Hybrid Bicycles - Riding 1994 Univega, it's heavy, Help me out? Chi Town Peeps?

Hello all! I've been reading this forum for about a month unregistered and finally built up the courage to join up and ask a couple of dumb questions.

First off, I know absoutely nothing about bicycles. I used to be obsessed with BMX bikes, GT, RedLine, but have not cared about them in a long time. I recently started exercising to get back into shape due to my father passing away at 57 years old. I have lost almost 30lbs in about a month and 2 weeks, but there is a problem. I love bike riding in the suburbs of Chicago, but with our heat and vast long bike trails I'm not able to last long on my current bike. I have a bike that my dad bought me a long time ago, Univega Alpina Sport, and it is heavier than hell. I'm finding that I want to go on bike rides for fitness and I'm using Endomodo to time myself and beat my old records I've set. This bike weighs about 35 to 40 lbs, or at least it feels like it, and I get so fatigued as I ride.

I have set my budget at $1000 for a new bike, but I'm completely confused if I should go road bike or hybrid. I went to a Trek store, right here in Naperville for you Chicagoans, and test drove the FX 7.3 22.5 inch and a $2000 road bike. I had never ridden a road bike so it was a little different posture, but I loved the speed. The FX felt more natural for me as I was sitting up and again the speed and effort was a HUGE difference. The Trek salesmen actually were making fun of how heavy my bike was saying "No wonder you lost so much weight, you're pushing that bike!"

I'm 6'2, 243 LBS for now, and have a very strong lower body.

Help me out!

Here's my current ride and don't laugh :P


http://nickreimer.smugmug.com/photos/i-rpHJFVm/0/M/i-rpHJFVm-M.jpg
http://nickreimer.smugmug.com/photos/i-Rst9ZgD/0/M/i-Rst9ZgD-M.jpg
http://nickreimer.smugmug.com/photos/i-Hr8Zr7F/0/M/i-Hr8Zr7F-M.jpg
http://nickreimer.smugmug.com/photos/i-gQGsMnF/0/M/i-gQGsMnF-M.jpg
http://nickreimer.smugmug.com/photos/i-gQGsMnF/0/M/i-gQGsMnF-M.jpg

Just get some slick tires and keep riding.

Congratulation on the weight loss.

What size tires do you have?

Hmmm... If you are riding in the suburbs, you may want to make your bike more like a road bike. Like 10 said, gets some smoother wheels.

But it sounds like you are itching to get a new bike. If that's true, go to your local LBS and ride a bunch of them until you know what you like.

But if your goal is really weight reduction and improved physical fitness, you're on the right track. Keep on doing what you are doing. Once the heat goes away you'll be able to last longer. Just keep working on the engine. You're doing fine!

Mikey

So wait, you guys are recommending that I keep the current bike? That it is fine? Bah? haha What kind of wheels do you recommend? Will I really feel that much of a improvement from changing the wheels? I do have another option for $200 the Trek store would completely overhaul the bike, take it apart, clean it, and put on my choice of new tires.

Oh and 10 I'm not sure what size they are. Would that be on the tires itself? Man I'm a noob.

While you a riding, learn what chainrings you have. How many teeth in each one. Learn the rear cassette cogs.
Always know what gears you are in.

When you get in good a shape look at some new bikes.

You will know much more about biking.

Look on the sides of your tires for some number combinations. 700 X 38, 26 X 1-1/5 write down what size you have.

New slick tires..Not Wheels.

I'm super stoked. I just hit 40 LBS lost today and I rewarded myself by buying a brand new 2012 Trek FX 7.5!

I noticed that the tires have changed for this year to a 700x28 vs a 700x32. The Trek dealer I'm getting it from offered to swap them out for the 32's for $20, but should I just keep the 28's? I primarily ride on road and trails and sometimes limestone trails.

Anything else I should start looking for to put on the bike?

I'm mildly embarrassed to admit that I was going to buy the 7.6 2011 model over the 2011 7.5 because I'm obsessed with the white, but they fixed that for me this year. Only thing I'm losing is the IsoZone on the rear of the bike frame, but the LBS said I wouldn't really notice this considering I'm mostly a trail rider currently. They also said the 7.5 has a better gear ratio built for trails vs road.