XLTKID

Hello,
I posted on here back in March i believe. Bought a 7100, had it less than 2 months, had to sell it for a job in another state. Job only lasted 5 weeks and i was laid off. That was upsetting.

Back in Phoenix again, the 1st. is coming, which means resolutions again. I need to lose weight and get in shape. Will start the diet again as i am at my heaviest right now, 275 pounds, 6 foot. The 7100 seemed like it was hard for me to ride, was that beacuse i was out of shape? Been looking at the Navigator 2.0 for the same price. I know it will be a slower bike, heavier, but more comfortable to ride. I will not be doing any kind of racing etc. Just want to ride to help lose weight and get back into the exercise routine. Was also told the Navigator is not good for long rides. Am sure i will only be going 10-20 miles at any given time to start. I will be moving to Florida next year and will take this bike with me.

Any advice or opinions for me? Will the 7100 still hold up to my weight? Thanks everybody.

goldfinch

My spouse has the Navigator and he does rides of up to about 10 miles with no issues. But he is starting to long for a better bike. I know one or two posters here had Navigators and used them for much longer rides than 20 miles. But most here seem to grow out of them and want something else.

Have you looked at the Trek fx series? That might be a better long term choice and be better for the miles you plan to ride.

BTW, that stinks about your job.

NCbiker

I've been riding my Navigator 2 for the last 90 days and have really enjoyed it but at this point I'm looking to upgrade to a bike with less of an upright position, no suspension and drop bars. The comfort options are good for rides up to 20 miles, but beyond that the comfort bike is not so comfortable. Even with a new bike I'll probably keep the navigator for short grocery runs. I'm beginning to understand N+1.

I doubt you will find a lot of difference between the 7100 and the navigator as far as ease of ride. I don't know about weight stress on the 7100, but the navigator should handle it.

jethro56 

I suggest to people just beginning to walk before you ride. All you need is a good pair of shoes. I like the Asics GT2160 or GT2170. I believe the first goal is to make physical activity a habit. Don't push it. Set a time length and a speed you can do right now. Don't increase speed or time just get used to doing it. In a couple months start increasing. You can use the time to learn more about bikes and find that right bike.

NCbiker

I did just that. Started the year at 265, used diet and walking to get down to 225 and then got on a bike and lost another 20 pounds. The walking and riding has helped, but I've found diet is the key to losing weight.

IBOHUNT

I did that as well. Started at 268, used diet and walking to get to ~250 then bought a Gary Fisher Tarpon. Put 1700+ miles on that and was down to ~205 which is where I am at now. Bought a Giant Advanced at a steal and use that for the longer rides or when I am not on the C&O canal.

Axiom

Looks like the navigator has a better derailleur and seat. The only downside is that the navigator has really beefy tires. I had a schwinn with the exact same parts as the 7100, and it held my weight (at the time I weighed 310) very well. The problem is that both the 7100 and the navigator are slow and the suspension is too squishy in my opinion.

Goldfinch is right, check out the FX series. For your first few rides it will be quite uncomfortable because it has no suspension and a seat with much less padding. However, the FX is fast and rides very well and comes with better components. It's like switching from a SUV to a sports car. But I will warn you, the FX is going to be a bit more expensive.

CDawg

My situation was similar to yours. I bought a Trek Navigator 1.0 a few years back to get back into riding to get some exercise and drop a few pounds. The Navigator is fun to ride but, as my rides started to become longer, I started noticing its limitations. I wanted something a little lighter and faster, so I bought a Trek 7000. The 7000 is now my primary bike and I love riding it. I looked at the 7100 but I really didn't want the front suspension. I still use the Navigator once in a while for short errands -- just can't bring myself to sell it. However, if I had it to do over again, I would have gone for the 7000-series bike.

My recollection that both the Navigator and 7xxx series bikes are rated for 300 lbs.

As someone else noted the FX bikes are really slick. My guess is, if you found the 7100 hard to ride, the FX would be worse. Having said that, there may be an FX in my future some day.

RedC

If I had it to do over I would start with the 7000 series or the FX. I rode 25 to 40 miles on the Navigator but it was hard work and led me to upgrade to a road bike sooner than I might have. Less than 6 months on the Navigator 3 years ago but I'm at 6,000 miles on the road bike this year.

goldfinch

Trek bike weight limits: https://www.trekbikes.com/faq/questio...questionid=104

Hybrids are 300 pounds. The limits are likely conservative.

bwilliams

I have a DS 8.3 and i am right around 300,so far it has been great on the forestry roads,some single track and the MUP.

i do not plan to do any road riding.

jaxgtr

Hi, I've owned my Trek 7300 since 2003, have over 6K miles on it and completely rebuilt it in 2010. I started riding it when I weighed 350 lbs and have been hovering around 290 for the last couple of years. My longest ride on it has been about 75 miles and it works great.

I live in Florida so I run a 12-23 in the back and use it for a commuter on occasion. I also change it to 9 speed versus the original 8 and got rid of the original suspension front fork as I could not lock it and decided to go with a steel fork. I also had my Velocity Deep V's restrung with XT hubs and run 25 versus the 38's that were the stock tire size. While I have change road bikes a few times, I will not get rid of this bike. I think it is really my favorite of all my bikes.

My wife has a 2003 Navigator 3.0 and while she has ridden 25-30 miles on occasion, it's not a comfortable ride for her, she does much better when I borrow a friends road bike from his wife as we check out bikes for her. I think the Navigators are more for short distances not the long rides, but each persons perspective is different.

XLTKID

Thanks. I am looking at the FX series as well. They should be lighter bikes right?

XLTKID

I know diet will greatly help, i walked for a while while on my diet ant some weight, but also know i should lose more by bike riding than walking. Thank You.

XLTKID

I will be going to my LBS tomorrow, will look at the FX series. I know it cost more, so will be either the 7.1 or 7.2. Right now i am thinking the Navigator is out for me. Thanks.