Trek 7300 Hybrid Bicycle--Anyone own one? Thoughts?

[limewave]

I have a Giant Suede bike that I've been using to ride with the kids--towing the burley piccolo AND solo. It's okay and kind of fun to ride. But the suspension is really cushy and I'm sitting straight up--I'm going pretty slow and working really hard at it.

I found a 2009 Trek 7300 on Craigslist. It may be what I'm looking for. I want to tow the kids on it for longer rides (15-30 miles) and go faster. I'll probably put some clipless pedals on it.

I'm just wondering if anyone has this bike. If you do, do you like it? Pros/Cons?

Thanks!

[Grog]

I don't know if there is a distinction between the "comfort" model (no addition after the number) and the "sport" model (addition of fx, as in 7300 fx) for the bike you are looking at.

I used to have a 7100 fx, which I LOVED. Great parts for the $$. So when the 7100 was totalled in a run-in with a car (I was fine), I got the closest replacement I could find, which turned out to be the 7.2 fx. (I think they just moved from 7XXX to 7.X a couple of years ago.)

It's my commuting bike, I ride about 150 km on it, as much as 50 km a day, and it's fine. I wouldn't go more than that though, because I like to have other hand positions, and the bike doesn't fit me particularly well. But it's fine, really.

[withm]

I had a 7300 for about a year or so. I bought it in anticipation of doing the C&O Canal trip but then was not able to go.

Mostly I used it for groceries - had 2 sets sm/large panniers that I could use to go to the grocery store. It was a nice bike and if I didn't have 2 other bikes would have used it more. I finally sold it (for almost what I paid) because I found that I just was not riding it. I never really liked the flat bar position and since I only ride on paved surfaces, did not need the fatter tires and suspension.

I have a Trek Portland that I use for commuting and all my hauling needs. It has drop bars and with slightly wider tires (28) it can handle bumpy roads just fine. In fact, I still think it's my favorite bike. Of course this is a much more expensive bike If you want to go this route, note that the current models are being sold with Tiagra, but the older ones had full 105, which I think makes a huge difference. If you can find an older one (and cheaper) I'd recommend that over a new one.