FRC3 and 7.2FX - best for the money

[ChappyOnIce]

I've been looking at fitness hybrids and have pretty much narrowed it down to trying these two bikes. They are at comparable price points (within $10-20 of each other at different LBS's) and look to of the same class. When I look at the component groups though, it would appear the Trek 7.2FX has slightly better components. I'm not too knowledgeable on that subject, but would like to get an opinion on it from someone who is. Their respective pages can be found here:

Trek 7.2FX (http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/2008/bike_path/fx/72fx/)
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-US/bikes/road/1244/29286/

I will ride them both which is my biggest decision criteria, but would like to know if one has a distinct value for the $ advantage as well.

Thanks!
Todd

[st0ut]

this one boils down to your taste.

[ChappyOnIce]

this one boils down to your taste.

That's pretty much what I figured. It seems like the Giant may have the nicer frame and fork while the Trek has slightly upgraded components and smaller sizing increments. Looked at the FX again today on lunch...saw a Gary Fisher Wingra next to it which was really nice too!

[st0ut]

gotta love bike shooping gives you a bad case of iwantitis

[rugerben]

Yes. Yes it does!!!
My best friend is manager in the LBS. I told him I was in the market for a commuter bike and he offered me the FCR1 that he bought at the beginning of the summer for the store cost that he paid ($500). Yeah, an FCR1 for $500.
I ended up going with a TranSend that he let me have for $375. It was just a more practical bike for my purposes, but to have an offer on an FCR1 that was used for one season by an experienced rider....ugh. I had "iwantitis" like you wouldn't believe.

That being said, I am a fan of the FCRs, but it really does boil down to taste.

[ChappyOnIce]

Funny you should mention the Tran Send...I was so set on either the FCR or the FX and I got to looking around a bit more and thought the Tran Send was a pretty nice bike. I really have to buy before things get out of control!:)

[Tom Bombadil]

I like a lot of Giants' bikes, but am wary of their FCR3 and OCR3. They seem to cut corners on these low end models - my guess is to hit certain price points. I know a couple of guys who work at a Giant dealership and they tell me that both of these models have a lot of problems with their wheels. But that the next models up, the 2-level bikes, have very few problems with their Xero-brand wheels. However there's a big price difference.

If you can pop for the Trek 7.3 FX, you'll pick up some significant upgrades from either the FCR3 or 7.2 FX. The 7.3 has an upgraded frame from the 7.2, very solid Deore derailleur, better brakes, better tires, etc.

I know it is always a tough choice of where to stop spending, but IMHO, on these bikes, there is good reason to go up to the 7.3.

[ChappyOnIce]

^^^
Yeah, I have seen some of the upgrades but I'm trying not to look there. Not being a serious rider and focused more on family neighborhood rides, bike paths, and the occasional 10 miler to a buddy's house, I'm not sure I want to spend that much. I started looking with a $350 budget, bumped it to $500, and if I were to go 7.3 that would make it pretty much $600. If I get the FCR3 frame, I could always upgrade things along the way, right? Next year get some new wheels, then get a Deore, etc.

What do you think of the Fisher Wingra in comparison? It's still under $500...

I will be buying for my wife too, but she's not as picky as I am. She'd be happy with a Cypress or 7200 WSD, but that's another reason why I just don't want to blow the budget out.

[rugerben]

Funny you should mention the Tran Send...I was so set on either the FCR or the FX and I got to looking around a bit more and thought the Tran Send was a pretty nice bike. I really have to buy before things get out of control!

I really like it. I posted my review and a link to nice pics of it over HERE (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=418888&highlight=transend).

[rugerben]

I should add that if the focus really is on family and neighborhood rides, and the "occasional 10 miler to a buddy's house" then honestly, I would go with the transend. It adds a lot of flexibility for the little that it loses in speed.
Over the weekend I pulled a 40 mile ride on my TranSend and was completely comfortable and really enjoyed it. I ran it on flats, up hills, down hills, rough pavement, smooth pavement, potholes, wood bridges and even a dirt trail (only about .5 mi), and it did perfectly. It's geared really nice and high on the high end so that you can move if you need to. But it's also very comfortable and stable at low speed like if you had a family in tow. And for a family outing, a built in rack to hold panniers full of snacks for young'uns, etc...
Just a thought.

[ChappyOnIce]

Looks like the Tran Send is the exact same frame as the Cypress but with rigid fork and seat post, rapid shifters, upgraded components, and rack/fenders. So if one wants an upgraded rigid Cypress, that would be it.

[road_rascal]

Looks like the Tran Send is the exact same frame as the Cypress but with rigid fork and seat post, rapid shifters, upgraded components, and rack/fenders. So if one wants an upgraded rigid Cypress, that would be it.

Oohhh- I'll have to take a look at that one. I really like my Cypress, but I'm thinking of turning it into a winter bike and I would like to have something for the rest of the year.

[Genn75]

i just picked up my trek 7.3 fx today. i'm really excited to ride it tomorrow! but going back go your previous post regarding your budget....you should speak with the LBS' owner or manager. preferrably the owner if he's around. reason being, when my husband and i went in the bike shop over the weekend, i was lucky enough to get the owner to help me. i've been contemplating for months about buying the trek fx. their asking price was almost $600 w/tax. so my husband asked the owner if he can give us a deal. the owner asked what he's willing to pay for it, and my husband said $500 and that we would give him cash. the owner agreed!!! i also wanted to change the tires to a hybrid type with nobbies on the edges and smooth in the middle of the tire so i can take it on gravel paths. the owner said he would swap it out for free! he ordered the tires and i picked up my bike this afternoon!

just ask the LBS if they can strike a deal with you. it never hurts to ask. the worst thing they can say is, "no." oh btw, i got the bike for $500 out the door without tax! sweet!

