stevenlsmith87

Okay.....I purchased my bike without ever doing research.....rookie mistake.

After owning my Trek DS 8.2 for a few months....I have figured out that it is not really my thing. I ride 90% road and am looking for a bike that would be more designed for that. I have two choices. I could sell my Trek for $400 then add some money to get a decent FX model (or other similar bike by another brand) or I could take the money I would add for the bike and use it to upgrade my DS 8.2 with swapping out the suspension fork and putting a rigid frame fork on there, and the last by swapping out tires from the 700cx38 to something narrower and by swapping out the Altus and Tourney derailleurs and upgrading the components to Deore or something similar down the road.

What would you do? Sell or Upgrade.

DorkDisk

I would just swap the tires for foldable road tires and ride the hell out of it.

Learn to pedal without bobbing the fork, consider it training.

Nothing wrong with Tourney / Alivio. Kill it first then replace.

dynaryder

Buy a second 'nice' bike,save that one for bad weather riding. Or just swap the tires for something slicker and maybe swap the fork for a rigid.

badger1

Sell it, buy what you've decided you want.
You've not made a "mistake"; rather, you've found out from a first 'serious' bike purchase (I'm making an assumption here) where you are heading in cycling/what you want/need. Nothing wrong with that.
Don't go the 'upgrade' path; the Trek DS series is a fine design, but it is designed to work with suspension etc. and to be a 'cross-terrain' bike. Apparently, that's not what you want. You'll be far better off -- both functionally and in terms of finances -- to cut your losses and move on to something else.
Something to consider: you mention that the bike is a few months old; you might talk to your shop to see whether a trade-in/up is possible??

MRT2

Unless your LBS has an exceptional return policy on bikes a couple of months old, I would keep it for at least another 6 months, or longer. You barely got to know your first bike. It took me years to figure out what I liked and disliked about my first hybrid. Then after 10 years in 2007, I bought a vintage road bike, and it took me a few years to figure out exactly what I liked and disliked about that bike. I bought my current bike last summer and I feel like I am still getting to know her.

Winter is coming. How about just ride it through the fall and if you are lucky, early winter, and revisit the issue in the spring. You may think you know a lot about bikes, but unless you take your time, you could find yourself feeling the same about whatever you replace your DS with in by next spring. You seem locked into hybrids, but I would urge you to take the next 6 months, research and test ride some other bikes that are better suited to riding on the road, like road bikes. I am presuming you are thinking about an FX 7.2 or 7.3, etc. They are basically the same bike as the DS but with a rigid fork.

treadtread

Your LBS might give you a fair value for the two month bike if you buy a new one from them - no harm in asking. Also make sure it is another hybrid like the FX that you want, else make the switch to a road bike now instead of later.

niuoka

It would not cost much to switch out the tires and then ride it for a while and see what you think. My switch to more of a norrower street tires on my last hybrid made my commute so much better. ( it had 38 knobby). found I wanted to stay with hybrids, and got my "newer" trex. It has 35's on it, and from research here on the forums, I don't know how much speed Id pick up going much norrower, esp since I carry a fair amount of weight (195 me, plus panniers etc)
Im not that familiar with the DS, but on my "newer" trex, if I adjust the front fork tension I can get rid of all noticeable bounce. I now have it dialed in where I like it.
While I ride an older trex, and its the first one I have owned with a "suspension" I can not imagine riding my commute anymore without it. crossing railroad tracks, rough sections of road, etc. But hey...Im an old guy.

Delmarva

You will get the biggest improvement by swapping to 28 tires with supple high tpi sidewalls, keeping them properly inflated and locking the fork. Swapping other stuff like derailleurs won't do much. If you really want a road bike then trade the ds in and buy a bike designed for road rides. The ds really can't be made into a bike it was never designed to be.

MRT2

OP and Jarrett2 should compare notes. Jarrett2 bought a Trek DS and an FX this year and now wants a road bike.

supremekizzle

+1 to this. Get some skinnier, high pressure tires and either lock out the fork or adjust the preload to the point where it doesn't bounce when you ride.

stevenlsmith87

I went to my LBS today to discuss upgrading the fork/tires or buying a new bike if I could sell this one. The suggested that I just swap the fork with a suspension corrected rigid fork and swap the tires. No need to replace the derailuers until they needed to be. Figured I would go this route and tryin it. Price isn't bad for the fork and the tired. When I get it set up I will let you know how the fork swap worked out. My next bike will probably be a road bike....

stevenlsmith87

Here is what the final product looks like. I will take it out on its first ride tomorrow. Swapped the fork and added some 32's instead of the 38's that were on it.

DEW21

Looks nice, got yourself an FX now.

IAMAMRA

Looks nice, hope it works well for you.

stevenlsmith87

Yeah.....what I should have bought at first....or something similar. I never did any research before I bought this bike. I just happened into a bike shop one day and decided I would buy a bike. Turns out I LOVE IT!!! I took it around the block and it seemed fine. I will know more tomorrow on my morning ride.

daihard 

Looks like you've found a great solution. I'm happy for you!

Now, which bar end grips do you have? They look nice.

[EDIT] Nevermind, found my answer in a post you made in another thread. Ergon Grip GP2, right?

stevenlsmith87

Yes.....The Ergon GP2 in a size large

tim24k

+2