Lost bike in fire - getting new one - suggestions???

Well I lost my bike in the California wildfires last November (lost the house too but that's another story). The bike literally melted, I was able to find the gears, that's it!

It's time to replace the bike and get riding again. I'm curious what your suggestions would be.

I'm 5' 9" - 155#

I commute about 20 miles round trip to work during the warmer months (yes I know I live in So. Cal and the temp doesn't go below 60 degrees during the day, I'm a wimp). I ride for pleasure. I don't go off road or mountain biking but there has been an occasion that I've had to take my bike over dirt or grass.

I want to start taking longer rides and tackle my first half century this year.

I live in a somewhat hilly area near the beach. My commute to my (old, needs to be re-built) house is quite a climb.

I need a bike that can easily carry panniers so I can get ready at work.

I ended up with pretty bad tennis elbow after I started riding last year.

I loved my bike, it was comfortable, it was cute. It was a starter bike so I think I want to keep the comfort factor and just upgrade.

I had a Fuji Crosstown 2.0 and it had the best seat ever!

Thanks!

sbGal: What a horrible story. I'm glad you are okay, and hope the rest of your family / pets all did okay.

As for your bike, I could recommend what I am riding... it's not a true commuter, but is also not a hard-core road bike. It seems like it's a bit heavier and more comfortable than a true roadie. It's a Specialized Sequoia. View and read reviews here

What it doesn't have (at least the one I bought a couple years back) is a place to attach racks to the back. Of course you could put one off the wheel, but not off the frame itself. Maybe they've changed that?

Anyway -- great smooth riding bike for a decent price.

I hope you find something you love and get out there on the road again! You'll get lots of suggestions here, I know! The secret is just to start test riding a bunch! Ask your friends if you can ride theirs for a short ride and see what you think.

So you up in Santa Barbara? I wish I lived near the beach instead of inland!

If I were to look for a commuter I would take a hard look at the new Trek FX series. They have bikes at all different price points. I own two Treks- a Fuel EX and a 2.3, and I love them. Some people look down their noses at Trek because Lance gave them Fred-appeal (all the wannabe Lances wanna own a Trek). My Trek dealer gives free life-time tuneups which is worth more than snob appeal in my book.

Anyway, take a look. I like what I see and I think it is a nice compromise between a comfort and a road bike.

http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/story/fx/

The Trek FX is a nice upgrade on that type of bike, a lot of women here love theirs. I loved my Fuji starter road bike, what about the next step up version of yours? Felt makes some sweet bikes and they are an American brand, I know they have a wide variety of Women's flat bar and true road bikes. Sorry about the fire, at least YOU made it out okay and the bike is replaceable.

Hi SB, Sorry to hear your story! I have two bikes, both of which I could recommend. I just got a Felt FW3, though they make other women's models which are less expensive! I really like the woman's fit on the bike. It is really comfortable for me. However, this bike will not carry racks (without a bit of compromise). It is lightweight and very responsive and I love it.

http://www.feltracing.com/09-catalog...d/09-zw25.aspx

The second possibility for commuting, and especially for durability and the ability to carry racks is the Specialized Tri-cross Sport model. This has been the most comfortable bike I have ever ridden. I use it for around the town errands and for touring. It easily holds racks since it has eyelets for them, and it has a triple crank for those hills you were talking about. It comes with 28mm tires which makes it good for the road and for off road, though the tires are not knobbies. If you don't like the seat that comes with it, then you can just replace the seat for more comfort. If you go to RoadBikeReview.com, you can get some reviews of this bike and it is very popular with those who have reviewed it. I can definitely claim a great love of this bike for being great all-around.

http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkM...09&language=US

Good luck with your pursuit of new wheels!

Oh, a Cyclocross bike is nice option. Meatier tires and can take racks. They are good commuter/road/workhorse bikes, my husband uses a Kona Jake for his commuter bike and LOVES it. Someone had a Surly for sale last week, might be a little big for you but it had hardly any miles and excellent price for a great bike. This bike has low miles if it is too big, sold or you don't want used the type might suit you http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=28871

ETA- Do you have a budget in mind?

Thanks for all the suggestions. I have a bit of work to do this weekend testing all the different options. I'm a very novice rider so I really do appreciate the suggestions.

I'm looking at a budget up to $1000 so that gives me some wiggle room.

Other thing you might want to consider is buying a bike like yours for commuting and getting an entry level road bike for the 1/2 century?