[rugerben]

Looks like the Tran Send is the exact same frame as the Cypress but with rigid fork and seat post, rapid shifters, upgraded components, and rack/fenders. So if one wants an upgraded rigid Cypress, that would be it.

I had actually thought of getting a Cypress and upgrading it, but once i would do so, it would cost as much as the Transend, and I'd rather have rigid fork/post and and upgraded compos, so I went with the transend. So you've nailed it directly on the head. That's the reason for the transend.

[Tom Bombadil]

^^^
Yeah, I have seen some of the upgrades but I'm trying not to look there. Not being a serious rider and focused more on family neighborhood rides, bike paths, and the occasional 10 miler to a buddy's house, I'm not sure I want to spend that much. I started looking with a $350 budget, bumped it to $500, and if I were to go 7.3 that would make it pretty much $600. If I get the FCR3 frame, I could always upgrade things along the way, right? Next year get some new wheels, then get a Deore, etc.

What do you think of the Fisher Wingra in comparison? It's still under $500...


If you buy the FCR3 and then upgrade, it will end up costing more than the 7.3 FX. You always save on labor charges and parts when you buy a complete bike. The plus side of upgrading is that you get to pick exactly what parts you want to upgrade and want to put on your bike. In this case, I think Trek has done a good job of selecting components & setting the price on the 7.3 . Around these parts, it is pretty common to find Treks at 8%-10% off, but I know that isn't always the case.

If you have a hard limit of $500, then I totally understand looking for the best bike you can find at that cost. All I'm saying is that if you like the 7.2 FX, then if you can afford the 7.3, it is money well spent. And I have concerns about the cost cutting measures taken on the FCR3.

The Giant Trans Send is a nice bike, I love the looks. But as it is a bit of a different bike than a Trek 7.2 or 7.3 FX in riding position and geometry, I would go with the one which I enjoyed riding the most. They will be different.

The Fisher Wingra is a nice bike too, I've ridden on all three models in that line and found them to give a comfortable ride, with very good handling. I really like the Mendota and nearly bought one. But again, these are different than a Trans Send, which has a little more relaxed geometry.

The Wingra and FX bikes have a bit more aggressive geometry, where you aren't quite as upright. They are lighter and faster. Many do find them to be comfortable.

[ChappyOnIce]

Stopped by the LBS today and rode the Cypress. They don't have a Tran Send in stock, but the owner is ordering one for me to take for a spin. I liked the Cypress, but am not crazy about the twist shifters or the supsension so I'm anxious to see the Tran Send. It should be in on Tuesday. The components are the same as the Wingra and 7.2 FX and a notch or two above the FCR3. I think I'll like the upright geometry for my purposes more than I thought I would, but I'll only find out by riding back to back with the FCR3 (as a comparison point). The Treks and Fishers are at another store so I can't compare directly with them on the spot. I'm anxious to see the difference between the Cypress, Tran Send, and Wingra/FX. I don't think I'll spring for the 7.3, my daughter needs a new ride too...

On a side note, my wife rode the Cypress step-through and loved it. She liked it more than the 7200 WSD both from a looks and riding standpoint. We bought it with a few nice accessories for her and got a good deal from the owner of the shop.

[rugerben]

Good for you.
I hope your wife enjoys her Cypress.

It's funny. My father actually just bought a cypress yesterday because he DID want the suspension that my TranSend does not have, but he liked everything else about the transend. If you like the cypress but prefer the rigid frame and trigger shifters, I suspect the TranSend might be a winner. I'm curious to see how you decide. All of the bikes you are looking at are top notch.

[ChappyOnIce]

Went with the Tran Send DX. I rode the Cypress, Tran Send, and FCR3. Then I rode the Tran Send again. It was the 2nd ride that convinced me. It just felt right. I like the feel, the gearing, the "goodies", the whole package is perfect for me. I picked it up yesterday and have been admiring it while waiting for the storms to pass over Buffalo today.

[kokomo61]

Glad to hear you got your bike - enjoy! For those considering the FX and FCR, I just went through a similar purchase for my son - was looking at the FX, FCR and Sirrus....and ended up picking up an Iron Horse Transit 3.0.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/81PqPwKEy0L._SS400_.jpg

It had better components than the FCR3 and Specialized Sirrus base and Sport, as well as the 7.3FX....and best of all, it cost $399 on Amazon.com, including shipping. Granted, I'll have to do final assembly and checkout, but considering the fact that Sirrus Sport was $689 with lower-level components, I'll happily do the setup myself....

[Bialy]

Which is lighter in weight and nimbler, the Cypress or Tran Send?
And which performs better on packed dirt or fire roads or curbs/potholes, or do both do?

[ChappyOnIce]

The Transend seems a bit lighter than the Cypress (my wife has the step-through Cypress). It's also nimbler. I think the suspension on the Cypress gives you a little more comfort at the expense of weight and "nimbleness".