afraid to pull trigger :(

Getting ready but not sure of which direction to go in. I've decided I would like a bike but not sure of getting a road bike or a fitness bike. I first started thinking fitness (Trek 7.3FX) but have noticed that most start this way but end up getting or wanting a roadie...I hate to spend the money since I've already went from looking at the 7.2fx to now the 7.3fx! at the price of a new Trek, I could probably get an entry level road bike...

any opinions or experiences are greatly appreciated...(the last time I bought a new bike was back in the late 70's and it was a 10sp Raleigh)

Thanks

I would agree that it seems people "outgrow" the finess/flat bar road bike quickly. It really isn't that much trickier to get used to the drop bars. I honestly rarely use the drops and keep my hands on the hoods or top of the bar.

I actually got a road bike and went clipless at the same time which really wasn't too smart :) But I did get a used road bike to start which made me feel a little better when I would fall over and scratch it!

How do you intend to use the bike?

I preface what I'm about to say with the caveat that there are a number of very happy FX riders on TE who have not "outgrown" their bikes. There is nothing inherently limiting about a bike like the FX.

That said, I'm one who quickly went from the FX to a road bike. It took all of about two months if memory serves. Once I got my road bike, I never rode the FX again. Don't get me wrong, I think it's a fine bike. I just like my roadie that much more. I'd emphasize, though, that my roadie fits me and has a comfy ride. That's the key to the comparison.

Where would you be riding?
Would you be riding alone, or do you have a group of friends with whom you'd be riding? Do you have a group who's already committed to riding, and you'd be joining them?
Are you thinking speed? Any aspirations to race or ride distances, or would you just be noodling along a bike/multi-use path? Do you want to ride for fitness or errands?
Do you have any physical ailments or assorted aches and pains which might make the position of a road bike painful or uncomfortable?
Do you have a bike shop nearby with a few bikes in stock that you can take and try out (for more than a ride around the parking lot)?
Lastly, do you have the means (space and financial) to change your mind in several months and get a second bike, if the first one doesn't suit your style? (You'll note that many of us here have more than one bike, as sometimes, one just doesn't meet all of our cycling habits).

These are some things that you may want to consider in your search.....

I started out on a Cruiser style (Trek Pure Sport 21sp) bike and now I am a happy owner of a FX 7.3 that I bought only a few months after outgrowing my first bike.

I do have back issues, so for me a road bike is likely out, but I'd test ride both and see what you like better if you don't have any limitations. I actually bought the FX used and saved about 50% on new bike prices and yea, it had a few scratches, but I am likely to have scratched it at some point and I placed a few stickers where the scratches were. I'd likely do it the same way again as for me (learned to ride @ 35 y/o and the Trek Pure was my first EVER bike) I needed that starter (slow/forgiving) bike to gain confidence on before stepping up to the FX.

I'm happy and surprised myself how quickly I've come to enjoy riding the FX... who KNOWS if I'll someday find myself oggling the roadies at the LBS... but for now I'm happy!!

Shannon

Try getting a used one - you can prob sell it for about what you paid if you end up outgrowing it.

used probably is the way to go but doesn't everyone say you should be fitted. Right now, the only thing I do know is that when I test rode the Trek 7.2fx that the 17 was a much more comfortable ride for me than the 15. I felt jammed...

I've looked on Craig's List...but you really need to know what you're looking for and what size...(I would say)

Can anyone offer advice on what size roadie to look for? I'm 5'3...

I will say that it seems like the Northeast has more of a used community selling bikes than in the South? Got to be population...and the bigger push to get people out of cars and on bikes...

Thanks for all the responses...I will have to take a roadie out too before I commit.

