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Cyclist advice and talk, ey?
- Thread starter katie ta achoo
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While I was out riding today, I realized how fast the bike is. It also has a fairly stiff ride. Both due, no doubt to the aluminum frame. It accelerates very easily and it also has very nice balance to it.
As far as the rack is concerned, I've got an idea about a wooden one. I'll keep you posted if it comes to fruition.
Well, I posted a little bit ago about getting a road bike, and I finally got it. I know I talked about the Trek 1.5, but this was right next to it at an unbeatable price.
Its a 2008 Trek Madone 4.5. The bike shop recently discounted it a lot, it was only $200 more than the 1.5. It fit me, took it out on a test ride, and loved it. Crazy deal, and I got an awesome bike out of it.
Its a 2008 Trek Madone 4.5. The bike shop recently discounted it a lot, it was only $200 more than the 1.5. It fit me, took it out on a test ride, and loved it. Crazy deal, and I got an awesome bike out of it.
Since we are about in the heart of riding season, I thought I'd keep this thread going...
Today was a perfect riding day here in Denver! I went on a flat 60-mile ride this AM. The last 8 miles or so were a bit wet but not really that bad. My buddy has a cycling computer so I was able to track speed, etc. (something I don't usually do). I was surprised that I did so well after doing mostly 30-40 milers this season. In the next couple weekends we are going for the first century of the year. Of course, I have to get out and do some real riding in the mountains and leave the flatlands behind.
For anybody interested (and local to Denver), we left Chatfield and headed for Confluence Park. From there, we headed down Cherry Creek to Parker then back to Chatfield. Felt good enough after that so I did a quick run through the park.
All in all a great day on the bike! Anyone else enjoying the cycling season so far?
Today was a perfect riding day here in Denver! I went on a flat 60-mile ride this AM. The last 8 miles or so were a bit wet but not really that bad. My buddy has a cycling computer so I was able to track speed, etc. (something I don't usually do). I was surprised that I did so well after doing mostly 30-40 milers this season. In the next couple weekends we are going for the first century of the year. Of course, I have to get out and do some real riding in the mountains and leave the flatlands behind.
For anybody interested (and local to Denver), we left Chatfield and headed for Confluence Park. From there, we headed down Cherry Creek to Parker then back to Chatfield. Felt good enough after that so I did a quick run through the park.
All in all a great day on the bike! Anyone else enjoying the cycling season so far?
yeah so far the weather has been rather great though not really that long tours so far .. mostly in the 25-40 miles category since driving alone isn't that exciting and my bike in my studying place isn't too great
currently clocking in around 100 per week i suppose
but you can bet on it that the next 7 weeks gonna be rain, thunderstorms and more rain, because i just ordered new sunglasses last week and they should arrive tomorrow
yeah so far the weather has been rather great though not really that long tours so far .. mostly in the 25-40 miles category since driving alone isn't that exciting and my bike in my studying place isn't too great
currently clocking in around 100 per week i suppose
but you can bet on it that the next 7 weeks gonna be rain, thunderstorms and more rain, because i just ordered new sunglasses last week and they should arrive tomorrow
Yeah, it is suppose to rain a good bit here this week too. I did not wear glasses today since it was overcast but I forgot about the rain. Good thing it was at the end of the ride. I am currently doing about 150 a week give or take. I'd like to get in a few more but there's just not enough time in the day.
I am thinking about a biking tour through Europe next year. I'd imaging there are some great rides in your neck of the woods. Cheers!
I am. I lurk there more than I post though.
Enjoying the 7.2? I have the 7.3 FX, and I love it.
I'm looking for a new saddle/seat. Something more comfortable than what I have (the 7.3 FX stock seat). Anyone have any recommendations?
I recently started biking to work, 15 miles each way, since there is a bike path that covers most of the trip. I have a mountain bike though; I was thinking of getting one of those road bikes with the thinner, larger wheels.
You won't regret getting something with narrower and 700c tires. 26" mt bike tires are maybe more comfortable but they aren't nearly as fast.
The Trek FX 7.x series Surely and dingster1 mentioned above are great choices. I had one until recently but due to neck problems need to ride more upright so bought a Trek Allant. It's great for me but for daily 15 mile rides, might not be for you. If there's a Trek dealer near you, you might want to go in and spend a Saturday morning test riding the different models.
Well, it finally happened. My cherry has been popped.
My beautiful Trek 7.3 FX was stolen. Right out of my building's parking garage. Probably last night.
Either it was done by someone living in the building (very doubtful), or they must have snuck into the garage while it was opening or closing for a car.
They had enough time to unbolt the friggin' bike rack out of the concrete floor. They took the whole thing- rack, locks, and bike. Oh, but they left the bolts. The rack is like heavy metal upside down "U" that is bolted into the concrete with four bolts.
There would have been no other way to steal it. I used Kryptonite Evolution Mini (through the rear wheel) with a thick Kryptonite cable (through the front wheel), which is the Sheldon Brown Lock Strategy.
