you girls have done it now

[fastdogs]

today I rode a Jamis Ranger 2.0 mountain bike, a Trek 3900 mountain bike, and the Trek 7200. I liked the mountain bikes ok, the Jamis would have to have an adjustable stem put on it, the handlebar position just wasnt comfortable for me, and it wasn't at all adjustable. I liked the trigger shifters. The 3900 mountain bike, despite it's too blue color, was very nice. But I think I smiled the whole time I was riding the Trek 7200. I don't know why, I'm not sure that the ride was that much better than the 3900 (I'm more familiar with mountain bike-type-bikes), but I really enjoyed it.
vickie

[elk]

vickie

i think you already know what you want!!

[fastdogs]

yeah, I know- I really liked the 7000 which felt just like 7200 to me. I liked it from the beginning, but felt like I need to try as many different ones as possible so I could make sure. The differences from the 7000 seem to be:
suspension fork- not important to me- 7200 has it, 7000 doesn't

alloy front hub, shimano RM30 rear hub (7000 has alloy hubs)

Matrix 750 rims- 7000 has matrix 550 rims

8 speed- 7000 is 7 speed (my folding bike is 9 speed)

shimano alivio rear derailleur- (7000 has shimanoTX51)
shimano M191 48/38/28 w/chainguard- 7000 is suntour

cassette SRAM PG830 11-30, 8 speed (the 7000 has sunrace 13-34, 7 speed- which is better?)

tires are bontrager invert, puncture resistant, 700x35c; 60tpi (7000 has bontrager select invert, 700x35c;27tpi - what does all this mean?)

7200 has dual density platform pedals versus nylon platform for the 700- doesn't matter to me.

The 7000 is about $60 cheaper than the 7200. I liked both shops, the 7200 is from a shop that gives 10% items in store and lifetime maintenance. I saw a different salesperson today than I did when I went in bofore, and he was just as helpful as the first salesperson I saw.
So, I think I know what I want, like elk said, I'm just trying to figure out of the 7200 upgrades are worth the price over the 7000. I know the differences are upgrades, just not sure how much of an upgrade they are.
At least I won't be bugging you all with bike buying questions if I get one of these before the weekend (may still stop at another bike shop tomorrow to try out something different- the kona store I tried didn't have any smokes so I have to look at another one)
vickie
ok, enough already, just buy the bike. I told my husband about it tonight, he just shook his head. He doesn't approve, but he doesn't say anything.

[elk]

Doesn't the 7000 have 21 speeds?

I'm sorry about your DH not approving...we'll back ya up...

[fastdogs]

I think so, if the front and rear are added up, but that was listed on the brochure for the rear derallieur only, I think. It doesn't mean very much to me, but I just want to be able to go up the many hills we have around here. I suspect there's not that much difference?
vickie

[sandra]

Fastdogs, you ride your bike a lot. You deserve this bike.

I would encourage you to get the bike you want and like best. $60 is NOT that much more money. In a couple of months most of us would not know the difference one way or another $$$-wise where $60 is concerned. However, if you settle for something just because it is $60 less, you may always wish you had gone ahead and put the little extra with it.

You may want the other one, but I say if you want the more expensive one, GO FOR IT!

[KnottedYet]

$60 really isn't much bike-money in the long run.

Go for the bike you love!