Recreational & Family - 7300 versus 7300 FX: which one to get ???

I think I have decided on one of the versions of the 7300.
I was also thinking 300 but I think I would prefer the 7300 series.

The sales rep was very helpful; however, I think she was wrong on something. She said the 7300 had better parts then the 300. I went online and it looks like the 7300 and 300 have almost the exact same
parts. The only real difference is the wheels. The 7300 wheels are closer to the road bikes and the
300 wheels are closer to a mountain bike. Maybe she meant 7300fx vs 300.

While making the comparisions from the trek website, the 7300 FX appears to have better parts then the 7300. It also does not have all the comfort features of the 7300. I assume they swapped one item for the other. Pay for the comfort stuff or pay for the better or different parts.

Which should I choose ? I am a runner that wants to do some biking too. I also have a wife and 6 year old. We plan to buy three bikes (one each) this weekend or next week. My wife is getting one for
riding around the neighborhood and some light riding.

I plan on doing that plus also doing some longer rides for exercise and cruising. I also plan on riding on trails. Not the mountain bike trails, but the hard packed trails. I am 40 and beyond the daredevil stuff or hard riding that might send me towards a Mountain bike. I am not interested in a road bike at this time because I prefer the upright riding versus the downward looking road bike. I am in Lance's hometown (Austin) where there is a lot of serious biking riding but I can pass on going down the road route.

How much do those comfort feature really help on trails. How much do the fx features really help on roads.

Why get one over the other. The price is about the same.

After going back and forth on bikes, I think I am finally down to two. Now which one to get ? Any help
would be greatly appreciated.

Get the FX...the more and more you cycle, comfort=cheezy and not that comfortable. If you are going to do longer rides, def. the FX...if you are going to putter along with your wife and your 6 year old, the 7300 will be fine. Happy riding!

I have the FX and love it!!!! You really don't need the suspension parts and the FX also has rapid fire shifters, which I prefer over the grip shifters on the 7300.

I have the 7300 and love it. However, I really don't need all the suspension that comes with it - it's just extra weight since I don't use it for anything but easy riding. Wish I had bought the FX, although I'm keeping the 7300 and use it quite a bit.

I got the 7300FX recently and I am very happy with it. I commute every day with it over paved stuff and bike paths with a few stretches of roads broken by construction work, etc., and have had no problems with it. I have also taken it on gravel paths and grass trying to keep pace with my kid's MTB :) I don't think you should have any problems riding on hard pack trails. I swapped out the 35mm tires that come standard on it for 38mm Specialized tires to enhance it's "off-roadability" and comfort. It does not seem to be a slouch on roads either since I can hit 35mph on some semi-steep hills in my neck of the woods.

Before I bought the bike, I tried out some hardtails (front-susp. only) a la 7300, but did not like their feel compared to the 7300FX. I think all the suspension hardware up front is overkill for the type of riding you describe. They also felt a lot heavier than the 7300FX, which is pretty svelte for a hybrid.

If you are in doubt, try out both at an LBS and then decide. Another option that is pretty close to the 7300FX is the Gary Fisher Nirvana, which is essentially the same bike except for 42mm tires.

I am in the same position with about the same use (although a little older) I eliminater the 04 Giant SX - great bike but to much like a road bike and eliminated the 7300, don't need all that comfort - for me it is either the 7300fx or the Gary Fisher Nirvana. Test road both this afternoon and believe I will go with the Gary Fisher - to get the same comfort from the 7300fx you will have to change out the tires, seat and seatpost. The fisher offers a sightly more upright psition over the 7300FX due to the handlebar and stem. Close call between the two - let me know what you decide

Hi-

I just got the 7300FX. Commuted in on it the last two days. I really like it, but my bottom does hurt from going over some bumpy terrain. Perhaps the 7300 seatpost would help with that or maybe it just takes time to get conditioned. I rode both the 7300 and the 7300fx at my LBS. I went in thinking I wanted the 7300 from my internet research, but I really liked the feel of the FX better. Much lighter and 'fun' feeling, while the 7300 felt more 'sluggish' to me. I preferred the 'click' shifters as well. I figured if I wanted to get a suspension seat post I could always pick one up later, same goes for changing out the tires.

I say get the bike that feels better to you. It seems like both bikes would be OK for what you are planning to do. [Disclaimer: I am a total newbie so take my advice with caution :).]

June-

Do try switching out the seatpost. I found one new for 20 bucks. It makes just enough difference on the hacked-up roads around here.

Also consider the geometry of the bikes. The 7300 is a very upright bike, basically a Nav 300 with 700c wheels. The FX series has more emphasis on performance, with a more aggressive riding position, but not to the extent of a road bike with drops.

ALSO - maybe wait to see the 2006 7.3 hybrids. They're the updated FX series. Nice stuff. Here's a link to the 7.3 (http://www2.trekbikes.com/Bikes/2006/bike_path/B1327010.html).

I ordered the '06 7.3FX and it was going to take another month to get it so I went with an '05 7300FX. Supposed to be in tomorrow.

Is there any difference between the year models besides color?

Doesn't look like a whole lot of differences. The changes I can see are:

a. Bontrager Camino rims in the 7.3 vs WTB Dual Duty in the 7300FX
b. SRAM PG830 in the 7.3 vs. SRAM 850 in the 7300FX
c. Avid SD-3 brakes in the 7.3 vs. Promax brakes in the 7300FX

I don't think these are big changes. Did you get a good deal on the '05?

...
Is there any difference between the year models besides color?

I got 5% off all three bikes for buying them together. No discount for taking the '05's on a 7300fx and 7200fx for the wife. They did have the '06 - 3700 model for my son.

Should I have gotten a better discount? This was supposed to be the "brother-in-law" deal. Good local bike shop though, discount on accessories, free tune first tune up, etc. Wow, big deal.

Doesn't sound like a shabby deal. Margin on bikes is much lower than accessories, clothing, etc.; so the LBS may not be able to discount too much. I basically paid list on my '05 when I bought it earlier this year.

Hope you enjoy your 7300FX (and your family their Treks).


Should I have gotten a better discount? This was supposed to be the "brother-in-law" deal. Good local bike shop though, discount on accessories, free tune first tune up, etc. Wow, big deal.

Hey Guys -

Newbie here. I just picked up a Trek 7300 FX from my LBS for $370. Did I do ok?

$370 is $50 off of MSRP ($419.99) for the 7300 FX. Assuming the bike is new, you got a pretty good deal. And the 7300 FX is a great bike.

Yes the bike is new. They ordered a 20" for me this afternoon (they didn't have my size in stock). I can't wait to get it next weekend!

Even better that they ordered and still gave a deal. Didn't try to give you one off the floor at a markdown. You get the size you want, and it'll come new from the box.

I think you certainly got a good deal. $370 is a pretty good price for the 7300fx.

Also a quick note for those of you on the fence on whether to buy -- do it.

Here's why. According to the guys at my LBS (and a price listing I saw on-line when I googled 7.3fx), the suggested retail prices on the FX models are going up $50 each when the '06 models come out. So if you get a 7300fx for, say, 380, you're saving 90 bucks than if you wait for the new ones to come out and buy.

The 2006 Treks are now listed on their website. A lot of new bikes to see. No prices but it you Google a model some online store will have a price for it.

Lots of WSD models, three in the FX series. The 7.5 FX WSD is a very pretty light blue for ~$700. I think it will be my wife's Christmas present.

The 2006 Treks are now listed on their website. A lot of new bikes to see. No prices but it you Google a model some online store will have a price for it.

Lots of WSD models, three in the FX series. The 7.5 FX WSD is a very pretty light blue for ~$700. I think it will be my wife's Christmas present.

Yeah, I really wanted the WSD 7200FX for the wife, but it was another 3 or 4 weeks and we've already gotten a couple of rides in - we would still be waiting. The major difference is the top bar is a couple of inches lower on the '05 ladies model - oh well. She sure doesn't know the difference, or care at this point. I'm sure the newer model is a little more rigid, but she's not that hardcore anyway.

My 7300FX is really a neat bike. Well, they both are. We're just getting back into it after a few years and they are light years ahead of our old 26" mountain bike conversions with street tires. I had my dealer put 28mm tires on mine and they are really light; effortless riding. Can't say enough about how neat these bikes are. As mentioned up-thread, if you're on the fence, jump off!