lmbebo

Hi

My wife has started to get into biking. She just picked up a new bike today (unknown Trek).

I've been thinking about getting into it as well, as a way to spend more time with my wife, but also to get some exercise when I can and lose some weight. I have a very sedentary lifestyle (my job has me in front of the computer for about 10-12 hours a day, no lunch breaks).

I tested out a trek road bike about 2 weeks ago, almost crashed into some people on the sidewalk until I got the hang of it. Enjoyed it, but came away with a sore bum and hands for a few days. The bike is a bit more than I wanted to spend.

The local bike shop and the only within 100 miles of where I live now has a Trek 8.2 DS. Contemplating whether thats a good bike for what I want or look to drive to one of the bigger cities around me where more bike shops are (~2+ hour drive each way though).

clarkbre

First, where are you located? That can help us recommend shops.

Second, where and what will you be riding on? Gravel paths, paved trails, rutted dirt trails, paved roads, etc.?

As far as recommendations on bikes... A lot of it is personal preference. As long as it fits, you're comfortable on it, and it has features that makes you want to ride it, that's the right bike.

The Trek DS is a good bike. One thing to consider is the FX7.? line. While the suspension fork on the DS is a feature, I think you get more bang for your buck with an FX bike. In the almost 1000 miles I've ridden in the last year I have never once needed, or wanted, a suspension fork riding on roads, paved paths, and gravel roads.

no1mad 

With your work schedule, I'd be hesitant to suggest that you make that road trip*. If Trek is the only player in your town, assess your needs/wants and buy the appropriate model to suit those.

*If we were talking about recumbents, a ~2 hour trip to the LBS is nothing for a good portion of the country.

WestPablo

If your wife bought a hybrid, then IMO, it would be best for you to also buy a hybrid. Trek makes a great FX hybrid.

pierce

I've had about 20 bikes over the last 40 years... I still have 3-4 of them I'm over high end road/touring bikes, never much cared for racing bikes, did way more than my share of hard core mountain biking, so my last several bikes have been hybrids that I use for typically 10-20 mile rides.

The suspension forks on sub $1000 bikes aren't that great. I'd suggest a rigid fork hybrid, 700c wheels, 28/32/35 tires depending on how fast vs cushy you want it. I think disk brakes are overrated, I'd rather see the money spent on better wheels, crank, gears (like, alivio/acera rather than tourney if its shimano) and quality shifter/brake levers and a nice frame.

fender and rack mounting points are a must to me. I personally like a long wheelbase frame, but i have a long torso (6'0 tall, 30" inseam) and size 12-13 E+ feet. I replace the typically plastic pedals on a low-to-mid-range hybrid with pin platform pedals, usually extra wide ones from Wellgo. I still have a soft spot for a well made quality steel frame with thin curved forks.

everyone is different, and until you've tried a bunch of stuff, its hard to know whats right for you.

lmbebo

Thanks for the replies.

I live in a small town north of Houston. Local bike shop, the people there are great and very friendly. They charge MSRP to little a over MSRP, but I think part of is has to do the maintenance they offer when you purchase a bike and partly that its such a small community. Other side is that driving to get a better price will eat my savings in time and gas.

They actually got her into a mountain bike it seems (she tried the road and hybrid bike they had) , but I think she wanted a bike she felt comfortable and safe on. Our use will be paved roads probably 90-100% of the time.

They let me test ride the Trek 1.1 when I was there. Loved it (except the seat and price tag).

I mention that they have the 8.2 DS there to try out. Online I was looking at the FX line or the Giant Cypress or Escape lines. They don't carry them in stock. So its a situation where I'd have to buy it site unseen, or drive to another store where they have it to try it out.

giantcfr1

What? Why do you think a bike shop would add extra for after sales service? Just ask them straight out why they are higher than the MSRP. If you become like most of us on here, they will most definitly be getting sales from you in the future when you start upgrading your bits. I'm sure they want you to buy your helmet, lights, pump, spare-tube etc. from them.
If they don't drop the price, and you believe they are your only option, just remember any future purchases should be online.

WestPablo

In that case, I'd get a mountain bike too, that looks similar to hers, since your main purpose is to spend more quality time with your wife and to get some exercise. Just go to bikesdirect.com and order one of their inexpensive mtbikes that has the lockout feature on the front suspended fork.

* Road bikes and hybrids actually do better on paved roads, than mtbikes

lmbebo

Price was MSRP on the 8.2 DS, wife misheard. I test road a mountain bike they gave me (didn't get the model number), the giant escape 1 and the 8.2 DS. I liked giant escape a lot, but wife wanted to try some trails and stuff as well, so I chose the 8.2 DS. I didn't like the mountain bike as much.

Excited!