8086bruce

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

treadtread

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

no1mad 

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.

tsw910

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.

8086bruce

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

no1mad 

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.

8086bruce

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.

no1mad 

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.

8086bruce

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.

no1mad 

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.

SlimRider

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.

a1penguin

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.

8086bruce

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.

Latif

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

SlimRider

Sell the 7.2 and purchase the 1.2!

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

+

You like speed!

8086bruce

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???

SlimRider

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...

a1penguin

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

8086bruce

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

SlimRider

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

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

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

Bunnicula

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.

8086bruce

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

8086bruce

I just checked my 7.2 and it is 26.4 lbs.

8086bruce

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?

a1penguin

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.