Fifty Plus (50+) - Already researching for next bike

Hi Folks,

I'm the one with the Trek 7.2 FX. Had it less than two months, but already thinking about what I want in my next bike. Assuming that I keep riding as I have been and keep getting stronger, next year I want something that:

Has drop handlebars, but that I can keep a bit higher than my seat to save my creaky neck. I don't like the limited places I can put my hands on the straight bars.
Can allow me to ride faster than I can now.
Maybe handles hills better. Not sure how much is my being out of shape and how much is the bike's gears, but them thar hills are tough when they are steep, and I've got a long, steep one leading to my house.
Let's me join some shorter club rides/little triathlons, looks like it fits in, and gives me a chance in hell of not finishing last.
Handles the less-than-perfect roads around here while keeping me comfortable for 1/2 day to maybe even longer rides.
A bike that I can fall in love with. Yes. Love. Like my husband loves his Mini Cooper. Like I loved my cream-colored Volvo 1800. :love:

Suggestions of what to look for? Thanks in advance!

Trudie

Truf, What kind of price range are you looking at? You could always go custom. Otherwise look for something like a Specialized Roubaix or of similiar ilk. They have a little "softer" geometry than racing bikes and are more amenable to triple cranks which I would recommend as being kinder on the hills and kinder to the knees.

Handling those hills may be more a matter of conditioning. The 7.2 FX should be pretty good on hills. It has a hybrid triple crankset 48/38/28, with a mountain bike cassette 11-32. That adds up to having easier gears for hills than almost any road bike. And it isn't that heavy either, probably around 23-24 pounds. Not a lightweight bike, but lighter than most hybrids. The fixed fork works in your advantage on hills too.

But you could certainly find bikes that are more comfortable and faster.

Thanks rck,

Budget: I've got a nice work bonus tucked away for this, so I don't have a tight budget. But I don't want to be too foolish with my money. :rolleyes:

Thanks, Tom. I was hoping you'd chime in. :) I'm getting a lot of practice up that hill, and already doing better. Good to know that it's me and not the bike.

I've got a question for you: How would the Trek 7.2 and the Trek Portland compare/contrast?

You know, I was gonna suggest a Portland. It nicely splits the difference between a cyclocross and a touring bike, both of which are designed to deal with less than perfect conditions.

Disclaimer: I don't actually pick mine up for another, oh, 37 hours and 53 minutes. These impressions are from spending an hour on it in the trainer for a pre-testride fitting, and another hour on the test ride itself.

I was smitten from the first turn of the crank.

The drivetrain is silky smooth. The carbon fork and longer, touring bike style chainstays make for a ride that takes the edge off of the rough stuff and feels almost stately on nice pavement. Yet, kick it in the ribs and it scoots.

I'm a pretty good climber to begin with, yet the Portland felt like it was being winched up some my favorite hills. All I had to do was pedal fast enough to keep up with it.

On the other side of the hills, the disc brakes resist gravity's pull with little fanfare. They feel good in the hands, stop smoothly, and are very confidence-inspiring. Panic stops are like reaching the end of a rope.

Although it's sold as an urban commuter, my impression (and my hope) is that it will also do well as an all-day century bike. It just felt that nice.

Interestingly, the day after I put the down payment on mine, a co-worker's brother visited from LA. He's been riding for years and has a stable full of bikes that make aficionados drool. He *won* his Portland two years ago, and figured he'd sell it for the cash. Instead, he told me it's the only bike he rides any more and, sad as it makes him feel, he's thinning his stable. What he likes is the comfort, handling, the way it climbs LA's hills, and the way it stops at the bottom of them.

Ask me in another month if it stands up to the impression it gave me on my test ride.

Oh, and BTW, the 2008 model comes in a cream color that's sure to remind you of your beloved Volvo.

A Trek 7.2 FX vs a Portland?

Hmmm ...

The Portland is a comfortable road bike. Would be more aggressive than the 7.2, but not overly so. I would think it would be a reasonable step in the direction of a friendly road bike. They have a triple crank on it now, so it's gearing is on the easy side (but not as much as the 7.2). It is usually sold as a commuter bike. Reviews on it as a long distance / touring bike are mixed, although it has its fans.

