Trek 7.3FX vs. Marin

[stwoc]

Hi there, trying to decide between a couple of hybrid bikes. I am not as familiar with the various components so seeking guidance on the higher quality bike and any other differences to consider. The Trek:

Frame FX Alpha Black Aluminum
Fork FX Alloy w/tapered wall thickness, straight blades
Wheels Wheels Alloy front, Shimano RM60 rear hub; Bontrager Camino rims
Tires Bontrager Race Lite Hardcase, 700x32c; 60 tpi
Shifters Shimano EF60, 8 speed
Front Derailleur Shimano C102
Rear Derailleur Shimano Deore
Crank Shimano M341 48/38/28 w/chainguard
Cassette SRAM PG830 11-30, 8 speed
Pedals Nylon body w/alloy cage
Saddle Bontrager Race Basic Lux
Seat Post Bontrager Sport
Handlebars Bontrager Crowbar Sport, 25mm rise
Stem Bontrager Sport, 10 degree
Headset Aheadset Slimstak w/semi-cartridge bearings, sealed
Brakeset Avid SD-3 w/Shimano EF50 levers

The Marin San Anselmo:
Frame 7005 Aluminum with New Edge II Flared Top Tube and Triple Butted Edge
Fork SR Suntour NRX 7500, 63mm with Preload Adjustment and Lockout
Wheels WTB Dual Duty, Double Wall, 36 Hole with CNC Side Walls
Tires Maxxis Overdrive, 700 x 35c with Kevlar Inside Puncture Protection
Shifters Shimano Alivio
Front Derailleur Shimano Nexave T300
Rear Derailleur Shimano Deore
Crank Suntour NCX-420, 48/38/28 with Alloy Outer Chainring
Cassette 8 speed, 11-32
Pedals Composite with Alloy Cage
Saddle WTB Comfort V with Love Channel and Comfort Zone
Seat Post Suspension Post 300mm
Handlebars Double Butted 6061 Alloy, 25.4mm Rise
Stem Alloy Threadless, Adjustable with 0° to 60° Rise
Headset WTB Momentum Comp ST Threadless 1 1/8"
Brakeset Linear Pull with Front Power Modulator, Forged Alloy 3 Finger


Thanks in advance. Any help appreciated.

[Sci-Fi]

I don't think you can go wrong with either bike. It depends if you want suspension or not and which one you feel fits and rides better on your test rides.

[Tom Bombadil]

I've ridden both, they are both nice bikes for the money. I might give a very slight edge to the Trek on parts quality.

They do ride differently. The Marin has a cushier ride and would be a bit slower as it is heavier and has a more upright riding position. The Trek is lighter, faster and has a more aggressive/forward leaning riding position.

The Trek that is most like the San Anselmo is the 7500.

The Marin that is the most like the 7.3 FX is the Novato, although it isn't exactly like it.

[chephy]

I've ridden both of those bikes as well. Tom Bombadil summed the bikes' personalities well. I personally prefered the feeling of my Marin San Anselmo to my boyfriend's Trek - and I was pretty fast on that too - but maybe I was just used to it more since I was riding it a lot. I have a soft spot for San Anselmo in my heart since it was my first "real bike", and the first I put any significant mileage on, discovered commuting and touring -- but you can't really go wrong with either.

Helpful, I know. :D

[dedhed]

see this thread also:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=323126

[EffSizzle]

I own two bikes and one of them is the '07 TREK 7.3fx. I'll say what I'm sure you may have heard before...the hybrid bike mixes in parts of a road bike and parts of a mountain bike. That being said, my experience is that it does those two things ok. Just don't expect to do anything over 30 miles w/o becoming uncomfortable.

Once I bought my road bike (Cannondale CAAD8 R800), I've only ridden my Trek once, and that's because it was raining. I've now relegated the Trek to "Bad weather, run to the store" status.

Reliable, fun, good at being a hybrid.

[FXjohn]

. Just don't expect to do anything over 30 miles w/o becoming uncomfortable.


Not true if you get yourself fitted.

[EffSizzle]

Not true if you get yourself fitted.

That goes for any bike, I suppose.

Where I found the most amount of discomfort was in my hands due to the lack of choices in hand positions. I even put on some bar ends, which helped a bit, but still uncomfortable. Just my experience.

[FXjohn]

That goes for any bike, I suppose.

Where I found the most amount of discomfort was in my hands due to the lack of choices in hand positions. I even put on some bar ends, which helped a bit, but still uncomfortable. Just my experience.

After I get fitted I got a different handlebar riser and that helped out quite a bit in blueprinting the bike to me, and it has cane creek bar ends which are pretty good ones.

[EffSizzle]

I'm considering selling my 7.3fx. It's in great condition. How much do you think I could get for it?

It's all stock except for the bar ends.

[FXjohn]

What was it new and how old?

[-=£em in Pa=-]

I'm considering selling my 7.3fx. It's in great condition. How much do you think I could get for it?

It's all stock except for the bar ends.

I just got 325.00 for a WSD FX.3 that was only
ridden about 6 times. Consignment - LBS.

[EffSizzle]

$479.99 new in May of this year. 1000 miles.

[FXjohn]

two hundred bucks then maybe? Not even worth selling.
Ride the heck out of it and work on your engine until you can buy another bike.
Or keep it for commuting and outfit it with racks and lights.
See the Utility cycles forum.

[EffSizzle]

Yeah, I guess that's what I'll do. I don't want to ride my road bike in the rain anyway!