Need help picking a hybrid

[Lady Hamilton]

Hello ladies.
Sorry, I wasn't here for a few days.
It has been very busy at work, and going to bike shops.
Here I am a week later. At ground zero. With your help, and reading the forum, I learned so mush, maybe too much. Because I still don't know what to do.
Basically, the story goes like this: specialized vita elite is the most beautiful bike there. And this makes me very subjective about other bikes.
Jamis coda is off the list. I would like to buy something locally, and the closest shop selling them is not in my city.
Basically, right now I am trying to decide what to do:
1. Vita elite. they are willing to give me a bit of a discount, which will bring the total to $890. I want to talk her into going down more. to like $860.
2. Giant Escape 1. the specs are very similar to vita elite. Carbon fork, same derailleurs. Very close in weight. vita is a pound lighter. Retail is $639 plus tax, but he will go down.
3. Trek fx 7.3 $709 plus tax, no discount, which brings the price to $801.

This is my short list. I am trying to decide whether Vita is really worth spending THAT much money on. If there is a bike, Giant, with basically the same spec for $200 less.
Vita elite
http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bik...itaelite#specs

Giant Escape 1.
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-ca/...specifications

am I missing something? I just don't understand the pricing. why is elite so much more than Giant?

[IBrakeforPastry]

I can't answer about the price difference between two similar bikes. But answer this: Since you like the Vita that much, if you bought the Giant, would you be wishing you had the Vita? Are the rides similar?That is a big price difference, and if you really can't afford the Vita, then I wouldn't push it. But if it is something you can afford, even if it's more than you wanted to spend, it would be a shame to just "settle" when your heart is on something else. How's that for enabling?

[Lady Hamilton]

But answer this: Since you like the Vita that much, if you bought the Giant, would you be wishing you had the Vita? Are the rides similar?

I will go back on Monday to test ride Giant. I don't think I gave it a fair chance. Yes, I am afraid that I would feel that I "settled', because, I don't know how to explain it, but Vita Elite is just an amazing bike. It's gorgeous.

I can afford Vita. The problem is, in my head I always try to rationalize things. buying Vita is right now something I have a hard time justifying. I set my budget originally at $500-600. I can get a very nice bike for that money. The problem is, looks-wise, Vita is the nicest one I saw.

[IBrakeforPastry]

I know what you mean. I set a price without really researching, then find out the one I want is a bit more. And I can relate to the rationalizing. Head likes one thing, Heart likes something else. Were you looking at the blackberry Vita? That may be worth the extra money I'm a visual person and it can sometimes be a real stumbling block.

I was out running errands on my Sirrus today and couldn't stop thinking what a great bike it is.

[Lady Hamilton]

Were you looking at the blackberry Vita? That may be worth the extra money I'm a visual person and it can sometimes be a real stumbling block.

I was out running errands on my Sirrus today and couldn't stop thinking what a great bike it is.

That's the one. There is something about this rich deep plum in matte finish against silver steerer.

I think I will regret not getting vita, but I won't regret getting it. Decisions, decisions...

[Catrin]

That's the one. There is something about this rich deep plum in matte finish against silver steerer.

I think I will regret not getting vita, but I won't regret getting it. Decisions, decisions...

Methinks you have made your mind up

[Owlie]

Get the Vita already!

Not an enabler. I swear.

[Lady Hamilton]

You, ladies, are ALL enablers.

Methinks you have made your mind up

more or less:-)
I decided to sneak out of work tomorrow, the LBS that carries Giants is right around the corner. I will ride Escape 1 one more time. It was the first bike I rode after many years of not riding. And it was so fast, I was scared riding. I want to try it out again, and get the owners bottom price. After work I will go to the LBS that carries Specialized with my hubby. It is close to where we live. I will try Vita one more time. and then I am going to make that decision. I know it is very anal, but I want to be absolutely sure that I am doing the right thing.
BTW, used to live in Indianapolis, went to Butler, rode the Monon trail:-)

[IBrakeforPastry]

I think I will regret not getting vita, but I won't regret getting it. Decisions, decisions...

Read that again. Out loud