It isn't offered in a women's specific design. If you are not familiar with WSD, then take a read here:
http://www.trekbikes.com/women/wsd_products/wsd_difference/

If you have the 7.2 FX WSD, then you might already be enjoyed the changes in the bike's geometry which enables it to better fit the typical woman's body geometry.

I wouldn't normally think of the Portland. I do like its looks in '08. But would try out a lot of bikes (well, I would always do this) before I would go in that direction. For example, the Trek 2.1 WSD or 2.3 WSD.

Bianchi Eros, perhaps? I am partial to somewhat relaxed frame geometries, myself.

Thanks, everyone. Yes, I have the WSD, Tom, but I don't like how little room it leaves for essentials on the frame, such as pump, water, and lock. Since it's my first adult bike, I don't know enough to appreciate how it fits my body. :(

Noob question: How do you defined "relaxed geometry?"

tsl: Can't wait to hear about your Portland. Please post pictures when you get it! The picture on the Web site does remind me of the cream color on my old Volvo. Beautiful bike!

And yes, all. I'll try lots of bikes. That part of the process is fun! And I'm not in a hurry.

Update about my inner triathlon: Signed up for swim lessons at the Y today. Although I know how to swim, I haven't really done much since childhood. I just want to see if I have one little triathlon in me before I turn 53.

Sounds like you'll want something with average or higher head tube to make it easier to get the bars where you want them without going to extremes with spacers and stem angle. And you'll want something that can take slightly wider tires than a typical roadracing type bike. The obvious choices would be the Pilot and Roubaix lines from Trek and Specialized, and similar bikes from other makers. I think they call that type of bike "plush" in marketing speak nowadays. I would think a Serrotta Fierte (http://serotta.com/pages/fierte_steel.html) like mom bought would be a good possibility.
Beyond the obvious choices, there are many reasonably priced frames that can be built up just the way you want them by your LBS or by a mechanically inclined individual. A few that come to mind given your list of requirements are Salsa Casseroll (http://www.salsacycles.com/casseroll08.html), Rivendell Bleriot (http://www.rivbike.com/products/list/bicycle_models#product=50-601), Soma Smootie ES (http://www.somafab.com/extrasmoothie.html), Surly Pacer (http://www.surlybikes.com/pacer.html), Gunnar Sport (http://www.gunnarbikes.com/sport.php) and I'm sure there are others. You can probably get a custom bike from some makers for not much more.
Some of the more road oriented cyclocross bikes might also be a good choice for you.

Best advice is to take your time, try a lot of different bikes and different types of bikes. No need to decide before you look and try a lot of different things. Have fun!

Bianchi Eros. Mmmmmmm.... http://www.bianchiusa.com/06_eros.html

54960

Portland. Mmmmmmm.... http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/2008/road/portland/portland/

54970

Any more cream-colored bikes out there I can drool over? :love:

And keep riding that 7.2! Ride, ride, ride. It will help you to determine what you want out of the next one.

I'd want more than 2 months on a bike before I went out and bought another one. You don't want to make a $2000 mistake.

Tom: Absolutely! I'm thinking next year, maybe late spring. We are both really enjoying riding. Especially the longer rides. Joyful is the word that comes closest to the feeling it inspires. The feeling of the wind, of using our bodies, of feeling part of the world in a way that I never feel when driving. But two months is much too soon to rush out and buy another bike. But not too soon to begin considering the possibilities...

And thanks for the additional suggestions, BluesDawg. And I promise not to select a bike solely for its color however partial I am to that lovely buttery creamy color. :)

Not cream, but I see that Salsa will have a complete version of the Casseroll (http://www.salsacycles.com/casserollComp08.html) for 2008. The Ginger Beer color looks pretty nice.
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d195/GonzoDawg/bicycles/zoom_casserollComp08Trp.jpg

I am in a similar situation TruF. I want to upgrade from my comfort bike to something that can carry a light pack, climb hills better, handle long rides, mainly road but also the gravel packed C&O tow path. Maybe I should go with two bikes but I would prefer something that could do anything. I like the Cyclocross bikes I have seen and am focusing on a Specialized Tricross Comp, they have a Sport version that is less expensive.

I welcome any suggestions pro or con about going in the cyclocross direction.

Hotsie-totsie, BluesDawg! Great name, Salsa. And that expression, "credit card riding" is pretty funny. Does that mean organized travel tours with a guide and all the amenities? Riding to a B&B and back? Sounds like fun to me!

