New Bike.. POSSIABLY

[Roadtrip]

OK. I think I've gone and gotten bitten by this BUG that's going around. DH mentioned he wanted to look at road bikes or hybrids.. something a little faster then the cruisers we bought in June.

We started looking at the 7.6 (or 7.5) FX for him and I then found a used 2008 WSD 7.3 FX and I'm going to look at it after work tomorrow.

It's sooooo pretty. It's $350. Should I or shouldn't I??? The 2011 7.3 is $660 and many of the components are the same.

http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/2008/archive/73fxwsd

Shannon

[badgercat]

My first "nice" bike was a 2008 7.2 FX. We've had many happy rides, some long (50-60mi) together. I decided to buy a road bike this summer, but my Trek and I are spending just as much (if not more!) time together as I've made it into my daily commuter and around-town bike.

The FX's are great bikes--there are a few of us fans around here. I can't give advice on the pricing on a used one, I suppose it will all depend on the condition it's in, and more experienced folks could probably give you tips on things to watch out for.

Regarding your and DH's decision between road bikes and hybrids... some folks would say go straight for a road bike, but I'm so very glad that I took that step in between (I had been riding an old, clunky, ill-fitting mountain bike purchased at Sportmart) before taking the plunge on a road bike.

Good luck!

[kermit]

I think it is bikepedia.com.

[hebe]

How exciting! I think you should definitely have a look at it and see how it feels if you can test-ride it too.

I'd love a new bike, but am going to hold off til next spring/summer when I have a few more miles under my belt. That's the plan, anyway.

[Roadtrip]

Part of me says this is silly...

I don't NEED a second bike at this point.
Bike seems a decent deal as other 08' Trek 7.3's on ebay are around $400 with free ship, so the asking price is fair market value if not a tad under. New this bike MSRP'd at around $540... 2011 version goes for $660 and comparing the two, I see small differences. The main changes is the new saddle post and bars that are supposed to dampen some of the vibrations. Different rims (Bontrager Camino instead of SSR on the 2011) but stock Bontrager wheels so they're likely pretty much the same and if I have issues with them I'll get better ones anyhow.
I've been using the trainer a lot and taking on/off the bike when I want to ride outside is just a plain hassle, so I've been thinking of getting a old beater bike for the trainer anyhow. This defiantly isn't a beater bike, but something I'd like to advance to, something to keep nudging me forward.
New 2011 bike costs about twice what this bike is, but I have some peace of mind with a new bike as local shop is a really nice. I do have to factor in the cost of the tune-up on this new bike (at some point.)
From what I'd read, going with a dedicated road bike might not be for "me", as we have LOADS of hills around here and not much flat. I could get a roadie with a triple and geared properly, but browsing it seems these bikes are WAY out of my price range. My back is still an issue so I do have to wonder about the standard stretched out position on a roadie. I don't plan on doing anything besides treks around the neighborhood and paved trails-- the ultimate goal tho is to build toward doing some longer distance events... but that is way into next year... I have to get more saddle time and work on fitness first.



Shannon

[Biciclista]

you need to make your own decision, but that's a nice bike at a good price!
and you can probably sell it at close to that price if you decide you want something different later.

[Roadtrip]

I went ahead and did it... I'm now an owner of two bikes... have it hooked up to the trainer now. Bike is in pretty good shape. Few scratches on the bike from use, but shifts gears smoothly and rides smoooooth. I did already swap out the saddle for one I had here at the house and it's much more comfortable.

Pictures to come!

Shannon

[badgercat]

Hooray! Looking forward to the pictures. :D

[hebe]

Smiling for you here, and wondering how long it will be before you take it off the trainer and onto the trails :D

[nikkoblu2]

Thought I'd post my two cents on two subjects you mentioned - I agree with badgercat - about the natural progression. My husband bought me a mountain bike before we were married. I don't think I rode more than 50 miles over 5 years.

Then I started riding it one spring when the weather was nice enough to be outside, but not nice enough to go to the beach or anything. I started really getting into it - remember the time I rode 30 miles and I beamed for days at my accomplishment.