Warneral: good advice
Indysteel: not sure yet...don't have a bike yet to know. But from what I hear the 7.3fx cannot do trails where I'm located...too sandy. so sounds like road only.
7rider: pretty much road
not sure of group but sounds fun
speed is always good. I do have a competitive edge and may want
to try maybe a duathalon or try distance.
no injury to speak of, except when I run too much
I do see myself with more than one bike in my future but I would like to be satisfied for at least a yr or two before getting my second...
Roadtrip:my lbs said he thought I would be happy for what I want to do...with the 7.3fx

typical Libra...weigh things out forever...(instead of make a darn decision and sticking with it)...lol

I think fitting is slightly less of an issue with a trek fx than a road bike - just because flat bars can be a bit more forgiving with the upright position. But there's no reason you can't get a used fx and take it to your bike shop and pay for a fitting.

How thorough a fitting does the bike shop include with an fx vs. how much extra would you pay to have one done? It's possible if you had the fitting while you were paying for a new bike, they would swap on the new parts without charging you extra or much - butI guess you'd have to get the details of all of that.


If you're 5'3, you're probably looking for between a 44-49 cm road bike, but it's going to somewhat depend on whether you have long legs vs. a short torso, etc,whether or not you'll need a WSD or not.

Test ride a lot of bikes at the bike shop initially.

Flgirl, I weighed the "fitness road" against an entry-level road bike for a while. I ended up going with the road bike. Part of what tipped the balance was the thought that I'd be riding with DBF and another of our friends, both of whom have road bikes, and I didn't want to be left behind. The added bonus is that the drop bars spare my wrists--useful, because both of my other hobbies are a little hard on my hands.

If you want to ride distances, the road bike may be a better choice. I say "may" because I'm sure there are people who do long distances on flat bar road bikes. My wrists would probably start hurting after about 15 miles, but YMMV.

(I will say that at first, the fitness bike felt better; the road bike felt squirrelly until I got used to it.)

When I was first considering getting a road bike I went on a day trip. I could rent a bike for the day, so I rented a road bike. It was a slow 40 k ride and it gave me a good idea how to ride a road bike without having to buy one.

I did buy a bike after that. And yes it is a road bike. Maybe there is an opportunity to do something like that?

My first bike was a Trek 7.6 FX. Beautiful bike but just a little too long for me...and I sold it after getting a Surly Long Haul Trucker. My experience is not the norm however, because of certain problems with my hands, part of my fitting for the LHT was to convert the bike from road bars to 2-inch flat riser bars with Ergon grips and trigger shifters.

I do have to mention that I've had no problem riding quite long distances with my flat bars and have had no problems with my hands at all. My longest ride to date on this bike is 72 miles, and I lost count of the number of 55-65 mile rides this summer before getting sidelined by a couple of over-use injuries in September. I just wanted to mention this as I keep reading that flat bars aren't suitable for longer distances. That is not the case. Certainly road bars provide more hand positions, and are more aerodynamic, but not the only option.

Good luck with whatever you decide. I am sure that you will love whatever you choose, the important thing is just to get out and ride, ride, and ride some more :D

Well, I, too, started with a comfort bike, but soon wanted more speed. I went from a Trek Navigator 2.0 to a Trel 7.5 FX. What a difference!!! But it did not take long to lust after a road bike.....I now have three road bikes. I must admit that the road bikes get most of the miles I ride. Much ro my surprise the road bike has turned to be much more comfortable for me than I ever imagined.

I do understand your reluctance to make a purchase. Perhaps you can find an LBS who will take the time to give you an initial fit on both styles (the LBS I use is pretty dead this time of year and are willing to spend loads of time with a customer who may not buy) and a test ride. With some knowledge gained through this, you will be better prepared to go look for a used bike that will end up at the LBS for repairs, adjustments, and upgrades.

Good luck with your search and enjoy the ride,
P2

My first bike in more than 16 years of not riding (that's since I was a teenager) was a 7.1 FX. I wanted -- nay, needed -- a road bike within a year. But I have to say that I'm glad I have both. If I want a leisurely ride on an unpaved path, of which there are many around here, the FX is perfect. If I'm going somewhere around town, I'll use that too. That lets me save the road bike for...well, the open road. It's nice to have the choice.

If I had to do it over, I actually would've gotten a higher-grade FX because the 7.1 is as standard as it gets.

Yeah, you'll outgrow it, but it's handy to have around and you can save the bigger bucks for a nicer road bike.