NE Tiger

I had a Trek 7.3, which was beautiful and light, but I didn't like the frame geometry and always felt too upright and squished together, if that makes any sense.

Now I have a Trek (Gary Fisher Collection) Kaitai, about which I love the frame geometry, feel stretched out in a good way and generally comfortable, but this bike is SO HEAVY that even with the 29 inch wheels I am expending so much energy propelling forward that it's not satisfying.

Is there a happy medium? A bike with mountain-ish lean over, stretch out feel but doesn't weigh as much as my '66 Mustang? Love to hear your thoughts.

javal

Well, if you´re not familiar with a stretch out position, that could actually explain why it feels more heavy (I dont know the weight diff between your bikes though). The body posture, and how it directs your strength and energy to your pedals, is one key factor for comfortable riding. You should check your knee-centre pedal line (sit on your bike, pedal in three o´clock position - assume a line between your front knee straight down to where you have the centre of your pedal). Happy medium? Shorter top tube or shorter stem. Also, lower bar will give you aerodynamic advantages.

hybridbkrdr

Maybe you could try an inexpensive Nashbar touring frame?

ColinL

The Kaitai is basically a 29er MTB whereas the 7.3FX's roots are an aluminum road bike. Therefore it should be no surprise that the Kaitai does in fact weigh a lot more... probably more than 6-7 pounds more.

Sounds like the OP may have had the wrong frame size in the 7.3FX for his riding style, or at the least too short of a stem.


Least expensive solution right now would be to put a 28mm road tire on the Kaitai. It will fit and roll faster, which might make the weight issue feel like less. However you'll give up offroad capability doing this.

Bunnicula

I agree that the 7.3 doesn't sound like it fit you right. I was looking for a bike with similar qualities as you, and I went with a Cannondale Quick 3. The geometry fit me better than the Trek 7.3. It's as light and agile, if not more so, as the 7.3. I wanted a more road-like ride so i had it set up less upright - we raised the seat up and back and dropped the bars. The Quick 4 has wider tires if that's what you're looking for. If you like the 7.3, you should give the Quick line a try and see what you think.

jsdavis

Are we sure this was the 7.3FX? The 7.3FX is more of a flat handle road bike, but there is or was a more upright version with a similar name.

justfitme

Have you tried long straight stem, lower it, change riser handlebar to flat?
Usually it helps a lot.

This is how I lowered rider position on my wife's Cafe bike. On FX it will work even better.

DSC03093.jpg
cafe8.jpg

ColinL

Well, he sold it... so despite that being a good idea, I don't think he will try it now.

NE Tiger

I am going to hang on to the Kaitai, I'm not quite as down on it as I was when I started the thread, but I may give the FX a second chance. The new 7.4 looks pretty nice.