That fall I bought a 2006 or 07 Trek 7.3 for about $700 I think. I loved my hybrid. Started riding every weekend, usually 40-50 miles at a time. Hills, flats, loved it. Point is, it built my confidence to get me where I am now.

Last weekend I dropped about 2k on a 2010 Cannondale Synapse 5 with a compact double gear in front (see the thread I started about worrying if the compact double would get me up hills). I'm loving it! An adjustment...but, it's working for me. I don't think I would have gotten to the road bike if I didn't have the hybrid in between.

Second point - I have a chronic lower left back problem I was afraid of flaring up with the road bike. Don't know if it's all the core work or just a good fit, but absolutely no problem with the back.

[Roadtrip]

As promised...

http://www.cincylights.com/images/new_bike.jpg

[Roadtrip]

I forgot to mention, it climbs like a beast. WOW. I love this bike.

It's SO much more nimble then the Trek Pure, but the cruiser just glides along and it a pleasure to ride, it's just a different type of ride. I have only taken the FX out on the road here in front of my house (I'm in my driveway and you can see small road), but I'm thinking I'm really gonna like this bike!!

Shannon

[warneral]

NICE wheels roadtrip!!! I can tell you love her already :)

[hebe]

I LOVE your bike, RoadTrip! That's such a beautiful picture :D

[Catrin]

Great picture, and I love the smile on your face!

I need to get a beater bike for the trainer - when I get the trainer ;) I've had the use of a trainer since last winter but it returns to it's home when I move in October.

[Roadtrip]

OK. I know I have a problem.

DH and I ended up at another bike shop this weekend. We go with the intention of buying some armwarmers that were on clearance. He's been wanting a Trek FX 7.5, so we browse and he takes one for a bit of a longer ride then he got to at the other shop, so he gets back and discuss money and the like. This shop is willing to let him put some down and put the bike on layaway for a month or so, so we go ahead and pull the trigger.

Here's where the problem starts...

While he was out for the test ride, I spied a WSD FX 7.3 a year newer then the one I JUST bought used and am thrilled with, but the paint on this 2009 is just awesome and somehow "me"-- and it's in my size.

It has some flowery/girly details on the fork and tubes that are formed using pixels and I'm a geek at heart so it calls to me. I KNOW I just bought the other one and had it tuned up at my LBS and riding it the little bit I have has been a joy. SO I find myself torn. I just married this one and I'm already lusting after this other.

The other thought I had on my mind is the frame warranty. Trek offers a lifetime frame warranty, but it only covers the original owner, so if anything should happen to the 2008 I wouldn't be covered... so in the long run is it better to buy new??

2009 Trek FX 7.3 WSD
http://www.jacksbikes.com/contents/media/trek_73_fx_wsd_200_nickel.jpg

Shannon

[warneral]

It is adorable but I would wait. It's basically the exact same bike. I would guess that warranties are rarely claimed.

If I were you -I'd keep riding the bike you have. See what you want in a next bike. Then you could keep the fx and get a totally different type next.

[hebe]

That is a very pretty bike. It must be frustrating to see that one so soon after buying yours (which I also think is lovely).

I did read your post on the cycling ambitions thread, and honestly if you carry on developing your cycling as fast as you have been from your standing start I think your next bike could possibly be something completely different. Maybe a racer, maybe off-roading? I am saying this as someone who was in a lbs talking about mountain bikes yesterday :o but any new bike here will have to wait until I've sold something to pay for it. Cycling is also opening so many new roads to me that I'm trying to delay buying another bike until I know exactly what it is I need.

On the other hand. If your dh is buying his bike there then would they be open to some kind of 7.3 trade with a little bit of cash on top? That's really not sensible but I would be wondering it.

[katibosch]

Do you have a university with an art program near you, or any sort of car-detailing/body shop? You might be able to get someone to paint or otherwise put the designs you liked so much off the new bike onto yours...