Pacer frame -vs- Mixte frame

[Catrin]

I appreciate all of the comments and suggestions, just trying to wrap my brain around different options. Obviously I am not looking for a racing bike, and I am certainly still developing as a cyclist so as Indy pointed out, I will get faster over time.

My LHT is the 46cm size, and I have about 2 inches stand over, perhaps a little less. I would indeed need to do a flat-bar conversion for any complete build, and that is expensive.

Pity that aluminum beats me up so much, but I do love the feel of steel! Whatever I do it likely won't be until next year.

My bike has a new stem that came with the conversion, I am unsure of the size but will take a picture of it later if I can't find it in my paperwork from the conversion. I do not think the actual size of the stem is on the invoice.

[Cataboo]

Pity that aluminum beats me up so much, but I do love the feel of steel! Whatever I do it likely won't be until next year.

My bike has a new stem that came with the conversion, I am unsure of the size but will take a picture of it later if I can't find it in my paperwork from the conversion. I do not think the actual size of the stem is on the invoice.

Just get your fitter or us to look at the numbers before committing to the soma mixte - make sure you can deal with the longer top tube. I was about to dive back into the numbers to check out the 46 cm frame top tube, but I'd already closed the tabs.

Your trek fx has higher end components than I thought... You could try blinging the trek with some carbon to try to make the ride more forgiving. what part of you finds the aluminum harsh? I don't know what tires you have on it, but wider tires at lower air pressure are more comfy. So going a little wider and not pumping it up as much might help. It doesn't look like it comes with a carbon seatpost, a carbon one will ease the vibrations coming up through the saddle. A carbon handlebar or a carbon stem will help with vibrations coming up through the steering tube - and yes, lots of people don't like riding with carbon in those places, but I've never had a problem with my carbon handlebars or stems.

I think Zen recently sold her 7.6 fx or was trying to, so you maybe should check with her how much she sold hers for - so you know ballpark what your resale value is.

[Catrin]

I will talk with my fitter this fall and have him take a good look at the Trek. It may be that something can be done to adjust reach without replacing the bike. It came with a carbon fork, and I still feel that irritating buzz in my hands and, indeed, throughout my body on any rough road so it is likely coming through the seat post as well..

I have thought a lot about what I want out of my second bike. I don't "need" a go-fast bike. My LHT is getting faster (ok, "I" am) and I will never be interested in racing. Indeed most of my riding is solo and I like that If it does turn out that the Trek is just too big and/or can't solve the vibration problem - then I think a Mixte would be just the thing for me as an "about town" bike - assuming I can handle the reach. My LHT is my long-distance bike and that works for the kind of club rides I am interested in.

Of I could just sell the Trek and start a "Luna" savings account

[Bike Chick]

Of I could just sell the Trek and start a "Luna" savings account

You took the words right out of my mouth, Catrin. You wouldn't be sorry!

[indysteel]

I will talk with my fitter this fall and have him take a good look at the Trek. It may be that something can be done to adjust reach without replacing the bike. It came with a carbon fork, and I still feel that irritating buzz in my hands and, indeed, throughout my body on any rough road so it is likely coming through the seat post as well..

I have thought a lot about what I want out of my second bike. I don't "need" a go-fast bike. My LHT is getting faster (ok, "I" am) and I will never be interested in racing. Indeed most of my riding is solo and I like that If it does turn out that the Trek is just too big and/or can't solve the vibration problem - then I think a Mixte would be just the thing for me as an "about town" bike - assuming I can handle the reach. My LHT is my long-distance bike and that works for the kind of club rides I am interested in.

Of I could just sell the Trek and start a "Luna" savings account

Now that sounds like a good plan! Margo at Luna makes beautiful bikes. From a weight perspective, her road frames are light. You'd likely sense the difference from your LHT.