Greyhoundsrock

Two years ago I reentered the cyling world by purchasing a Trek 7.3 hybrid to complete a life goal of riding a century. While I road a trek 1000 when in my twenties, I had not ridden a road bike since it had been stolen twenty years ago. Two years ago the hybrid felt comfortable and safer for me than the road bikes I tested. Long story short, I decided I really like distance riding and my trek has 6,600 outdoor miles on it. Unfortunately I am now visiting the bike shop often due to parts wearing out (brake cable, pedals,shifting cable, new chains, new cassette, new tires...). I am also finding that around mile 60, I start dreaming of different hand positions that a road bike would offer. So, I am ready for a 2nd bike. I would love suggestions on a road bike with components that would be more durable that what I have on my hybrid. I test road both the Jamis Quest (loved it) and the Trek Lexa (liked it alot). Thanks for any suggestions!

Phil85207

Most any brand name bike you get at a LBS will be as you described. You just need to fine one you love to look at and fits you. Take it for a good ride and get out the check book. Good luck.

Bacciagalupe

The Trek 7.3 isn't exactly high end, but....

Tires typically wear out after 2,000 or so miles. They're a consumable.

Chains usually go after 2,000 miles, more if you're fanatical about cleaning it, less if you aren't maintaining the chain properly. Another consumable.

Brake cables might wear out after 6,000 miles or so, at least it doesn't sound outlandish.

Cassettes normally last far, far more than 7,000 miles. You probably wrecked your cassette by running it with a stretched chain.

A road bike will offer numerous advantages, and if you like the Quest then go for it. But you should talk to the shop about routine maintenance, keeping the chain lubricated, replacing the chain on time, replacing tires and so forth.

a1penguin

What is your budget? You should be able to find a nice Aluminum/Steel road bike with 105 components. The Jamis looks overpriced to me. In addition to the Lexa, I recommend you test ride a Felt Z85. It's one of the best bargains around. Cannondale Synapse 105 is also in your price range and has a women's specific model. Don't be afraid to test ride a men's model; often there is not much difference between the two. I test rode a Trek WSD and found it too cramped for me. The Specialized Dolce is WSD bike, but the 105 level bike is also a bit on the high end of the price range.

A little bit of maintenance will go a long way. Cleaning the crud off your drivetrain and oiling your chain will maximize the life of these components and provide a smooth ride.

A road bike will be lighter and provide a more aero riding position. I think you'll enjoy it on your longer rides.

SlimRider

Get the Quest. You'll love it!

Greyhoundsrock

Thanks for all the feedback. Yes I do lube the chain, take the bike to the bike shop annually for a "tune up" and my teenage son has worked on getting the crud off the drive chain for me a couple times. I do admit though that I should take better care of it. I will look for a Felt dealer in our area. We have a specialized dealer about an hour away so that is an option. My price range is keeping the bike under a couple thousand. Ideally I would like to keep the price around a thousand but I want a bike that will have good components. Thanks again,
Chris

bikecrate

I got a new Quest last month and I really really like it. It is very stable and comfortable. I also have a Trek Hybrid (7500 FX), which I also like, but I use primarily on weekdays and the Quest I take out for longer rides on the weekend.

Now the bad news...when I bought my Quest I was told that most of the popular sizes were already gone for the year and Jamis wasn't going to make any more until late Fall or Winter. I ended up getting a triple in my size because I didn't want to wait.

fstshrk

There are literally 50 bikes you can look at that price range including some custom bikes.
You need to first decide on what type of frame material you like. Carbon, aluminum, steel, titanium?
Based on your description, I think you would be served well by a good steel frame. If you want mass produced both Jamis and Bianchi make excellent steel frames, you can also add Surly to that as well.

SlimRider

Welcome To Bike Forums, GreyhoundsRock!

I would just like for you to know that insofar as components are concerned, if you're not racing anybody, then you really don't have to go beyond the Tiagra level in order to get fairly consistent performance. Any road bike with 105 components would possess an excellent level of componentry. Beyond 105 and you're pretty much going into the racing category. For touring, Alivio and Deore would be just fine. Shimano Deore XT would be perfect!

If you'd just like to do long rides, tour, or do centuries for both exercise and recreation, then perhaps a touring bike might be more to your liking. A touring bike will not only offer you more hand positions, it will provide a more relaxed sitting postion as well, due its longer wheelbase.

Besides, most touring bikes come equipped with the ability to attach both racks and fenders. Therefore, those long rides become more convenient and forgiving.

The following would be my recommendations for touring:

1) The Fuji Touring ~ $1120
www.fujibikes.com/bike/details/touring5


2) The Marin Four Corners ~ $1100
www.marinbikes.com/2012/bike_specs.php?serialnum=1855&Four_Corners_


3) The Trek 520 ~ $1480
www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/road/touring/520/520/


4) The Raleigh Clubman ~ $1200
www.raleighusa.com/bikes/steel-road/clubman-12/


5) The Raleigh Sojourn ~ $1200
www.raleighusa.com/bikes/steel-road/sojourn-12/


6) The Jamis Aurora ~ $950
www.jamisbikes.com/usa/thebikes/road/aurora/12_aurora.html


7) The Jamis Aurora Elite ~ $1600
www.jamisbikes.com/usa/thebikes/road/aurora/12_auroraelite.html


8) The Jamis Bosanova ~ $1275
www.jamisbikes.com/usa/thebikes/road/aurora/12_bosanova.html


9) The Jamis Satellite Comp ~ $1000
www.jamisbikes.com/usa/thebikes/road/satellite/12_satellitecomp.html


10) The Schwinn Letour Legacy ~ $800
www.bikesdirect.com/products/schwinn/schwinn_letour_legacy_xi.htm

*Option numbers 9 and 10 are just good ole reliable road bikes w/o touring being specified. All others are types of touring bikes.

