My first bike - Considering the Trek 7.5 FX

Spencerc

Hi All,

Ive decided to start riding to keep myself fit. I have not ridden for over 20 years (apart from playing with the kids). My commute to work is only 3 miles each way but with a mega steep hill coming home.
I want to start training for the London to Brighton run in July next year (approx 60 miles).

My initial concerns is my fitness so Id really like a bike that will help me get up the hill until i am fitter. I will then hopefully build up my stamina during the weekend.

Id appreciate advice on:

1. Is the Trek 7.5 FX a good starting point or would you recommend something else?
2. Should I buy a cheaper 2011 model (£550) or go for a 2012 (£650)
3. Should i buy the model with the disc breaks because of the cold and wet weather over the winter?
4. Will the Trek be ok to do a 60 mile ride?
5. What else would you recommend buying such as different tyres, GPS/Computer etc.

Thanks all for your help

Spencer

esspeebee

It's a perfectly reasonable starting point, if you want an upright hybrid. However, I'd strongly recommend trying several different styles of bike before spending money -- something like the Trek you mentioned, a more aggressive/'fast' hybrid like the Boardman ones, and a couple of drop bar road bikes.

I've seen an awful lot of people buy a hybrid for a five or six mile commute, only to decide a few months in that they really wish they'd bought a road bike instead. See which bikes fit you best, and which riding position you prefer. Make sure you do a good half hour test ride on several different ones before you commit to anything.

As for your other questions: for a bike you'll primarily ride on roads, discs are a nice to have but shouldn't rule out any options. Think of them as a tie breaker.

As for the 60 mile question, it's perfectly doable on any bike that fits you and that you get on with, but bear in mind that a 'proper' road bike with drop bars will give you much more scope for moving your position around during a ride. The longer the ride, the more you'll appreciate that.

HebdenBiker

If you're planning to enter road events, get a road bike with drop bars. No you don't need disc brakes.

Spencerc

Thanks for your comments.

I tried a road bike with drop bars ( I think it was a Specialized Allez) and I felt very wobbly and uneasy, thats why I decided on the hybrid.
Do you think I should try again on a road bike? What would you recommend with a budget of
£700

msmancunia

I've just got a Trek Lexa (I'm a girl) after commuting12 miles each way on a crappy hybrid. For the first week I felt wobbly and a bit unsure, but after two weeks it almost feels part of me! So much easier to get up hills, cycle into the wind etc, and light enough to stick it on the train home when I have Friday legs! Switching from a hybrid to a roadie is one of the best things I ever did.

HebdenBiker

All major manufacturers have bikes at that price point. They're all pretty much the same. Get the one which fits you the best.

As a starting point, you can use the search function on the Evans website using min and max budget. Same with Wiggle's site (order by price)

Spencerc

Looks like im going back to basics and looking at the road bikes.
Damn this is not an easy choice

HebdenBiker

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/publish.asp?what=specialedition&page=1rw

This is excellent value for money and will do everything you need. It has rack and mudguard eyelets should you wish to fit them. Go for the tyre upgrade to the Rubinos,for better protection against p*nctures.

Plod

I have a Trek FX7.5 and it is excellent - so good that I've realised I love cycling and now I want a faster bike! The FX will be way better than a mountain bike - it's lighter and has less rolling resistance. I've been commuting on it for 2 years and it is going strong - I've changed the tyres and replaced one broken spoke. A couple of weekends ago I did 58 miles on it which even included a section on bridle paths.

HebdenBiker

Plod wrote:

and now I want a faster bike

I rest my case

gbsahne001

carrera Tour de France is not a bad buy; currently at £329 less 20% (until Monday) from Halfords

davenice

Hey,

I bought a 7.5 FX last year as a commuting option after I broke my mountain bike. It was fine as a bike. Quite well built, not too many frills so not too heavy. However a friend had a Giant Rapid which is a bit more roadish and quite a bit lighter with thinner tyres. I kind of found myself wishing I had one of those.

After 6 weeks the bike got nicked and insurance meant I could have another think about what I wanted. I decided to take the plunge and get a proper road bike - I got a Specialized Secteur. I was really worried beforehand that I wouldn't be able to get used to the drop bars etc etc. Actually, it's fine. It's great!

The police found the Trek 6 months later and I rode it a couple of times before it got taken away. It felt so slow in comparison to the Secteur (although actually I wasn't that much slower!).

I reckon the Trek's OK, but if you're thinking about a bike with dropped bars then I'd recommend it! I would always go for last year's model if possible and save a bit of cash.

In terms of tyres, I think perhaps it comes with 32mm width ones. For proper road riding I'd be getting something thinner like 25mm. However as a bonus I guess you could get some knobbly cyclocross tyres and they'd probably fit! Could be good for the winter months or towpaths etc.

I do quite like disk brakes but I'd say it's probably not necessary. Adds a bit of weight and V-brakes do work fine, especially if you're not going off road.

I'd recommend you get some padded shorts as a start! And a cycle computer is good if you're a bit geeky ;-)

Dave

glenwatt

I bought a Trek 7.5FX a couple of years ago to ride to work on.

So far she has been very reliable, I did get a few punctures with the OE tyres, so I've swapped them out for some bullet proof Marathon Plus tyres.

Everything seems good quality and is lasting well.

I second for either padded shorts or at least some padded liners to wear under your own shorts, and no pants underneath ! I just had a interesting chat with a relative who couldn't see the benefits until I discovered her was still wearing his Y-fronts underneath :-)

Steveaps

I purchased a trek 7.2fx so far have done a couple of 65 mile rides and quite a few 40 mile plus rides ,have found the bike excellent, so imagine the 7.5 would be even better.