Comfort (Navigator) or Trek 7300 ??

[susiej]

Nanci's right: longer ride.

I love my Navigator. The upright position meant I didn't have shooting pains in my shoulders like I did with the road bike. It also meant my thighs didn't hit my stomach as I pedalled. The seat didn't hurt my butt. After half an hour on our road bike on the trainer my butt hurt so much the couch was uncomfortable and I sat on old dishtowels each time I rode it for the rest of the winter. However, don't be stupid like me -- get yourself a pair of padded shorts if you don't get a comfort seat. Or buy an add-on seat. I also don't like hard-tails (no shock absorber in the seat post); when 200 pounds hits that seat post ...

I can hunch over to get better performance out of myself on the comfort bike, although I could get even better on another bike. I'm not a speed demon, although I do blow past every weekend rider when I'm out at my amazing speed of 11 miles an hour.

The stupid lowered top bar (you know, the change to the frame that screams girl's bike!) on the Navigator WSD makes it impossible to have a second bottle cage on the seat post.

Other people on the forum (Queen? CorsairMac?) started with a Navigator and quickly upgraded. It could be that part of my love is that it's my first bike that's all my own.

So, do like Nanci says and take them for longer test rides. How's your butt feel? Your shoulders?

--SJ

[ladyfish]

I agree. Take them on longer rides. You need to really think about what you want in a bike, and how/how much you think you will be riding. Then get the one that's most comfortable and will get the job done. I thought I wanted one type of bike, but did some research and did some serious thinking about what I really wanted to do with my bike. That helped me realize that the bike I was originally looking at was not what I really wanted.

Take the time and find the right bike for you!

[maryellen]

definitely take them out for a longer ride. but my guess would be that if you will be riding primarily on paved roads, probably go w the 7300. I learned how to ride on navigators and have rented them on vacation--just ends up being more work than necessary. You'll have more fun and go a bit faster and further with a 7300

[Geonz]

Agree with everybody: do a bit longer ride 'cause it's your butt that counts... but in two weeks you'll probably like the 7300 better.
My friend was toying between the 7100 and 7300 until I got her to get on the 7500 (which fortuantely was on sale and so not *that* much more expensive). Even in the dead of winter she's been out just about everyday.

SueJ, webmastress
http://www.resourceroom.net