Need help shopping for a new ride

[EvanD]

Ok I have been away from biking for many years. I was a mountain bike fan for many years.
I have my heart set on a trek soho dlx
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/urban/soho/sohodlx/
love the chain drive and whole set up. I hate the wheels I know I would only end up jumping over a curb and my 230 pounds would trash those wheels and blow out tires driving through pot holes.
What alternatives can you find with a nice wheel/tire setup to handle a few curb launches and pot holes.
I like this
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/urban/pdx/pdx/
but after testing the soho it doesn't look much better than what walmart sells.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/700C-Men-s-Schwinn-Solitaire-Hybrid-Bike/13398140

 

[SLCraig]

I really like Trek's urban bikes actually. I like all of their bikes in general, but good MTB's can be had from most companies, but not all companies make bikes that style. BTW that bike is belt drive and not chain (internal geared hub)

If you are really aiming for some mild air and fun, you might want to just get a hardtail MTB though. (This also opens up a LOT more doors for other brands)

 

[Michael_P]

The Soho is way better than the WalMart varieties. I have a 2 year old Trek Soho with the 8 speed Alfine hub, Gates carbon drive and disk brakes. I weigh 210 pounds and can squat around 1000 pounds. I put the hurtin to a bikes drivetrain in a short period of time. Gates claims a 6000 mile service interval. I put 6500 miles a year on this bike so it has 13,000 miles on the clock with the original belt. It has performed flawlessly in the snow, slush salt, rain or anything else. It has yet to have its first rebuild. I'm thinking about a Soho single speed for a second bike. And I have some hills on the way to work which is about 19 miles away. On my old Litespeed commuter, I was replacing chains every 3000 miles. Along with my change of clothes and work material, it is not unusual for me to have 30 pounds of load on the rear rack. I have 36 spoke wheels with D/T 14 gauge spokes.

 

[EvanD]

What about jumping over curbs and pot holes on those skinny tires.

 

[Michael_P]

I try to avoid them, however I have hit a few with no problems. Central Ohio is riddled with potholes and the rigid fork handles the stuff well. The tires on there now are Continental tandem tires and they have taken some serious punishment. I also have Mr Tuffy tire liners in there for added flat protection. As far as curbs are concerned, honing in or rider technique and perfecting the mini wheelie goes a long way in saving your tires, wheels and forks.

 

[nthach]

I see people in SF brave the streets on fixies - mostly Bianchi Pistas or built-up Leader or Surly Steamroller/Cross-Check, Swobo or Mercier frames. Most of these bikes roll on Velocity Deep V rims on Conti GatorSkin or Vittoria Radonneur tires.

Personally, even though I consider my LeMond Reno delicate(but a Cervelo or a Trek Madone/Specialized S-Works is even more fragile) I negotiated some gnarly roads in SF and trails in the suburbs with my el cheapo Alex rims on Michelin tires.

 

[EvanD]

I went shopping all I can say is that im very very fortunate to live close to so many great bike shope. I browsed the net for days and nothing is a good as getting on in person and taking a quick ride.

I finally found my bike a sirrus I will start a new subject and post pics it's on order and due in wensday.
http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCProduct.jsp?spid=52894&scid=1002&scname=Transport%2FFitness