They didn't even take the other bike that was locked to the same rack- it wasn't nice enough for them. They left it there, next to the other bikes, on it's kick-stand. They did, however, take another bike that was locked to another "U" (same method), and attempted to steal my wife's bike, but couldn't get the "U" out of the ground.
I'm ever-so-pissed. I was walking to my car to spend the afternoon at the Century City mall- browse the Apple Store, get a Pinkberry- and now I'm stuck waiting for the Police to come and take the info on the theft- so they could do nothing about it I'm sure (what could they do?). I figured I'd vent a little here while I was waiting.
There's no point in claiming it with my insurance- I have a $500 deductible.
I'm probably going to buy another one because I really loved that bike. I called Trek, and they told me that they have a special sale in honor of the Tour on select bikes. The 7.3 FX is one of them- it's regular $639, and it's on sale for $499 through Sunday.
This time I'll keep it in my apartment- on the balcony I guess.
At least I only paid $275 for it when I originally bought it on Craigslist- that's the only thing from totally bumming me out.
Just thought I'd share and vent.
My beautiful Trek 7.3 FX was stolen. Right out of my building's parking garage. Probably last night.
Either it was done by someone living in the building (very doubtful), or they must have snuck into the garage while it was opening or closing for a car.
They had enough time to unbolt the friggin' bike rack out of the concrete floor. They took the whole thing- rack, locks, and bike. Oh, but they left the bolts. The rack is like heavy metal upside down "U" that is bolted into the concrete with four bolts.
There would have been no other way to steal it. I used Kryptonite Evolution Mini (through the rear wheel) with a thick Kryptonite cable (through the front wheel), which is the Sheldon Brown Lock Strategy.
They didn't even take the other bike that was locked to the same rack- it wasn't nice enough for them. They left it there, next to the other bikes, on it's kick-stand. They did, however, take another bike that was locked to another "U" (same method), and attempted to steal my wife's bike, but couldn't get the "U" out of the ground.
I'm ever-so-pissed. I was walking to my car to spend the afternoon at the Century City mall- browse the Apple Store, get a Pinkberry- and now I'm stuck waiting for the Police to come and take the info on the theft- so they could do nothing about it I'm sure (what could they do?). I figured I'd vent a little here while I was waiting.
There's no point in claiming it with my insurance- I have a $500 deductible.
I'm probably going to buy another one because I really loved that bike. I called Trek, and they told me that they have a special sale in honor of the Tour on select bikes. The 7.3 FX is one of them- it's regular $639, and it's on sale for $499 through Sunday.
This time I'll keep it in my apartment- on the balcony I guess.
At least I only paid $275 for it when I originally bought it on Craigslist- that's the only thing from totally bumming me out.
Just thought I'd share and vent.
That sucks. I feel for you. Hope you'll get somethng thats better next time, but make it look ugly.
I really want a rooad bike because I only ride on sidwalks and the street (I'm in college and ride to/around school). Mountain bikes take way too much effort. Are there any road bikes (I think this is the right term?) that are very simple, have a good reputation, and are cheap? I don't need a Lance Armstrong bike, I just want a big improvement over something with thick tires. Cheap is the keyword here.
I feel your pain Surely.
My Trek 6500 (2001) was stolen from behind my apartment building a few months ago. I usually kept in the apartment, but I hadn't ridden it for a while and my wife was complaining about space so I chained it to fence post and fence, as well as a horizontal post running the middle of the fence with two u-locks.
Past it one night, and the next morning it was gone. The thief(ves) had time to saw through the metal posts, and clip the fence and pulled it all away with locks still attached. Six neighbors have window views of the fence and no one saw/heard a thing.
I'm still a little sore about it, but I guess after 8 years it is probably time for a new bike anyways.
My Trek 6500 (2001) was stolen from behind my apartment building a few months ago. I usually kept in the apartment, but I hadn't ridden it for a while and my wife was complaining about space so I chained it to fence post and fence, as well as a horizontal post running the middle of the fence with two u-locks.
Past it one night, and the next morning it was gone. The thief(ves) had time to saw through the metal posts, and clip the fence and pulled it all away with locks still attached. Six neighbors have window views of the fence and no one saw/heard a thing.
I'm still a little sore about it, but I guess after 8 years it is probably time for a new bike anyways.
Well, if you live in the Los Angeles area, I'm sure that a black/blue 15" Trek 7.3 FX will show up on Craigslist sometime in the next little while..... it'll probably be a fair price.
*sigh*
That really sucks. Somebody obviously knew it was there and came prepared.
Did you get a new one yet?
Front Rack
Well, after lots of time looking and gasping at prices, I finally settled on an Axiom Phoenix front rack.
I found it at ebikestop.com for $31.
It's on the small side and to be honest, I haven't used it to haul anything yet. I need to get a couple of bungee cords and am looking for some kind of a front carry bag with open sides so I can carry oversized stuff.
I found a couple of true porteur style racks but both were over $200 and seemed too big and too heavy for what I needed.
