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Does anyone make a bike like this?

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Does anyone make a bike like this?

Old 01-03-16, 11:27 AM
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B2mac
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Does anyone make a bike like this?

I am 62 and looking for my ultimate retirement bike. I ride mostly paved or crushed lime trails. Usually 25-50 miles per trip. I currently have a 2005 Gary Fisher 'Nirvana' and a 2010 Trek FX7.5. I bought the Trek last year because I wanted to try a bike with a carbon fork, 32c tires, and bar ends. The 7.5 had these plus it had a triple crank which I like, and a 9 speed 11-26 rear cassette. It is also about 3-4# lighter than my Gary Fisher. While I like the bike, I'm not sure I have found my 'ultimate' bike yet. I don't think the upgrades made as much difference as I expected they would. I am familiar with the n+1 syndrome which I may be suffering from.

I would like my next bike to be able to handle 35c tires for comfort. I would also like it to have 105 or similar quality components. I would be willing to pay for a carbon frame if I thought it would improve comfort significantly and would handle the 35c tires. The Trek FX7.7 Domane frame gets good reviews but can't handle 35c tires which seems to be the case with all the carbon framed hybirds that I have found. I also would like to keep flatbar handlebars. I think I would like to keep the triple crank since I live in an area with quite a few hills and my wife would probably ride this bike when we ride together. She currently has a FX 7.2. We've had very little trouble with the triple cranks we've had. It's possible I could be convinced to go with a compact crank if everything else on the bike checked out. Anyone know of a bike that would fit this criteria? The wider tires seem to be the biggest stumbling block for carbon framed bikes.

In the back of my mind I think that I might not be happy unless I try a carbon frame bike but I also like to not have to worry quite so much about theft or possible frame failure and I do like kickstands. Thanks in advance.
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Old 01-03-16, 11:48 AM
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Originally Posted by B2mac
I am 62 and looking for my ultimate retirement bike. I ride mostly paved or crushed lime trails. Usually 25-50 miles per trip. I currently have a 2005 Gary Fisher 'Nirvana' and a 2010 Trek FX7.5. I bought the Trek last year because I wanted to try a bike with a carbon fork, 32c tires, and bar ends. The 7.5 had these plus it had a triple crank which I like, and a 9 speed 11-26 rear cassette. It is also about 3-4# lighter than my Gary Fisher. While I like the bike, I'm not sure I have found my 'ultimate' bike yet. I don't think the upgrades made as much difference as I expected they would. I am familiar with the n+1 syndrome which I may be suffering from.

I would like my next bike to be able to handle 35c tires for comfort. I would also like it to have 105 or similar quality components. I would be willing to pay for a carbon frame if I thought it would improve comfort significantly and would handle the 35c tires. The Trek FX7.7 Domane frame gets good reviews but can't handle 35c tires which seems to be the case with all the carbon framed hybirds that I have found. I also would like to keep flatbar handlebars. I think I would like to keep the triple crank since I live in an area with quite a few hills and my wife would probably ride this bike when we ride together. She currently has a FX 7.2. We've had very little trouble with the triple cranks we've had. It's possible I could be convinced to go with a compact crank if everything else on the bike checked out. Anyone know of a bike that would fit this criteria? The wider tires seem to be the biggest stumbling block for carbon framed bikes.

In the back of my mind I think that I might not be happy unless I try a carbon frame bike but I also like to not have to worry quite so much about theft or possible frame failure and I do like kickstands. Thanks in advance.
Get a mountain bike and put the tires you want on it.
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Old 01-03-16, 12:02 PM
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Any reason you can't fit your Trek with 35c tires? That bike has V Brakes, which should have clearance for wider tires.

You can talk yourself into spending a whole bunch of money, but it seems to me the Trek is a fine bike that has a lot of potential. Moreover, I don't know if modern 105 components (2 x 11) is any better than what you currently have (3 x 9) for what you are looking to do. And I don't see how, unless you are competing, that carbon fiber makes sense for what you are trying to do. I would suggest you go the other way and consider steel. Maybe something like the Surly Ogre.

