Recreational & Family - Specialized Globe Vienna 2 vs Trek 7.2 FX

I'm looking for a new bike. I ride mostly on the road, but take the occasional dirt path or through a wooded area. No hard core mountain trails and no street marathons. I've tested out a few bikes and narrowed it down to the Specialized Globe Vienna 2 and Trek 7.2 FX. I liked them both but can't decide which one I liked better. The problem is that they are at different stores so I can't do side by side tests. Also both bikes seem pretty similar. Anyone have any suggestions

Tough choice as both bikes look fairly even matched. Just my personal prefrence would be the Trek 7.2 FX, just like the overall looks better. Have you looked at the Specialized "CrossTrail" or "CrossTrail Sport", with it's 700x45c tires it seems like it would handle your occasional "dirt path/wooded area" a bit better than either the Globe Vienna 2 or the Trek 7.2 FX.??

Of course as they mostly say, GO TEST RIDE the bicycle and take home the one that talks to you the most. Make sure the LBS takes the time to "FIT" you to the bike, with either one I can't see making a bad mistake, YMMV.:thumb:

Those are closely matched, more so than two competing bikes normally do. The geometries do vary a little bit. And the sizes don't matchup perfectly, so one might be a better fit for you than the other.

In the end, if you can't determine which you like better, you might want to considering buying from the LBS you like best.

Someone has also mentioned the Specialized Crosstrail...any thoughts on that?

Also, I stopped off at another bike shop and they had the Vienna for 450 where the store near me sells it for 500. Do stores provide their own discounts?

In the end, if you can't determine which you like better, you might want to considering buying from the LBS you like best.
+1 - The LBS you feel the most comfortable at will be the store with your confidence to provide service after the sale, maintenance, and maybe accessories.


Also, I stopped off at another bike shop and they had the Vienna for 450 where the store near me sells it for 500. Do stores provide their own discounts?
Where the bikes the same model year? I have been to several shops selling the previous model year for about that difference. Otherwise it is possible the LBS with the lower price may have a volume commitment and received a better purchase rate on inventory.

Both of your choices are nicely featured, so I do not think either will be a disappointment. Maybe the other consideration to weigh is the color, pick your favorite:thumb:

Me, I am partial to "Blue":innocent:

I just picked up two Vienna 3s for the wife and I. We love them. Great bikes. I got the burgundy disc model, she got the regular grey model. My guy takes 10% off the retail. Another local guy does pretty much the same. Not much wiggle room on bikes it seems, at least not the Specialized brand. I also liked the look of the Cross Trail and my buddy bought the red low-end one. It's really nice too. I really liked the look of the highest end one, the Elite, I think? But it was over a grand. I'm pretty much doing mostly road riding and love the riding position. I put on a different handlebar holder, an adjustable one, to get a little more upright riding position. Great bikes so far.

Thanks for the advice everyone. I wound up getting the Globe Vienna 2 from the local store. I told them the other store sold it for 450, but I'd rather buy from them. They dropped it to 475. Then I wound up spending more on a cyclocomputer than I originally planned.

I should get it by Wednesday, I'll let you know how it all turns out.

Excellent choice. I think you will be very happy with it. My wife and I went out yesterday and we just love our Vienna 3s. Just awesome bikes!