Trek's "Portland" now online
Posted by Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor) on October 21st, 2005 at 1:12 pm
A while back, I posted about Trek's new commuter bike called the "Portland". I just noticed that they've added it to their website. Check out all the details. And thought you might like this screenshot from the Trek site. Isn't that the Steel Bridge?!
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The geometry is fair and the components are pretty decent. But there's no provision for carrying your lunch, let alone a commuter's daily luggage. ANY bike can handle a backpack. What makes the Portland a commuter?
If it had a straight handlebar, a Nexus Inter-8 hub, luggage rack and lighting, I'd have mine on order. (Note: I ordered a Trek L300 too late from the Bike Gallery. They tell me that Trek has discontinued that commuter for 2006. Not only that, but Shimano discontinued shipping the Inter-8 hub to the US. Instead, they will provide the Inter-7 hub for the US market.)
RecommendedLawrence:
Trek is aware that dealers make most of their margin on accessories, so maybe that's why they left off a rack and lights. But on the flip side, it's nice to be able to choose the accessories you want, instead of what the product manager decides to equip it with.
RecommendedI'm more impressed with the bike than I thought I'd be. My only problem with it is what seems to be pretty flimsy fenders. I agree with Jonathan that I'd rather pick my accessories, but if they are going to put fenders on a bike named after Portland for god's sake, they should be more than afterthought-looking flaps.
RecommendedRussel,
I'd say let's wait until we see it in person. I doubt they're flimsy fenders...but I agree with you that they don't look very effective from the photos.
RecommendedI'm not too keen on the MSRP price of $1539.99. There's an aweful lot of Bontrager parts on there to justify such a high price for a 105 equiped bike (granted it is 10-speed).
RecommendedI agree with the comments on the fenders. Sure, the plastic might not be flimsy, but there is absolutely NO wheel coverage. Plus, sure they have disc breaks. Cool. But, put a rack on that bike and then try to get bags on the required rack to fit over the disc breaks. Not gonna happen.
And an MSRP of $1500 for a commuter. Come on! Go to Germany and see the REAL commuter bikes that go for $500 WITH dynamo powered lights and racks. Sure, they are not the lightest things, but in a commuter who needs those spokes.
RecommendedNow that I look at the fenders again, I wouldn't want to be riding behind this bike in the rain that's for sure.
But James, you can't compare this to a real commuter bike. I think Trek is trying to blur the lines between the categories. Is it a commuter? a hybrid? a road bike? a "fitness bike"?
I'd be interested to read the marketing copy on this one.
RecommendedI am goint to go out on a limb here and say that the three most important qualities for a commuter bike are (1)reliability (2)energy efficiency (3)great fenders and (4)attention getting lights. This is because people hate to fix bikes more than going to the dentist and they would rather call a cab then get sweaty, wet, dirty or almost killed on they way to work. I don't think the Trek Portland addresses these issues in an rigorous way. You gotta just laugh at those fenders!
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