Hybrid Bicycles - Newb to the site looking for direction on second bike!

Hellow all! I have been back it riding for a year now and ride a Trek fx 7.2. I ride 45-60 min every morning and an 50 miler splashed in once in a while.

What I would like out of my next bike is of course lighter and faster. I do have 4 kids and still do some short rides with them as well. The two bikes I'm down to are a Trek fx 7.5 or a Trek 1.2 rode bike. I,m stuck on which way to go. The only thing that I wounder is how the road bike will do on slow rides with the kids.

Thank you for any help you can give.

p.s. I want to stay local and our only LBS is Trek only.


Bruce

Getting a Trek FX 7.5 when you have a 7.2 doesn't seem like a great idea, at least to me - unless you replace the 7.2. If/when I buy a second bike (technically third bike, if I count the T****T special), I would choose a bike that has more dedicated functionality - e.g., a road or a mountain bike. When you have bikes in multiples of five, as some folks here do, buying another bike in the same category would be a possibility :)

Take both the 7.5 and 1.2 for a test ride, pick the one you like best, and use your 7.2 for the family rides.

I am actually considering a 2nd bike myself, I too have the Fx 7.2 .. the 2nd bike would most likely be a road bike for when I am out by myself and really want to get on it and the Fx would be for family rides and such.

Sorry guys I should have said I'm trading the 7.2 in. This new bike will replace my 7.2. I should have said this is my second bike since I started riding again not that I wanted a second bike.

Sorry

Ride both of them, pick the one you like best. When it comes time to ride with the family, you could always spin in a lower gear or just coast a lot. Or you could just sprint to the front, then allow them to pass as you coast, then sprint again- kinda like leap frog on bikes.

Thank you for the reply! I wish I could but my lbs does not have either in stock. They have to order one and would like me to be pretty sure I want it for them to order it.

This is a small shop.

So basically their forcing you to commit before even taking a test ride? Bummer, given the fact they're the only LBS in town.

If you're going to purchase 'blind', you could always go with the online option. You'll get more bang for your buck, but will undoubtedly piss off your LBS if you rely on them for service.

Yeah I can't do the online thing. We are lucky to have them. If it was spring I'm sure they would take a chance and order both. The fact I need a 22.5 frame I'm sure has something to do with as well.

Then find out what his return/exchange policy is on special orders. Be prepared to pony up a small 'restocking fee' as well as freight charges- that's what one of my LBS told me when they agreed to order something that they usually don't carry. Or possibly travel to another LBS that could be a bit more helpful?

The only other thing I can think of is to flip a mental coin and hope for the best.

I'd get the Trek 1.2 for my daily 60 minute sprints and half centuries. I'd get a Mongoose Sinsure single speed for the kiddie rides.

Oh definitely the road bike! But test ride first. You seem like you have good fitness level but your body may complain because it is not accustomed to road bike riding position. I'd get a Craigslist single speed beater to ride with the kids. You should be able to find an inexpensive CL bike in decent shape if you aren't too fussy.

Thanks for the replys!! I like the look of the 1.2 but I really don't have room for another bike as we have six right now. That is what has the 7.5 in the mix. If I get the 1.2 it's going to have to do it all.

Is the 7.5 lighter enough to make a difference from the 7.2?

Sell the 7.2 and purchase the 1.2! :thumb:

Sounds like you enjoy the paved roads more than anything else...

+

You like speed! ;)

Is the 7.5 lighter enough to make a difference from the 7.2?

I think so. I have not got to see one but 7.4 seems lighter. I think the road gears in the 7.5 are lighter than the 7.4.

My big ? Is can I still slow ride with the kids on a road bike???

I think so. I have not got to see one but 7.4 seems lighter. I think the road gears in the 7.5 are lighter than the 7.4.

My big ? Is can I still slow ride with the kids on a road bike???

The beauty of cycling is providing the energy by which we are propelled. We are the engines of our machines!

Whenever I drive my car, I speed when I want to, I slow down when I want to, I coast when I want to, and I stop whenever I want to...

I think so. I have not got to see one but 7.4 seems lighter. I think the road gears in the 7.5 are lighter than the 7.4.

My big ? Is can I still slow ride with the kids on a road bike???

I have the 7.5 Disc. It's over 24 lbs for 17.5, including pedals. I stand by my recommendation for road bike :-)

I wounded what my 7.2 weights? I would have guessed it's close to that.