Well, after lots of time looking and gasping at prices, I finally settled on an Axiom Phoenix front rack.
I found it at ebikestop.com for $31.
It's on the small side and to be honest, I haven't used it to haul anything yet. I need to get a couple of bungee cords and am looking for some kind of a front carry bag with open sides so I can carry oversized stuff.
I found a couple of true porteur style racks but both were over $200 and seemed too big and too heavy for what I needed.
Attachments
Surely,
That sux. A buddy of mine had his bike stolen not too long again and that was is third bike stolen in the past 7 or 8 years.
Badandy,
You'll probably want to look at hybrid or comfort bikes. Basically they are both kinda halfway between a mountain bike and a road bike.
Lethal
That sux. A buddy of mine had his bike stolen not too long again and that was is third bike stolen in the past 7 or 8 years.
Badandy,
You'll probably want to look at hybrid or comfort bikes. Basically they are both kinda halfway between a mountain bike and a road bike.
Lethal
Not yet, but I'm going to buy one by Sunday.
I'm debating between the Trek 7.3FX (which is what I had stolen, except mine was a 2008) and the Gary Fisher Monona. I took the Monona for a spin this morning, and I really liked it, but I really liked my Trek too. I know that Gary Fisher is made by Trek, and it's basically the same bike (the frame seems to be almost exactly the same, and the weight seems similar). From what I have been told (by multiple bike shops workers), the shifters, the crank, and the front derailleur are "slightly" better on the Monona. The tires are better on the Trek (the Hardcases), but I can swap them onto the GF for $40 (I'd be paying the difference between the tires that come with the GF and the Hardcases). The Trek is on sale for $499 until Sunday, but the bike shop told me I could buy the Monona from them for the same price (both are MSRP $639.99).
Anyone have any advice? The Trek or the Fisher? I can't decide. I created a thread over at bikeforums with this question, but I haven't received much help there.
Nice rack.
Thanks Lethal. That sucks for your friend too. I'll be keeping my bike (when I buy it) on my balcony under a tarp from now on.
So......... I ended up buying the Gary Fisher Monona instead of the Trek 7.3 FX this afternoon.
Here's why I went with the GF:
It's a great little LBS. Plug: The shop is called Beverly Hills Bike Shop. If you buy a bike there, you get lifetime tune-ups for free, as often as you'd like. Also, they sold me the Monona at the same price as the Trek special price for the 7.3 FX, which is $499 (instead of the MSRP $639.99). So, I saved around $140 plus tax, and got a slightly better bike than the Trek.
I'm very happy with my purchase. Hopefully I can go on a nice ride tomorrow....... er, later today..... just noticed the time.
Here's why I went with the GF:
- The frames are identical (except for the paint job)
- The shifters are better on the GF
- The crank is better on the GF (actually, it's the same crank on the 7.5 FX)
- The grips and stock saddle are more comfortable on the GF than what I had on the 7.3 FX
It's a great little LBS. Plug: The shop is called Beverly Hills Bike Shop. If you buy a bike there, you get lifetime tune-ups for free
, as often as you'd like. Also, they sold me the Monona at the same price as the Trek special price for the 7.3 FX, which is $499 (instead of the MSRP $639.99). So, I saved around $140 plus tax, and got a slightly better bike than the Trek.I'm very happy with my purchase. Hopefully I can go on a nice ride tomorrow....... er, later today..... just noticed the time.
Great looking pics and a great looking bike.
How does it compare to your 7.3? The geometry looks different.
Incidentally, I watched Klunkerz this last weekend and Gary Fisher is featured very prominently. It's really a very well done documentary about the origins of the Mountain Bike in Marin County, California. I highly recommend it.
It compares very well to my (ex-) 7.3. It's a great ride.
Yes, I think that the geometry is very slightly different. Also, the 7.3 FX was a 15" and the Monona is a 15.5". I like the extra half inch- I can actually notice the difference. I found that the shifters are smoother on the Monona, and I prefer the Monona's stock grips as well.
The only thing is..... I'm debating on whether I should upgrade my tires to the Bontrager Race Lite Hardcase tires (the 7.3 came with them, and I liked them) from Bontrager Satellite Plus Tires that the Monona comes with. Would I notice a performance difference, or are the Hardcase tires only about increased puncture-resistance? Any advice?
On my Trek roadbike, I have Continental Duraskins and they've been the best tires I've every had on a road bike. They're fast rolling and very sturdy, almost flatproof.
On my Allant, I've already replaced the rear tire and need to replace the front too as well as I saw today there's big gash in it. For it, I'm going to buy a Schwalbe. I had Schwalbes on my Mt bike and they were indestructible and were able to carry a pretty heavy load. The stock tires on the Allant are ok for around town riding but they aren't as good at carrying a lot of weight.
You might notice some difference but if the Hardcase's selling point is puncture resistance, then you probably won't notice much of a performance increase. The more puncture resistant a tire is, generally the beefier it is.
Personally, for around town, I prefer a beefier tire. They can take potholes and curbs and debris a lot better than true race tires.