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Old 01-03-16, 12:06 PM
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Comfort..... Change the gearing and tire pressure.
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Old 01-03-16, 12:23 PM
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Thanks MRT2. Fitting the Trek with 35c tires is certainly an option. As far as the carbon frame, I would not be looking at it for speed but rather for increased comfort. I have heard so much about the Domane frame and the IsoSpeed decoupler that I find it tempting. The problem is I can't find one within 80 miles to test ride. I've also read good things about the Roubaix frame. From what I've read the lower quality carbons aren't much better than good aluminum. I might consider steel also, though I haven't checked them out much yet.
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Old 01-03-16, 12:28 PM
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Originally Posted by B2mac
Thanks MRT2. Fitting the Trek with 35c tires is certainly an option. As far as the carbon frame, I would not be looking at it for speed but rather for increased comfort. I have heard so much about the Domane frame and the IsoSpeed decoupler that I find it tempting. The problem is I can't find one within 80 miles to test ride. I've also read good things about the Roubaix frame. From what I've read the lower quality carbons aren't much better than good aluminum. I might consider steel also, though I haven't checked them out much yet.
You haven't said, other than the tires, what you don't like about the 7.5. While I am sure they are making comfortable carbon frames such as the Domane and the Roubaix, it is a relative concept. These are bikes designed to go fast riding on narrow 25c tires, and it seems to me the advantage of carbon is weight and stiffness, and comfort is really tertiary. I could be wrong, of course, but it seems to me you can increase the comfort of your 7.5 by switching to a nicer tire. In any case, it is a lot cheaper than the thousands you will spend on a carbon fiber road bike.
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Old 01-03-16, 12:40 PM
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A good carbon frame can be laterally stiff and vertically compliant, something that is hard to accomplish on metal frames with traditional tubes.

The stereotype is that cheap aluminum is stiff, cheap steel is heavy, and cheap carbon is stiff and rides like wood. Compliant aluminum, light steel, and compliant carbon exist but one must pay for the additional engineering and manufacturing steps.

Many companies offer different carbon frames ranging in verticle compliance for different types of riders and rides.
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Old 01-03-16, 12:46 PM
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I have an alloy GT Eightball that can take 40c tires. I ride mine on pavement, hardpack and gravel trails.

If your bike takes wider tires, it should work well for your needs, if you're looking for more comfort.
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Old 01-03-16, 01:17 PM
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Comfort would be the main reason I would go with carbon which is why I would lean towards the Domane and the Roubiax. Lighter and faster are good too but not if it means sacrificing too much comfort. My wife would ride this bike when we go together or on group rides. She feels she is struggling to keep up and I was hoping a different bike might help. I think I feel the bumps as much or more with the Trek with 32c tires and carbon fork as I do with the Fisher with 35c tires and chromoly fork. I will probably switch tires in the spring. I use my Gary Fisher for any winter riding I do. All in all I agree it might be quite a bit to spend for a little comfort.
Originally Posted by MRT2
You haven't said, other than the tires, what you don't like about the 7.5. While I am sure they are making comfortable carbon frames such as the Domane and the Roubaix, it is a relative concept. These are bikes designed to go fast riding on narrow 25c tires, and it seems to me the advantage of carbon is weight and stiffness, and comfort is really tertiary. I could be wrong, of course, but it seems to me you can increase the comfort of your 7.5 by switching to a nicer tire. In any case, it is a lot cheaper than the thousands you will spend on a carbon fiber road bike.
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Old 01-03-16, 02:21 PM
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Originally Posted by B2mac
Comfort would be the main reason I would go with carbon which is why I would lean towards the Domane and the Roubiax. Lighter and faster are good too but not if it means sacrificing too much comfort. My wife would ride this bike when we go together or on group rides. She feels she is struggling to keep up and I was hoping a different bike might help. I think I feel the bumps as much or more with the Trek with 32c tires and carbon fork as I do with the Fisher with 35c tires and chromoly fork. I will probably switch tires in the spring. I use my Gary Fisher for any winter riding I do. All in all I agree it might be quite a bit to spend for a little comfort.
Don't count on it. The FX 7.5 is a nicer bike than is the 7.2, but faster or stronger is still mostly about the rider. If your wife was crushing it with her FX 7.2 and wanted to see how much faster or further she could go with a lighter and/or stiffer bike, then I would say go for it. But if she is having trouble keeping up with her current bike, a lighter hybrid won't make all that much difference.

