Time to bite the bullet and start another bike search

[TwoWheelsDC]

@lordofthemark 150578 wrote:

I was tempted by the cheapness of the FX at only $350, (plus helmet and water bottle) but they said it would not be good for the regular use I as a commuter would have.

So they (both Trek and Spokes) market and sell a bike that essentially cannot stand up to a normal amount of riding (you’re commuting a few miles each way a couple times a week, not doing RAAM)…clearly they intend for people to buy such a bike on a whim, ride it a couple of times, then let it collect dust in a basement. That’s some Wal-mart level shit right there.

*alternatively, the cheaper bike is fine but they want to sell you something more expensive and are willing to lie to do it.

[Steve O]

Quit worrying about the price. If you end up spending $800 or even $1000 for a quality bike that will serve you well and be durable, then just do it. It’s like your 2nd (or 3rd) car, and people talk about how “cheap” a $17k car is. The difference between a cheaper bike and a better bike is one month’s car payment. Sure, if this was going to be like twowheels said and end up gathering dust, then go cheap. Or if it were your 3rd N+1. But you have already proven to yourself, your family and your friends that you are a committed bike rider and you will be for years to come. It’s one of your modes of transportation. You’ll pay for the bike entirely in a year just with Metro savings. The couple hundred bucks difference is irrelevant in terms of cost but could be huge in terms of happiness.

[KLizotte]

@TwoWheelsDC 150583 wrote:

So they (both Trek and Spokes) market and sell a bike that essentially cannot stand up to a normal amount of riding (you’re commuting a few miles each way a couple times a week, not doing RAAM)…clearly they intend for people to buy such a bike on a whim, ride it a couple of times, then let it collect dust in a basement. That’s some Wal-mart level shit right there.

*alternatively, the cheaper bike is fine but they want to sell you something more expensive and are willing to lie to do it.

Or perhaps they know that it is heavy and made with cheaper Shimano components and that an every day user will eventually trade it in for a better bike in a year or so. I started out with a cheap heavy hybrid from Trek (built like a tank but weighed as much too) and traded up a little after a year since I wanted something faster and lighter. I don’t regret the bike because it got me into biking and lasted 4,500 miles without major mechanical problems. If I had room, I’d still have it as a beater bike.

[KLizotte]

@Steve O 150588 wrote:

Quit worrying about the price. If you end up spending $800 or even $1000 for a quality bike that will serve you well and be durable, then just do it. It’s like your 2nd (or 3rd) car, and people talk about how “cheap” a $17k car is. The difference between a cheaper bike and a better bike is one month’s car payment. Sure, if this was going to be like twowheels said and end up gathering dust, then go cheap. Or if it were your 3rd N+1. But you have already proven to yourself, your family and your friends that you are a committed bike rider and you will be for years to come. It’s one of your modes of transportation. You’ll pay for the bike entirely in a year just with Metro savings. The couple hundred bucks difference is irrelevant in terms of cost but could be huge in terms of happiness.

Ummm, not everyone has that kind of expendable cash lying around and there are spousal issues to consider. It’s also hard to stomach paying a lot when the reason for the expense is theft of the previous bike. Ouch! Also, if one is a fed worker then metro is largely free for commuting purposes.

[cvcalhoun]

@TwoWheelsDC 150583 wrote:

So they (both Trek and Spokes) market and sell a bike that essentially cannot stand up to a normal amount of riding (you’re commuting a few miles each way a couple times a week, not doing RAAM)…clearly they intend for people to buy such a bike on a whim, ride it a couple of times, then let it collect dust in a basement. That’s some Wal-mart level shit right there.

*alternatively, the cheaper bike is fine but they want to sell you something more expensive and are willing to lie to do it.

I’d say the latter is the case. The FX is a slightly higher end variant of the one I have (Trek 7300). I ride the thing 25 miles a day. And one of the things I like about it is that it is durable and low maintenance. The idea that it’s not good for “regular use” is a lot of hooey!

[TwoWheelsDC]

@KLizotte 150590 wrote:

Or perhaps they know that it is heavy and made with cheaper Shimano components and that an every day user will eventually trade it in for a better bike in a year or so. I started out with a cheap heavy hybrid from Trek (built like a tank but weighed as much too) and traded up a little after a year since I wanted something faster and lighter. I don’t regret the bike because it got me into biking and lasted 4,500 miles without major mechanical problems. If I had room, I’d still have it as a beater bike.

Maybe. I just interpreted LotM’s phrasing of “not good for the regular use” to mean “this wasn’t built to be ridden that much, buy this more expensive bike instead.” Seems to me a more honest conversation would be “this bike weighs 2 fewer pounds, has one more cog in the back, and you may notice it shifts a little smoother. Is that worth $200 to you?”

[lordofthemark]

@TwoWheelsDC 150598 wrote:

Maybe. I just interpreted LotM’s phrasing of “not good for the regular use” to mean “this wasn’t built to be ridden that much, buy this more expensive bike instead.” Seems to me a more honest conversation would be “this bike weighs 2 fewer pounds, has one more cog in the back, and you may notice it shifts a little smoother. Is that worth $200 to you?”

1. How much I ride – I told them I have been commuting 2 to 3 times a week this summer (10 miles each way, though I don’t think I said that). Had close to 5000 miles (?) on the Dew over 3 years, but with the amount of riding increasing.

2. The bike FX did in fact have one less cog. So they said it was that, plus “not good for regular commuting” Not sure about the weight.

[lordofthemark]

@KLizotte 150592 wrote:

Ummm, not everyone has that kind of expendable cash lying around and there are spousal issues to consider. It’s also hard to stomach paying a lot when the reason for the expense is theft of the previous bike. Ouch! Also, if one is a fed worker then metro is largely free for commuting purposes.

