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