Bornagainbiker

last summer i decided to try to get into biking and purchased a hybrid (trek fx7.2) upon the salesman's advice. I have no problems with the bike per se but I recognized it's limitations pretty quickly. I now want to transition to a road bike (now that ive proven to myself that i can and will ride 8miles to work twice a week and longer rides on the weekends).

Bottom line: I'm seeking advice for a first time road bike buyer who (recognizing the higher price points of road bikes) has a limited budget. any suggestions on price, used bike vs. new bike, brands/models, specific components/features to look for or avoid. etc... would be very helpful.

Richard_Rides

Such as? I have a Trek 7.7 FX and I ride it 100+ miles a week and am unaware of these limitations. Please elaborate.

Beaker

^^ agreed -- also you'll need to give some more info -- type of riding, do you plan to get into racing, are you looking to do group rides or centuries...

If you can break $1000, you could most likely get a decent aluminum frame bike (Specialized, Cannondale come to mind) - if you can find it, look for something with the 105 group if you can - most folks round here agree that this is the entry level serious group from Shimano (it's what I have, no complaints).

If it's hilly where you are, get a triple or a compact double -- does the gearing on the road bike match the gearing on your hybrid?

Above all else, go ride a few bikes and work out what feels right. Top of my head I'd say ride a Specialized Allez (08's don't come with 105), perhaps a Cannondale CAAD 8 or CAAD 9, bunch of stuff from Trek....I'm sure others will chime in

breck81

I'm not sure which limitations the OP speaks of, but surely you can see the differences in the two models. Yours has an Ultegra/105 mix with various carbon parts. Yours also has smaller tires and better rims. As well as the OP's bike is 8-speed and yours is a 10-speed.

It should not be too hard to see where there could be advantages to having a bike with better components, lighter frame, and more aggressive geometry.

I just recently sold my 2007 7.3 Fx. I loved this bike and it never let me down, but i felt it was time to move on to something a little more aggressive. I am currently on the look for my new bike.

peace, b.

breck81

I failed to mention i am looking at the Felt Z70. While its geometry is more relaxed than the traditional road bikes it is still more aggressive than my old 7.3 fx, or for that matter, your 7.2 fx.

The Z70 has all 105's and some carbon parts( i.e. seat post, fork, and chainstays). It only comes in triple. It lists for $1099.
https://www.feltracing.com/08/product...,1515&pid=8678

It you want something with a more traditional geometry check out Felt's F85. I believe it has a 105/Ultegra(rear deraileur) mix. With some carbon. It also retails for $1099.
https://www.feltracing.com/08/product...,1515&pid=8667

I hope this helps.

peace, b.

Richard_Rides

Once I added some bar ends and a Brooks 17 I became very happy with my FX. You make some good points regarding the models.

Whoop! Whoop!

breck81

I enjoyed my 7.3 tremendously. I was just getting into cycling and it seemed like the perfect bike for my skill level and wallet size at the time.

I am looking for something a little more agressive and a good friend of mine needed a solid hybrid bike, so I sold him the fx. With the stipulation that if at some point in the future he decides to sell it, i will get first dibs. I hated to sell it, but i needed the cash to throw on my next ride.

peace, b.