And let me know what you find out, donheff. Glad I'm not the only one trying to solve for this type of riding!

Trudie

I think a cyclocross type bike can be a good choice for a versatile road and path bike. I would be more inclined to go with a steel frame than aluminum, but that is a matter of personal preference. Some others to look at are Surly Cross-Check (http://www.surlybikes.com/crosscheck_comp.html), Salsa La Cruz (http://www.salsacycles.com/laCruzComp08.html) and LeMond Poprad (http://www.lemondbikes.com/bikes/cyclocross/classic_steel/poprad_disc.php), with the Surly probably having more roadworthy features like rack eyelets and such.

Hotsie-totsie, BluesDawg! Great name, Salsa. And that expression, "credit card riding" is pretty funny. Does that mean organized travel tours with a guide and all the amenities? Riding to a B&B and back? Sounds like fun to me!

Trudie

I think "credit card touring" is touring by bike, solo or organized, carrying a minimal load. Instead of carrying a tent, bedding and cooking gear, you just rent a room, eat in restaurants etc.

I welcome any suggestions pro or con about going in the cyclocross direction.

I looked at all the CX bikes available in my area before settling on the Portland (which isn't a CX bike, per se). There isn't a bad bike in the bunch. Any one of them would be a good choice. With wanting to tour, some are better choices than others.

I could be wrong, but I don't recall there being both rack and fender mounts on the Tricross. If you're going to tour, racks are essential and fenders a good thing since generally you can't change your touring plans if it rains.

Few CX bikes are available with a triple, but the Tricross is one that is. Double-check for rack and fender mounts. If it has them, the Tricross triple might be the right bike for you.

Few CX bikes are available with a triple, but the Tricross is one that is. Double-check for rack and fender mounts. If it has them, the Tricross triple might be the right bike for you.

The Tricross models I am looking at (Sport and Comp) have rack and fender mounts. And the triple is important to me. :) I like the credit card touring phrase earlier in the thread. That is definitely what I do. My wife would outlaw a tent from the get go.

Here (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=342467&highlight=fuji) are some bikes that would work for the things being discussed in this thread. When you build it up yourself, you can put whatever you want on it.

I like the credit card touring phrase earlier in the thread. That is definitely what I do. My wife would outlaw a tent from the get go.

Ditto for this wife. I would not be too proud to be a credit card tourer! There are lots of things that I still do that I did as a younger woman, but sleeping on the ground isn't one of them. I feel stiff and sore just getting up from my comfy bed these days! :p

Sleepin' on the ground is bad for me back. Aaaaarrrrggghhhh! Best get me into a bunk, I don't mind paying the swag for one. Yo ho ho.

Hi Folks,

I'm the one with the Trek 7.2 FX. Had it less than two months, but already thinking about what I want in my next bike. Assuming that I keep riding as I have been and keep getting stronger, next year I want something that:
Suggestions of what to look for? Thanks in advance!

Trudie

already mentioned by someone and 2 months is a little short to really get your next bike so I am noting that you are thinking of next year.
There are very few of us that ride more than one type of bike- but I presume that you are looking for a road bike. In a way that cuts out most of the Hybrids- but the better Hybrids are Full road bikes fitted with straight handlebars. The Specialised Sequoia has a hybrid version called the Sirrus for example.---So Just in case Drop bars don't suit you, keep the Hybrids in mind.

Then when you get onto the Drop bar road bikes- there is a multitude of Types around. The various types can be called- Sport- Performace-Competion---Etc. Besides the price- They are built slightly different and will ride differently aswell. Then there are the WSD bikes that are not only biult differently- They have parts fitted that are more suitable for the Female body.

So it is time to get Google working and start researching the various models around that are possibly suitable for you-Are in the right price range and come in the right colour. Lots of makes- Giant- Specialised- trek- and all the rest. Then it is down to hfinding the local shops and getting test rides. That is the only way to find out what you want.

You have a good few months of research to work on and hopefully- you will be able to cut yourself down to only a couple of dozen that you want to try- But remember- that Final bit of a test ride is the one that works.

I have a little different reaction than the rest of the posters.

You already have a 7.2FX. That's your do-everything bike. I think that your next bike should be more specialized toward whatever it is that you want it to do.

If you already own a mini van for hauling the groceries, your other car can be a Miata.

I have a little different reaction than the rest of the posters.

