Originally Posted by bikeferret
I have a Trek 7200, fitted out with frogs and narrow tires, set to ride dropped down, etc. I know the components aren't as great as a decent road bike, but what real differences in performance would I really see if I got a ~1000-1400 dollar road bike? I just started working a research job and the pay is enough that I could, if I saved like a madman, get a nice bike, but I just wonder how big a difference it will really make and whether I could really justify it. And as a related side note, where can I read up on current road bike technology as opposed to marketing schemes, like differences in gear sets/shifters etc. ?
imo
The difference will be absolutly unbelievable! Esp in that price range. Faster, Smoother, Lighter( a lot lighter), Quicker,more stable out of the saddle at high speeds sprinting ect...and probably more comfortable. Even though hybrids are marketed some times as comfort bikes they really are not. My girlfriend has a 7200 for about a year. She could'nt ride with any one b/c it was painful for us to have to go so damn slow or to wait at every intersection. She's got a Poprad now which if you want a true hybrid then this is it, a cyclocross bike. Hybrid meens a bit of both ie road and mountain this is not the case. A cx bike is a true hybrid to the meaning of the word. So w/ cx you can get away with road riding and mountain riding. Sure your not gonna do any down hill or rock gardens and at the same time you probably wont road race either. But for general commuting/touring/fun riding/cross country and certainly cx racing the cx bikes are great. btw you can road race w/ cx too. In the hybrid sense it is probably 70% road 30 % mountain. Just my opinion...