[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.

[z28tt]

I used to race mtn bikes in highschool (worked as a mech in various bike shops for years), and some roadie stuff in college. I'm a firm believer that once you get past a department store bike into something decent ($500+), the big bucks you'd spend on a true race bike ($1-3k) won't have that much of a effect on performance compared to your fitness/skills. Start going on local club rides, and you'll learn a ton (compared with just riding solo). Then when you've got several thousand miles and you've worn your bike out, then get something pricey. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

It's just like the newbs buying $2k Penskes for their first autox. Seat time is much more important.

BTW - I raced an old 62cm mustard yellow Miyata frame where I broke the rear dropout, and had to re-weld it! It was fun to purt a hurt on the wonderkids that spend $3k of their parents $ on carbon fiber & titanium everything. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) I still don't have index shifting, and the rear axle is bent (old freewheel designs don't support it at the ends like the new cassettes), but I promised myself not to buy something newer until I start riding it more! On the mtn bike, I was a tech weenie during my bikeshop days, so just about everything is titatanium or aluminum (love that Klein hardtail frame! Super response). I blew up my Rockshox Judy fork, and tossed in the 15 year old gold Mag21 fork to replace it, he he he. Still fun to ride. So what if I am 5 mph down on speed bombing down the hills compared to the 29er freeride bikes. I'm still faster than my buddies!

Andris