Fifty Plus (50+) - Trek's 7.7 & 7.9 Fitness Bikes and Search Function

I thought I'd advance up slowly, from my current Trek 730 to a new Trek fitness bike, before getting a road bike. So, I would like to focus on the Trek 7.7 FX and the Trek 7.9 FX models [for 2007].

I haven't seen much comment about these two bikes in the last 12 months of messages, but I did come across the following thread via google search, which provided a good argument for the 7.7 FX:
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=163125

My generic question: Do any of you have personal knowledge of these two bikes, and have preferences between these two bikes?
My specific question: Would the carbon frame of the 7.9 FX be strong enough for primarily metropark rides and occasional off-road rides?

Lastly, how do you do a search function? I tried doing a search for "7.7" and for "7.9" and nothing was found by the search. How do I "Search The Forums" for the Trek 7.7 FX or the Trek 7.9 FX?

I doubt you are going to find much on the Trek 7.9 FX in these forums. That bike is brand new in 2007 and aimed at a very small market niche - People who are willing to pay $2400 for a hybrid fitness bike.

I don't believe it is intended for off-road usage. A blurb I read from Trek referred to it as a "sweet city slicker" and it comes with 700x28 "race lite" tires. I would definitely want to be talking to a knowledgable sales person about this issue.

Agreed...I am still loving my 7700FX as a commuter on extra chunky urban streets and the same type of rides as you describe. Would it be better if the frame were carbon? Depends on what you would define as better. As for it holding up, depends upon how harshly you would be using it. But Trek makes carbon mountain bike frames too, so it can definitely be done.

I like not having to baby my frame too much on a commuter. So the aluminum for me was fine. I added a carbon bar and got all the ride quality improvement that I was wanting over what the bike already offered...which even then was plenty good. It was light and nimble enough already.

If you are just working up to a road bike, I would say save the bucks now and look at going carbon if you get to that point with a roadie. Unless you are going on a tour of the Alps or doing some serious climbing, I can't see putting the extra money into the bike for the carbon frame.

Will this help?

http://www.roadbikereview.com/cat/latest-bikes/hybrid-bike/PLS_5672_840crx.aspx

Neither bike has any reviews at that link.

There are two reviews of the older 7700FX, the predecessor of the 7.7 FX.