Hybrid Bicycles - Talk me into selling my Rickenbacker 360-12 guitar to get a Trek 7.5 FX

The title says it all! I need to step up from my Trek Navigator 2.0 comfort bike, to a faster Trek 7.5 FX hybrid bike, but I have no money. I have two great acoustic guitars, a Stratocaster electric, as well as a jazz bass that I play at Church. I don't record with the RIC anymore, have never played it at church, and only occasionally get it out to play about 9 songs. The catch is, if I sell the RIC, I'll probably never justify getting one again. The bottom line is that I'll use the bike more often, and for a better purpose (fitness and some organized rides) than the the RIC, but I keep going back and forth trying to decide.

I've cross posted this on a Rickenbacker guitar forum under the title "Talk me OUT of selling my Rickenbacker 360-12 to get a Trek 7.5 FX Hybrid Bike" just to get a balanced response.

Thanks, Rob

The title says it all! I need to step up from my Trek Navigator 2.0 comfort bike, to a faster Trek 7.5 FX hybrid bike, but I have no money. I have two great acoustic guitars, a Stratocaster electric, as well as a jazz bass that I play at Church. I don't record with the RIC anymore, have never played it at church, and only occasionally get it out to play about 9 songs. The catch is, if I sell the RIC, I'll probably never justify getting one again. The bottom line is that I'll use the bike more often, and for a better purpose (fitness and some organized rides) than the the RIC, but I keep going back and forth trying to decide.

I've cross posted this on a Rickenbacker guitar forum under the title "Talk me OUT of selling my Rickenbacker 360-12 to get a Trek 7.5 FX Hybrid Bike" just to get a balanced response.

Thanks, Rob

I think you answered your own question. You'll get more use out of the bike.

Smash your guitar like an old Who / Peter Townsend event than go and steal the bike.

What year model is the Richenbacher? If it is a late model, sell it. If it is a mid 60s model keep it, because unlike the Trek, it will appreciate in value.

Keep the Rickenbacker and save for the Trek 7.5 FX

I just had a look at your bike (http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/2009/archive/navigator20), it seems pretty nice to me.

There are a couple of things you could do to make it faster, without buying a new bike.

1. Lock the suspension forks so they don't absorb your pedaling energy, or swap them for a solid one.

2. Change to a higher gearing. You should be able to find a cassette which starts at 11 teeth

3. Swap the tyres to narrower slicks. I'm not familiar with 26 inch tyres so I guess others could give recommendations. Lighter tyres = faster acceleration, plus with tyres with a better compound will give you lower rolling resistance.

4. Play around with the positions to reduce your body's wind resistance.

It's easy, sell the hardly used axe, go for the better bike and "give" me your old slow comfort bike, (I need a winter beater!!!), see problems solved! ;)

I just had a look at your bike (http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/2009/archive/navigator20), it seems pretty nice to me.

There are a couple of things you could do to make it faster, without buying a new bike.

1. Lock the suspension forks so they don't absorb your pedaling energy, or swap them for a solid one.

2. Change to a higher gearing. You should be able to find a cassette which starts at 11 teeth

3. Swap the tyres to narrower slicks. I'm not familiar with 26 inch tyres so I guess others could give recommendations. Lighter tyres = faster acceleration, plus with tyres with a better compound will give you lower rolling resistance.

4. Play around with the positions to reduce your body's wind resistance.

1.The forks don't lock, but I have tightened the pre-load some to make them stiffer.

2. it's not a cassette, it's a free-wheel, it could still be changed, but is a cheap bike worth it?

3. I didn't put slicks on it, but I did go down to a 1.5" width, and an invert tread which has helped some.

4. I have lowered my bars (quill, and stem height), and I switched the ultra soft seat to a more efficient Specialized BG saddle.

I guess I don't HAVE to get a new bike, but I am hoping to do a couple of century rides next summer, and the weight, gearing, and shock rebound seem like a lot to fight.

People from the guitar forum that I also posted this on seem to think I should keep the guitar (expected), but I'm surprised that about half of the responses here think that as well!

Right now, "saving up" is not even possible, so it's one or the other, and it looks like I'm leaning towards keeping things the way they are. I have unitl the big Trek sales events in March to decide anyway. So if anyone else has an opinion, let the debate continue.

The title says it all! I need to step up from my Trek Navigator 2.0 comfort bike, to a faster Trek 7.5 FX hybrid bike, but I have no money. I have two great acoustic guitars, a Stratocaster electric, as well as a jazz bass that I play at Church. I don't record with the RIC anymore, have never played it at church, and only occasionally get it out to play about 9 songs. The catch is, if I sell the RIC, I'll probably never justify getting one again. The bottom line is that I'll use the bike more often, and for a better purpose (fitness and some organized rides) than the the RIC, but I keep going back and forth trying to decide.

I've cross posted this on a Rickenbacker guitar forum under the title "Talk me OUT of selling my Rickenbacker 360-12 to get a Trek 7.5 FX Hybrid Bike" just to get a balanced response.

Thanks, Rob

Rob, after reading you original request a few times, I think you really should keep your Stratocaster for the long term. :thumb:

It will appreciate over time and you can find another bike like the 7.5 Hybrid for a lot less than the $999.00 that Trek is asking.

Take a look at a few of these Hybrid/Cross options listed below ... BTW no affiliation ...

