In all likelihood, your local bicycle shop peddles the wares of only a small number of brands of bicycle. We shall, therefore, consider the wares of each brand separately whenever possible.

Starting off then, we’ll have a look at the offerings of Trek Bicycle Corporation

The Trek 7000 seems to be a perfectly good bicycle for commuting.

What’s Good?

• It has 700×35 tires, which are skinny enough for speed, but not so skinny as to run the risk of pinch flats; even when carrying a heavy load
• It has a very wide range of gears, to assist in climbing over hills without undue exertion or unseemly perspiration.
• It has a chain guard to help keep filthy chain grease off the leg of your breeches.

What’s Not Good

• Upright riding position – While this will not be a hinderance for short rides, on longer excursions, it may cause some posterior discomfort.
• Lack of equipment – This bicycle lacks the basic necessities for commuting; Lights, racks, and fenders.

Not to worry, Trek offers a whole array of add-ons accessories that make the 7000 a more than capable commuter.
Unfortunately, the addition of these items more than doubles the cost of the bicycle.

Trek 7000 Bicycle – $310
Trek bike mounted rear rack $20.
Trek Basic Bicycle Panniers $65
Trek “Bontrager approved” fenders $40
Trek “Vapor” helmet $50
Trek Commuter Rain Jacket $90
Trek Dreadlocks cable lock $25
Trek Trek Ion 3 Headlight & Flare 7 Taillight Combo $38

Total: $638

This is slightly more than our $600 governmental stipend, but with gasoline selling for $4 per gallon, the diligent rider will have recouped the excess expenditure in his first month of commuting.

“Where can I get one?!” you say? A fellow can scarce swing a dead wombat without hitting an authorized Trek dealer. If, however, wombats are not indigenous to your particular locale, the good people at Trek Bicycle Corporation can point you in the right direction.