Hulk's successor

This is a long post but I'd like input on the new bike. Skip to the question marks if you don't want the history but want to give me advice. But before you do--I'm posting this on the commuting thread because that is what I use my bike for. And my budget is definitely <$1000. Well, maybe I could exceed that slightly. But if I stay within budget, I can get a few extras.

My bike, Hulk, is 14 years old, from a time before Women Specific Design. She cost under $400 and I was 20 years old. For the first 12 years of her life I mostly rode her on 5-10 min trips. She is a Specialized Crossroads, which was their hybrid model. She's a little too short for me, which I have compensated for by raising the seat higher than it is supposed to go (until I got a longer seat post) and with my trekking bars.

Over the past 2 years she became my primary mode of transportation. I've replaced every component but the fork and the stem, either upgrading to something better, or simply replacing a worn out part (like derailleurs). I've replaced some things, such as the bottom bracket, TWICE.

My husband got his latest financial aid letter telling him that he's accumulated enough grants and scholarships, his school is paid for entirely without touching the loan check. The last few semesters, what's left of the loan check has gone into savings to cover those little surprises like bike repairs, car repairs, medical, the vacuum died, etc.

This semester, his entire loan check will go into savings.

The responsible thing to do would be to pay off debt. We both agree that it is ok to buy me a new bike first.

The only question remains: exactly what bike, what components, what accessories? I have until ~Sept or Oct to decide. Actually I have as long as I like. I'll have the money in the fall and I will want to spend it as soon as I have it. Plus I'm ecstatic about the project and I think about it all the time.

I'm leaning hard toward Trek 7.3 FX WSD. I test-rode some at the bike shop and determined a 17" frame is my size. I eat up bottom brackets because I haul groceries and anything else heavy I can find an excuse to haul, and the bike shop guys told me not to go below 7.3 (or 7300) because the components (such as the bottom bracket) are better.

I don't like the Trek Hybrid series (7000+) because the highest they have in WSD is 7300, and it doesn't have a top tube. Besides that it looks girly and dumb, it won't go on the bike rack on the car.

The Trek FX line is also nice because it takes 700 wheels. I built Hulk's rear wheel, and her front wheel has a Nexus generator hub. So it would be nice to use those wheels.

I'd have liked disc brakes, but I'd have to choose between that and Hulk's wheels.

Why not 7.5 or 7.6 (the other models available in WSD)? I don't think I need, for example, a carbon fork. On the other hand, maybe the components (bottom bracket, derailleurs) are better? Any thoughts?

I hope I can use Hulk's chainrings. If not I will be buying a new chainring. The FX have ridiculously big granny gears. I love my 22 tooth. (Or whatever it is.)

Why the obsession with Trek? That's what my LBS carries. Well, they also carry Scwinn.

Since I am going to use the brooks saddle, trekking bar, wheels, fenders, rack, and possibly chainring off of Hulk, why don't I just buy a frame and put everything on that? I am considering that. I'd like Hulk to be ridable although that is not essential, which means all the parts I take off the new bike will go on Hulk. If I build a bike, Hulk won't be ridable. I would need a lot of help (and hours in the bike shop) building a bike. It would probably cost more, even if I find an affordable frame I know there are some components that probably won't transfer to the new bike.

In addition to the generator light I have, I'm going to get new reallights, because the new ones have capacitors and don't stop blinking at stop signs--I'll give my old ones to my sister. I'll also get a downlow glow. Those are just cool. And a new helmet light, rechargeable. My battery eating days are numbered.

The one thing I'm sad about is I don't see any way I can get an orange bike. I really want an orange bike. I haven't looked extensively yet at frames, but it seems like you choose the frame, and the color is what that frame comes in. Orange is only an option on mountain bikes. Definitely all the regular bikes come in just one or two color options. And if you paint them or get them painted, the warranty is void. :/

I did find some bike decals, and reflective orange is invariably an option. So I think I'm going to liberally apply reflective orange decals to the bike, whatever color it ends up being.

The new bike has to be orange because I've already picked out a name for her-- Crush. (R.E.M. "Follow me", off the Green album). Because orange has sort of become my thing. Reflective orange road vest. Yellow fenders. Yellow & red handlebar wrap (giving rise to the name "Hulk"--after Hulk Hogan's yellow & red flames). Orange helmet.

I am so excited you get a new bike! I love my Trek 7.3fx and Anna loves her 7.2fx. I would highly recommend the bike. For the money I can't imagine a better choice. Not only that, the Trek comes from a bike shop in town (Columbia) with the best service and your favorite mechanic starts working there next week!!! I regret buying mine at the "other" shop because the service hasn't been nearly as good although I seldom need anything since DH is such a great bike mechanic. Go for it.

how about a Gunnar frame? http://gunnarbikes.com/

They are steel, to survive all your hauling with panache. And you can choose to have it painted orange when they build it for you.

Surly makes some nice frames that could haul stuff without fainting, but the only orange one I know of is one of the older mtb frames. Soma makes some very nice frames, but no orange that I could find.

Gunnar frames look nice but don't accomodate my $1000 budget.

Oh, bummer. I guess I was just looking at the standard frame price when I thought it was under $1,000. sorry!

(but they are nice frames, eh? Mmmmmm, tasty!)

Check out the Kona's at Tryathletics. I think they make some bright orange bikes.