So, I'm shopping....

[Geonz]

... my "fast bike" -- the 7500FX with 15,000 miles on it -- has been disapparated from my driveway. I hope it has magical qualities that turn its theft into something good... and gosh, golly, I need a new "go reasonably fast!" bike, especially since I rode so little this year that the poor thing probably threw itself under the legs of somebody who would ride it more often.

My new bike will be somethign my Trek dealer carries, and I've been promised a 20% discount (one of those advantages of developing a relationship with a local business ) ...I prefer upright (they run so much cheaper and I am the rare bird who doesn't need lots of places to put my hands)... but had thought the Trek and I would be together forever, so I haven't even thought... I also dont' care at all about color. I want something that will inspire me to have another 8 or 9 or 10,000 mile year in 2013

Any thoughts? Help me spendm y money!

[indysteel]

Does your local Trek dealer only carry Trek and, if not, what other brands does it carry?

[pinsonp2]

You might look at the Trek FX series. It has several levels from 7.1 through 7.9 (I think). As the number goes up, the component groups and frame material does too....and of course the price. They are often characterized as a flat bar road bike. The series also has some models with disc brakes. I have had a 7.5 for 2 1/2 years and find it to be fairly fast and reliable.

P2

[tulip]

Does your Trek dealer carry Jamis? If so, the Coda is one you might really like.

[indysteel]

You might look at the Trek FX series. It has several levels from 7.1 through 7.9 (I think). As the number goes up, the component groups and frame material does too....and of course the price. They are often characterized as a flat bar road bike. The series also has some models with disc brakes. I have had a 7.5 for 2 1/2 years and find it to be fairly fast and reliable.

P2

I think the OP's first bike was in the FX series. It remains a good choice though. I started off with a 7.5 FX myself in 2006. It seems, though, that in subsequent model years, Trek really started jacking up the price, but using lesser quality components at each price point.

[Geonz]

Yes, my fast bike was a 7500 FX. (I'm sorta thinking that as soon as I replace it, it will manifest itself, especially since I've nudged some folks in the neighborhood it may have migrated to and the timing was so opportunistic that it wasn't as likely to be a "grab some bikes to ship to Chicago to sell" theft.) The Trek shop has *mostly* Treks... basically, if Trek fills the niche, it's Trek but they also carry some quirkly Pugsleys andthe like. (GOing to go to the website and scope it out.) I'll get good advice from the staff (though right now they may not want to sell me anything; I've brought in two bikes this year that were in rather bad shape...)

[ZenBiker]

will they order something for you, and still give the 20% discount? I bought a Salsa Vaya recently and love it - see this thread: http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=49864

Drop bars but pretty upright geometry. It's comfortable, versatile, and zippier than I expected.