Specialized Centrum or Trek Soho?

[Accelebrate]

I want a commuting bike for the summer, the idea of a simple single speed bike appeals and I was pretty set on the Trek Soho S, however yesterday I stumbled across the Specialized Centrum which threw a spanner in the works, pretty similar specs to the Trek and same £350 price tag, but with discs (albeit mechanical). I've already got a Specialized and I've been very happy with it, but just wanted some opinions, or alternative suggestions.



http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=...

Or...



http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/2008/urban/so...

[Alex12]

Personally id go with the specialized, its a much better looking bike and discs will make a hige difference when stopping and they wont rub the paint off your rim

[doctoroftruth]

I understand your dilemma. I have been trying to decide between the two bikes as well.

On one hand the Specialized wins on the looks and styling. I really like the low standover height. It also has better brakes. The rear rim spokes are offset for a cassette. Since it is a single speed there is a spacer where a cassette would be. I thought this was kind of a slip-shod way to outfit a single speed since one of the advantages is a stronger rim. But in this case the rim isn't stronger since it is a non single speed rim put on a single speed bike.

On the other the Trek has the 700cm wheels which are more efficient and can soak up some of the potholes. The wheels are very thin so I am not sure how they would hold up on a gravel pathways for the occasional non paved forest preserve ride. The brakes were not so great.

I am not sure if the specialized can accomodate a rack.

Good luck and let me know what you find out.