I've got a Trek 7300 hybrid that got me back into riding after a motorcycle accident (fractured L2 vertebrae, had to learn to walk all over again). But, after 2 years, I'm in better shape than before the accident....and while the Trek was a great, comfortable bike that helped me ease back into riding, it's a bit heavy and slow for what I'm able to do now. I'm putting in about 100 miles a week between 2-3 rides.
I'm going to be picking up a road bike (but that's another thread). What I'd like opinions on - does it makes sense to improve the 7300 (swap out the suspension fork for a carbon fork, switch to road tires, get a decent saddle, possible get lighter wheels and keep it as a faster commuter bike, or should I put it on Craigslist and go for a commuter that's lighter from the get-go?
I've got a Trek 7300 hybrid that got me back into riding after a motorcycle accident (fractured L2 vertebrae, had to learn to walk all over again). But, after 2 years, I'm in better shape than before the accident....and while the Trek was a great, comfortable bike that helped me ease back into riding, it's a bit heavy and slow for what I'm able to do now. I'm putting in about 100 miles a week between 2-3 rides.
I'm going to be picking up a road bike (but that's another thread). What I'd like opinions on - does it makes sense to improve the 7300 (swap out the suspension fork for a carbon fork, switch to road tires, get a decent saddle, possible get lighter wheels and keep it as a faster commuter bike, or should I put it on Craigslist and go for a commuter that's lighter from the get-go?
Go for a commuter that is lighter from the get-go. Upgrading a 7300 would cost more than the bike itself, and you would still be left with a Trek 7300. Go for a flat bar road bike like a Giant CRX.
I agree, just buy a new bike all together. The bike that got me hooked was a Giant FCR 3. It's a great bike. I think it cost me around $600. Great value. It's a flat bar road bike that's meant to be a commuter. It sounds like it would be a great fit for you. You could also get something like a Trek 1000. It's going to be a very similar bike except with road bars and gets a little more into the roadie section rather than commuter.
The fork swap out is easy - we have a friend who just did that with his Trek 7300, he also has road tyres. However it is a heavy bike. We went for a ride with our friend last week - me on my entry level flat bar roadie, husband on 22 year old Miyata 610 - and we actually found ourselves stopping to wait for him to catch up and we are by no means lean mean sprinting machines.
So I second the advice to sell it and go for a new bike.
