The Trek Soho Urban Commuter Bike
By Mike Payne
Take a close look at this bike. A real, hard look. Notice anything different? That’s not a chain you’re pulling when you turn that crank– its a belt. Following suit from a trendsetting group of boutique bike builders, Trek has released its first series of fixed gear bikes with a belt-drive system, not a chain. Belt-drive systems are lighter, quieter, firmer and less prone to stretching/breaking like the typical chain. The Trek Soho Urban Commuter Bike is among the first major brand bikes to use this technology. Personally, we might hold off until belt-drive is available on something a bit more sporty, like a Fuji Track Pro or even a Bianchi Pista. While we wait for that, we’ve got to give Trek a friendly salute for this one.
Buy: $990