** The Clubman, the Bosanova, and the Letour Legacy are all 10 speeds and are geared to accelerate. All the others are 9 speeds.

There is a reason that most touring frames and forks are made of chromoly steel!

slowandsteady

Lubing the chain isn't enough. You need to replace it when it has "stretched." Cassettes should last a really long time.

StanSeven

$1,000 up to $2,000 will get you a good bike. That's especially true when sales start soon. My advice is don't get too focused on a particular brand because they aren't that different (essentially you are just picking a frame). Trek, Cannondale, Specialized, Jamis, Giant, etc., also produce nice bikes. Test ride a couple others and pick what feels best to you. Also be confortable with the bike store and the sales person that helps fit you.

If you plan on keeping the bike a long time as well as frequent riding, it's worth spending more.

Have a good time looking and deciding.

dmcdam

Surly Pacer
Soma Smoothie
Soma ES

pallen

This. Go to the shops and your area and ride a lot of bikes. Find out what YOU like. You'll get all kinds of opinions on here because we all have out own biases.

fstshrk

Very correct. I am surprised the tiagra bashers have not yet shown up this thread to contradict SlimRider.

shelbyfv

Or, if you like the Quest, save yourself some time and just buy it. You can't really go wrong. Jamis bikes are generally considered well equipped for the price point. I had a Quest and liked it, now have an Eclipse, which is also very nice.

Greyhoundsrock

Thanks for the continued suggestions. A touring bike is something I had thought about especially when I don't care about how light the bike will be as putting three water bottles on a bike defeats the whole light as a feather road bike concept. As I rode my first unsupported century yesterday I thought about what I really want out of my new bike. I am not a speedy cyclist but I can fairly easily stay out on a bike for a long time. Yesterdays ride was the kind of ride I love. I rode out to a park, could navigate the gravely roads with ease, enjoyed the scenery and felt fine when I got back home. The only other issue though is that currently I ride solo. We have an active local group but I just am not quite fast enough to hold pace with the longer distance riders. When I have ridden side by side with folks on road bikes, they can be coasting while I am having to peddle. I would like to at least occasionally ride with others. I will have to test ride a touring bike and see what the ride feels like. Thanks again!

mynameistaken

What size tires do you have on your Trek?

Greyhoundsrock

Bontrager 700 x 32c tires. I will say that knock on wood, I have only had one flat with these tires.

pallen

I don't see why you would need to try and sell things if they are coasting

Enjoy the search!

mynameistaken

If you are riding 32mm tires and your friends are riding 23mm tires you will have to peddle faster to compensate for the increased friction of your larger tire. Not to mention your 32mm tire probably has tread on it instead of being a slick.

You might want to try a 23-25mm road tire and see if that improves your speed. Make sure its properly inflated for you weight.

akansaskid

I have a Trek 7.3 FX and a Specialized Roubaix Pro. The 32s on the Trek are smooth and easy rolling. I doubt I ride the Roubaix more than 1 mph faster than the hybrid Trek, and that's probably because I'm on a more focused ride then. The worst part about the 7.3 is that aluminum fork. The bike overall is much harsher than my Roubaix, but carbon fiber ain't cheap, either. I can ride either on centuries equally well. I have them set up so the geometries (reach, stack) are identical. As the OP said, hand position is the main difference on a slower, long ride. I suppose I can hammer on the Roubaix easier, but part of that is just inspiration, I'm sure.

SlimRider in post #9 offers concrete, good-value alternatives for what you probably want. Just don't go in thinking you're suddenly going to be Lance.

fstshrk

If you are not riding the Roubaix faster than the Trek, you may want to HTFU. Just going from 700x32 to 700x28 tires made a 2 mph average speed difference on the same bike. Going from my steel Jamis Aurora to my Roubaix SL2 is another 1-2 mph difference (and a whole lot more if climbing due to the 15 lb weight difference between the two in their current configuration).

RollCNY

OP, what grips do you have on your 7.3 FX? Have you tried Ergon grips with bar ends?

The reason I ask is that the frame you have is a very nice geometry for long distance rides, and there is nothing inherently wrong with flat bars for long distance. Two weeks ago, I did 230 miles on my flat bar bike, and chose it over my road bikes because it is more comfortable.

If your components are wore, it is a great time to upgrade. SRAM X9 is a phenomenal group, and I preferred it over 105 on a road bike build I had, and MTB groups are much cheaper than road groups. The other nice thing about the FX is that you have space for fenders, which many road bikes do not.

Just food for thought. If the aluminum fork is a concern as well, carbon forks are very easy to swap in, and not very expensive (less than $100).

Good luck.

catonec 

A $2000 budget has many many options, especially if your not limited to brick and mortar local shops. plenty of great deals online.

SlimRider

Hey there GHRock!

I've just got to ask this question:

Are these mostly guys in your local group?

Also another question:

Would you describe yourself as being lighter in weight than the average female or heavier?


Thanks in advance