Shimano Deore, 27 Speed Cafe Bike 2009 Motobecane Cafe Sprint $549.95
Carbon Fork + Lightweight 7005 Al Frame, Flat Bar Road bike, Road tires 700x28

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/images/cafe_spr_600.jpg

Shimano Tiagra/Sora, 18 Speed Cross 2009 Motobecane Fantom CX $499.99
CrMo Cross Fork, Compact Crank, Aluminum Frame+Rear Rack mounts, 700 x 30 tires

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/images/fantomcx_gray_600.jpg

Shimano Sora, 24 Speed Cafe Bike 2009 Windsor Stratford $349.99
Double Butted Aluminum , Flat Bar, Adjustable Stem,700 x 25c Road Tires

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/windsor/images//stratford_600.jpg

Keep that beautiful guitar and sell something else! Have you got both kidneys? :rolleyes:

Keep the guitar. Why do you need a $900 new bike if cash is an issue. Get a used 7.3 or equivalent competitor and have both!

Keep the guitar. Why do you need a $900 new bike if cash is an issue. Get a used 7.3 or equivalent competitor and have both!

What he said.

I don't know what the used bike market is like where you are, but I found a 2009 Trek 7.3 FX in my size for $200 recently. I often feel local bikes are overpriced, but they show up if you are patient and you check often. A month or so after I bought my 7,3 in, I think, 22.5, there was a 2008 7.5 FX in a smaller size (I think 19) which was also $200, so mine wasn't the only one.

I would definitely keep the guitar, and find another solution. Best of luck with whatever you choose.

Well, between this forum, and the RIC forum, I've been convinced to keep the guitar. I traded one away years ago, and regretted it later, so it might happen again.

As for the bike, I have no budget, so unless something changes in my situation, it looks like no new (or used) bike for 2010. I have decided that a lower model will suit my needs, so when the time comes I will get a Trek 7.2 FX (new or used) and change the cassette to an 11-26, and the tires to Hardcase Race slicks. I know the running gear is the better on the 7.5FX, but the frame is the same, and it keeps the budget down. So, I'll be riding the Trek Navigator 2.0 for another season, including a couple of century rides. I have already swapped the 1.95 tires for 1.5" inverts, but I might be able to budget a couple of the 1.25" Race Lite Hardcase tires, and swap them for some of the events. I've also tightened the pre-load on the shocks, and lowered the handlebars for a more aggressive position, as well as replacing the saddle with a Specialized BG sport. I've ridden 46 miles in one day on it, so I'll just have to step up the training.

Thanks everyone for all of your input,

Rob

Keep the ric. I still have my '72 4001. No I don't play in a band anymore, but still get it out & enjoy it from time to time. Yes you might use the bike more. However, the Ric is appreciating & will continue regardless. That bike will be worth crap in 6 months. Save the ric & save for the bike, or keep your eyes opened for something used.

Keep the guitar. Save your nickels & dimes - college campuses are great places to find a million returnable beer cans. Here's what you already know - or you wouldn't have asked: If I sell my prized guitar and bought a bike, I'd feel like a dope while riding my new bike. Pleasure Factor: 0

You have a bike that works - though not as sexy as a 7.5 FX. You love the guitar and would miss it and might end up selling the 7.5 FX to get a Gibson Les Paul. Then it's back to the one-man butt-kicking contest - selling the Les Paul for a Masi Caffe blah, blah, blah,

Getting the nicest toys is a quest and requires a goal of acquiring the toys one at a time - without playing ping-pong with possession v. bank account.

I've been lusting after a semi-hollow ric for years. does the 360 have a thru-neck? (Yes, that's how that's spelled.)

Please don't sell that guitar! I still regret trading away my Les Paul when I was in college.

I've been lusting after a semi-hollow ric for years. does the 360 have a thru-neck? (Yes, that's how that's spelled.)

Please don't sell that guitar! I still regret trading away my Les Paul when I was in college.

The hollow bodies (the 3XX series) are set-necks, the neck is glued into a pocket in the body. The RIC hollow bodies are made from solid Maple, and back-routed for the chambers, center-block, and neck pocket. The back is solid Maple, and is fitted much like an acoustic guitar.

The solid bodies (6XX guitars, and 4XXX basses) are neck-through with solid "wings" glued to a central core that runs from the strap button, to the tip of the headstock.

2. it's not a cassette, it's a free-wheel, it could still be changed, but is a cheap bike worth it?
Woah, Woah, Woah... how old is this bike? They haven't sold bikes with freewheels in like twenty years. That bike has a cassette and is cheaply and easily replaced.

Anyways, why do you want a 7.5FX? To go faster? Do you really need to go faster?

Keep the guitar.

Why not just sell your current bike to build funds for the trek fx? Maybe you can busker around town for additional funds. I agree, get a used 7.3fx. You will not see a significant speed increase with 7.5fx.... just the perception. If you want real speed, you need a carbon road bike. Then again, most of the time, speed is related to potential "engine" output.

Untrue, there are still many bikes sold with freewheels, including some lower end Treks.

Keep your eyes open on Craigslist, you will find something worthwhile, whether it be parts to upgrade your existing bike, or a whole new (to you) bike.

Untrue, there are still many bikes sold with freewheels, including some lower end Treks.
Which lower end Treks do you see that still have freewheels and not freehubs?

Rob_U, I also have a Trek 2.0 Navigator and have been wanting to buy a 7.5 FX. I have a Fender acoustic guitar, but I think it is in the $300 range. I wouldn't sell my guitar for a bike, but maybe my sailboat.

Which lower end Treks do you see that still have freewheels and not freehubs?

According to my LBS, at least this one has a freewheel and not a cassette:

http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/bike_path/hybrid/7000/

I agree with what others have said. if you can get the cash, definitely get the 7.5. if not, get a trek fx 7.2 or 7.3 (even a used one - they are always on sale on craigslist) -- just make sure it's in good shape.

i traded up my trek fx 7.2 for a 7.7 and it is a world of difference. as you are deciding whether or not to trade the guitar, head to a shop and test ride both ends of the trek spectrum - a 7.2/7.3 and a 7.5/7.6 .