Re: wheelset and tire width compatibility. I ride a 7500FX (about 5,000 miles and have dropped almost 60lbs in 10mos). It came with 32mm tires, I have 28mm on it now, the same wheelset (Bontrager Select) comes with 25mm tires on, say, the Trek 1500 or 2100 (drop bar bikes) or the Pilot 2.1 ("comfort" road bike).
I, too, am debating getting a drop bar bike. I've about concluded the main area of dissatisfaction with the 7500fx is that I don't look like Lance when I'm riding it.
Here's a more objective analysis.
7500fx - heavier than most drop bar bikes (about 24lbs by some posters v. 20-21 for Trek 1500 type road bikes).
Longer wheel base on 7500FX types - ~41" v. ~ 38-39 inches on 1500/2100 type frames. This can be a plus or a minus. I like it for the following reasons: Less "road shock" in the ride and very, very stable at 35+mph downhill. Back in the day (mid 70's), touring bikes had 41" wheelbases, racing bikes 39ish" wheelbases.
Comparing geometry with the Pilot, the 7500FX appears to be a little lower to the ground and actually, (if set up like a Pilot), a little LESS relaxed (shorter headtube for one thing) than a similar sized Pilot. However, the flat bar does pull your arms back and you are upright.
About that flat bar. I have done 60mile+ solo rides with a couple of convenience store stops for extra water and averaged 15.0-16.5 mph over our West KY terrain. I ride with a slower group in group rides by choice (I like to chat) not by necessity of my bike's limitations. You do have a relative disadvantage when it comes to headwinds v. what you can do (if you can maintain a position in the drops) on a drop bar bike. Some folks contend you are better off with the multiple hand positions that a drop bar affords v. a flat bar.
I didn't do longer rides due to time constraints, not comfort. No aches, no pains, no stiffness, just some healthy fatigue at the end of these rides (PS, I'm 57 going on 58). I rarely stand on climbs, just shift to a gear that I can use to keep up a 90+cadence spin. I replaced the stock 11-34 with a 12-27 cluster, too.
OK, here's what counts - what are YOU comfortable on? Try'em out, rent'em, etc. but get some time in on a drop bar bike. (I rode a Motebecane Grand Record (1974 model) drop bar for 30 years. I never was as comfortable as I am on the 7500fx.
Also, be picky about a saddle. Don't scrimp. Get one YOU are comfortable on. I've used Brooks and Serfas, currently prefer my Serfas Terrazo.
However, you also have to be happy, not just practical. If you subjectively feel better on a drop bar bike and there are no objective negatives (aches and pains are a couple of these) then get the drop bar bike.
Satisfaction = comfort + subjective enjoyment + performance.
Get the bike that you want to take out on the road at any opportunity.
BTW, I'm still considering several drop bar bikes - in the Trek lineup - the 1500, 2200, and 5200 (how much do I mind impoverishing my family
and the Pilot 5.0. and similar models in other manufacturer's lines. I just can't totally shake that "I wanna look like Lance" ego thing, as silly as it is.
Sincerely,
Bill (now maybe the board won't nag me for not posting. Seriously, I hope this helps.
Lrac6 said:
Thanks RickF - that cleared things up for me immensely. I think that what I really want is a flat bar road bike or a hybrid that is closer to the road bike spectrum.
One question about tires - if I buy a bike with 700c wheels and wider tires (mid-high 30s) - would that wheel be compatable with the narrower (mid 20s) tires if I wanted to swap them out?
Now that I understand more of the bike terminology I can resume my search for an affordable bike... It sounds like buying a used road bike and converting it to a flat-bar road bike might not save me much $$, seeing as I'd have to swap out the handlebar, shifters, and brake levers...