Would it be best...

If you want higher intensity on your training rides, ride faster. There's no benefit to training with a heavier bike aside from logging a bunch of miles on something that handles nothing like your race bike.

I do not race, so my answer will be my opinion based on what I expect to do in preparing for a century.

I would think that there would be some value to training on the same bike you will ride in an event. This way you will know the bike as well as possible.

I personally would put a rack and trunk on a bike, and keep in it the things I would want to carry for training and pleasure rides but wouldn't necessarily carry for a century. I would then remove the rack etc for the event. This way you would train with your event bike and also do the event with an effectively lighter bike.

Please ignore this if by event you mean race, and plan to race on equipment that would not be appropriate for daily training.

One point to consider though is that each frame material has different ride characteristics that I think could be relevant in addition to weight. Even if racing, I would think that riding a similarly constructed bike would provide some advantage, so maybe you should look for a cheaper heavier aluminum bike than you will use in the race. This is simply a hypothesis, and I welcome anyone's correction of confirmation.

Not sure the heavier bike in the same style of bike gets you much. You could just carry something to get you the added lbs you think you need, instead of buying another bike. Unless you just want another bike...

You could also Mt Bike if you want to put some miles on with a heavy bike.

Good points. See here is my situation. I recently got a Trek 7500FX bicycle as a gift. I believe it's either a 99' or a 00' model.

I am wondering if I can change the fork, handlebars and tires to make it a road bike?

Has anyone done this? If so, what should I look for to buy?

Is it not possible to convert a hybrid into a road bike? Anyone?

I had considered the possibility myself with my Sedona DX, but my limiting factor was the 26" wheels.

I think you have 700c, so it should be a relatiely simple process.

The switch to drop bars, p[erhaps a different stem.

Shifters, brake handles and cables would complete the transition, but doing this right would be the trickiest part, but shouldn't be too bad.

Then perhaps narrower tires...

I would opt for a second bike myself (and have decided on that option)...

dgregory57 said:

I had considered the possibility myself with my Sedona DX, but my limiting factor was the 26" wheels.

I think you have 700c, so it should be a relatiely simple process.

The switch to drop bars, p[erhaps a different stem.

Shifters, brake handles and cables would complete the transition, but doing this right would be the trickiest part, but shouldn't be too bad.

Then perhaps narrower tires...

I would opt for a second bike myself (and have decided on that option)...

Hmm, I didn't realize that you would have to switch out the gear system as well. I guess getting an old road bike would be best ehh?

Ricitius said:

Good points. See here is my situation. I recently got a Trek 7500FX bicycle as a gift. I believe it's either a 99' or a 00' model.

I am wondering if I can change the fork, handlebars and tires to make it a road bike?

Has anyone done this? If so, what should I look for to buy?

The hybrid's usually have a shorter top tube and maybe a higher stem to give a more upright riding position. I wouldn't try to make a road race bike out of it.

Agree with artmichalek; there is no benefit to training with a heavy bike. Your 7500FX is plenty heavy anyway; bet it will outweigh a lot of steel road bikes. The weight difference between a typical AL and steel frame may be less than the weight of a water bottle; not a difference you'd notice much on the road.

Ricitius said:

Hmm, I didn't realize that you would have to switch out the gear system as well. I guess getting an old road bike would be best ehh?

You wouldn't have to replace the whole gear system, just perhaps the shifters (depending on whether what you have works with drop bars, mine is a twistgrip, and wouldn't work well)

But as someone else pointed out the frame geometry is probably an issue to.