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

[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.

[Zen]

That can be taken two ways, you know

[TrekTheKaty]

I want to go to Zen's house

[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.

[Miranda]

Here is an idea for you when / if you decided to buy used... or in general for the roadie...

Contact a local bike club. Preferably one NOT associated / sponsored through a lbs (biased opinion)...

Ask whose the best fitter in your area... sworn by all members of the club, who resolved pain issues riding, etc. Seek that person out for your correct frame size, and ideal geometry.

Research and ask around about what your needs are. Maybe there might even be a way to post a "wanted ad" with the local club? Peeps a lot of times want to upgrade and need $ to fund new.

Hopefully a bike from a local who dearly loved it would be in good shape, honest seller etc.

I could have very easily sold my too big of old road bike to my best GF. Who is also my size. She didn't think riding it too big would be that big of a deal since she wasn't going to ride as long as me etc. No way could I do that to another biker. I hope my thoughts are shared in the world for someone like yourself buying.

Btw... I *almost* bought that Trek FX. Actually, a couple pals kept pushing and pushing it on me. Something was not right. 20+yr vacation from riding a bike for me. When I finally found a drop bar road bike to ride... I felt just like a kid again on my old steele 10speed. THAT was what a bike was suppose to feel like to ME.

Good Luck... OH, and yea... you can never have too many bikes (being a TE member that is)!

[sarahspins]

Here is an idea for you when / if you decided to buy used... or in general for the roadie...

Contact a local bike club. Preferably one NOT associated / sponsored through a lbs (biased opinion)...

Thanks.. I have actually found one near me (I've been seeing cyclists pass right by my house for ages on the weekend.. always wondered what they were up to, and now I know!) and hopefully that would be a good lead to a used road bike if I do end up buying used.

I did try a couple of road bikes before I bought my 7.2fx and none of them felt right - they all felt "weird" for lack of a better term, but I do find myself wondering now if some of that wasn't just inexperience.. I'm not exactly unhappy with my bike, it just has a few things that I think could be tweaked - much like going through a few saddles to find the one that was "it" for me, I don't think it's unreasonable to try different handlebars too.

[kerryhb]

Your post could have been written by me! I bought a Trek 7.3 FX last July for the exact same reasons you did. Within a month or so, I felt like I might have made a mistake...I wanted a road bike too. I have had the same struggle with my hands, but I have been able to get comfortable enough to get up to 50-mile rides. I was on vacation in Austin a couple of weeks ago and rented a Specialized Roubaix for the day and fell in love with it...what a difference! It was suggested to me to change out the bars but I haven't pursued it yet. After seeing your photos, I think it's worth a try though!

[Cataboo]

I've been eyeing this post on craigslist - trek fx with cracked frame, so all the components.

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/n...255961606.html

And pondering what I could do with those pieces.

Then I remember I have 4 bikes.

[sarahspins]

I think swapping out bars is definitely worth a try!

The bars ($32) and tape ($12) are cheap enough, even once you tack on shipping... and since these bars will fit MTB components I didn't have to change anything but the bar itself.. and I am totally happy with it so far

Oh, and Zen, if you're wondering what all the nonsense is under my saddle, I have a profile aqua rack on there.. since I only have one mount for a water bottle cage on my frame.. and I can't get by with just one bottle

[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.

[Running Mommy]

lots of good advice, just going to add a couple of things..

Save up and wait until you can afford something that is not considered entry level. You will not regret it. Sometimes patience really is a virtue.

Be careful about buying misc parts here and there unless you REALLY know what you are buying.
We get people in here all the time with their "scores" that end up to... well... not be. Not compatible, wrong size, speed- whatever. We see it all the time.