I went to a bike shop to just browse, and then I just noticed that the Trek Pilot line of bikes all have eyelets to let you put a rack on. To me, the best bike I've seen so far that can be used for cummuting with panniers is the Trek Pilot 5.2 s.p.a model. This bike has a rear elastomer suspension and a front fork vibration dampener. Should be a really sweet ride, but it costs $2900 at the bike shops. I'm dreaming about getting one but I shouldn't as I already have 5 road bikes. And my Giant OCR 1 with panniers has free tuneups from Performance bike. And I'm also dreaming about a CF Soloist Team with Zipp 404s.
Does anyone have this bike right now and can you post your thoughts on it?
Does anyone know of a better commuter bike that will fit panniers?
I went to a bike shop to just browse, and then I just noticed that the Trek Pilot line of bikes all have eyelets to let you put a rack on. To me, the best bike I've seen so far that can be used for cummuting with panniers is the Trek Pilot 5.2 s.p.a model. This bike has a rear elastomer suspension and a front fork vibration dampener. Should be a really sweet ride, but it costs $2900 at the bike shops. I'm dreaming about getting one but I shouldn't as I already have 5 road bikes. And my Giant OCR 1 with panniers has free tuneups from Performance bike. And I'm also dreaming about a CF Soloist Team with Zipp 404s.
Does anyone have this bike right now and can you post your thoughts on it?
Does anyone know of a better commuter bike that will fit panniers?
That Maxcycle bike is like a Ferrari! But it would be too expensive to use as a common commuter bike that you would use for grocery shopping and locking up to bike racks.
I lock up my commuter bike a lot everywhere, so it can't be too expensive!
I have 13 bikes (6 bmx, 2 mtn, 5 road bikes).
2002 Giant TCR Aero 2 + Polar Power Kit (might sell this) 2003 custom Cervelo Soloist Team + Polar Power Kit 2004.5 Giant OCR 1 with panniers (sell for the Trek Pilot?) 2005 Kestrel Talon + Polar Power Kit 2006 Raleigh Prestige + Polar Power Kit
I test road a Pilot 5.2 a few days ago. It is a sweet ride, but for me, it was not worth $1050 more than the 2007 Specialized Roubaix Elite ($1850). Frankly, I would not use either of these as a commuter with panniers. I would tend more towards the Specialized Sequoia Elite. The Sequioa has longer chainstays and a longer wheelbase. It might not be as fast as the Roubaix or the Pilot, but it should be more stable and have more room for panniers, and it is only $1200.
If I was not transporting anything but myself (no panniers, and no backpack, or a very light backpack), I would go with the Roubaix. If I was racing over cobbles, I would choose the Pilot. To me, commuting with panniers on these bikes would be like hauling manure in my Lexis. That is what the Honda CRV is for.
I use a cyclocross bike for commuting and it's great. It can fit a rack and rear panniers, and proper full-length fenders front and rear.. and even has a little 25mm travel front suspension fork with lock-out 🙂 I prefer drop bars when riding in traffic as it reduces the width of the bike, and it's easier to gauge what nooks and crannies you can and can't fit into. Being a cyclocross frame it has a generous amount of frame spacing for comfy wide hybrid tyres, skinny race slicks, or anything in between. My only gripe with it is that it doesn't have any attachment for putting disc brakes on the front. When the weather gets wet and rainy, the consistent braking performance would be a nice touch.
However, they only made this particular model for one or two years 🙁 Managed to find mine completely by chance, browsing through second hand for-sale listings.
I think the 2.1 spa is way better than those Specialized models.
Now, I could accept that the Pilot 5.0 or 5.2 could be slightly better than the Roubaix Elite, but not the 2.1. The 2.1 is an aluminum frame with a carbon fork and carbon seat stays. The Roubaix Elite is a full carbon frame. I road both the Specialized Roubaix Elite and the Pilot 5.2, and the only thing I liked better about the Pilot was the saddle.
My main reason for liking the Trek Pilot spa is the "rear suspension" -- that rubber elastomer. Actually, I think Trek bikes are all overpriced and that other manufacturers offer better bikes with better components at cheaper prices. Like why does a Madone 5.2 come with 1690 gram Race lite wheels when you're paying $2900 for it? I expect Race X Lites at that much money.
Yeah, I looked at that Specialized but my dream commuter bike would still be a 5.2 Pilot with HED 3 wheels. But I guess that's overkill when I'm gonna put panniers on it. Actually, I should be satisfied with my Cervelo Soloist Team with HED 3 wheels - just add my Burley Nomad to it!
