Do I need 2 Bikes or 1???

[ilima]

Treks have gotten WAY overpriced for what they're offering, IMO. They're pretty comparable, although I like the looks of the Trek frame better. I wouldn't worry too much about the chainring difference. Yes, the Fuji is geared a bit higher (harder), but both have the same 30 granny gear if you need it.

One thing that bothers me about both these bikes is that they are 8 speeds. When your parts start to crap out, it's going to be difficult to find replacements. The newer Sora is 9 speed, which is what's on the 1.5.

Trek's pricing shocks the hell out of me. Over $1K for the 1.5 and Sora shifters???!!!! Felt's F85 is $60 more and completely blows away the components spec'd on the Trek (Tiagra/Sora vs. 105/Ultegra on the Felt). To get a 105/Ultegra mix like on the Felt, you'd have to get the Trek 2.3 for $1700, which is $600 more than the Felt. So not worth it.

Honestly, though, if you know you enjoy riding, I think you'd be better off keeping the hybrid and saving up for a few months and buying a better spec'd road bike.

[Edit: And let me add that the women's 7000 is hella cute. I'd love to have a little mixte just riding around town bike in addition to my road bikes.]

What other brands besides Trek does the shop sell?

[Bike Goddess]

I agree with Ilima. DON'T invest in an 8 speed bike. Wait a bit and get a 9 speed. You'll find it is much easier to get parts AND you'll have more options when you are riding as well.

Of course these folks would love to sell you a bike (or 2). But look around on this forum and on the internet re gearing and 8 speeds vs 9 speeds, etc. You'll find lots of good info.

I have 2 road bikes. One is steel the other carbon. Different bikes for different types of rides.

[KnottedYet]

KG has it right. You need at least 2 bikes, 3 or 4 is even better.

Seriously, having one utility bike (a hybrid or whatever that can handle bad weather or weird loads or errands or be loaned out to friends who want to borrow it, etc.) and one zoom-zoom bike is a good plan.

And if one bike is in the shop, you still have your second bike to ride.

[dingster1]

I just picked up that same Fuji from Performance 3 days ago. I still plan on keeping my Trek 7.2FX as my grocery getter/round towner.

[Miranda]

Another vote for "more bikes, please" . I own three atm. And would love to have some more...

I really debated what to buy as my first bike. The hybrid fitness bike seemed to fit my needs, but in my heart I knew my dream was to ride fast and far. Traditional road bike was the ticket, but the most $.

First, I bought a hard trails mtb when DH got his. This was to be for fm camping trips, and neighborhood spin. I tried to ride it on the road... didn't meet the "I feel the need for speed" fix. Then I announced to DH what I needed was a bike for speed. My friends said I should return the mtb, and get the fitness still. So glad I got my road girl.

I recently was about to sell my mtb, but found some trails I like. She still is not fun on the kids spin. I can't coast that slow on my road bike. I wanted a lesiure bike, but for now have decided to see if I can fix up my old cheap blue belle from when I was a kid (she's 25+yrs old) to cruise the sub.

On that note, could you do this maybe... get the road bike you want, and look for a used hybrid to stretch the dollar? If you don't think you will be riding the hybrid that much, then does she really need to be "new" and top of the line? FWIW.

Miranda

[Aggie_Ama]

DH and I each of 3 at the moment a commuter (low end road for me, cyclocross for him), road bikes (carbon comfort for me, racing aluminum for him) and a mountain bike. He is probably getting a new mountain bike this year but we plan to convert his to a single speed for errands.

Keep the hybrid, but shop around for a road bike, Treks can be slightly over priced.

[PscyclePath]

There are two schools of thought on the optimum number of bikes to have in your collection. The first, and probably the most utilized, is set at one bike more than you already have. (Note the elasticity in this limit.)

The second school of thought, and maybe the more practical, is one bike less than the number where your sweetheart says she/he is gonna leave you if you bring home another derned bicycle.

Your mileage & numbers may vary...