Kittydew

Got bit by the biking bug over a year ago. Scared to ride much in FL traffic (don't get me started) but I'm a big fan of paved trails (we have several great "rail trails near me) on my '98 Trek 7500. I usually ride 2 to 3 times a week, 24-30 miles at a time, av. around 12-14MPH, but want to start doing more riding and going farther. I'd like to travel and do some other trails in FL, tour around back roads... speed is not a big issue, comfort and staying power are. I'm 36, female, and around 5'11" is that matters.

Sooo... I have a lovely $650 Xmas Gift Certif. to my LBS burning a hole in my pocket tonight, (THANK YOU mom & dad!) my Husband's getting my old bike, and I'm trying to decide on whether to get a new 7500, or consider the 7500FX as a step closer to a road bike. I also wondered about the 7700 and whether it'd be worth the extra $$. I've loved my 7500, I want something that is good quality and will hold up on long rides and various surfaces, but I want something that is zippy and responsive enough to let me go farther and longer in my rides. So basically, I'm looking for advice. I'm going to post this in Recreation too, any advice would be welcome.

Thanks! K

curt in denver

You might want to take a look at some cross-bikes. But you cant go wrong with the Trek Hybrids either I prefer the FX models.

chipcom 

I think you would like the Trek 7.5 FX. It has a rigid fork, versus the suspension fork on your 7500 and I believe the 2006 comes in a Woman Specific Geometry (WSD) model as well. Other hybrid/flat-bar road bikes in your price range that you might consider:

Raleigh Route 1 or Route 24 (my GF has a Route 1 and loves it)
Jamis Coda Sport (I highly recommend steel frames)
Kona Dew Deluxe
Fuji Absolute 2 or 3
Giant FCR 3
Specialized Sirrus
Bianchi Strada (beautiful bike, but I think it lists at $800)

slvoid

Do you like having a flat handle bar or a drop bar like a road bike?
I'd recommend a road bike type touring or cyclocross bike that can handle larger tires for commuting or trails.

huhenio

Stay clear from hybrids ... big expensive mistake.

roccobike

Why is a Hybrid a mistake. They fit a particular need that road bikes and MTBs don't fill. I really like mine when I'm not riding my MTB.

joejack951

Hybrids can swing from very close to the MTB end of the spectrum (Specialized Crossroads) to the almost road end of the spectrum (Sirrus) and everywhere in between. Now that cyclocross bikes are becoming popular there's even more options. Don't forget full blown touring bikes too which make great all-around commuter/recreation/fitness bikes.

chipcom 

and don't forget that we now have yet another class of bikes - flat-bar road bikes.

vegcrow

I have a hybrid with thousands of miles on it. It wasn't terribly expensive, and it served me well. Never really fell in love with it, but it put up with a LOT of abuse in traffic, on the bike trail, and rougher off-roadish trails near state park campgrounds. Could you please elaborate on your position?

marqueemoon

I much prefer drop bars for just about every type of riding. I'm voting cyclocross/touring here.

Kittydew

Thanks for the advice guys, I looked at the Trek Touring model (and drooled), problem is it's almost twice what the 7500 is in cost. I don't think I can swing that right now. It's a shame since I think it's closest to what I might want. As for the drop vs. flat bars. I've been riding all this time on my 7500, so I'm pretty comfortable with the flat bar, but was thinking adding areo bars to whatever I get might give me more options.(?)

I can't agree about Hybrids being a mistake, the comfort and ruggedness of my 7500 is what GOT me into cycling. I guess the biggest problem is that I'm maybe ready for a $1200 touring bike but only have $650 to spend

I appreciate the other models suggested, I'll do some research... I've only owned Treks (as does my family) so I know I really like em. Obviously, despite my wish to go out today and get my bike, I need to do some real thinking!

capejohn

I had a couple of bikes in mind when I decided to get a new one. I visited 3 different bike shops, looked around, tried a few and ended up buying a bike I would never have considered before trying different ones.
Take your time and choose intelligently.