You already have a 7.2FX. That's your do-everything bike. I think that your next bike should be more specialized toward whatever it is that you want it to do.

If you already own a mini van for hauling the groceries, your other car can be a Miata.

That's reasonable advice and worth considering.

Then, on the other side of the coin, we have this thread: http://bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=345020

I'm still considering the Tricross Comp but I just noticed that they changed the 2008 model to a double from a triple. The Tricross Sport (lower level) is still a triple. I like the idea of a granny gear for assurance on steep climbs so I would stick with the 2007. Did they likely change to a double on the higher end model because racers don't need/want the triple?

Did they likely change to a double on the higher end model because racers don't need/want the triple?

That seems like a reasonable assumption considering that in CX races, when it gets steep, they dismount and run up the hill carrying their bikes.

Thanks, everybody. Lots to think about. What fun!

BTW: I noticed that I'm already a "Senior Member." Bar is set pretty low in this forum! Or do they give that tag to everyone in the 50+ forum? ;)

Truf, sounds like fun, and money's no object, either, that's a coup.

Here's what I did. I rode my Trek 7.5fx around for a year, accumulated about 4-5,000 miles in that year. Then I got a pro fitting for a Serotta (you said, price is no concern :D go for the Ottrot) I've been posting PR's ever since. Wed night posted a PR for speed, averaging 18mph over 26 miles.

I take a lot of good natured ribbing from my riding buddies because now I can keep up w/the "fast" group, and take my turns at pulls, and even drop one or two now and then just to be able to prove I can :) But I still do my recovery rides and leisurely rides w/my club mates at slower speeds, because I enjoy riding at a conversational pace, also. Plus, my hubby is much slower than me, so when we ride together, I find an easy gear and just spin. To his credit, though, he's riding the Trek now, so naturally he would be slower. He's actually quite athletic and fit.

All those miles w/the Trek helped make me stronger. When I finally got the new bike, I was able to show 2-3 mph average improvement in my times. I'm happy w/the improvements I've made w/the upgrade.

Maybe it will work for you too

Colleen


Hi Folks,

I'm the one with the Trek 7.2 FX. Had it less than two months, but already thinking about what I want in my next bike. Assuming that I keep riding as I have been and keep getting stronger, next year I want something that:

Has drop handlebars, but that I can keep a bit higher than my seat to save my creaky neck. I don't like the limited places I can put my hands on the straight bars.
Can allow me to ride faster than I can now.
Maybe handles hills better. Not sure how much is my being out of shape and how much is the bike's gears, but them thar hills are tough when they are steep, and I've got a long, steep one leading to my house.
Let's me join some shorter club rides/little triathlons, looks like it fits in, and gives me a chance in hell of not finishing last.
Handles the less-than-perfect roads around here while keeping me comfortable for 1/2 day to maybe even longer rides.
A bike that I can fall in love with. Yes. Love. Like my husband loves his Mini Cooper. Like I loved my cream-colored Volvo 1800. :love:

Suggestions of what to look for? Thanks in advance!

Trudie

Thanks, Colleen! I remember your post when your new Serotta arrived. Thanks for the update about how you're doing. Great to know that the honeymoon is going well! Are you still in love? :)

Trudie

Hi Folks,

I'm the one with the Trek 7.2 FX. Had it less than two months, but already thinking about what I want in my next bike. Assuming that I keep riding as I have been and keep getting stronger, next year I want something that:

Has drop handlebars, but that I can keep a bit higher than my seat to save my creaky neck. I don't like the limited places I can put my hands on the straight bars.
Can allow me to ride faster than I can now.
Maybe handles hills better. Not sure how much is my being out of shape and how much is the bike's gears, but them thar hills are tough when they are steep, and I've got a long, steep one leading to my house.
Let's me join some shorter club rides/little triathlons, looks like it fits in, and gives me a chance in hell of not finishing last.
Handles the less-than-perfect roads around here while keeping me comfortable for 1/2 day to maybe even longer rides.
A bike that I can fall in love with. Yes. Love. Like my husband loves his Mini Cooper. Like I loved my cream-colored Volvo 1800. :love:

Suggestions of what to look for? Thanks in advance!

