Differences betweek Trek FX Bikes

[mhami]

Hi There!

Another newbie here with more newbie questions. So, not to be rude, first a little about myself. I'm a Mom with two children (a 13 yo daughter and a 10 yo son) and a husband. I grew up riding my bike all over the place. I love riding a bike for recreation and it must be in my blood because my family is originally from the Netherlands (although I was born in the States). I barely remember buying my last bike that I bought in my early 20s (I think) and I am in my 40s now. Over the past 10 years I have been riding a mountain bike off and on, mostly off. So, now I am ready to buy a new bike. I want it to ride around with my kids, but also take out for longer bike rides for exercise while they are at school.

I went to my LBS and they wanted to sell me the Trek Navigator or Trek 7100. In doing more research, I found that many people really like the Trek FX series. So today I went and test rode some more bikes, this time the FX series and compared them to the Trek 7100.

So, now my question is, I read in other posts that there is a big difference between the 7.6 FX, 7.5 FX, & 7.3 FX and that some of you use them for different purposes. What might that be? I was looking at the 7.3 FX or 7.2 FX. What would you use that for? Even the Trek website does not address this. I have read a lot of reviews that the seat is uncomfortable. Maybe I can upgrade that to a more comfortable seat. Any suggestions?

I have also read that some of you have the 7.3 FX (or what ever number) and say that it was a great starter bike. For that reason I think that I should go with the FX series and not the Trek 7100. I don't see myself as getting into racing or the need for a road bike soon. I want to buy a bike and have it last a while. If I buy a Trek 7100 I may be more likely to want to upgrade after a short time than if I were to buy a 7.3 FX. Does that make sense?

Anyway, I would love your input on anything at all.

Thanks so much,

Marianne

[GrassyRidge]

I have a trek wsd 7.6, I went and test rode a 7.4, 7.5 and 7.6 and found a pretty big difference in them. I love the carbon fork and how light my 7.6 is, and the shock absorber under the seat makes for a very comfortable ride. I hadn't bought be bike in almost 20 years either, and I figured it might be another 20 before I did again (that's how I justified the dramatic price increase- I had been looking for something in the $500 range).

I'd test ride as many as your LBS will let you, and slowly narrow down the ones that fit you and what you are looking for the best. That's the only real way to tell the difference. I also have a string of posts on a question I asked about the trek 7.5 about a month ago. As I recall some folks chimed in on the whole series.

[Zen]

I have the 7.3 and the 7.6

The 7.6 is my "road bike".
The 7.3 would be a good commuter. I ride mine on the C&O Canal towpath.

When I was in NYC, I rented a 7.5 and rode it across town. It was great.

The 7.3 is rather heavy, if you think you're going to ride a lot I don't think this is the bike for you.

Basically, as you go higher in the series the bikes become lighter and faster and the tires get skinnier, though none would be termed a road bike.

They also become more expensive

[mhami]

Thanks GrassyRidge & Zen. Zen, I am glad you responded because it was one of your posts that stated that you use these bikes for completely diffferent reasons. I'm not sure I exactly understand what makes a bike a commuter bike except for maybe it is heavier and so you don't want to ride it as far as you would the lighter bike.

Arrggh, now I am more confused. I took my husband with me to the store to get his opinion. He prefers the 7200 over the 7.3 FX. He thinks that "for as much as I will ride it" that the weight difference is not a big deal. He thinks that it is a much more comfortable bike. I was hoping that he would lean towards the 7.3 FX like I am. I guess he doesn't have faith in me riding for exercise. He also doesn't like how the tires are made mainly for the road. While I won't be on the mountain, we do sometimes ride on the dirt road at the RV campground.

Confused in California

[Zen]

I took my husband with me to the store to get his opinion. He prefers the 7200 over the 7.3 FX.

Who's riding this bike?

He thinks that "for as much as I will ride it" that the weight difference is not a big deal. He thinks that it is a much more comfortable bike.

Have you ridden both of them?
Which one do you find more comfortable?

I don't think those front shocks on the 7200 are any big deal, but that's my opinion. I am almost certain you'll prefer the trigger shifters on the FX over the twist shifters on the 7200.

The 7200 doesn't have any review on the trek site but The 7.3 did

[GrassyRidge]

And the weight DOES make a difference. I didn't realize it until I did a five mile ride on my old heavy mountain bike, and then did one on my new bike. I felt GREAT after the ride on the lighter bike, and totally worn out (and not in a good way) after the ride on the old one. The old bike is going to be tricked out for running errands, panniers etc. The new bike will get the long fun rides