Newbie weekly achievement thread

[Jaynee Beyond]

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.

[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!

[Jaynee Beyond]

Murielalex, thank you for your reply. I wonder why did you pick the 7.5 fx instead of the 7.4 fx? Thank you for your well wishes. I have a Madone but find it too hard to use it now, need more of an upright bike for awhile. Thanks for sharing.

Goldfinch, thank you also, I should start a new stream. Good idea. I am new on this site, so I may sort that out. Many thanks.

[goldfinch]

Murielalex, thank you for your reply. I wonder why did you pick the 7.5 fx instead of the 7.4 fx? Thank you for your well wishes. I have a Madone but find it too hard to use it now, need more of an upright bike for awhile. Thanks for sharing.

Goldfinch, thank you also, I should start a new stream. Good idea. I am new on this site, so I may sort that out. Many thanks.

I can't answer for Muriel, but I believe that the 7.4 is a pretty new offering. The 7.5 has a compact double crank and will not be geared as low as the 7.4, which has a triple. With your health issues I would lean towards the 7.4 for the low gears. The 7.5 has upgraded wheels. It will weigh less than the 7.4 but the gearing might be an issue for you.

If you want even lighter there is the 7.6, which also has the compact double, but then you are getting pricier. Really getting pricey but also getting substantially lighter are the Specialized Vita Limited or the Cannondale Quick Carbon 2, both are made of carbon and really are flat bar road bikes, but they are a couple thousand bucks or more.

Just from how you describe your riding and your needs I think that the 7.4 sounds about perfect.

[Jaynee Beyond]

Thank you very much Goldfinch. Your response was very thoughtful,yet informative. The 7.6 sounds amazing, with the double gear, but it's unfortunately more than I may spend currently. It sounds like the 7.4 WSD is a great chiice, and even then it is pricy enough for me currently. I also like the idea of adding a basket. It seems to be well rounded for what I need. Our season is short in Canada as we get these dreadful winters. Many thanks for your help.

[ZenBiker]

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! .

Hi Jaynee - I don't know anything about the Trek you're looking at, just wanted to wish you well and say congrats on using cycling to help manage your health. I had open heart surgery to put in a prosthetic aortic valve a few years back and there's nothing like biking to make me feel capable and free and not at all like a heart patient. I know a valve replacement is not in the same league with a new heart but am hoping cycling will do the same for you, both before and after your surgery. Good luck and happy riding!

[Munch]

Thanks everyone and yes, lovelygamer, I did sort out my saddle issues. Took the one I bought at ****'s Sporting goods back on Saturday and exchanged it for one that was a little bit wider. It was $6 more than the previous one, but I felt a good investment. Took my first ride with it that night and it was great. Much more comfortable for me. I rode about a mile and then headed home to raise the height of my seat after noticing my knees starting to hurt. It's quite a bit higher now, but I have good leg extension and my knees weren't bothering me a mile into the ride.

I think this week I'm going to shoot for trying to ride simply as much as possible. The sore butt has gone away and I think I really push myself some this week. Of course I've got quite a bit of wedding planning to do. I'm getting married on the 9th and there are just so many things I've got to get squared away! I'll have a week off from cycling during the honeymoon, so I want to get in as many miles as possible now!

[Jaynee Beyond]

Hi Jaynee - I don't know anything about the Trek you're looking at, just wanted to wish you well and say congrats on using cycling to help manage your health. I had open heart surgery to put in a prosthetic aortic valve a few years back and there's nothing like biking to make me feel capable and free and not at all like a heart patient. I know a valve replacement is not in the same league with a new heart but am hoping cycling will do the same for you, both before and after your surgery. Good luck and happy riding!

Hello ZenBiker, thank you very much for your extremely kind response and well wishes. I know there are many good people in the world, and you are one of them. That was very nice to see. I am glad that you are back to wellness. I don't have a wellness oprion however it would let me ride for about 10 or so minutes, and give me pure joy during that time. That says something, and I am really looking forward to this. My daughter may take our bikes to a lovely spot, perhaps lake side and we may enjoy an ideal little ride together. I am so excited. It seems like the 7.4 WSD is going to be my pick. Thank you all for your help, and best wishes. I will keep you updated as I am able.

[lovelygamer]

Thanks everyone and yes, lovelygamer, I did sort out my saddle issues. Took the one I bought at ****'s Sporting goods back on Saturday and exchanged it for one that was a little bit wider. It was $6 more than the previous one, but I felt a good investment. Took my first ride with it that night and it was great. Much more comfortable for me. I rode about a mile and then headed home to raise the height of my seat after noticing my knees starting to hurt. It's quite a bit higher now, but I have good leg extension and my knees weren't bothering me a mile into the ride.

I think this week I'm going to shoot for trying to ride simply as much as possible. The sore butt has gone away and I think I really push myself some this week. Of course I've got quite a bit of wedding planning to do. I'm getting married on the 9th and there are just so many things I've got to get squared away! I'll have a week off from cycling during the honeymoon, so I want to get in as many miles as possible now!

I am glad you worked that saddle issue out. My wider one is good for my booty too. Oh, and congrats on the upcoming wedding. Enjoy everything!