Steel commuter/ light touring bikes: How to choose?

[KnottedYet]

Hmmmm... asphalt gray bike, on gray asphalt, during gray-lit commuting hours.

Oh, Trek, how could you paint a commuter GRAY!?!?!?!

The Soho is a pretty appealing bike, but for 1/3 that price you could get an aluminum Kona Dew commuter or a steel Kona Smoke commuter.

Touring would definitely require a different bike, but if you are interested in aluminum commuters there are many out there which are very good and mighty low-priced. And they have standard parts which would be easy to repair/replace.

ETA: aluminum vs steel is one of those eternal debates. Some folks feel the difference, some don't. I feel it, and after an hour or so it becomes aggravating. YMMV.

[Zen]

The Soho is a pretty appealing bike, but for 1/3 that price you could get an aluminum Kona Dew commuter or a steel Kona Smoke commuter.

appealing or appalling? Ever since I got the Jamis I've fallen hard out of love for anything Trek*

this comment is subject to change upon viewing/riding of the Bellville

[buddha_bellies]

appealing or appalling? Ever since I got the Jamis I've fallen hard out of love for anything Trek*

this comment is subject to change upon viewing/riding of the Bellville

Oh Dear. Have you had problems with Trek? Or you just LOVE your Jamis? I wish I could even get on a Jamis. I saw some of their bikes, I love their paint colors.

As to the Surly, I saw the green. DH thought it was the ugliest color for a bike. I have to agree. I guess the beige color is not bad if you get the right color accessories. But I'm still not too crazy with the finishing.

I saw a build-up Marinoni Turismo last week. OMG! I love this bike! The finishing is awesome. I can see why people would pay more for a custom bike. I think it's set then... I'm gonna get myself a Marinoni... once I save up more money. Custom paint is always a bonus!

Thanks everyone!!!

[eofelis]

I have a 44cm Specialized Ruby and I like the fit. I also have a 42cm Surly Pacer and a 42cm Surly LHT. So I feel that the fit is similar on these bikes (depending on components).

I have my Pacer set up as a sport-tourer with a light pannier rack and sometimes use it for commuting. It's a sturdy, inexpensive, easily replaceable frame that I don't worry too much about. My LHT is a pretty bombproof little bike. I've done two week+ tours with it in southwest Colorado.

I looked into a Crosscheck, but the standover of the 42cm model is 2cm taller than the 42cm Pacer and 42cm LHT. This is probably due to the increased tire clearance of the frame.

I looked into Somas, but the smallest ones are still too big for me.

Gunnars are nice, my bf has two Gunnar road bikes and a Rockhound mtn bike. But the smaller frame sizes have 650c wheels.

[buddha_bellies]

I have a 44cm Specialized Ruby and I like the fit. I also have a 42cm Surly Pacer and a 42cm Surly LHT. So I feel that the fit is similar on these bikes (depending on components).

I have my Pacer set up as a sport-tourer with a light pannier rack and sometimes use it for commuting. It's a sturdy, inexpensive, easily replaceable frame that I don't worry too much about. My LHT is a pretty bombproof little bike. I've done two week+ tours with it in southwest Colorado.

I looked into a Crosscheck, but the standover of the 42cm model is 2cm taller than the 42cm Pacer and 42cm LHT. This is probably due to the increased tire clearance of the frame.

I looked into Somas, but the smallest ones are still too big for me.

Gunnars are nice, my bf has two Gunnar road bikes and a Rockhound mtn bike. But the smaller frame sizes have 650c wheels.

Wow! That's awesome! I have a 44cm ruby also. It's good to know that Surly is less then a Marinoni and is bombproof. What color is your LHT? I just wish their finishing is a bit cleaner. The one I saw the welding wasn't very clean. I don't know if that was a defect or what but I was kinda disappointed. It's really affordable and I guess I can always get it custom color at a body shop, since I would buy the frame and build it with different components.

[eofelis]

Wow! That's awesome! I have a 44cm ruby also. It's good to know that Surly is less then a Marinoni and is bombproof. What color is your LHT? I just wish their finishing is a bit cleaner. The one I saw the welding wasn't very clean. I don't know if that was a defect or what but I was kinda disappointed. It's really affordable and I guess I can always get it custom color at a body shop, since I would buy the frame and build it with different components.

My LHT is the original Sage Green color. The welds on the 3 Surly bikes that we have in the house are all quite nice. The powdercoating they put on them is quite durable also. I think they are a great deal on a frame.

[buddha_bellies]

Finally! I've settle on a bike! It's neither any one of the ones I had mentioned before because it's brand new for 2010.

I ended up getting a Brodie Drifter demo from my LBS. It's a lot cheaper then any of the other bikes I've mentioned! Woohoo! My LBS had a look at all the bikes I had mentioned. Other then the Marinoni, which is custom, none of the ones would've fit me because my inseam is so short.

Anyway, here's my new baby. I had the handlebar changed to a trekking one so it should do me well on any credit touring

[shootingstar]

So is this meant to be your new commuter bike?
Any trips that you are dreamin' of ? A trip out to the islands or Van. Island should be plenty of choice there in better seasons.

[Tri Girl]

What a gorgeous ride!!! It looks bomb-proof. Love it!!!!
Congrats on your new ride. What brand is your rear rack? Is it an old man mountain?

[buddha_bellies]

Yes, it is old man mountain. I heard it's bomb proof. Supposed to be able to carry 40lbs of stuff... that's more then what I plan to carry but you never know :-)

As to trips, yes, Whistler is one of them. And next May/ June some people in the club I belong to is thinking of doing the Sunshine Coast circle tour. I've never been up there before so that should be fun. And if I have enough money, France would be awesome! But that's another story.

[Grog]

Fantastic! Dan told me about it when I saw him last week, it's great to see the thing with my own eyes.

Wait, what club? Have you joined the VBC? Gosh I gotta get back on my bike!

Congrats!