Narrowed down to two bikes - decisions, decisions!

I posted last week that I tried the Trek 7.3 FX WSD in the Trek store and liked it. I was holding off until I could get to the LBS in my hometown. I stopped after work and the mechanic put me on a Cannondale Quick 6, and it felt so good! Any opinions about each bike?

He also put me on a cruiser (comfy but pass) and a serious road bike. When we'd finally gotten the seat low enough to sit on, I couldn't reach the brakes! Plus I toppled over on it, but didn't completely wipe out. What a bad fit for me. As he was pumping up the tires for each other bike for me I kept getting on the Quick 6 and riding it around the parking lot.

Of the two I think I liked the Quick 6 better. Plus it's $439 whereas the Trek 7.3 FX was $619.

sounds like you're getting a Quick. I think both Trek and Cannondale make good bikes. Go with what feels good. Could be the Trek has better componentry because the price is higher. You need to compare that stuff.

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Originally Posted by lxb87

I posted last week that I tried the Trek 7.3 FX WSD in the Trek store and liked it. I was holding off until I could get to the LBS in my hometown. I stopped after work and the mechanic put me on a Cannondale Quick 6, and it felt so good! Any opinions about each bike?

He also put me on a cruiser (comfy but pass) and a serious road bike. When we'd finally gotten the seat low enough to sit on, I couldn't reach the brakes! Plus I toppled over on it, but didn't completely wipe out. What a bad fit for me. As he was pumping up the tires for each other bike for me I kept getting on the Quick 6 and riding it around the parking lot.

Of the two I think I liked the Quick 6 better. Plus it's $439 whereas the Trek 7.3 FX was $619.

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You might consider going up a level or two with the Quick for the better components. The FX7.3 has better components than the Quick 6.

I have the Quick 4. Somewhat similar to the FX 7.4, as it has a carbon fork.

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Originally Posted by Biciclista

sounds like you're getting a Quick.

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Or maybe the bike has chosen you? I think it is a good sign when you can't stop going back to it. That is how I choose something. The morning after looking for my bike I woke up thinking I had bought it. So that day I did buy it lol

I agree with goldfinch too, to have a look and compare the different components. I think that makes a huge difference too. But it also depends how much money you want to spend too and what feels right.

I have the Quick 4, also. I love it! I have ridden as far as 55 miles on it and felt alright. It is a nice compromise between a road bike and a cruiser. I am not familiar with the differences between the Quick 6 and the Quick 4, though.

I'm on the fence now between buying the Quick 6 that's on hold for me, looking for a Quick 4, and just postponing any purchases until the spring. It was very cold today and it's going to frost overnight this week. I don't know if I should buy it only to have it sitting for 5 months in my house. Plus I'm going to be moving in December to a different city so maybe I should wait.

But I really want to buy a bike! ;)

Personally, if it will truly sit around for 5 months, I'd wait, do more research on components, test ride other bikes, etc. They say you should get the bike for the type of riding you imagine doing in a year. Not to say that you should get something waaay out of your comfort zone, but know there will be a learning curve and improvements in the way you ride and confidence may come quickly. I'd hate to see you get something then realize in 6 months of riding that you really want and expect more out of your components. You should try riding something out of your price range that has some great components so you can see what the differences are. Once you feel that you might be more than happy to wait a bit. Just a suggestion. It's hard though if you've got your mind set. Plus, though 2012 model bikes are coming out and the 2011's are going to be priced down. I'd wait.

Both companies make good bikes. I own two Treks (one road bike and one mountain bike) and my husband has two Trek mountain bikes. He also has a Cannondale road bike. Unfortunately that was an impulse purchase and he should have done more research since he has never been able to get comfortable on it. We're actually purchasing two Felt F5s, one for him and one for me. I've been wanting a carbon bike for awhile and when looking we found that the Trek and the Felt road bikes are much more agreeable to him than the Cannondale is. So all of that to say yes I do believe that some people fit certain brands of bikes better than other ones.

I see the dealer I bought my bike from is selling their 2011 Quicks for $30 to $50 off of list (though they don't have all sizes anymore). Not a huge amount off but it puts the Quick 4 at $599, Quick 5 at $519 and the Quick 6 at $399. If any of these 2011s are around in the spring you could get a pretty good deal, depending on the dealer.

Another option is to buy a bike and get a trainer to ride it on in the winter. What do you do for exercise in the winter?

That said, what Velo said makes a lot of sense.

I'm a Spinning instructor with 4 classes a week. That keeps me on a bike plenty.

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Originally Posted by Muirenn

You could get an indoor trainer for your bike. Then it won't be 5 months before you can use it. :rolleyes: The feeling is quite different though. Still, might satisfy the bike buying 'bug.'

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Muirenn - not to hijack the OP's thread, but can you recommend a bike trainer?