Question/thoughts/ideas

[ny biker]

Hopefully this link will work. It's the comparison of the two bikes.

http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes...one45wsd,empty

Looks like the 3.1 can take racks and fenders, if you want to be able to add them. I don't know how much the other differences will matter. Better wheels could make a difference, I think.

Based on the msrp, Trek considers the 4.5 to be the better bike, so I would ask the folks at the LBS what benefits you get from the 4.5. Starting with the 3 series carbon vs 4 series. And the fork differences.

Also note the 3.1 does not have an option for a triple chain ring, if you want that.

[Koronin]

Thanks. My current bike is a triple, but since we live near the coast there isn't exactly any mountains, so I'm not sure if I really need a triple. The bike rack thing is something I am considering and trying to figure out if this is a bike I might actually ride to a store and therefor need the bike rack.

[ny biker]

My old bike is a Trek 2000 with a triple, but the lowest gear on the new bike's compact double is almost exactly the same as the lowest gear on the old bike. I'm doing fine with the compact double.

My new bike is a Madone 4.7 -- a 2010 model. I think it's the same frame as the 4.5. I love it. The ride is noticeably smoother than the 2000.

[Koronin]

Thank you for the input, that really helps a lot.