As new as you can get

[Grog]

I found a Trek 7100 at a LBS for $300. I also saw a Trek FX 7.2 there, and I liked it, but I'm not sure if I can afford another $100+. Right now, we're on a pretty tight budget, so I'm stretching it at $300. I haven't bought anything yet, but I'm seriously considering the Trek 7100.

I had the Trek fx 7100 for a while and really loved it. Unfortunately it was bent by a car driver who "didn't know there was a light," that's why I ended up with a 7.2 fx.

Is the 7100 a "fx" also? It makes a big difference.

[PamNY]

I have a Trek 7100 (not fx) and it is definitely a "casual riding" bike. I love my Trek and consider it the perfect "starter" bike for me, but I would love to upgrade to an fx. They are very different.

There's a discussion on Bikeforum about the difference in fx and non-fx; if you are interested you could probably find it with a search.

Pam

[abejita]

Also, right now is a good time to buy a bike because lbs are trying to move out last year's models and you can get a better deal. I had found a 2008 trek fx 7.1 for $350, but I messed around deciding what to get and by the time I figured out I wanted the trek, it was gone. I ended up with the 2009 trek fx 7.1 (which I love) for $439.

Make sure you try lots of bikes and don't hurry your decision. I originally bought a gary fisher tiburon. Very pretty bike, but I never felt comfortable on it. I figured that was because I hadn't been on a bike since college and I had to get used to it. In the meantime, I was still test driving bikes with my husband, who was still looking for his bike. The first time I got on a hybrid with more aggressive saddle, it was so comfortable. I ended up going back to my lbs and trading in the gary fisher for the trek.