Everything seemed to be going so well....Looking for bicycle recommendations

[YTNUKLR]

Everything was going along too well, and something just had to give ! Sucks, but some a$$ stole my nice black TREK 7.3FX Bike tonight. I figure the po-lice are going to tell me to get lost...in a college town, my bike just isn't coming back.

So, now I have the joy of looking for a replacement. You know, the one that's leaner and meaner and faster...

I liked that "city hybrid" design for sitting more upright and just cruising...but I feel like I would really enjoy a leaned-down, lightweight road racer. Please give me a shout if you might know of a good place for used ones , too. And not a cheapie, I guess I just won't be parking it around anymore

-Scott

[dd74]

Trek. If you want to spend some $$$ for high performance, go for a Trek Madone series bike. They're sweet rigs, have very solid components and serviceable anywhere. IMO, very good values.

[HardDrive]

That sucks ass. Bike thieves should be shot.

Do you need gears, or could ride single speed?

[HardDrive]

BTW, don't give up on getting your bike back, especially if its registered with the police. Put an ad on the bicycle section of craigslist.

My dad have his beautiful 70s Motobecane stolen in Ann Arbor, MI. We put an ad on craigslist and got some leads. Low and behold, 5 weeks later, my dad finds the bike! Had the police come down and cut it free for him. The ONLY reason they said they would help him is because the bike was registered.

[tcar]

I LOVE my Trek 7.5fx, a step above the 7.3.

[ChkbookMechanic]

Just buy a cheap bike from Wal-Mart or someplace for your daily riding then get a nicer bike for when you are always going to be near it or have someplace safe to store.

[YTNUKLR]

Unfortunately I didn't register it. I still have the serial numbers so it could be matched, if I found it. Also I changed the rear wheel so it should be easier to identify than a standard black 7.3. I will call the cops and see if there is anything they can do.

tcar-yeah, I really liked this bike...it's a fantastic all-rounder..

I wouldn't rule out a single-speed, but I think with my general riding I would want gears.

Chkbook-interesting idea. I keep it inside at night. I guess when it's on campus I should just have some cheapie. I was only in the library for about 2 hours, and when I came back outside it was just gone. But, I would still want a nice road bike or similar for the weekends and long rides...

any merit to steel-frame single-speed?

[YTNUKLR]

Thoughts on this one?

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/bik/893531190.html

[jim72911t]

Sorry about the bike.

As far as a Wal-Mart bike, you'll hate yourself if you go that route. There is a reason they are cheap: Bottom brackets, headsets, wheel bearings, etc, are all garbage. If you ride regularly, you might get a month or two out of these components. I'd suggest a used bike from craigslist.

As far as a steel framed single speed, I've got a late '80's Ritchey that I converted to single speed, and love it. However, I live in the relatively flat Chico, and get my single speed components for free www.paulcomp.com

Jim

[Rex Karrs]

I built a bike out of parts I bought on ebay, starting with a carbon-fiber Trek 5200 frame. Got about a grand in it when all was said and done. It goes like a rocket. Definitely get a carbon-fiber frame. Craigslist is another good site for bike parts. Plenty of build info on the web. Build it yourself and save a few bucks.

[HardDrive]

Originally Posted by Rex Karrs

I built a bike out of parts I bought on ebay, starting with a carbon-fiber Trek 5200 frame. Got about a grand in it when all was said and done. It goes like a rocket. Definitely get a carbon-fiber frame. Craigslist is another good site for bike parts. Plenty of build info on the web. Build it yourself and save a few bucks.

Dude, that freaking rocks.

My dad has one of the original 5200s from when they came out. The thing is like 15 years old, and its still light by any standard, and goes like stink. Nice bike man!!!

[slodave]

Do ya have any pix of yours? Preferably with you sitting on it? That would be purty good evidence for the police - along with the serial number.

Damn hippie thieves!

[YTNUKLR]

i can do 911 engines, i could build a bike...hmm...thing is i don't know jack about which are the best components

[HardDrive]

Originally Posted by jim72911t

Sorry about the bike.

As far as a Wal-Mart bike, you'll hate yourself if you go that route. There is a reason they are cheap: Bottom brackets, headsets, wheel bearings, etc, are all garbage. If you ride regularly, you might get a month or two out of these components. I'd suggest a used bike from craigslist.

As far as a steel framed single speed, I've got a late '80's Ritchey that I converted to single speed, and love it. However, I live in the relatively flat Chico, and get my single speed components for free www.paulcomp.com

Jim

+1

Why buy some POS new when there are great bikes for cheap on craigslist? It not like bicycle technology has made light speed advances in the past 30 years. Get a nice 10 year old bike, spray paint the frame flat black to make it ugly, and get a solid lock.

I have a carbon fiber Specialized Roubaix. Fantastic bike. What do I ride almost every day? My Fuji single speed that I build off a $150 craigslist bike.

[YTNUKLR]

I don't have any pics , shoot. But when I did my taxes I realized I bought the bike on a debit card. That should corroborate my ownership...

I keep hearing about carbon and steel over aluminum frames. Gotta do some test rides.

Damn hippie meth head bums w/ bolt cutters.

I was just thinking since I ride only a short distance to class, I would get a POS. then save a true racer for long rides.

Is a single-speed faster?

What are the best components-105, Ultegra, Dura-Ace, something else?

[YTNUKLR]

Also, HardDrive, if you have a nice Specialized, can you tell me why you prefer the other ?

[pwd72s]

Scott? Ever considered Vintage Steel? I have an old Raleigh Supercourse from the early 70's hanging in my garage. "Way cheap" to you...and like the early 911S
they have a cult following.

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/retroraleighs/index.html

You can check 'em out at the link above.

(edit)...forgot to add, mine has the tallest frame. But IIRC, you're a pretty lanky kid, right?

[YTNUKLR]

Wow Paul...that actually sounds incredibly neat. The Trek was 22.5"..I am not sure how to fit bikes but I imagine a 23.5" would work? I am just shy of 6'1.

[pwd72s]

Mine has the 25" frame, I believe...that's why I got a good deal when I bought it new. Nobody with legs long enough showed an interest. Loaded with old time extras..fingertip shifters, ( shifter paddles on the end of the handlebars, considered trick stuff back then.) the old generator type lights, etc. I'll toss in all the extras...it's the dark green color. I'm 6'3"... a 34" inseam..

Needs new tires and probably tubes...I haven't ridden it in years. Don't have a clue how to pack a bike for shipping, but I know a box company in Albany that does professional packing & shipping of anything. They did a great crate building job for Evren when I shipped a LOT of 1971 911 used parts to Evren. I suppose they could do this to my old Raleigh.

I even have the original owners manual and paperwork..

PM me & we'll talk price...on 2nd thought,I don't care if everybody here knows. How 'bout $200? Plus you pay the crating & shipping charges?

(edit) From the old raleigh site, mine looks more like the one in the 1976 catalog pic because of the quick release wheels. I broke the original derailer...it was replaced with a suntour brand at the local bike shop.

[YTNUKLR]

Paul, I know how you care for your things. Honestly this is generosity of an extremely high degree...I would be honored to be the new caretaker of it, and treasure it. Consider it a deal. I will pay whatever is necessary for a shipping company to put a package together.

Thank you. My confidence in humanity earlier today was rather lower than it is now.