As far as your Trek being a little harsher than the Gary Fisher with the chromoly fork and the wider tires, I would concur. Steel fork + wider tires = a more comfortable ride. Try switching to a nicer tire and see if it makes a difference.
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Old 01-03-16, 03:34 PM
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I will probably wait until spring and try new tires on the FX7.5. I was hoping to hear from others who may have made a similar upgrade in bike to see if they were satisfied with the results. Thanks again.
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Old 01-03-16, 05:59 PM
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Methinks you nailed it with the N+1.
Classic
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Old 01-03-16, 06:23 PM
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I had thought that if the carbon bikes actually do offer significantly more comfort, that there would be a market for them as there gets to be more older riders like myself looking to upgrade.
Originally Posted by avidone1
Methinks you nailed it with the N+1.
Classic
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Old 01-03-16, 09:34 PM
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don't fool yourself into believing that a CF frame will provide a material increase in comfort. CF does a decent job dampening high frequency road vibration, which is why CF forks have a reputation for being softer. But it does not flex much more than a steel frame of similar quality. Comfort comes not from the frame, but the tires and saddle.

If the Trek can manage the tires you prefer and is good on other key respects, I suggest you work with that. You can possibly make it more comfortable wit fatter tires at lower pressure, and/or a limited travel shock seatpost if you feel it necessary.
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Old 01-03-16, 09:39 PM
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Giant Escape RX Composite 2014 Medium Flat Bar Road Gravel Rail Trail Bike | eBay


Maybe consider looking for one of these used (if this one isn't your size).


I have one and it's an awesome bike, carbon frame, mini-V brakes and looks like enough room for 700x40 or even larger tires.

I upgraded mine to a 105 compact crankset, and 105 mid/long cage rear derailer, and put better V-brakes on (Avid single digit 7's I think), all of which I picked up on flea-bay for a reasonable price.

I kept the rear cassette it came with, which is an 11/34, so in combination with the compact crank the gearing is plenty low for even the steepest of hills.

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Old 01-03-16, 10:33 PM
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Originally Posted by B2mac
........ I am familiar with the n+1 syndrome which I may be suffering from......In the back of my mind I think that I might not be happy unless I try a carbon frame bike ......
I also retired and have contracted the "the n+1 syndrome"... although never formally diagnosed. So far the only suffering I've experienced is a little irritation of the wife.

I found a strong desire to experience many of the bikes I missed out on in my many years away from riding. It all started when I bought some older winter project bikes (one at a time). I'd restore, ride, enjoy, and educate myself about each bike. Then I'd sell it and try another. Some bikes seem to have found a home. And I cured the irritated wife problem by negotiating a number of bikes I can own at any given time (then I almost immediately exceeded that number). I was at a LBS the other day and they had a great price on a new cross bike that was my size. I left it in the store... but I keep thinking about it.

The bikes are only a small part of the fun... but they are a part. I like to think of my herd/collection as "estate enhancement".

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Old 01-03-16, 10:45 PM
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Red Rock Rider, Thanks for the heads up on the Giant Escape. I had been watching CL for an Escape RX. Not sure if I want to buy it without ever having a chance to ride one. I will admit I've read great things about them.
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Old 01-15-16, 05:51 AM
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Yes,
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