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The Decision

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01 / Original postThe DecisionRebelZero · 6 Sep 2009 02 / This pagePosts 1–6Page 1 of 1 · chronological order 03 / Latest replyPost #6RebelZero · 8 Sep 2009

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Bike buying advice
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6 September 2009
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  1. Original post
    RebelZero
    Archived post
    #1

    I'm fairly new to cycling and I need some advice before I actually make my purchase. I had a road bike some years ago but never rode it because I found the position very uncomfortable. Recently I've been looking for a hybrid type of bike for errands, the grocery, and general commuting. I will be riding mostly on pavement and my budget is around $400.

    I've narrowed the search down to two: the Trek 7.1 FX and the Specialized Crosstrail. One LBS is ordering the Trek in my size. I've ridden one a size too small and liked it quite a bit. It seems to fulfill the vast majority of my needs. I was just waiting for my size to arrive to test ride it when I discovered the Crosstrail at another LBS. Circumstances prevented me from riding it that day but I researched it online once I got home. It gets pretty rave reviews. People generally say it's a great compromise bike that's pretty quick and agile on pavement as well as on gravel and mild offroad situations.

    I'm going to test ride the Crosstrail on Tuesday but I was wondering what the opinion is on this forum. Anyone able to recommend one over the other? I have to admit, after reading reviews of the Crosstrail I like the idea of being able to cut through a construction site or navigate chewed up asphalt with greater ease. I have no desire to mountain bike but I'd like to expand my shortcut options.

    So I'd love to hear what people think as I don't have enough experience to
    make a totally informed decision on my own. Also, if it helps influence the decision at all, the shop that sells the Crosstrail offers free lifetime tuneups. One a month for the life of the bike. The shop with the Trek doesn't.

    Thanks.

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  2. fatandslow
    Archived post
    #2

    I think the big difference will be the suspension fork on the Crosstrail versus the conventional one on the Trek. If Hybrid bikes in general occupy a space directly in the middle of mtbs and road bikes, the Crosstrail is just on the mtb side and the Trek just on the road bike side. The combo of the fork and bigger lower pressure tires will make the Crosstrail more comfy over bumpy terrain, but also heavier and a little more cumbersome/less agile on the smooth pavement. Based on what you said, for me the trade-off would not be worth it. I'd go for the Trek. But then, I don't like the kind of "squidgie" handling feel you get with a suspension fork on pavement anyway, so take it for what it's worth.

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  3. longfemur
    Archived post
    #3

    I've said it before, and I'll take criticism for saying it again, but, really, when it comes to hybrids, you buy by price point. It doesn't matter a heck of a lot what brand name is stuck on the downtube. If you are in any way serious about cycling, don't get one with a suspension fork, that's the only advice I can give. They only add unecessary weight and complexity.

    Monthly tune-ups may sound like a good deal, but there really isn't much to tune up on a bike nowadays. Even just yearly would be plenty, if that, especially on a hybrid. They are pretty tough bikes overall.

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  4. RebelZero
    Archived post
    #4

    [quote="longfemur"]I've said it before, and I'll take criticism for saying it again, but, really, when it comes to hybrids, you buy by price point. It doesn't matter a heck of a lot what brand name is stuck on the downtube. If you are in any way serious about cycling, don't get one with a suspension fork, that's the only advice I can give. They only add unecessary weight and complexity.

    Monthly tune-ups may sound like a good deal, but there really isn't much to tune up on a bike nowadays. Even just yearly would be plenty, if that, especially on a hybrid. They are pretty tough bikes overall.[/QUOTE

    Thanks for the advice. LongFemur, I've been hearing that about the suspension fork lately. It makes perfect sense. I guess it leaves me with just one last question. I'm really not that serious about cycling. I sold my road bike years ago because I dreaded riding it. It was way too uncomfortable for me. I've ridden a few mtn bikes and I don't like them on the pavement. The tires are too fat and slow. I feel like I'm pedalling through marshmallows.

    While the Trek appears to be the better, lighter, faster, more road-oriented ride, would the Crosstrail be more comfortable? I'd sacrifice some performance if it were. With its 700 tires that are slightly wider than the Trek's will I still get a lot of rolling resistance?

    These are my final concerns. I'm leaning towards the Trek because I like the idea of its performance. But if the Crosstrail is comfy I may end up with that. Does anyone know if the shock on the Crosstrail (the base model) is adjustable? I know it doesn't lock out but can I at least stiffen it up?

    Thanks for your help.

    Report
  5. swampy1970
    Archived post
    #5

    [quote="RebelZero"]

    longfemur said:

    I've said it before, and I'll take criticism for saying it again, but, really, when it comes to hybrids, you buy by price point. It doesn't matter a heck of a lot what brand name is stuck on the downtube. If you are in any way serious about cycling, don't get one with a suspension fork, that's the only advice I can give. They only add unecessary weight and complexity.

    Monthly tune-ups may sound like a good deal, but there really isn't much to tune up on a bike nowadays. Even just yearly would be plenty, if that, especially on a hybrid. They are pretty tough bikes overall.[/QUOTE

    Thanks for the advice. LongFemur, I've been hearing that about the suspension fork lately. It makes perfect sense. I guess it leaves me with just one last question. I'm really not that serious about cycling. I sold my road bike years ago because I dreaded riding it. It was way too uncomfortable for me. I've ridden a few mtn bikes and I don't like them on the pavement. The tires are too fat and slow. I feel like I'm pedalling through marshmallows.

    While the Trek appears to be the better, lighter, faster, more road-oriented ride, would the Crosstrail be more comfortable? I'd sacrifice some performance if it were. With its 700 tires that are slightly wider than the Trek's will I still get a lot of rolling resistance?

    These are my final concerns. I'm leaning towards the Trek because I like the idea of its performance. But if the Crosstrail is comfy I may end up with that. Does anyone know if the shock on the Crosstrail (the base model) is adjustable? I know it doesn't lock out but can I at least stiffen it up?

    Thanks for your help.



    In all honesty, you'll not really suffer from using front shocks on a road going bike. You'll probably feel, from time to time, that you're bouncing up and down but you won't be losing that much in the way of speed - think decimal points worth of speed, ie 0.somthing mph.

    If you like it and it makes you want to ride - buy it.

    If you dread the day you put your behind on the saddle - it's time to sell.

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  6. RebelZero
    Archived post
    #6

    Thanks for the advice, everyone. I ended up getting a Trek 7.2 FX today. I test rode it for 20 minutes and loved it. It beats everything else I rode, hands down.

    Report

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