What's the best urban commuter & weekend warrior bike that's tough, light, fast, and under $800?

Question

I'm looking for a good urban commuter bike that's tough, light, fast.

What's the best bang for the buck?

So far I've tried the following:

1.) Trek 7.5 - Nice light fast clean-looking bike. Uncomfortable seat. Very balanced ride.
Trek 7.5 FX
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/2008/bike_path/fx/75fx/

2.) Cannondale Bad Boy - Best looking bike. Kinda slow. Priciest bike of the bunch - out of my budget.
http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/04/ce/model-4MRBB.html

3.) K2 Astral - Very light and fast bike. Not sure how tough it is. The red color sucks.
http://www.k2bikes.com/index.php?brand=K2&series=ROAD&type=FLAT%20BAR%20ROAD&model=ASTRAL%203.0

4.) Specialized Sirrus. - Cool minimal look. Very light. So so ride. Cheapest bike.
http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?sid=07Sirrus

Between these bikes, I'm leaning towards the Trek 7.5.

Which one of these has the best frame and components?

Are there any other bikes I should try?

Answer 1

Of your four bikes there, I like the Trek FX 7.5. I think Trek nailed the design here and really thought about who would be riding these bikes. It is built for people who want to commute and/or do some spirited fitness riding. For these riders, a road bike is too light and aggressive and a hybrid is too cumbersome. The Cannondale misses the mark and leans to close to the hybrid side for me. The others are fine, but I think the Trek is the best value. Good call on not going for the disk brake. It's overkill and not necessary. The saddle can be changed very easily. Just ask at the shop. I'm sure they can work something out.

Answer 2

i could be bit bias, yet i might bypass with the Trek. i've got have been given a 7100fx variety this is 4 years previous & this is nevertheless going stable (with some regularly occurring motorbike maintanence) . this is not meant for mountain cycling besides the shown fact that it could cope with extremely scale back leaping if choose be. The gears on Trek 7000 sequence motorcycles could be particularly low which help alot on hill mountaineering velocity. attempt them the two out for in good condition & convenience, to work out which one suits you suitable. . despite motorbike you %., to make an hybrid-form motorbike quicker - use thinner tyres, regulate the attitude (and decrease the top) of the handlebars, use toe-clips or clipless pedals, lock-out any suspension & upload on some curvy bar-ends. this is how I adapted my Trek in any case. those adjustments do make a distinction in terms of velocity & aerodynamics

Answer 3

I liked the Trek 7.5. But have you looked at the Jamis Coda or Fuji Absolute DX?

Answer 4

I have 3 different Specialized, Alllez, Epic and Tricross and have ridden the Sirrus.
It would be my choice for my stable mates