Trudie

You live close enough to Rivendell and should go there and have a look around. http://www.rivbike.com/
I think they might have exactly what you are looking for. If not you will certainly learn a lot and it will be time well spent. :)

You live close enough to Rivendell and should go there and have a look around. http://www.rivbike.com/
I think they might have exactly what you are looking for. If not you will certainly learn a lot and it will be time well spent. :)

Yup...

You live close enough to Rivendell and should go there and have a look around. http://www.rivbike.com/
I think they might have exactly what you are looking for. If not you will certainly learn a lot and it will be time well spent. :)

And ask about their white bike special. They never announce it; you have to ask. :)

Bianchi Eros. Mmmmmmm.... http://www.bianchiusa.com/06_eros.html

54960

Portland. Mmmmmmm.... http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/2008/road/portland/portland/

54970

Any more cream-colored bikes out there I can drool over? :love:

The Bianchi and the Trek you showed have significantly different geometry. Notice how the Trek's seat tube and head tube have shallower angles (are less vertical). Also notice how the tires seem to be further away from the down tube and the seat tube. The Trek is a bike that should provide a lot more comfortable ride than the Bianchi over long distances. It should also be easier to keep in a straight line - it likely won't be as "twitchy" as the Bianchi. I would say that of the two, it seems that the Trek would be a better choice for you based on what you write. The Trek has what we used to call "touring geometry." I have a bike from the '70s that is a thing of beauty and it was a road racing bike in its day but the geometry is more elongated like the Trek. I can ride it "no hands" for an indefinite time. It is rock steady and comfortable over distances. I have a bike that I got in the '90s that is a pure racing machine. It is like a sportscar: twitchy, fast, rewarding if that's the way you ride. I have to admit that I like the "sportscar" more, but I can still appreciate the qualities of the older bike. My guess is that the Bianchi would ride more like my racing machine.

-soma5

And ask about their white bike special. They never announce it; you have to ask. :)

OK Gary, make all the cute little jokes you want about white bikes...but leave Rivendell out of it! This is sacred territory...consecrated ground, not suited to the comic stylings of a frustrated Cleveland Indian fan with delusions of purity!!! :D

Entrance to Valhalla, AKA the Rivendell shop in Walnut Creek...

I also rode my MTB bike for 2 years, and then decided I needed a faster bike and with drops. I am very glad I got to that point, I have had my Scott Contessa Speedster for alittle more than a year now, (it is white!)and I love everything about it. My sister left her Specialized TriCross Comp with me for a few weeks to try, it has eggbeater pedals on it, so I am waiting for my shoes and cleats to arrive, should be any day. And I am very excited about putting some miles on it, the little I have rode it around, I really liked how stable it feels, like no downhill is too steep. That would be marvelous, because I do love my downhills! I live about 15 miles out of town, so there are alot of gravel roads that I am hoping the TriCross will make fun to ride.

I got a Specialized Allez Sport this past summer and really enjoy it. the stem is flipped so the riding position is quite comfortable BUT i'm already lusting after a Roubaix. The roads here are rough also and i think the Roubaix with its carbon frame and zertz inserts would be a great ride, it's also light and the riding position is quite comfortable, i'll be auditioning one in the Spring. You could check www.specialized.com (http://www.specialized.com) for photos and to see if it comes in a WSD.

Thanks for reviving this older post! Funny that some of you mention Rivendell. Gorgeous bikes. I had already taken note that they are not too far from me. I'll have to stop by one Saturday...

Wonder if it's mostly us +50-ers that like the looks of the Rivendell bikes? I've read a few negative comments in other forums about their retro design, as if that's a bad thing. ;)

Thanks for reviving this older post! Funny that some of you mention Rivendell. Gorgeous bikes. I had already taken note that they are not too far from me. I'll have to stop by one Saturday...

Wonder if it's mostly us +50-ers that like the looks of the Rivendell bikes? I've read a few negative comments in other forums about their retro design, as if that's a bad thing. ;)

I got a Bleriot frame after stumbling on Rivendell via this site. http://www.freewebs.com/650b/ There is a lot of good info there. I was looking for a comfortable ride it all day on good bad and ugly roads bike. The frame is well made and nicely finished (brazed in Taiwan with Rivendell invesment cast lugs) I will post more after it is built. I am not sure if the design is retro or just good common sense. When I was younger and raced my favorite bike was a Rossin Record, a stage racing frame built with Columbus SL tubing. It really was COMFORTABLE and comfort makes you want to ride more. :-) I regret selling it but if I like the Bleriot I'll get and older British Reynolds 531 DB frame with a longish wheelbase and build it into a 650B single speed. Here is another cool 650B ride and a different design than the Bleriot that looks like a lot of fun too. http://kogswell.com/index.html

