Chains are for saws and balls. Not for bikes.

Review: Trek Bicycle with Gates Carbon Belt Drive

Soon after relocating to Columbus I decided I had to have a bike.  Possible reasons:

It would be better for the environment!  No.
It would be good exercise!  No.
It would allow me to explore the city! No.

The reason I wanted a bike: Ohio drivers.  They speed up in to get to the fast lane and then inexplicably slow down once they get there.  Four way stop signs - hell, two-way stop signs - befuddle them.  Any form of weather not corresponding to a perfect Spring day? Utter bewilderment and mayhem.

I would rather drive in New Jersey where you have to be an asshole to operate a car.  You know what you're up against.  In Ohio the majority of drivers seem to suffer from DID - changing from aggressive to regressively retarded.

Because I don't enjoy driving here I decided it was time to take advantage of  Columbus' many urban bike trails and  navigable side streets.   I also live within walking distance of supermarkets and stores so that's a major incentive too.

When I finally got down to looking for a bike I discovered endless possibility.  If you're the type of person that relishes going out to eat in order to micro-manage what components make up your food and where on the plate they are arranged then shopping for bicycles is the thing for you!

I'm not one of those people but I did get caught up in the "what does my bike say about me" pretentiousness that were I watching myself I would want to punch me in the face and kick me in the taint.  Luckily it was a mercifully brief phase.  I'll sketch it out:

(1) I want something "vintage." I also like all things British so let's get a vintage British road bike kind of like this one.  Trawl eBay.  Make a few bids that get outbid.  Slowly realize you can get something new that won't need to be "restored."  Give up on true vintage dream.

(2) Well, it has to be European.   Everything from "over there" is better built and thoughtfully designed.  I had to have something like this Biomega or this Vanmoof. But what if something breaks?  Many internet searches and discussion boards hint that you might be fucked - since you're not in Amsterdam, but Columbus . . . Ohio.

(2.5) How about "Classic" but European.  Like those city bikes that are taking New York City by storm?  Kind of like these.  Then you realize, you're approaching and passing over $1,000.00 for a bike that looks exactly like those bikes you see in old photographs of pre-1990 Beijing.  Maybe I can get one of those  . . .

(3) Yeah, the People's™ Bike.  The Flying Pigeon: The same thing as this but for the price of this!  Oh wait.  What about shipping, and assembly, and . . .

(4) The Trek District.  This is the one.   It's got some retro accouterments (leather grips and saddle) and yet it is so  21st Century what with a carbon fiber belt instead of a chain.

• No maintenance. ✓
• No grease on my pants. ✓
• No assembly. ✓
• Annoying sense of superiority. ✓

This bike had it all.  And it looked so damn cool.  Gray, orange, and brown.  It stands out yet is still somehow understated.  What does this bike say about me?  That's what!  Let's go to the local Trek store.

First let me say that the people at the Columbus East Trek Store are super nice.  I went in July 20th and left with a great bike and a great experience.  I was greeted warmly.  My questions were answered.  I was told to test drive for as long as I liked.  The list goes on.  Later, when looking for stuff to outfit my bike I went to the Dublin store. Twice. Out of convenience. Let's just say, it was less friendly.

Now, the bike.  At the time I purchased my bicycle I could choose between the Trek District and the Soho.  Both use the Gates Carbon Drive but both bike look, feel, and are quite different.  Since then Trek has both raised the price of all their carbon belt models and added a new color and a new model to the district line.

The District is light, responsive, and looks cool.  It's also a single speed bike.  The Trek Soho is solid, firm, and could best be described as a "handsome woman."  It has eight speeds in an internal sealed rear hub.  The District is fun and the Soho is responsible.  If I had had unlimited funds I would have purchased both bicycles.  As I did not have unlimited funds and in fact since both bikes were above the budget I set for myself from the money I had saved by quitting smoking, I had to make a decision.

Do I get the young and hip single speed "fixie" (not really a fixed gear) or do I get the more useful but heavier and more conservative Soho?  I got the Soho.

Do I regret the purchase?  Sometimes but mostly not.  I don't think I would have enjoyed getting back into cycling as much as I have if I had gotten the District.  Nor do I think I would ride as much as I now do had I gotten the District.  Am I just telling myself that to make up for the fact that I drooled over the District and yet came home with the more dependable Soho?  Maybe, but something tells me it's the Soho, with it's all around capability that really kept me going out again and again for another ride that makes me think it was a better decision.

The Soho is not a road racer, but I have gotten into races on it.  It's not an off road bike, but the tires are big enough where you can venture a bit off the path should you get curious.  It's not a true hauler but the 8-gears do allow you a bit of wriggle room.  It's a good all around bike and there are times when everything is working just right when it is an absolute joy to ride - the belt is taut, you're in the perfect gear, you've got a great cadence going and it's so very quiet.  Ninja-quiet as they say.  I just don't think the District would have opened up the possibilities as much as the Soho has (and does). Would I still like a District?  Maybe.  Now I'm more interested in getting a road racing bike, but only because the Soho showed me how fun it is to race.  What do I want?  One of these.

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So that's my review of the Trek Soho.  I like it.  It's expensive but if you have the money it's worth it.

Trek Soho: MSRP $1,149.99 * (Mine was $900.00 with another $100.00 off)

P.S. - I am changing the stock handlebars on my Soho.  I ride it for much longer than I anticipated and the standard grips do not offer enough hand positions for those long rides.  I am putting on mustache bars and bar end shifters.  It should look something like this.

P.P.S. - The District Carbon looks badass.  I don't know if it's worth $3,400.00.

UPDATE: (09/25/2009)  My Trek Soho Now Has Mustache Bars - Looks And Rides Great!

I got the work done at BikeSource in Westerville, OH. The did a great job and were really helpful.  Of note is the installation of the Jtek Bar-end shifter for the Shimano Nexus/Alfine 8 speed hub that the Soho has.  The bar-end shifter is a big improvement over the standard shifter which was hard on my thumb for some reason.  Maybe I have weak thumbs.  Whatever the case I really like the new setup.  The mustache bars allow more hand positions that the straight bars and the new shifter position is a lot easier on my thumb.  Over all I'm pleased.