Ugh..

[Axiom]

The unemployment rate in my area (and the whole country) is very high, so right now I am jobless. I've been looking for a job and I have not received a response from any of them so I am strapped for cash, but I am itching for a road bike and a new light set. However, that would cost a good two grand to get what I want. Right now, the majority of my money is going towards college, books, a bills, which leaves me with little money for anything else.

Right now I have a Trek 7.2FX. It's a great bike, but I had this feeling that I would but it and want a road bike after a few months, and damn, I was right. I was thinking about turning it in to a road bike, but I am not sure if that would work. Other than drop-bars and swapping the fat 35c tires to 25c, what else would I need to do to it? What should I expect to pay to convert it? In the mean time, I will search craigslist for a used road bike while I have wait for someone to make on offer on mine.

[Oldsport]

If you are unemployed then you are probably living off other people's money (parents, friends, unemployment check, etc). If you are living off other people's money it would be immoral to spend money on anything that isn't a necessity. Good luck finding a job. I know how tough it is to be unemployed.

[Axiom]

If you are unemployed then you are probably living off other people's money (parents, friends, unemployment check, etc). If you are living off other people's money it would be immoral to spend money on anything that isn't a necessity. Good luck finding a job. I know how tough it is to be unemployed.

I have money saved up that I would use to purchase what I need.

[SlimRider]

A bicycle is a luxury unless you use it to commute back and forth to work. Keep your Trek for now and appreciate it for being the beautiful hybrid that it was designed to be.

Continue to develop your professional skills, so that they may be applied for the remainder of your life, in your chosen profession. Also, develop your personal skills as a person so that people will better enjoy your company. If nothing else, increase your speech and math skills.

Apply at places like KFC, Popeye's, Wendy's, Walmart, K-Mart, and Home Depot. If you find a job, then make sure you get either your GED or a 2 year college degree.

Good Luck!

- Slim

[SurlyLaika]

live with what ya got. it's a good bike.

[AlmostTrick]

Another vote here for not messing with/spending money on a perfectly fine bike. That money you have saved up may come in handy for food. Job and school first.

[JonathanGennick]

Other than drop-bars and swapping the fat 35c tires to 25c, what else would I need to do to it? What should I expect to pay to convert it?.

It is a can-of-worms to convert a bike like that to drop bars. I'd leave it alone. If you do decide to convert, then here is what you'd need to change or at least think about:

* Bar. Obviously you'd need to buy a drop bar.

* Stem. Drop bars will position your hands further out from the seatpost You might need to compensate with a shorter stem. You might also find you need a riser stem to get those drop bars high enough. Also, if your current bar is a 25.4mm clamp diameter, then you'll need a new stem because road bars come in either 26mm or 38mm.

* Tires. You actually could just continue to ride your 35mm tires. No real need to swap.

* Rims. But if you do change tires from 35mm to 21mm, then you might need to think about narrower rims.

* Tubes. Narrower tires will take narrower tubes.

* Shifters and brake levers. None of your shifters and brake levers will transfer over to a drop bar. Brifters are expensive. Bar-end shifters are pretty expensive too.

* Bar tape. You'll need to wrap those bars.

* Cables. Your current shift- and brake-cables won't reach. You'll need all new inner and outer cables.

* You might even need to replace half your drive train. Is your current bike an 8-speed? Most road brifters that I see are designed for 9- and 10-speed. If you are forced to change from 8- to 9-speed, then you're looking at new cassette and chain, and maybe a new derailleur, and maybe even new rings if all your current parts are worn together.

So you see, it's just big can of worms. I've done it. Once. Big PITA. I don't ever plan to do it again.

[chandltp]

I'd buy a road bike and keep the Trek. You'll be glad you have a second bike at times (assuming you only have 1 bike currently), and you may find times when you'd rather ride more upright. Craigslist may be the way to go if you do your own wrenching.

If I were in your shoes, I'd wait until I had a job to buy anything though, or get a job flipping burgers to support my bike habit while I'm waiting for employment in my chosen field. But it sounds like you have enough money to get by comfortably until you have a job, so enjoy the time while you have it.

Granted, I feel like I splurged getting a new front wheel with a dyno hub and some lights recently, so I'm pretty cheap.

