Trek 7.5 fx Road Modification?

Question

I have a Trek 7.5 fx. It is basically a road bike without drop handle bars. I was wondering if it would be worth buying drop handle bars and new shifters for it instead of buying a whole new bike??

Answer 1

Doing more road miles?

The gear shifter/brake levers combined (called sti shifters) will cost around £90 + bar tape and bars so perhaps £140 approx to convert it to a road bike aint too bad (to me)

A nice Trek Madone would be nice though :-D

Answer 2

It kind of depends on what you are hoping to accomplish.  If you want to get into road racing, I'd suggest you start looking for a new bike.  If you want drop bars for a more aerodynamic ride, it may be a pretty good idea.

Your bike has pretty decent components, unfortunately you can't just put a set of brake/shifters on the bike.  Brake/shifters, like Shimano 105, are designed for road brakes.  You bike, on the other hand, has linear pull brakes.  Road brakes and linear pull brakes require different amounts of cable pull to actuate.  In order to make road oriented brake/shifters work with mountain bike style, linear pull brakes, you'll need to get something like a "Travel Agent" or other comparable device.

You might want to read the late, great Sheldon Brown's article on different types of brakes to understand better what I am talking about:

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/canti-direct...

Your local bike shop should be able to easily hook you up.

Hope this helps.