Flat bar or drops?

[Geonz]

HEre's another vote to check out those 7.5 FX bikes.

When I was ready to keep up better, I told my bike shop guy that I would be willing to try drop bars since the previous attempts that just didn't distribute my weight happily ... but really I wanted lighter and with bigger gears... faster.

They swapped out the tyres from the get-go for skinny ones; the wheels are fast ones and I really feel it when I'm going 16-18 and up from that. It's aluminum (which means on long tours I still go for my steel bike and just go slower, 'cause by the third day I'm making up bawdy songs about how badly I want to be straddlin' a carbon fibre frame), and *very* peppy.

Potential disadvantages are that there are fewer ways to place your hands; perhaps my piano lessons or swimming have meant that's never been an issue for me.

Ride 'em.

[Zen]

Potential disadvantages are that there are fewer ways to place your hands; perhaps my piano lessons or swimming have meant that's never been an issue for me.

Not an issue for me with these

[Photoflygirl]

I just bought a Trek 7.5 FX WSD and love it. It is very comfortable, the grips are awesomely comfy. The gears are fast, not that I can keep up with faster riders, but my hubby has ridden it and is amazed at how fast it will go with little effort.

[HillSlugger]

I just bought a Trek 7.5 FX WSD and love it. It is very comfortable, the grips are awesomely comfy. The gears are fast, not that I can keep up with faster riders, but my hubby has ridden it and is amazed at how fast it will go with little effort.

Congrats on the new bike! The site rules say you have to post a picture of your new steed!

[FlyingScot]

Thanks for the replies so far. They've been really helpful. Unfortunately I haven't had time to test ride the bikes I'm looking at. Hopefully this Saturday will work out (I'm in the middle of a big restoration). I'm leaning toward the Sequoia as I really do love my Globe. I have figured out that a women's specific design is probably not going to work because I have an extremely long torso and short legs/arms (you should see my flightsuit...it's ridiculous). I'll update you when I get a chance to actually ride something.