javal

In the 60´and 70´s when the cyclesport grew rapidly here in Sweden, different kinds of bikes were built to meet different demands. In Sweden it was quite common to get something speedy for exercise, something that could duplicate as a commuter and utility bike (they were often seen on amateur runnings). I think thats the core of the hybrid conception. Thats why I´ll contribute my Monark "semi-roadbike" from early 70´s! (Its a bit small for me, but I cant flip such a nice bike...)

Riverside_Guy

OK, here is my baby out on my terrace... hmmm, I DO need to take some water and soap to her...

Riverside_Guy

Uh, they seem to be calling the fx series as "fitness" bikes. They call the 7xxx series hybrid, but those seem to be based on fx designs with cheaper components per price point and most have front suspensions.

Personally, I find any bike that has tire widths between skinny road and fat MTB and gearing in the middle to be a hybrid.

sh00k

It's funny that the madone 2.3 and the fx 7.7 are nearly (i know there are differences) identical....

https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes.../23,77fx,empty

so i see no reason why the 7.9 wouldnt be comparable to an all tct carbon madone....

i think it's funny how they also classify fitness bikes from other bikes... arent all bikes for fitness? LOL. the difference between the fx and madones is the frame geometry and handle bars... those are the biggest differences..... but both still killer rides.

Saddle Up

Love this bike, I need to find a handlebar like that.

Luddite

LMAO @ Riverside.

Panthers007

That handlebar with the V-fork was popular on mountain-bikes in the early 1980's. Then they vanished. They were heavy and sometimes poorly manufactured. Not always, though. Whatever - that's a very nice looking machine!

WCoastPeddler

They're called "bull moose" handlebars and they were indeed heavy. Most early mountain bikes had them -- I had one of the original Norco Bigfoot's and it had them.

Panthers007

Bull Moose, eh? Cool. I had those on my $200 Nashbar mtn. bike. The bike was canary-yellow. And they painted the handlebars, too! Ick!

Saddle Up

Check these out for $150.

https://www.rawlandcycles.com/store/i...intItemID=3858

KShep

The wheels have transformed it a bit. No off-roading.


The small white tag I forgot to remove on one of the rear spokes indicates that the build is for a Clyde.




The ride is slightly smoother that with the OE Bontys. Much more stable at speed in tighter radius turns.

sh00k

^ kshep! those wheels look awesome!!! you mind if i ask you how much they ran you? how much of a difference is there between those and the bontrager race wheels that came stock on it?

thanks.

Saddle Up

That thing looks awesome! The biggest performance gains can be had by upgrading the rotating mass and that looks like quite an upgrade. That thing looks mean as hell. My favourite here so far.

The detractors that think hybrids don't deserve nice parts should be showing up here shortly.

P.S. People use Zipp 404's as cyclocross wheels no reason you can't do light off road riding with them.

Riverside_Guy

Hey shook, I'm curious why you went for the 7.7 and didn't go for the 7.9. Was it 99% the money differential?

sh00k

Riverside -

if you look on page 3 of 'my new tre kfx 7.7' thread, i give a list of reasons why. the money was one reason but not one of the top reasons. trek has a limited warranty on their carbon frames (read: limited coverage) and that made me hesitate... why would i spend more $ on a bike that has less warranty coverage than the model right below?

i was set on the 7.9 until i really looked into the details. i was getting such an awesome deal on the 7.9 ($500+ off of msrp) and that was one of my driving reaosns for wanting it but, after all was said and done, the 7.7 made for a better value from a variety of angles.

Riverside_Guy

Don't blame you, definitely much better value.

Must say the 7.9 is a fantasy for me... something I'd probably only do if I won MegaMillions. BUT, purely as an exercise, I like "considering" it.

What specific in the warranty bothered you? Was it length or damage covered for metal frames that wasn't for carbon? Other than that, are there other issues with carbon over their current aluminum? Things like prone to break where metal might bend?

Ha, I have a little weather bug in the corner of my screen, wind is running 18 in CP, imagine what it's like on the Greenway?

Saddle Up

shOOk sensible people that value their bikes and treat them properly like I'm sure you do don't have to worry about frame warranty. If Trek put out a defective line of carbon frames they would rectify the situation. Careless people break carbon frames. They don't fail under normal use. It's to the point now that if you crash and break your carbon frame you would have done the same with aluminum. This notion that carbon frames are some how more fragile is just wrong.

I'm not saying this to criticize your purchase you did really well and bought the bike that made most sense to you I'm just getting increasingly frustrated by the misinformation on this forum regarding carbon framed hybrid bikes.

The number one reason carbon frames fail are people forgetting they are attached to the roof of their car and they drive into their garage. Crunch! Number 2 are serious crashes. Crashing a bicycle regardless of the material is not a warranty issue. If you crash hard enough to break your carbon bike I think you have other issues more important to deal with.

sh00k

trek had a 5-year replacement stipulation on their carbon frames. so if i did wreck within the 5 year period, i'd get a 'discount' on buying a new frame to replace the damaged one. what if i wreked the bike in the 6th year? then im on my own buying a carbon frame at full price.

i know carbon is really strong - im not questioning it's fragility. but i felt a little uneasy spending more money and getting a "limited" warranty (limited on replacement frames, that is).

in the end i saved money and got a bike that's just as kick ass as the 7.9. maybe in 20 years, when i run my 7.7 into the ground, i'll consider getting the 7.9 again


i say we get some really rich people to buy a few 7.7's and 7.9's and throw them off 400-foot cliffs to see which frames are stronger... LOLOLOLOL

sh00k

the other thing -----

this was another big reason i didnt go for the 7.9 -- it's too "plain" looking......

the 2009 7.9 here in the US is sooo different than the 2009 7.9 in australia for instance. look at both models and you will see what i mean. i didnt like that the 7.9 looks essentially the same year after year so i wanted something a little different. now, however, the 2010 US and australian 7.9s look the same.... uninspired, IMO....

Saddle Up

WolfsBane

Trek 7100. Only addition is a Specialized Comp and Armadillos Nimbus tires.

anaheim flash

i am looking into the 7000.....how youlike your 7x00?

Luddite

MEC installed these today for $5.00 and in 15 minutes! Thank you Les for sending them to me, I love them already. I used them to climb a couple of hills on my way home. My bike now looks 300% more badass.

Sixty Fiver

Luddite - That looks just right except your bar ends are missing.

I am also really interested in seeing how well these "new" Asama bikes hold up and wonder if the Kuwahara brand will also be revived at some point.

Luddite

So far, I love this bike, I've worn out the rear brake pads, had to get a couple of adjustments but that's it for around 1200 km of riding. Never had a flat, it's survived two crashes, too.

Can I find the ends in a store, 65er?