Comparing Trek

[ladiebug]

Hey all! I'm looking for a new bike. Most of my riding is done on city streets and bike paths, but I want the bike to hold up to gravel roads occationally. I've read a lot of great reviews about the Trek 7200FX. The bike I have my eye on is the Trek 7300FX. What's the real difference here, and is it worth the extra money. Also, does this bike fit the description of what I would use it for? (I'm trying not to sound like an idiot here, I'm a newbie--still)

[ladiebug]

I'm also looking at Sirrus. I know these are two COMPLETELY different bikes, but I am just researching for now. Come on, ladies!!! Give me some input! :p

[caligurl]

pretty bikes! i looked at them briefly.... but since i'm not familiar with that style of bikes... i'm kinda useless to you! as i suspected (and i'm sure you already figured out) the difference is components... i'm sure some of the other more in the know ladies will tell you if it's worth it...

i know for road and mountain bikes.. it's almost always better to get the better components!

i will say, though... if this is your first bike... then maybe go less expensive... cuz you'll catch the bug and want to upgrade before too long anyways.. and it's easier to buy a new bike on top of a not so expensive bike than buy a new bike on top of a more expensive bike.. .is that a run-on sentence or what????????????

i didn't follow this advice for my first road bike.... and bought a more mid-range priced but nice components.... even though something in my head told me to go for that cheaper bike.... well.. within 2 months i was looking at and wanting something new and different.... better!

for my MTB i did follow my adive and got a cheaper one! i still have a blast on it (crashing doesn't count as fun :mad: ) but if i decide in a year or whenever... that i want a new.... better one.. it will be easier to do so!

most importantly..... buy a bike you will ride! and have fun riding it!

[jpbayarea]

We just returned from 3 weeks in Wyoming, mostly riding on bike paths and wonderful wide shouldered roads. However, one of our favorite rides took us in Grand Teton National Park and the first 2 miles of the road was a bumpy, washboarded dirt road. My partner's Calfee was pretty uncomfortable on that road but the Roubaix moved along it easily and as if it was made for dirt and bumps. Of course being designed for the cobbles of the Paris Roubaix makes it a fine choice for multi surface riding. It's quite a deal too. You might not find it 'enough' bike if you are quite serious but I can keep up with the best of 'em on it and love that it can move off road when I'm crowded by some semi over in 'my' lane too. Check it out and see what you think.

[drplasma64]

You know, in all my reading when I was looking around I found lots of people who bought 7200FXs and lots who bought the 7500FXs, but no one really talking about the 7300FX.

I got the 7200FX, and it is very nice for my needs. Paved bike paths, some roads, pulling kids. But it is slow compared to my 20 yo road bike with skinny tires. And I'm not an experienced cyclist - but the difference was obvious even to me. So I'm glad I have both :)

We went through a gravel parking lot the other day on the 7200FX and attached trail-a-bike, it went fine. Really my first experience on any kind of loose surface, and since I had my precious cargo on back, I took it cautiously, but didn't feel at all insecure with how the bike held to it.

I second the idea that once you have one bike, you may want another.

edit: ooh...I checked out the 7300FX - looks nice...now I sorta wish I got one! The 3 things that really popped out at me were the Deore RD (Deore is supposed to be much better than alivio), the chromoly fork (instead of hi-ten steel ...a weight savings, I'm sure), and the "clipless adaptable" pedals. Not sure exactly what they mean by that...but everyone here really advises to go clipless, and if I want to do that I'd have to buy new pedals. I don't know how easy to adapt the pedals on the 7300 FX are, and how good they are once adapted, but that is something to research more, I'd guess.

[ladiebug]

but the Roubaix moved along it easily and as if it was made for dirt and bumps.


I looked this up. The Roubaix. It took me to a web site that had this name at the top, but then advertised three other bike brands. Your bike sounds great, jp, I would love some more info. Would my LBS know where to look?

Thanx for all the input!!! :D

[caligurl]

specialized makes the roubaix..... it's a road bike (carbon fiber)

http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=9365

there are several models withing the line... starting with the roubaix at $1600 going to the roubaix pro at $4400....