Bikepacker67

Bahhh!
I've toured/commuted/trailed/adventurized over 8000 miles on my Giant Cypress!

2manybikes

Not to be confused with -flat-tire road bikes.

ho hum

I have a Jamis Coda Comp. I looked up the geometry of my bike compared to 'road bikes' and they are the same. The components are mountian bike but they work very well. I put moustache handlebars on my bike instead of a flat bar and I feel like I will not use drop bars any more. I like the positions and the feel of them. I can get as aero as I want. I changed the rear cassette on my bike to a 12-23 and put 25 mm road tires on it. I just did 30 miles today and averaged 17 miles per hour.

There is a certain snobbery that goes with the road bike crowd and if you like your bike with flat bars just use it and let them sniff at you. Look at the geometry of the bike you want, decide what type of riding you want to do with it and set it up and enjoy it. You can do about whatever you want (except impress the poseurs) with many set-ups and they work quite well.

ItsJustMe

I'll vote for a hybrid. In my case I'd either need one hybrid or two separate bikes. This time of year I need 35mm Nokian studs, MINIMUM, plus fenders to make the commute. I don't think I can mount those on a road bike. During the summer, I tried the commute on a 26" fat tire bike once, I'd never keep it up on those. So having a bike with the clearance to mount studs and fenders when I need it, or go to 28mm tires and 80+PSI is very nice.
The fact is, if I had to have two bikes, especially to start with, I wouldn't have any. Maybe someday I'll be able to buy another bike, but if I started right out of the gate and bought two bikes in one year, I would NOT have fared well.

I've got over 4000 miles in < 2 years on my Giant hybrid, and I'm still perfectly happy with it. I haven't done more than hose the gunk off it and lube the chain, apart from rebuilding the rear wheel which I screwed up due to beating on the bike. If I lost my bike I'd probably buy another hybrid.

chipcom 

Which roadies seem to be caught on a lot!

chipcom 

The 7.5 FX is a good choice and has many of the characteristics of a touring bike - longer wheelbase, chainstay lengths, fender & rack mounts, etc. I used to have a 7200FX that served me fine for commuting, touring and rec riding. In fact, I regret getting rid of it, since it would have cost me a lot less to keep it as my winter bike than the one I just bought.

chicharron

Expensive???Compared to a road bike?? I bought a Fuji hybrid over a year ago, and I love it. It is only a mistake if you really want a road bike, and buy a hybrid. But, if you dont want a road bike, a hybrid or a comfort bike is exactly what some of use want.

DataJunkie

Buy one of each.
I have a junky xmart MTB that I am doing a little bit of work on. The plan is to use that for the short form of my commute (3 miles vs 18 miles).
I bought a hybrid for my commute and hauling my child trailer. I love it. However, I am now looking into some type drop handle bike. I would like a faster bike to ride the entire distance to work (35 miles) quicker.

sbhikes

Expensive is a trike. But it's the most fun I've ever had.

$650 is a lot of money for a Christmas gift! Take your time and don't let the money burn a hole in your pocket. Savor the shopping and get the best bike you can.

(Love those snowy bike photos. Nice bike!)

curt in denver

Have you ever owned a Hybrid? Or rode one for more than a few minutes?

.:Jimbo:.

what set of fenders are those? ? I too have a cypress for commuting and i like the fit of those.

and if im not mistaken, isn't your model the lx?
if so shouldn't it have disc brakes, or did you take them off for the sake of mounting fenders and racks?

2manybikes

ItsJustMe

I run Zefals on my Cypress, with homemade mudflaps.

Here's a pic. The rear fender got ripped away when I mismounted a pannier bag a few months ago and it caught in the spokes. Ow. Anyway IMHO the mud flap should come down to where if you draw a tangent from the wheel bottom to the bottom of the flap (while riding, with the wind blowing it up a bit) you won't get wet shoes. It needs to be wide as well.