (hand positions) than other options. Plus, I do not believe that there are presently options for hydraulic brake levers on bullhorns or drops (different diameter than flat bars, so incompatible with flat bar levers). I'm not sure what you mean by "reversed". If this indicates swept back towards you, then there are bar options available. As an alternate to forward facing bullhorns, consider a flat bar with bar ends, consider a "combo" bar

Multi-position bars are popular with commuters - Trekking Bars, Alternative bars of various types, or stick with the ones you have. There are many options.

Here's an idea of the array: https://www.universalcycles.com/shopp...?category=1678
Again, bear in mind that you will need to stick with "MTB" spec bars that are compatible with your brake levers and shifters.
Here's a good overview: https://sheldonbrown.com/deakins/handlebars.html

Cyiu23

I don't know if it looks right being that it's a bad drawing, but I want the bullhorn like that. I want the horns at a 45 degree angle that way I can have the shifter and brake pedal flat or -15 degrees so it doesn't hit the horns. Does that make sense?

Cyiu23

oh I also have to change the saddle, the one it came with suck. Five minutes sitting on the seat and it's annoying me. I think I want a Brooks Saddle B17 Special, currently I am using a regular B17 on my Dahon Eco6. Oh and to totally geek it off, I think I want to install lights that fit at the ends of the bullhorns.