Quote Originally Posted by Softie View Post
Thanks for all the great info. I'm getting so excited about having a bike again that I think I might crack one day soon, and end up coming home with a new bike (it happened with my puppy and I haven't regretted it...most days ).

As a noob who doesn't quite understand some quality issues, what are the differences between a 7.2, 7.3, and 7.5? I've looked at the specs online, but I'm not sure what it means in terms of what exactly it *means* functionally (quality, durability, longevity of components, weight, etc). The 7.2 is about $559; 7.3 is $719; 7.5 at $919 (Canadian $ as new - but I keep an eye out for used). I'd like to get the best for my buck, but any money saved means bigger budget for locks, panniers, etc.
the diff between the cheapest bike in a series and the middle and the best:
The middle will probably have better components than the cheapest. after the first price jump what you are probably getting is LIGHTER components, which after a while the dollars just don't match up for the ounces. I mean, is it worth $500 to take a half a pound off a bike?
So try the 7.2 and the 7.3 see if the handling is the same, the brakes work well enough. And ask the LBS guy what the diff is.