Newbie weekly achievement thread

[goldfinch]

I have a Trek Madone, however I have a chronic heart condition and will require a heart transplant one day. I can get back to that bike in the future. I want a lighter weight bike to manage now, more upright, comfy but very useable. It will help me maintain myself currently, and I hope it may keep me well longer. I won't be going too far, but one day will also with this bike - hopefully. I am looking at the Trek 7.4 WSD! Does anyone know the weight of it with the 15 frame? Are there any of you that could fairly review this bike for me please. I am extremely excited about getting this, but want to be sure it is the right choice for me. The store did not have the 7.4 WSD in stock, but I did like the 7.3 WSD, I thought the 7.4 WSD frame would be a better fit as it is lighter. I sure hope you may help. I am also not able to buy another bike, this is a huge gift and it should be just perfect! Thank you all so much.

I think these two bikes are nearly the same bike, with an upgrade to a nine speed and adding a carbon fork. The weight difference likely isn't large. The carbon fork may add to comfort and will cut down the weight a bit. I have a similar bike, the Cannondale Quick. It is comfortable to ride but it isn't lightweight like my Madone. But it isn't a tank either. The gearing on the 7.4 seems nice and low which will go a long way to making the bike rideable.

The Trek FX series is a really nice series of bikes. To get the weight down though you probably will have to speed a pile more money.

Do you need to haul the bike up and down stairs or anything? If not, the weight may not be a problem.

Good luck on keeping your health problems at bay as long as you can!

[murielalex]

Just did my longest ride ever, 50.3 miles (yes, I circled around my block once to get it past 50). I'm tired. Felt good the whole way, minus the fact that I was really tired of the wind that kicked up the whole 25-mile return trip. I was supposed to be keeping my heart rate between 125 and 135, which was easy at a 15-16 mph going down to Ft. Lauderdale. My heart rate was between 145-165 the whole way back and I was going at most at about 12-13 mph. The ride took me 3 hours 44 minutes, and I stopped once to get some more water (two bottles were not enough in the heat and sun). I took three of these along with me for snacks, and liked them, but dropped one before I could get it in my mouth.




Very tasty and easy to eat (I cut the tops off before I left home and had them in one of my pockets). My legs were tired at the end, but I never felt like I lost energy, though I was really ready to get off the bike when I got home.

I also took a couple of these (read about them here so thanks!) and put it in the water I got on my way back:



Tasted just like not-sweet Gatorade, which I liked.

The best part of the ride was when I saw a woman from my 6AM interval cycling class at whiz by me in one town. I caught up to her at a light, and she was nice enough to ride with me for about six miles, which slowed us both down, but we had a nice gab.

I do have a question for you experts: I have been told to not hose down my bike, but I was spending 20 minutes trying to get the sand out of everything, and was getting nowhere. I finally took out the hose, and within seconds, it was clean. I did dry it off really well, lube everything, and then polish the frame. Is this really a no-no?

Oh....my biggest lesson learned today was just because you put on sunscreen when you leave the house, it does not mean you won't get fried. I look pink and silly. I will remember to bring some with me next time.

[goldfinch]

Congratulations on the big ride, Murialalex. I didn't even know that you were not supposed to hose down your bike. I use a hose when I clean my bikes. I do make sure everything is dry before I lube anything.

[Jaynee Beyond]

Hello Goldfinch,

I am thankful for your comments on the 7.4FX. It gives me more to think over. Thank you also for your thoughtful comment about my health, I appreciate that very much.

Has anyone else had experience on the 7.4 FX, or know about it to share your thoughts. I can not buy another bike again, it has to be perfect but not be too expensive. I appreciate your help on this or with recommending another bike. Many thanks.

[goldfinch]

Hello Goldfinch,

I am thankful for your comments on the 7.4FX. It gives me more to think over. Thank you also for your thoughtful comment about my health, I appreciate that very much.

Has anyone else had experience on the 7.4 FX, or know about it to share your thoughts. I can not buy another bike again, it has to be perfect but not be too expensive. I appreciate your help on this or with recommending another bike. Many thanks.

Jaynee, if you don't get any more comments you might start a separate thread.

[murielalex]

Jaynee, I don't know if this is helpful, but I had a Trek FX 7.5 for a couple months. It was light, handled well, and the only reason I no longer have it is that when I bought it, I liked riding around so much, I knew I wanted to cycle more, and wanted to a road bike with drop bars. I sold it to a co-worker, who happily rides it every day. I can only think that you need to try one out to see if you like it, and if it works for you.

I also send you good thoughts for your health!

[lovelygamer]

That stinger snack looked so good- I adore honey.

Congrats on all the accomplishments!