Thank you. On all counts.

[KLizotte]

@lordofthemark 150600 wrote:

2. The bike FX did in fact have one less cog. So they said it was that, plus “not good for regular commuting” Not sure about the weight.

Could be that the FX you are talking about doesn’t have the requisite “holes” for attaching a rack easily. There are solutions but most people don’t want to deal with the hassle.

I’ve generally found bike mechanics to be honest and very knowledgeable; salespeople tend to be far less knowledgeable (though I don’t think I’ve encountered any that were downright dishonest) and not particularly well trained. I expect it is due to high turnover in the sales departments. You have to do your own research and ask lots of questions.

[Emm]

@KLizotte 150590 wrote:

Or perhaps they know that it is heavy and made with cheaper Shimano components and that an every day user will eventually trade it in for a better bike in a year or so. I started out with a cheap heavy hybrid from Trek (built like a tank but weighed as much too) and traded up a little after a year since I wanted something faster and lighter. I don’t regret the bike because it got me into biking and lasted 4,500 miles without major mechanical problems. If I had room, I’d still have it as a beater bike.

I think this is the case. A quick scan on trek’s website says the 7.3 has a carbon fork, slightly better frame, wheels, and other improved components.

I’m sure the 7.1 is a solid bike, but for long term comfort when you ride a ton and regularly commute, the higher models can make a difference in your comfort, if you can afford the upgrade.

[peterw_diy]

@lordofthemark 150600 wrote:

2. The bike FX did in fact have one less cog. So they said it was that, plus…

Seriously? You need a new salesperson.

8 speed (as on the FX 2) is totally fine. Better than fine – parts are less expensive than 9s, shifting is less finicky (especially for Shimano, with its low cable pull ratio setups). Unless you’re really picky about having closely-spaced gear ratios and maintaining cadence, losing one rear cog is no big deal. 7 speed is also fine (one downside: Shimano no longer makes pretty silver colored 7s cassettes, you have to settle for brown).

Also the FX 2 and FX forks can take a front rack – they’re even drilled for it. Front bags/baskets are a big help with shopping trips.

At N=1 you’re stuck with compromises all around. The FX and FX 2 look like better urban bikes to me because of their utilitarian forks. But the 7.3 FX should be more comfy on long rides (though IMO anything longer than 10 miles deserves drop bars).

But I wouldn’t trust anyone who argued that 7s or 8s was insufficient. Plenty of other reasons why one bike might be better suited, but not that!

[dkel]

@peterw_diy 150611 wrote:

But I wouldn’t trust anyone who argued that 7s or 8s was insufficient. Plenty of other reasons why one bike might be better suited, but not that!

My new IGH build is an 8-speed. Works great!

[EasyRider]

When you started the thread you said you wanted something with riding position like the Dew, but that was not as much like a mountain bike. And something lighter, maybe. Here’s what I read: You are looking for something that feels less like a toodler than your last bike.

Forget about weight. All new bikes in the ~$500 range weigh about the same. But some are a bit better for toodling, and some are a bit better for going fast. What separates one budget hybrid from another is usually geometry and component spec. If you want sportier, try to find a hybrid that has a steeper head tube (~73 degrees), a longer effective top tube than your Dew (for the size that fits you). On such a bike you’ll be leaned over a bit more, which will let you use your leg muscles more effectively … to go faster. To quote the Potomac Pedalers site, “The most important difference between hybrids and road bikes is your riding position – how you’re seated on the bike and how you generate power when pedaling.”

This might help: http://www.potomacpedalers.org/?page=ridingposition

P.S. The Trek FX2 and the Kona Dew appear to be about identical in terms of geometry.

[Harry Meatmotor]

@peterw_diy 150611 wrote:

But I wouldn’t trust anyone who argued that 7s or 8s was insufficient. Plenty of other reasons why one bike might be better suited, but not that!

If the gear ratios are the same, why bother possibly confusing the customer with talk of replacement parts cost, cable actuation ratios, etc.? we’re talking about an entry level bike here. Needn’t be complicated.

All that said, the FX series bikes are fitness hybrids and are spec’d and marketed as such. They’ll make okay occasional commuter bikes, but there are better options. But poo-poo-ing an entry level fitness hybrid for 5-day-a-week commuting is silly; same as saying some $200 WalMart MTB or $8700 Crabon road bike is a dumb commuter choice. well, no kidding!

Edit: to the OP: my advice is to go used (DC Used Bicycle Marketplace!). $500 (new) is barely getting into the quality of components that will stand up to regular, year-round commuting, for more than a couple years.

[lordofthemark]

@Harry Meatmotor 150673 wrote:

If the gear ratios are the same, why bother possibly confusing the customer with talk of replacement parts cost, cable actuation ratios, etc.? we’re talking about an entry level bike here. Needn’t be complicated.

All that said, the FX series bikes are fitness hybrids and are spec’d and marketed as such. They’ll make okay occasional commuter bikes, but there are better options. But poo-poo-ing an entry level fitness hybrid for 5-day-a-week commuting is silly; same as saying some $200 WalMart MTB or $8700 Crabon road bike is a dumb commuter choice. well, no kidding!

Edit: to the OP: my advice is to go used (DC Used Bicycle Marketplace!). $500 (new) is barely getting into the quality of components that will stand up to regular, year-round commuting, for more than a couple years.

Sigh. The Dew (just $500), was 3 years old. Just under 5000 miles. I had replaced a cable, the chain, and the rear cassette (also tires). Which people here said was normal (and the cassette would likely have lasted had I been better about checking the chain). As far as I could tell, it had lots of years left of use at my current level of commuting.

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