[Stealthammer]

By the time you swap handlebars, brifters, cables, etc. to get a true road bike configuration, you will be spending some hefty change. Why not just swap the tires for some 700x25s and install a set of barends to give you additional hand positions? You might also want to try a different stem, and maybe a closer ratio cassette, but I would say that you could get 90% of where you want to be, at 10% of the cost of going for a full conversion.

[jmilleronaire]

I tried doing something similar to my mountain bike to make it commuter-able, but didn't go nearly as far as is being suggested... You're trying to make a 4x4 truck into a sporty car. Sounds like racing Yugos to me: It can be done, it has been done, but it's not very pretty, and not much fun to watch.

You can get a much better roadworthiness from a mountain bike by simply replacing knobbies with a tire of the same size, but smoother for road riding. That was my first change, but I wanted something that could still work on a little dirt, so I got a set of Specialized Crossroad Armadillo. (Smoothish center track, but knobbiness on the sides). That in itself made considerable difference.

You can also get extra hand positions by adding bar ends to your current bars, if you don't want the added expense of getting new bar, which then requires buying new brakes and shifters.

The biggest problem that I ran into: Mountain bikes aren't geared the same as a road bike. I kept my stock gearing, so to even have a chance at keeping up with a true road bike, I'd end up pedaling like MAD in the highest gearing. The cost of replacing the whole drive train just seemed silly, when I could (and did, eventually) purchase a really nicely equipped used older steel road bike for $300.

[Axiom]

A bicycle is a luxury unless you use it to commute back and forth to work. Keep your Trek for now and appreciate it for being the beautiful hybrid that it was designed to be.

Continue to develop your professional skills, so that they may be applied for the remainder of your life, in your chosen profession. Also, develop your personal skills as a person so that people will better enjoy your company. If nothing else, increase your speech and math skills.

Apply at places like KFC, Popeye's, Wendy's, Walmart, K-Mart, and Home Depot. If you find a job, then make sure you get either your GED or a 2 year college degree.

Good Luck!

- Slim

I am only 18 and I am one semester away from my AA. Once I get that I'm training to be a dental hygienist. I use my bike to commute to school, the gym, stores, and work when I have a job. I have only had two jobs prior to my last, so that is probably why I haven't received any calls--they prefer an individual with more work experience, which I don't have much of.

[a1penguin]

I am only 18 and I am one semester away from my AA. Once I get that I'm training to be a dental hygienist. I use my bike to commute to school, the gym, stores, and work when I have a job. I have only had two jobs prior to my last, so that is probably why I haven't received any calls--they prefer an individual with more work experience, which I don't have much of.

Sounds like you are headed in the right direction, Axiom. But I have to agree with the other folks; keep the bike you have. It is a great bike for commuting. Just because you have some savings doesn't mean you should spend it. Keep money in the bank for a rainy day is important, especially since jobs are scarce.

You are correct about being 18 an inexperienced and it's a hard road. Good luck with your job hunting.

[contango]

I have money saved up that I would use to purchase what I need.

Unless you've got a big pile of money saved up be a little careful with it. You don't know how long you're going to need it.

[DX-MAN]

Don't buy the new bike. Ride what you have.

You sound like you've already decided, but want some sort of outside vindication for it.

Bottom line -- until you are actually WORKING, you have no f'n business buying another bike. What you WANT is irrelevant, you're supposed to be standing on your own here. NEEDS come first, WANTS somewhere further down the line. (Example: I 'WANT' a Santa Cruz Nomad, have for a few years. But because my money is NEEDED elsewhere, the Nomad does not sit in my garage. And it WILL NOT until I feel comfortable sending the money that way.)

[JonathanGennick]

Bottom line -- until you are actually WORKING, you have no f'n business buying another bike.

Everyone is piling on too much here. Read the guy's original post. He admits he can't afford what he wants. He's exploring alternatives. He's looking to sell his current bike and buy a used road bike. It is reasonable for him to explore alternatives to see whether he can put something together that he can afford.

All he really asked was to know what was involved in converting a bike.

