enigmaT120

I can't remember the details now but I got the impression that the Portland was much more of a street/paved road oriented bike, whilst the Fargo is more off-road oriented.

No Portland, no Rocky Mountain Sherpa, but at least you can get a LHT with disks now.

dciskey

The Jamis Bosanova has slightly more aggressive geometry than a touring bike, and most of the features you're looking for.

https://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/thebik..._bosanova.html

Andy_K 

Kona ***** Inc

It's steel, like most of the others suggested, but it does have a carbon fork and 105/Ultegra components. You have to provide your own rack and fenders, but in my mind that's a good thing -- especially compared to the ridiculous fenders the Portland came with.

idc

This old thread lists a lot of drop disc 700c, although many of these are also no longer made

https://www.bikeforums.net/archive/in.../t-368115.html

Off the top of my head, there's also the GT Peace Tour (but it has bar end shifters, yuck) and the 2012 Raleigh Roper.

I'm actually researching similar bikes now after this morning's wet ride. Thinking of a BD bike since it's going to get wet anyway... I'm more and more convinced I need a road style bike with fatter tires, fenders + disc brakes for commuting.

grimslade

Peregrine!

Kojak

I'm not sure if this has been mentioned or not (I scanned the thread) but PDX is the airport symbol for Portland, so it appears that the Portland has evolved (or devolved depending on your viewpoint) for 2012. There are now a lot of bikes in this segment, many have been mentioned.

Beyond that, a steel bike isn't necessarily heavier than an aluminum bike, but light steel tubes are a bit more expensive. As for one being better than the other, it's all in the eye (and seat) of the beholder.

alan s 

Drop bar disc commuter/touring bikes are a growing niche market segment. For example, Surly is coming out with the Disc Trucker in the next couple months.

However, Trek is obviously not selling enough to continue with the model. The problem is that the bike is a little too expensive for entry level, and for experienced cyclists, there are so many other options, including custom-builds, the market is not substantial enough for a large bike manufacturer like Trek.

Andy_K 

Definitely devolved in my opinion, though the Portland was never really a Portland kind of bike anyway. Most of the drop bar bikes I see in the city are 20+ years old. I always thought the Portland was more suited to the suburbs, but I guess 'Trek Beaverton' just didn't have the same marketing appeal.

Kojak

The Trek Nike might be counterproductive and induce lawsuits. Perhaps a Trek Oswego..... maybe that's already been done. Skyline would be cool, but only PDX'rs would know what it meant.

Seattle Forrest

I don't understand the attraction to the Trek Portland. It seems very overpriced for a heavy bike with decent components. My Novara Element was $1,100 new ( I got mine for $600 used ) with drop bars, disc brakes, and a 105/Tiagra mix.

2.5 lbs is more than my road frame and fork weigh together.

mconlonx

New Raleigh Roper:



What size Portland were you looking at...?

dynaryder

Had an Element. Returned it because the alloy fork gave a horrible ride and there wasn't room for fat tires(think it was also missing the chainstay bridge for easy fender mounting). Wasn't keen on the cross gearing either. My Portland has way nicer parts,carbon fork,a triple,can take fat tires,and at 22lbs 14oz was almost a pound lighter(mine's an original '06).

Kona's ***** Inc is a close replacement for the Portland. Specialized has a disc Tricross now,but it runs a straight blade alloy fork.

monsterpile

I was just about to post this. I saw one of these today and it was a sweet looking bike. The Port Townsend was the bike I lusted over the most in the shop its so classy looking.

idc

Had a look at that one online today because I've always liked Raleigh and that looks great but from what I researched, it's too heavy.

irclean

I think the Conquest Classic's successor, the Metro Classic, is drop-dead sexy in orange (I also love the gumwall tires and matching bar tape), and is very similarly equipped.



I also like the aforementioned Kona ***** Inc., Raleigh Roper, and Jamis Bosanova. I don't know if you have any Brodie dealers in your area, but the Ronin is a nice machine.

bikerjp

Sure. But my point was that it's not THAT much in the grand scheme of things and that was comparing a commuter to a race bike. Steel bikes can be close to AL in weight and probably closer than 2.5 lbs given same category and spec of bike. I mean, if you put a rack, beefier wheels, fatter tires and a set of panniers on your road bike, would that 2.5 lbs be much of a concern? Except for the ability of that bike to shoulder the load.

Kojak

This is mine, but unfortunately the guy who built these bikes was hired by Santa Cruz to design mountain bikes. It's possible that you might find a used one on the market. Most of these were sold in the Seattle/Portland areas. Mine is not for sale.

ctoddrun

Or a new 2011 still in the shop? Saw one last week at a shop near my house - might be a difficult find, but maybe not impossible...

SPiercey

Wow, thanks a lot everyone. So many bikes to look at now.

I'm not buying until the spring so hoping to find one still in store or used is stretching so I might as well find a different bike to keep my eye on.

Really liking to Metro Classic and Kona ***** Inc.

fietsbob

the warehouse sold their stock., mid summer..
This week's trade show pre - season orders, often determine how many get made.



Trek's PDX is kitted with a straight bar , drop bar conversions can be done..