More cool stuff:

http://www.cyclofiend.com/rbw/bleriot.html

http://www.chainringtransitauthority.com/store/650b/650b.shtml

http://www.ebykr.com/?p=42

http://yojimg.net/bike/ibob/metablog/index_orig.php

Thanks, FloridaBoy! Interesting articles. I'm looking forward to visiting Rivendell sometime after Thanksgiving.

The Bianchi and the Trek you showed have significantly different geometry. Notice how the Trek's seat tube and head tube have shallower angles (are less vertical). Also notice how the tires seem to be further away from the down tube and the seat tube. The Trek is a bike that should provide a lot more comfortable ride than the Bianchi over long distances. It should also be easier to keep in a straight line - it likely won't be as "twitchy" as the Bianchi. I would say that of the two, it seems that the Trek would be a better choice for you based on what you write. The Trek has what we used to call "touring geometry." I have a bike from the '70s that is a thing of beauty and it was a road racing bike in its day but the geometry is more elongated like the Trek. I can ride it "no hands" for an indefinite time. It is rock steady and comfortable over distances. I have a bike that I got in the '90s that is a pure racing machine. It is like a sportscar: twitchy, fast, rewarding if that's the way you ride. I have to admit that I like the "sportscar" more, but I can still appreciate the qualities of the older bike. My guess is that the Bianchi would ride more like my racing machine.

-soma5

I agree with you. There is nothing wrong with a racing bike :D but it makes little sense to have two bikes that are too similar in geometry and most of us in the over 50 bracket will find little use for a steep angled criterium bike. http://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/v/Freeks-racefietsen/ click on the 1985 Rossin. I had an '82 in blue and it was a great bike. (I also had a Trek with tighter geometry but it was NOT a long distance ride.) The Rossin was easy to ride no hands and was quite agile. I could ride it 100 miles and not feel 'beat up'....tired yes but I did not want to shoot the bike. :) I sold it when I moved back to SW Florida. Yes, I miss it. The roads here are not the best, lots of sharp shell fragments, and fatter tires are the ticket. Here is a link to older Raleigh catalogs. http://www.retroraleighs.com/index.html#catalogues Check out the geometry of the racing bikes from the 70's and early 80's. They are similar to the Rossin but have eyelets for racks and fenders. IMHO, very balanced designs. 'Funny bikes' started to become mainstream after the '84 Olympics. Personally, I prefer steel frames. As Sheldon Brown sez " ya ever seen a spring made of aluminum?" ;)

Found this today from a search for "Surly". Lots of good stuff here -- thanks for asking, TruF! :)

And, coincidentally, she's back in the market for a bike again...

As you know, many manufacturers offer women-specific road bikes---Giant, Specialized, etc. You might want to look at those. I think you have the fever and should get a real good road bike and keep the 7.2. I think if you get anything less than full carbon or Ti, at least Ultegra, etc., you'll be shopping again in a year--not that there's anything wrong with that!

As you know, many manufacturers offer women-specific road bikes---Giant, Specialized, etc. You might want to look at those. I think you have the fever and should get a real good road bike and keep the 7.2. I think if you get anything less than full carbon or Ti, at least Ultegra, etc., you'll be shopping again in a year--not that there's anything wrong with that!

Hey, Mojo. I should have left my bikes on my sig line. I ended up with the full carbon Specialized Ruby Expert that has Ultegra components. Love that road bike! But I'm shopping again in less than a year, anyway. Or at least thinking about it. :innocent:

Found this today from a search for "Surly". Lots of good stuff here -- thanks for asking, TruF! :)

:p

As you know, many manufacturers offer women-specific road bikes---Giant, Specialized, etc. You might want to look at those. I think you have the fever and should get a real good road bike and keep the 7.2. I think if you get anything less than full carbon or Ti, at least Ultegra, etc., you'll be shopping again in a year--not that there's anything wrong with that!

Obviously, I didn't pay enough attention to the dates of the posts. But I was right, if inattentive.

But I was right, if inattentive.

Last time I tried that argument it didn't work for me!


:trainwreck: