I am looking for a bike to commute to work and do errands around town but also be able to take it on some paved trails. The best ones to suit my needs that are at a LBS are the trek 7.3 fx and the 7.5 fx. Is the 7.5 fx worth the $150 price difference?
I want disc brakes and when you get disc brakes on the 7.5 it has an aluminum fork instead of the carbon composite that comes on the non- disc version. That makes the biggest difference between the 7.5 and the 7.3 be the derailleur. I wouldn't think that this is worth $150. Especially since I could go buy a derailleur and pay someone to put it on for less than $150.
I am looking for a bike to commute to work and do errands around town but also be able to take it on some paved trails. The best ones to suit my needs that are at a LBS are the trek 7.3 fx and the 7.5 fx. Is the 7.5 fx worth the $150 price difference?
I want disc brakes and when you get disc brakes on the 7.5 it has an aluminum fork instead of the carbon composite that comes on the non- disc version. That makes the biggest difference between the 7.5 and the 7.3 be the derailleur. I wouldn't think that this is worth $150. Especially since I could go buy a derailleur and pay someone to put it on for less than $150.
Is there a reason you need to have the disc brakes? If it rains a lot, then yes, they make sense. Otherwise I'd go for the 7.5FX without the disc brakes which, I agree, is the better buy. Disc brakes don't provide significantly more stopping power (if at all) in dry weather on a hybrid with moderate-width tires. What they *do* offer is more stopping power when wet, elimination of sidewall wear and being able to ride a wheel that's not very pretty (dinged up, out of true) and not have it affect braking.
Is there a reason you need to have the disc brakes? If it rains a lot, then yes, they make sense. Otherwise I'd go for the 7.5FX without the disc brakes which, I agree, is the better buy. Disc brakes don't provide significantly more stopping power (if at all) in dry weather on a hybrid with moderate-width tires. What they *do* offer is more stopping power when wet, elimination of sidewall wear and being able to ride a wheel that's not very pretty (dinged up, out of true) and not have it affect braking.
I want the disc brakes for their extra stopping power during the rain. As I'm going to be using this bike for commuting then I think I should be prepared for the inevitable rain.
