I am now a "cyclist". Or at least I own a bike and a bunch of accessories. Went with a cheap mountain bike. Ended up not going with the Trek at all as I went to a 3rd bike shop (one of the ones Mike recommended ... Performance Bikes) and they had one almost identical to the Trek 4300 but with disk brakes. I won't tell you the brand for fear of mockery.
![Wink](images/smilies/wink.gif)
But it was inexpensive and is a good starting point for me. I did have them swap out the knobbies for slicks. Even with a cheap bike I walked out of there $650 poorer with the helmet, emergency tool kit, water bottle and cage, cheapest computer they had ($20), etc. The trunk rack was $70 by itself.
Got home at dusk but took it for a spin around the neighborhood anyway. It's a two mile loop around my block. Let me just say I SUCK! And no high end bike will change that. Getting out and moving my legs on this one will. The good news is I didn't notice my butt hurting since my quads hurt so bad.