Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - NEW BIKE, any last pointers before purchase?

Tomorrow I buy my new bike...I think it will be either a Trek FX 7.3, or a Specialized Sirrus Elite. I'll let you know what happens, and maybe after i break it in will be looking for a riding group in Brooklyn! Before I go in, i was hoping anyone with experience with either of these two bikes, or with brooklyn bike shops, could give me any last words of wisdom before i go make this significant purchase :)

thanks!

Both bikes are an excellent choice.
Spend a significant amount of time test riding each bike to make sure it fits.
The main items to adjust fit, assuming you have the right size bike to start with are seat height, seat position - forward or back, seat angle - horizontal, stem length and stem angle.

Then get out riding, and enjoy yourself.

I don't have a 7.3 FX but I do have a 7300 which I think is pretty much the same thing at least as far as ride goes. I love it. The only problem I've had with it after 3 years and 6,000 miles was a broken spoke in the back wheel that the LBS chalked up to a defect. Changed it out and it's been good to go. I'm using it now as a beater bike because I got a Roadie about a month ago but it'll get a lot of use this winter. Whichever way you decide, congrats on the new purchase and enjoy!!

My money is on the Trek since it's the simpler of the two you're looking at.

Simplicity in a bike is a good thing for everyday..........

thank you all for the comments. I called a number of bike shops to find the Specialized and the Trek to test ride them. I know that they're about the most popular models at my price range, but I didn't expect the 4/4 LBS that I called to be out! One shop, that I've heard good things about, had an intriguing alternative though. For a bit more, they had last year's Cannondale Quick-3 on closeout! I tried it out, it felt faster and more nimble than anything I've every been on...so I bit the bullet and coughed up the extra cash. It's a beautiful bike, but the lever for the seat height adjustment needs to be replaced next week (on them of course). Glad to have the extra carbon fiber as I haul this thing to the top floor of my pre-elevator age building! Bye Bye BELLY!

Are you buying a new bike after already purchasing the Cannondale?

The Cannondale Quick 3 looks like an awesome bike. Their website has the 2011 model on it, of course. But your bike will be very similar, I expect.
Nice low gearing, particularly the front chainrings.
Cassette could be a little lower, but is OK if you are not in a hilly area like Seattle, or Colorado.
I really think the 700 x 32 Continental tires are excellent.
I hope it fits you well.
I have had a Cannondale since April '09 and it has been excellent. Good customer service at the bike store too.

Enjoy riding.
I need to get off the computer right now and get out for a ride.

Congrats on the new ride. I have a Specialized Sirrus Elite Disc, love it. More comfortable than my Trek MTB, and I am able to log many more miles than slugging along on the MTB on the road.

this is my first BOUGHT NEW bike :)

this is the 2010 model i bough: http://www.twospoke.com/forum/f124/cannondale-quick-3-2010-a-3185/

The seat adjustment is weird, and some say the carbon fiber makes for a rough ride...but the LBS is going to fix the seat adjuster and it feels smoother to me than anything i ever tried. The rear derailers aren't shimano, and the brakes aren't a brand i know, but i'm new to this...I'm sure cannondale doesn't use crap components :P

The Cannondale Quick 3 looks like an awesome bike. Their website has the 2011 model on it, of course. But your bike will be very similar, I expect.
Nice low gearing, particularly the front chainrings.
Cassette could be a little lower, but is OK if you are not in a hilly area like Seattle, or Colorado.
I really think the 700 x 32 Continental tires are excellent.
I hope it fits you well.
I have had a Cannondale since April '09 and it has been excellent. Good customer service at the bike store too.

Enjoy riding.
I need to get off the computer right now and get out for a ride.

The tires on this older model are the Kendras...but maybe as i learn more about what the heck i'm doing i can pickup the better ones. I feel like it fits pretty well, I've tried may bikes that hurt my back and wrists within minutes of riding, they often felt precarious and i felt like i didn't have good control over the bike (scary!). On this one my wrists did feel pretty worn out after 20 minutes or so, but my back felt fine and i'm in such an upright position that i can take a hand off the handle and stretch it out a bit without having to redistribute weight much. I feel like i'm in control, and feel surprisingly good going up hills. I hope all that means its a good fit(?).