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

[sarahspins]

Any advice? I really like my hybrid (trek 7.2fx), I do enjoy riding it (a lot!)... and I put a lot of thought into what I wanted before I bought it, and I even tried a couple of road bikes when I went to my LBS, and wasn't super comfortable on them then (having not been on a bike much in the past 10 years) and I was worried a road bike may limit my ability to ride with my family if they wanted to all go on a ride at barks, bike paths, etc.. but now that I've been riding for 5 weeks I'm thinking that I might like a road bike better for longer distances (anything over about 15 miles, which I've only done twice on my hybrid). My major gripes with my hybrid are the lack of different hand positions (didn't initially think this would be as big of an issue as it is) and the more upright position contributes a LOT to wind resistance.. which is bad since we had a 15-30mph prevailing wind where I am... both of which are things I think a road bike would fix, plus I would probably be able to go faster/further in the time I have available to ride.

I see the advantage to having more than one bike... I'd probably keep my hybrid no matter what.

Is it crazy to consider another bike so soon? Should I wait longer and possibly save up more? If I bought now it would have to be used... but I'm the impatient type. The advantage I see to buying used now, is that I would have one to ride now, and figure out what I like/dislike about it, and I could still save and buy something better later, and just resell whatever I bought used for close to what I paid (I hope). It sounds reasonable in my head, anyways.

[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.

[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.

[Lori81295]

I bought a 7.2 fx last June. By October, I had a road bike. I love it. It is hard for me to get back on the fx.

[wackyjacky1]

I hated the flat bars that came on my 7.2FX.
Moustache Bars + Bar-End Shifters =

[lo123]

You're not alone. I've had my hybrid (though a Cyclocross geared bike--Specialized TriCross) for a few months and already want a 'real' road bike. I've put skinny road tires on and that helped quite a bit. I'd suggest trying new bars on your bike to see if that helps.

Meanwhile, save up for a road bike. Me, I'm saving up for something like a Specialized Ruby or similar. Maybe around bonus time next year

[indysteel]

Saraspins: Your experience mirrors my own. I had a Trek FX for about a month before I decided to buy a roadbike. I never road the FX again. There was nothing wrong with the bike; I just much preferred my roadbike for the kind of riding that I do.

That was in 2006. I'm now riding a custom road bike that I bought this past March. A friend of mine has the FX. I still have my first road bike. I'm thinking about changing her into a singlespeed.

[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...

[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

[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