[e0richt]

well I have a 7100 that I made into a road type of bike... I changed out the tires to be slicks and the thinnest I could use in my existing rims, I changed out the fork because I hated the shock (wasn't rated for anything intense anyway) and tended to make me "bounce" when I tried to spin, added bar ends (which is pretty normal) after that its just adjustments: locked out the seat stem so I wouldn't "bounce"... adjusted the handlebar stem to be a bit more aero, and comfort (a little less weight on the backside)... I have heard that some put "aero bars" on which is an interesting idea but probably not very useful in the long run if you don't have long runs between stops... I didn't put road bars on the bike as that would have required to change out the brakes as well... and I didn't want to put that much into it and I find the brakes are better on a "hybrid" style than true road bike.

[SlimRider]

I am only 18 and I am one semester away from my AA. Once I get that I'm training to be a dental hygienist. I use my bike to commute to school, the gym, stores, and work when I have a job. I have only had two jobs prior to my last, so that is probably why I haven't received any calls--they prefer an individual with more work experience, which I don't have much of.

Alright Axiom!

For some reason, I just knew you were a really young guy! However, I didn't know that you had it going on the way that you do....

I'm quite impressed, young man! There are many young men your age who are either squandering their lives away wasting time in gangs, or doing drugs, or being involved in criminal behavior. You've demonstrated that you are eons above any of those kinda guys and I congratulate you for being a good citizen with your head on straight and being a postive role model for your peers to follow.

I don't really know your family or your socioeconomic background, but if your parents aren't rich and they're looking forward to your taking the independent reigns of your life soon, I'd hold on to my little nest egg, and use it to invest in my future independence and education. Education doesn't stop after your first degree, you know. You continue on until you just can't do it anymore. You want to become a mover and a shaker!

Anyways, this would be a great time for you to join a bicycle co-op, so that you can become more familiar with bicycle mechanics. The leadership at the co-op can better direct you as to how to make a better size selection from bikesdirect.com. Start looking at the various types of road bikes that you think will best suit your commuting needs or fulfill your recreational/sporting desires, that are on the bikesdirect website.

Meanwhile, you can begin your mechanical exploration on your Trek, learning the ins and outs of bicycle repair. The seasoned mechanics there will show you how your bicycle functions. You will learn how to install and adjust your brakes. You will learn how to remove an old chain and install a new one. You will also learn how your derailleurs work and how to install and adjust those too. After you've acquired your bicycle mechanics information along with your co-op membership, then you'll be able to order your new road bike online. You can then assemble it right there at the co-op, under the watchful eyes of bicycle mechanics.

Good Luck!

- Slim

PS.

Of course, you don't want to start the bad habit of collecting bicycles, so you might want to sell your Trek immediately after your new road bike arrives .

[a1penguin]

Yes, lighten up a bit. Give Axiom some credit for even having some savings. Do you remember being 18? I've seen plenty of adults who make poor choices with their money.

Estimate what your current bike is worth. Find someone who bought a road bike of similar value, hates it and will trade for a hybrid. Keep advertising in CL and other email lists. Maybe you'll get lucky.

[AdamDZ]

Everyone is piling on too much here. Read the guy's original post. He admits he can't afford what he wants. He's exploring alternatives. He's looking to sell his current bike and buy a used road bike. It is reasonable for him to explore alternatives to see whether he can put something together that he can afford.

All he really asked was to know what was involved in converting a bike.

Yeah. People are being a bit too harsh on Axiom here. He sounds like a reasonable guy and he'll just get discouraged from posting here by the tone of the responses. Give advice without being so patronizing.

[Axiom]

Even though some of the post are harsh, I suppose you all have a point. I love my Trek, don't get me wrong, but there are things that I feel that NEED to be upgraded, like pedals, derailleur, seat, and stronger rims. I wanted to know whether I should do that so it better suites my needs, or if I should sell it and buy a higher quality used road bike. And Slim, I plan on getting a job working as a part time dental hygienist, and going to school so I can become a full on dentist. :-)

I guess a moderator can lock this thread, since I will probably keep my Trek and save my money until I find a job. I really look forward to posting a picture of a road bike and my weight loss in the future.

[JeremyZ]

After having read all the responses, I think I'm in the middle here.

Also, try not to regret your Trek purchase. If you had bought a road bike, you might be STILL thinking you made a mistake, and wished you had gotten a hybrid or something. Very few people are happy with one bike, and those who are have likely gone through a bunch of them to get there.

