[robz71lm7]

Just curious. I recently picked up a Trek 7.5 FX to help me continue to lose weight and to prepare for a true road bike. I also wanted a healthy hobby and lifestyle change. I'm planning on adding a full out road bike late next year (hopefully '09 on clearance) when I'm more competent and know exactly what I want.

[FBody383]

I'm planning on adding a full out road bike late next year (hopefully '09 on clearance) when I'm more competent and know exactly what I want.

Find a good local shop that will listen to you when you tell them what you want to do. They probably have a local ride that will include a "cruiser" group where you can get some moderately paced miles in; I would much rather ride with a group.

My experience (BMX racer, criterium, former bicycle mechanic) is that you get what you pay for. A bicycle is just like a lot of other tools, do you want SnapOn, Craftsman or Harbor Freight. The more you're going to use it the more critical the choice. I currently ride an Airborne ti frame/carbon fork bike and love it.

As a data point, I wanted one of these: Seven Cycles.