I've had my hybrid just over a month.. already want a road bike!

[MartianDestiny]

Maybe it's a little crazy to consider another bike so soon, but you are in good company

There are pitfalls to buying used, but if you are experienced enough to know what you are looking for (fit, drivetrain wear, major frame issues) most of them can be avoided, especially if you can stay local (craigslist). Since this will be your first road bike these will be harder to avoid. Do you have an experienced friend that could help you with fit and condition on a used bike?

The best (read safest) option would be to wait, save up, and get something new that you know fits, has a warranty, and likely shop service behind it. You have to decide what's right for you though.

[Zen]

You could put these on or i could sell you my 15" 7.5 for $850 plus $75 shipping

[Biciclista]

not sure where you are, but craigslist has endless offerings.
No one here will probably tell you NOT to get a new bike. Live and learn.
But yeah, considering you HAVE a bike, ride it! You might be a lot happier if you save some $$ so you can buy a really nice bike say, this fall, instead of ending up with two bikes you don't like and wanting a 3rd.

ps WELCOME TO TEAM ESTROGEN!

[mayanorange]

The 7.2 is a skinny tire bike, right? You might be able to switch the stem and get away with drop bars and be pretty close to a 'sport' road bike fit. Others who are more familiar with that bike might know if it's really possible, but thought I'd throw the idea out there.

[sarahspins]

The 7.2 is a skinny tire bike, right?

Yes, it is... I thought about switching the stem and putting different bars on, but that seemed complicated? I also read that I'd most likely need to switch all kinds of stuff (brakes levers/shifters and possibly the entire groupset) out to put drop bars on my hybrid.. so I wasn't sure if that route was even a realistic one or not.

wackyjacky1 - your moustache bars and bar end shifters look nice. What was involved in changing your bars and shifters out? Did you do it yourself or have it done at a LBS?

[uforgot]

If you have the stock 7.2fx tires on, they are 32c tires, not skinny tires. I started with that same bike, sold it when I got a road bike and regretted it, so I got another 7.2fx. It's my commuter-go get groceries bike-around the neighborhood bike. I don't think it's really conducive to drop bars as you would have to change out so much, and having a hybrid is really kind of handy.

Check on craigslist for bikes. You can go test ride some and get an idea of fit. Having a couple of bikes is really okay. Heck, some of us have 3 or 4 or 5 or 6...

[Zen]

Having a couple of bikes is really okay. Heck, some of us have 3 or 4 or 5 or 6...

I have sold one since this, though

[PamNY]

Zen, you are one heck of a role model.

[Loraura]

Clamp on bull horns help with the hand positioning, and even a little with wind resistance as you stretch further out if they are angled outward.

I replaced my flat bar handlebars on my Giant FCR with some stoker bars. Getting the brifters on was a feat, but it was very functional.

YOu can see it hanging upside down in this pic (the red Giant):



That kept me happy for a good while. I ended up buying a drop bar road bike after about a year.

[MsBelle]

I too had a Trek hybrid and longed for a roadbike after about three months into my hybrid. Mine was a 7.6 FX. Anyway.... I was able to get a great price on a new 5.1 Madone WSD last May ('08 model) because the paint had been chipped on her in two places in the LBS and they marked her down. I dabbed a little fingernail polish on the two places and rode happily everafter. This was "THE" bike!!! Lighter, faster, more gears for hills! Get you a roadbike when you can... you'll be amazed at the difference.

[wackyjacky1]

wackyjacky1 - your moustache bars and bar end shifters look nice. What was involved in changing your bars and shifters out? Did you do it yourself or have it done at a LBS?

Had it done at the LBS where I bought my bike. I shopped around for the parts (handlebars, brake levers, bar-end shifters) and once I had gathered everything, I brought them to the shop and they put it on for me.

I definitely daydream about acquiring a sweet road bike, but at the moment I just can't justify the cost based on my current skill/fitness level. I'll get there someday, but in the meantime I adore my 7.2FX; it's my "everything" bike. But those flat bars had to go -- they were h#ll on my hands and wrists!

[sarahspins]

Well I've been poking around (yay google), and it seems that even with paying my LBS to do the installing, if I gather all the parts, it looks like it will be pretty reasonable to get more comfortable bars on my bike... much less than spending money now on a used road bike, and I can still save for a road bike if that is the direction I see myself going in later

[Cataboo]

She should put 50 rescue puppies on?

You can switch out the handlebar type if you want... mustache bars, trekking bars, things to give you more positions - and you can try switching it to road bike bars.

I'd say go test ride some road bikes and see how you like them now.