BIKEPGH MESSAGE BOARD ARCHIVE

Material preference? Price range? With the light touring qualification I would assume you would like rack and fender mounts.

Yeah, steel would be nice, but we're open to anything really. It should at least be drilled for rear racks. We'll probably try to cap things at 1200.

They have the Trek District at Shadyside, it's really nice looking. Couldn't tell you about the ride.

I have a Trek 7.2 and hate it but know the 7.3 is an upgrade from that.

You can't seem to go wrong with the Surly, they are really versatile.

I actually almost bought a trek district but I ended up not getting it.

For the price it really didn't seem worth it, plus, the wheel set seemed to be something custom they made. So strength could be an issue. I don't think it had fender mounts either.

What about a Jamis Sputnik?

http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/thebikes/road/fixies/09_sputnik_spec.html

I own a Surly Cross check - I like it a lot. I rode it to DC and back. Got it from Iron City Bikes and I would recommend them to anyone.

Teh lowest gear on mine is 22F/30R. I like being able to go up hills even when tired. I have fenders and racks on it.

This bike would eat up your $1200 budget pretty well

I had a Bianchi Avenue. I loved how all components fit, but the bike did not hold up well. OTOH, that was less than $500, even with fenders and a rack. One of the spendier Bianchis could do the trick.

Mick

The Redline Metro 9 is intriguing. I only wish they went with bull horns like the 925 has. Steel, 1x9, comes with fenders.

http://www.redlinebicycles.com/adultbikes/metro9.html

Also consider a touring bike.. you can always throw cross tires on it.

Surly LHT

Jamis Aurora

Kona Honkytonk

Raliegh Sojourn

Novara Randonee

Wes,

I've got a Trek District for review, you are welcome to ride it some time. I wouldn't worry about the wheels, the rims are no doubt Velocity B43's, very very strong, and stiff, probably too stiff for me.

Rack and fender mounts, room for 28mm tires and fenders.

Also look at the Steelwool Tweed. Disc mounts, and eccentric bb, and lugged. Very reasonable price too. I reviewed it here...http://www.dirtragmag.com/print/article.php?ID=1189&category=stuff_reviews

Take a look at cyclocross bikes. They are great for Pittsburgh

I have the 7.3 FX, seems to be a gr8 bike for me and surly would recommend it, works good with the road riding I do and handles smoothly on the trails in the city

Hey everyone, thanks for all the advice so far. We're still searching, but have made some progress. Here's an update:

I've since fallen in love with the Gary Fisher Presidio, http://fisherbikes.com/bike/model/presidio. It's a bit out of my price range, but we'll see.

My girlfriend is really into the Jamis Satellite Femme, and of course, the ubiquitous Surly Cross-Check. She'll probably get the latter, so long as we can find an '08 model or something (the beef gravy brown is not ok, and she is so-so on the black). It is kind of the perfect bike though.

The presidio is a sweet bike but your not going to do any light touring with it unless you want to carry all of your stuff on your back or swap the fork for one with rack mounts.

In between the Trek 7.3FX and District, I like (at least the idea of) the Trek Soho, with the internal hub, belt drive, and fenders making for a clean ride. I haven't actually tried that bike, though.