Specialized Vita Sport vs. Trek 7.3 FX WSD
 

I've decided to get a second bike for running errands and such. My choices have been narrowed down to these two. Which one would be the better value? I'm clueless as to component values or which frame material is better, etc. So, if the ride is equally enjoyable to me, can someone please tell me which one is the better buy?

2009 Specialized Vita Sport or 2009 Trek 7.3 FX WSD? Their MSRP is $660/$640, respectively.

Also, if you own one of these, your personal take on the bike is much appreciated!

Trek has the slightly better shifters and much better rear derailer.My pick would be the Trek.Both are good choices though.

Thank you, ddez!

The carbon fork on the Vita is going to suck up a LOT more road buzz than the aluminum fork on the trek. My Sirrus has an aluminum fork, and the Allez I sold had a carbon fork. The allez dealt with rough roads a little nicer, but it also had much better quality tires on it, the carbon fork was certainly part of it, though. Overall my Sirrus is a very comfortable bike to ride, and I would imagine the Vita would be the same...

IMO, The carbon fork is worth it. They really do help.

But both are nice bikes from great companies, really can not go wrong.

Doesn't that 7.3 have an elastomer "suspension" on that front fork? If so, it should do fine soaking up shocks and buzz, without robbing energy.

I ride Specialized, because they "fit" me better; but, I really like that 7.3 for a nice bike for it's value and performance.

edit: OOps, The elastomer is on the 7300, not the 7.3.

Ride them both, and then decide which one is best for you. One should stand out as more comfortable, more ridable, and more wantable.

The 7.3 really is a lot of value for the money.

Getting a carbon fork for the Sirrus shouldn't be an issue. A LBS should be able to do the swap.

Correct, getting a carbon fork for a Sirrus shouldn't be an issue; especially since this thread is not about a Sirrus.

WRONG. Not much better. It's only one level up. You can buy a Deore RD for under $30 shipped.

Getting a carbon fork on a CAAD9 wouldn't be an issue either. What's your point?

The Vita will be the lighter bike of the two. The Vita has a carbon fork. I would definitely pick the Vita over the FX.

You can easily upgrade the rear derailleur if you really wanted to. Sell the Alivio that came with the bike for $20. Buy a Deore LX for $50. Net cost of $30 would give you a "MUCH" better rear derailleur than the Trek. (MUCH better according to ddez....even though it's just one level better).

When buying a bike, the most important items are the frame & fork. Then look at the crankset.

Everything else can be had for cheap.

If you start off with an inferior frame/fork.....but have good components, how are you going to upgrade in the future? I'm not saying the Trek is inferior.....but it's much cheaper to upgrade a $30 rear derailleur than to upgrade a $100 fork.