homebrewk

I bought the Earl in November of '10 for $400 from my local Trek store. It appealed to me because of...

1. The price. $400 is a steal for what you get.
2. The frame. The top tube is split, which allows you to hang a u-lock, plus it looks cool. There's also a bottle opener too.
3. The smooth ride. This guy absorbs EVERY crack and bump in the pavement. It's great.

So, anyone else have anything to add? Appreciated.

hamish5178

Wouldn't putting a u-lock through your toptube make an awful racket when you rode?

jonathansmith68

I've been curious about this bicycle for some time now. I work at a bike shop that carries Trek as one of their main brands and have always thought about suggesting this bicycle for our customers that are looking for a single-speed commuter on the cheap. Do you happen to know how heavy this thing is stock/complete? And you've been pretty happy with the quality of the components? At $400, I'm guessing that it's not a flip-flop hub? The retro-looking Trek graphics are badass IMO.

Edit: For some reason I was thinking it had the vintage "Trek" decals on the seat-tube

Bummed that I thought it had it.

Leukybear 

I think he inserts/ threads it (the shackle of the u lock) between the split tubes. With the lock part of the ulock acting as a stop on the top tubes.

homebrewk

I actually haven't tried this yet. The split top tube just looks good and helps make a smoother ride.

homebrewk

I'm not quite sure how heavy it is (Trek doesn't give the weight nor have I weighed it yet), but it's certainly not light by any means. Like I said, the steel frame contributes a lot to weight, but you get a smoother ride. Yes, I have been very happy with the stock components.

It DOES have a flip flop hub on the rear wheel. It comes with a 16t freewheel and fixed cog & lock ring (at least mine did...)