Wrong choice

[marybethmc]

I recently bought a Trek 7300 after an agonizing search. I test rode many bikes.
Unfortunately I feel the bike I ended up with is not right. The shifter on is on the grip and I constantly turn it when I am not meaning to especially while going uphill. Is it possible for the shifters to be changed to a more user friendly type. It seems like I only have a few inches on the grips before the shifter.

I feel like the bike is heavier and cannot get up to the speed I was riding on my old bike, is it the weight or tires. I had a older Raleigh that was a also a hybrid. Could it be the different tires or am I just crazy like DH claims?

[KnottedYet]

First, is it too late to return the bike? Or maybe trade it in on something else? If you really don't like the bike itself, that might be worth looking in to.

If you like the bike in general, and it's just the shifter that's throwing you off, that's a fairly easy fix. Shimano makes some nice trigger shifters that your LBS could switch for you. (try a bike with trigger shifters before you change, though!)

I like grip shifts for commuter bikes. They are simple and elegant and you can run thru multiple gears at once. You can also try to retrain yourself not to pull so hard on the bars when you pedal, and to down shift sooner on hills so you can use your legs rather pulling with your arms.

I get the feeling from your post, though, that it's the whole bike that is bugging you.

Maybe it's time for a faster lighter bike?

[mimitabby]

have you weighed it and compared it with your old bike?
it could also just be the gears. If the older bike had better climbing gears, you bet it would make a difference.
But you're not crazy.

[marybethmc]

Thanks for your response.

My husband also feels maybe the difference is in the speeds. My old bike had fewer speeds. Some friends I was riding with on Sunday also suggested I was not in low enough speeds to go up the hills. Maybe it is just an adjustment. I was thinking of taking out my old bike for a long ride to compare. I do love the higher handle bars. I was having a lot of trouble with numbness in my hands which has improved.

[northstar]

I used to have a Giant hybrid that had the grip-shifters. It was really weird at first, and I was really afraid that I would constantly be bumping it and messing with the gearing. Have you been out on your new bike more than a couple times? I think the shifters are something that you would probably get used to over time...at least that is what happened in my case.

[marybethmc]

Yes, I have been on it about 10 times with a total of 125 miles. Some of the time was on roads and some of it bike trails. The last ride I took was on crushed limestone, which is a little harder than paved trails.
I think I will give it a little more time. We lost probably a month of our biking time due to travel and house guests. I have to take it in to the bike store in a few weeks for the 200 mile check and I will ask them about the option of changing the shifters.
Thanks