Bike Ideas
 

Hi everyone,

I'm considering bike ideas for options on a new ride. I current ride a road bike and I have a seatpost rack to go with it. However, with the skinny tyres etc I'm not really prepared to take it out in less than perfect or even threatening weather. However, my commute is up to 30Kms each way (depending if I public transport or even drive part way) so at that length I'd prefer something more of a road bike.

So I suppose I'm looking for something like a road bike, but able to take thicker tyres, rack mounts to a more secure rack (compared to seatpost rack) and perhaps also disc brakes. So what I am looking for is a list of sorts of bikes to consider to put into the test ride list. I'm after general styles but also specific makes and models if anyone could be so kind.

So I'll start...

I'm thinking cyclocross is a good idea. I know there are others, but the only one I can think of right now is the Specialized Tricross.
There's also of course the Surly Cross Check although it's hard to find a supplier around these parts.

Of the Cyclocross mode you have the Tricross, CC, Soma Double Cross, and thats about all I can think of right now.

Of the Touring bikes you have the Surly LHT, Cannondale T2, Jamis Aurora, Trek 520, Rocky Mountain Sherpa, Salsa Fargo.

I also believe REI has a few bikes that a lot of people like in the Adventure touring type category, but I can't remember the names off hand.

throw the Fuji Touring into your mix. I found it to be a really comfortable bike, easy to get out of the saddle, even riding around in the store. On my test ride I found it quick enough and agile. The shifting on the showroom bike needed a tweak but it shifted easily. I came close to buying it, but in the end did not buy a new bike.

Kona Jake is another CX. When you buy the bike have them change the CX tires to slick foldable ones, which are much lighter and roll faster. CX bikes tend to be lighter than tourers. Discs are not necessary for commuting unless you are overweight and have some serious descents on your route.

When looking at cyclocross bikes, stick to the low end models. The pricier CX bikes have more race-oriented geometry and tend not to have eyelets for fenders and racks.

A light touring model such as Soma ES with long-drop brakes for 28mm tyres+fenders and rack eyelets should be ideal.

Or unless you ride through water runoff that splodges silt, dirt, and gravel all over your wheel rims and scrapes up the brake tracks.

OP, if you're looking for disc brakes, the term "cyclocross" will make your search more difficult just because many 'cross bikes are built for racing and discs aren't legal in all cyclocross racing organizations.

Anyway, also look for the Salsa Vaya, Jamis Aurora Elite, Kona Sutra and Dew Drop, and Civia Bryant (all QBP brands, and likely available to your LBS). There's also REI's Novarra Buzz and a few others. You might not find all, or any, of them for test riding, though.

I started a somewhat similar thread a little while ago. Although I was looking for some of the same features (although tire width isn't that important to me), it was more focused on a few bikes:
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...s-Aurora-Elite