I am having trouble identifying what I am after, basically a bike that has mostly road components BUT with a more ‘relaxed/upright’ non-twitchy geometry; there are a ton of bikes like these in Europe (or at least there were when I grew up there) but it seems here this ‘niche’ is taken by MTBs and/or cruisers: I’d like something fairly relaxed in terms of handling/positioning for random weekend road outings but with 700c tires to actually be able to ride at a decent clip (not road/tri fast, but neither mtb/cruiser-slow).
Any suggestions? Browsing around a bike I saw that seems along these lines is the trek 7.5 FX, but I can’t find any shots of people actually riding it so I am not sure just how ‘relaxed’ the riding position would be. Mind you, I don’t want a totally upright-no-weight-on-the-arms position, just something in-between. Also of course I wouldn’t want to spend a ton
can you just take a normal road bike, apply 25c tires and a lot of spacers?
that would have to be a LOT of spacers indeed, also new straight handlebars, and I think that would be a miss with the geometry/handling. I am looking for something designed to be ridden more upright, it probably also would be cheaper to go that way as well, as I am definitely not looking to put ultegra+ on this, 105 would already be nearly overkill.
Seems like most of the big manufacturers have a bike like you’re describing… it’s priced at the bottom of the road bike range, typically one click above the flat-bar road bikes. For example, at Specialized it’s the $800 Sequoia. All of the ones that Trek sells are flat-bar (such as the 7.5 FX that you mentioned). Cannondale has the Synapse line (start w/ the Synapse 5 for $1300 to get 105 instead of Tiagra/Sora).
I’d go to a bike shop, tell them you want a real road bike but want to spend around $1000 and that you’ll use it primarily for fitness & fun. I think those are the keywords you’ll need to use to see this range of bikes.
I am more thinking that when you go in a bike shop asking for a ‘cheap road bike’ that is what you’ll get, a road-bike-geometry bike with very low-end components. I guess I am looking for something a lot closer to a touring bike than a road bike… yeah, I know some people tour with road frames and 28 tires and call it a day, but that is not what I am after.
When I look at ‘hybrid’ bikes it seems all I find are either cruiser-looking-bikes (some even with suspension forks) or ‘cheap-road-bike-in-disguise’ bikes, the 7.5 I mentioned above seemed more along the lines of what I’m looking for, but I can’t be sure by looking at pics without anybody riding on it. I will likely start going around bike stores this w/end, but it’d be nice to already have a shortlist of bikes before going in…
I started with a trek 7500fx, which i think is the 7.5 now. it is basically road components with a flat bar. you can change stem to angle it up more or shorten it if you need a more upright position. I’ve put many 1000’s, used in for my first set of triathlons, 2 70.3, and a century. I did notice that my hands had problems with long rides and the lack of hand options on a flat bar so it really is not a good bike for long rides, but great for commuting. It was also a pretty good price as a year old never used bike.
I guess I am looking for something a lot closer to a touring bike than a road bike…
Soma Smoothie, although the blue is much better in person…
or
A Soma Speedster will be my next bike…
Both bikes have road geometry, eyelets for fenders and/or thicker tires if you desire, and of course are made of wonderful, wonderful, STEEL.
Don’t be fooled by the marketing peeps and their decals. You’re looking for a BIKE. Check out that drop in the Look photo posted above, does that say “comfort”?
You might consider visiting roadbikereview’s commuter/touring forum for more appropriate information.
more relaxed, but not that relaxed I finally found a page on the Trek website that has pics of people actually riding the FX and it seems after all it is more or less what I am looking for
My sister was in this boat last week, and bought a Specialized. I think the men’s model is the Sirrus. Decent bike - seems like the equivalent to the FX.
However, I’d be looking for a Bridgestone XO-1, and have an extra set of wheels with slicks.