If you had a road bike, you would probably be fantasizing about something that didn't have such a jarringly hard ride. Those thin road bike tires are often run at 120 psi; rock-hard for low rolling resistance. The penalty is a hard ride. Since road bikes are counting every ounce, to once again help with easy speed on smooth pavement, they never have suspension either. The seats are made for light weigh, and are also hard. You lean way over, so you have to look up to see ahead of you. (neckaches) You have a bunch of weight on your hands and wrists, which leads to problems with these areas of the body in some folks. I have to move my hands around the bars all the time on my cyclocross bike to not be in pain, and it is not even a proper road bike!

By your signature, it seems that you've lost a lot of weight with that bike, and I think you deserve a little something to keep you going. My advice is to treat your Trek to a little TLC, but without going crazy and trying to convert it to something else. Here's what I'd do:

• If it has a flat bar and you're thinking about drop bars, why not compromise by adding bar ends? That'll give you another hand position to switch to, which can really help.
• Treat yourself to a sprung Brooks saddle. A B67 seems about right for your bike and you will thank yourself. I have one on my TriCross, and it has doubled my cycling enjoyment, easily.
• If you don't have them, get a good set of padded, fingerless biking gloves, LED lights, fenders, and a rack.
• Consider upgrading the pedals to combination flat/clipless and maybe a pair of clipless shoes

By doing these things, you will have customized your bike to be the best commuter it can possibly be, but without launching into a frame-up conversion. (bar ends and saddle should be first priority, IMO.)

[Axiom]

After having read all the responses, I think I'm in the middle here.

Also, try not to regret your Trek purchase. If you had bought a road bike, you might be STILL thinking you made a mistake, and wished you had gotten a hybrid or something. Very few people are happy with one bike, and those who are have likely gone through a bunch of them to get there.

If you had a road bike, you would probably be fantasizing about something that didn't have such a jarringly hard ride. Those thin road bike tires are often run at 120 psi; rock-hard for low rolling resistance. The penalty is a hard ride. Since road bikes are counting every ounce, to once again help with easy speed on smooth pavement, they never have suspension either. The seats are made for light weigh, and are also hard. You lean way over, so you have to look up to see ahead of you. (neckaches) You have a bunch of weight on your hands and wrists, which leads to problems with these areas of the body in some folks. I have to move my hands around the bars all the time on my cyclocross bike to not be in pain, and it is not even a proper road bike!

By your signature, it seems that you've lost a lot of weight with that bike, and I think you deserve a little something to keep you going. My advice is to treat your Trek to a little TLC, but without going crazy and trying to convert it to something else. Here's what I'd do:

• If it has a flat bar and you're thinking about drop bars, why not compromise by adding bar ends? That'll give you another hand position to switch to, which can really help.
• Treat yourself to a sprung Brooks saddle. A B67 seems about right for your bike and you will thank yourself. I have one on my TriCross, and it has doubled my cycling enjoyment, easily.
• If you don't have them, get a good set of padded, fingerless biking gloves, LED lights, fenders, and a rack.
• Consider upgrading the pedals to combination flat/clipless and maybe a pair of clipless shoes

By doing these things, you will have customized your bike to be the best commuter it can possibly be, but without launching into a frame-up conversion. (bar ends and saddle should be first priority, IMO.)

That's actually a great idea. Thanks for the post

[JonathanGennick]

By your signature, it seems that you've lost a lot of weight with that bike, and I think you deserve a little something to keep you going. My advice is to treat your Trek to a little TLC, but without going crazy and trying to convert it to something else.

Jeremy, I just want to say that your advice is genius.

[AdamDZ]

That's actually a great idea. Thanks for the post

I'm glad you didn't get discouraged. People here generally give good advice and have good intentions. So stick around.

Jeremy, I just want to say that your advice is genius.

Indeed.

[lightning60]

I'd buy a road bike and keep the Trek. You'll be glad you have a second bike at times (assuming you only have 1 bike currently), and you may find times when you'd rather ride more upright. Craigslist may be the way to go if you do your own wrenching.

If I were in your shoes, I'd wait until I had a job to buy anything though, or get a job flipping burgers to support my bike habit while I'm waiting for employment in my chosen field. But it sounds like you have enough money to get by comfortably until you have a job, so enjoy the time while you have it.

Granted, I feel like I splurged getting a new front wheel with a dyno hub and some lights recently, so I'm pretty cheap.

If you don't mind me asking, where did you get the dyno hub and lights, and how much did it cost? I'm getting tired of charging batteries...