Recreational & Family - Trek 7.2 FX v. 7.3 FX

I am looking at buying either a Trek 7.2 or a Trek 7.3. I have gone to my local bicycle shop and have checked both out. The 7.2 is selling for $419, while the 7.3 is selling for $489. Is it worth spending the extra $70 for the 7.3? Will I even notice the difference between the two? Are these good prices? Could I negotiate and get around $30 off of either bike? I am fresh out of school, so I am on a budget. However, I don't mind spending the extra money if it's a good investmnet. I will use the bike to around around town some and to get some exercise. I don't expect to ride more than about ten miles at a time. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

Hey Gunson,
I'm not an expert by any means!!!
But for what it's worth I checked out both bikes too. This is what I learned...if anyone reads this and my info is incorrect sorry...this is what I was told by my dealer. And I checked out the Trek website and looked up each bike...I also went to 3 bike stores and test road about 10 bikes before buying mine.

I think with the 7.3 you get a little better frame. (However the 7.2 has a good frame and has a lifetime warranty)
The 7.3 also has a little bit different tires on it...more for road riding. The 7.2 you can take it on like dirt paths and stuff.
As far as the derailler and components and stuff the 7.3 has a little better components, but they are compairable.
The saddle is also a little different but you'd have to try both of those out for yourself to see. You can always buy a different saddle anyway.
The 7.2 has an adjustable seat post.
The 7.3 has slightly better shimano brakes.

Is it worth the extra 70$ I guess that's for you to decide.

Actually, I believe the frames are the same and you get slightly better components with the 7.3 vs. the 7.2. As long as it fits, you should be fine.


I am fresh out of school, so I am on a budget. However, I don't mind spending the extra money if it's a good investmnet. I will use the bike to around around town some and to get some exercise. I don't expect to ride more than about ten miles at a time. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

I was pretty much in the same general position when I first looked at buying a bike. Because of the distance and the limited hand positions on the flat bat, I originally added bar ends and am glad I did. I now use Cane Creek Ergo II bar ends so you might consider those, too. My rides tend to be about 10-15 miles in my neighborhood or 20-30miles on the bike trail when I can get the chance to get out there. Originally, I thought that a road bike with drop bars would be too much bike for me, I test road a Specialized Allez and found it too twitchy back then. My shortlist was the Trek 7.5, Specialized Sirrus and the Cannondale Road Warrior 500. I ended up with the Cannondale - I just liked the ride better.

Have fun!

The frames look very similar, but Trek claims they are different. The 7.2 frame is their standard aluminum "SL" frame. The 7.3 frame is manufactured via their hydroformed process.

Also most of the components on the bike are upleveled. This includes the derailleurs, crankset, rims, rear cassette.

I believe that both are worth the price being asked for them. If you think you are going to work the bike out hard over a long period of time, you'll probably appreciate the higher quality parts of the 7.3 FX.