Trek Portland

Price Paid:  $0.00 at Mellow Johnny's

Favorite Ride:
Anywhere outside of Houston

Bike Setup:
Stock except Speedplay Frog pedals, Selle Italia SLR Gel Flow saddle, SKS 35mm fenders. Cosmo Tubus rack. Arkel Commuter pannier bag.

Summary:
This is the 2008 model year, with pure 105 drivetrain and Avid BB7 brakes.

I use this bike to commute, usually 4 days a week. It's 5.5 miles each way, absolutely flat, over lots of distressed (asphalt-patched) concrete, ridden as short hard intervals between stop signs and lights. I can usually cruise at 20-22 mph, but at a significantly higher level of effort than on my road bike. Carrying a rack with pannier bag containing laptop and clothes, the bike feels solid, tracks straight, and corners well. It's held up well; one wheel needed truing early on, but no repairs since.

I replaced the stock saddle with a racing saddle I had retired after 5 years of use.

Strengths:
Built very solidly. Good equipment.

Weaknesses:
Avid brake squeal. Also, play in the brake cables allows too much lever travel, no matter how much adjusting I do. The widened bottom of the shift paddle chews away at the handlebar tape.

The stock fenders are worthless.

Because the rear brake cable is routed along the top of the left chain stay, I still haven't figured out how to mount a combination speed & cadence sensor that would usually go on that stay.

Price Paid:  $730.00 at eBay

Model Year:
2007

Bike Setup:
Chris King headset, FSA stem, Bontrager carbon fiber seatpost, Topeak rear rack, Planet Bike fender, Dinotte front and rear lights.

Summary:
This bike is everything I wanted in a daily commuter. The disk brakes are exceptional in any weather condition. It's fairly light and extremely smooth. I've added a Topeak rear rack, "real" fenders, and a complete Dinotte lighting system to make this the ultimate commuter bike. It does not dissappoint.

Strengths:
Smooth ride. The disk brakes are excellent. Upright position. Looks great.

Weaknesses:
The stock fenders are junk, but OK for light conditions.

Price Paid:  $1200.00 at Kirk's Bikes, Muncie

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Trek Portland

Summary:
I love this bike! It is perfect for my daily commute, and performs well on club rides also. It is sturdy yet lightweight, and the disc brakes stop on a dime, even when wet. I may not win any road races, what with the extra drag from the discs, but it's probably the nimblest and fastest commuter out there. The price is high, but you get what you pay for. The 105's are great, and the ride is very comfortable, though you'll need to replace the stock saddle. Teh saddle and the addition of a rear rack (very handy for groceries and work clothes) are the only mods I have made.

Strengths:
Comfort, light weight, great brakes, wet riding

Weaknesses:
24-spoke wheels may prove to buckle under extreme use, but they have held up fine thus far.

Price Paid:  $1000.00 at Columbus Trek Bicycl

Model Year:
2006

Favorite Ride:
Trek Portland

Bike Setup:
stock

Summary:
Great city bike for a city with lots of hills. Great disc breaks, good climbing and descending. Agile, aggressive handling; upright position so you can see traffic. Love the Shimano triple 10s. Expensive, but most similar bikes have lesser equipment.

Strengths:
I felt instantly confident in tight traffic situations. Agile, aggressive handling. Awesome disc breaks. Love the Shimano triple 10s; smooth shifting.

Weaknesses:
A little heavier and slower than it should be. The disc breaks cause an airflow drag that slows you down on the flats.

Similar Products Used:
Cannondale Road Warrior 700 (2002). The C'dale is lighter and faster on the flats.