I wonder what my 7.2 weighs? I would have guessed it's close to that.

fify

Perhaps the Jamis Satellite Series would be better:

The Jamis Satellite Sport ~ $700
www.jamisbikes.com/usa/thebikes/road/satellite/12_satellitesport_gy.html (http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/thebikes/road/satellite/12_satellitesport_gy.html)

The Jamis Satellite Comp ~ $1000
www.jamisbikes.com/usa/thebikes/road/satellite/12_satellitecomp.html (http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/thebikes/road/satellite/12_satellitecomp.html)

* Sell the 7.2FX and get one of the above models.

Thank you for the reply! I wish I could but my lbs does not have either in stock. They have to order one and would like me to be pretty sure I want it for them to order it.

This is a small shop.

This is your problem, you can't try either bike before buying. So how can you KNOW which one you want and you'll like riding?

It's a catch22 that you can't solve because you don't have enough experience about the bikes.

It's worth it to drive to another bike shop in a nearby town to TRY these bikes before committing. If you then want to order it from your local shop at least you'll know what to order. When I was trying to buy my road bike I couldn't find any shops within a 50 mile radius that had the bike I wanted in my size. I found the name of a Specialized dealer 2 hours away in another state that had the bike I wanted in my size, put together and on the floor. Actually two of them with different component groups. After riding both bikes I went with the higher end component group because the bike was a joy to ride.

You want to make sure your new bike will give you that joy-to-ride feeling. :)

I here ya I will admit I'm flying blind! That's why I'm here:)!!!

I just checked my 7.2 and it is 26.4 lbs.

I just found another lbs in our town that I did not know we had that is a felt dealer. The do more service than sales and don't have anything in stock that would work for me but it's another option. I looked on line and the f85 and z95 look good. Any thoughts on the two bikes?

The Z95 has a solid Tiagra rear derailleur and microshift in the fron. I've never used microshift, so I can't comment on how it compares to STI. The F85 is 105/microshift, which probably accounts for some of the price difference. The F series has more aggressive geometry which often means longer top tube and more leaned over ride. You may or may not find the F85 less comfortable. The stem can be replaced with a shorter one or one with a different angle to provide a more comfortable ride. The F85 has a claimed weight of 20 lbs, which is pretty decent weight for road bike. I think either would be good bike. The Felt bikes that I've ridden all have a smooth ride.

They look good. Would you recommend one over a trek?

They are bikes to consider purchasing as they are of similar price and quality. But test rides are in order since fit is the number one criteria to satisfy when purchasing a bike. You'll probably find that one of the bikes floats your boat more than the others. I think it's worth the time and effort to try several bikes before buying one. While two bikes may look similar, they can have a different feel and ride.

I would like to point out something. If you are upgrading make sure it has a 2x10 drive train on it. There is little if not, no reason to have a 3x9 when the 2x10s have the same gear ratios. So make sure it has that, it makes a world of difference in simplicity. The zen of a bicycle riding makes it more pleasurable.

Take that in mind, and also look at other brands, like giant, specialized ( my personal favorite ), fuji. I test road all of them for a hour each before getting the one I got. I can't emphasize that enough. I essentially desired a road bike with a flat bar.

Best Regards

I stopped at the local Trek store at lunch today to see if he had anything new in stock and he does have a 1.5 in my size that is a step up I guess from the 1.2 I was looking at. It is the right size so I'm heading down to take it for a ride in the morning. Any thoughts on this as a first rode bike?

Thanks for the help!
bruce

The 1.5 is a great first road bike. Tiagra components are solid performers. The 1.5 says it's an H2 geometry which is on the more aggressive side. For the same money, however, you can have an all 105 level Felt Z85. The Z series has a bit more relaxed geometry. Both Trek and Felt make great bikes. I think the Felt Z85 is one of the best deals to be had anywhere, if the bike meets your requirements.

I just left the felt dealer and was not impressed. They would order me one but at full list and pay up front and if it comes in and I don't like to bad.

Looks like the 1.5 might be the bike. It's to bad I really like the specs on the z85.

Another good thing with getting the trek 1.5 is the dealer is great.

Well I ended up with the trek 1.5. The only thing I had the dealer do was swap the 23 slick tires for a set of 25 race lite all weathers for a little better ride and derability.

Well I ended up with the trek 1.5. The only thing I had the dealer do was swap the 23 slick tires for a set of 25 race lite all weathers for a little better ride and derability.

Congrats Bruce!

Yeeaaaay for Bruce and his brand new Trek 1.5 road bike! :love: :lol: :speedy: :lol: :love:

PS.

Nice move, roadie! :thumb:

Now get some gloves and roll out!

Grats man! Hope you love it.

Thanks guy's!!! First ride in the am!

Treks are great bikes. The 1.5 will give you thousands of trouble free miles. Where's the pic?!