Trek FX 7.1 or Specialized Crosstrail
 

I'm trying to decide the two bikes. I tend to ride almost exclusively on road and hard pack trails. It seems like the Trek is more of a road bike, but the Crosstrail was awfully comfortable.

The questions would be is the Trek going to be faster?

Is the adjustable suspension on the Crosstrail a benefit for road riding? Ot would I be better off without the front shock?

Does anyone know the weight difference?

Also... On the Trek they have last years models for about $50 less. Are there any changes in the newer bikes that would warrant the extra $$$

Anything else I should be looking at in the $500 range?

Thanks,

Creeze

I am in the market for a comparable bike. I have been recommended a Specialized Sirrus and a few others, I have a thread on this forum you should look at. I test rode the 7.1 and 7.2 fx, from my understanding the 7.2 fx is worth the $100 difference, due to the better material used for the frame.

Go with the Crosstrail
 

I don't know much about the Trek, nor do I really like Trek's, but I have an '08 Crosstrail and I love it. It's comfy and versitile. It's not great off road, kinda bumpy. It's not fast on the road. It is fun to ride however. I don't unlock the front fork really ever, but I like the fact that I have the choice. The Trek sounds more like a Sirrus or a Cannondale Quick. With that said,
I would buy another Crosstrail over any of them for it's versility.
I also have a Stumpjumper for off road and a Tricross and a SS Salsa Casseroll for the road, so my perspective may be different than yours.
Good luck. You'll probably love whatever bike you buy.
Kevin

Thanks for the Sirrus reccomendation, that looks like one I need to test ride.

I thought the Crosstrail was fun, I just wonder if it's fast enough to keep up with the road riding that I want ot do. I think you hit my quandary on the head... I want something faster than my old Hard Rock for road use. BUT... It was a fun ride!!

I really love my Crosstrail, but it's not for FAST road riding.
I am a slow guy, and I easily average about 4-5 MPH on my Tricross over my Crosstrail over a 1-2 hour ride.
Good luck. If you could buy both the Crosstrail and something for the road, you would probably pee yourself because of all the fun you would have.
Kevin

You could put skinnier tires on the crosstrail, they come with 45c, step down to 35c and they would roll faster on pavement. If you get the Crosstrail sport, on up models, they have a fork with lockout, which would help keep road efficiency but then you could "switch on" the fork for off pavement adventures...

I thought about the crosstrail, but realized then my mountain bike would never get used, and I have WAY too much into my mountain bike to get rid of it, I have built it up from bare components, so it has a sentimental meaning... So I purchased a Sirrus and LOVE it. Its somewhere between road bike and mountain bike for gearing, rides more upright like a mountain bike, yet speeds down the road similar to a road bike. I would NOT, however, want to take it offroad...I prefer having a suspension fork for anything past pavement. For the few times I need to ride road to get to trails, My mountain bike actually cruises down the road rather well. The Panaracer FireXC Pro tires have been on there for 9 years now, and are still going strong, granted most of those years I had a seperate wheelset with cheap slicks for road riding.

Keep in mind that the geometry on the Crosstrail was changed radically, between the 08/09 models. It's not the same bike. the frames are drastically different.

The 08 is more performance oriented, and the 09 is more normal/comfort oriented.

MHO

Hi there, let me just note that I have an '09 Trek FX 7.1 and I really love it. I ride it on pavement, hard pack, crushed limestone, and I never feel like I am going to lose control. The stock Bontrager Invert K 700x35c tires that came with the bike are excellent for all of these surfaces. I really like the lower-down handlebars on the Trek FX because it feels like you are in more of a road bike position than a normal hybrid or comfort bike would have you sitting at. I appreciate that, but it might not be for everyone. Generally, I really like my bike; Ergon GC3 grips/bar-ends would make it perfect.

A disclaimer would have to be that I know nothing about the Specialized Crosstrail. A friend and I have a Trek vs. Specialized rivalry going (I'm the Trek guy), and she really likes them so they must not be all that bad. Also, my previous bike was an old steel-frame lugger Trek hybrid from the 80s probably, so any aluminum-frame bike is going to feel fast after that.

i'm shopping for something similar. i'm choosing between giant rapid 3, specialized sirrus, trek 7.2, and kona door prize. i've taken the giant for a couple of spins and i think it's going to take the prize. it's nice and fast while being comfortable. i'd probably go for a road bike but i don't want to spend $1,000.

just got to get out to a bike shop with my size in the other bikes...

I've looked at the Giant online, but the closest dealer is 50 minutes away. If I want to support my LBSs I'm stuck with Trek or Specialized.

Ride them all. See what feels the best. If the Giant is the clear winner to you - then I'd say that 50 minutes is worth the expense. All 3 are solid choices, but shop with what you love the most as your guide: Ride!! Then decide.

Yeah... Heading to the other town this weekend or next to take a spin. Fortunately, we have a VERY early spring up here BUT I feel like I have a few weeks to decide... Still riding my old Har Rock until then.

Thanks Panther... I went to try some test riding today,a and the Specialized shop didn't carry the Sirrus and the Trek Shop was closed on Wednesdays. Stupid shops!!! Looks like I will make the 50 mile drive for sure this weekend.

SPecialized Crosstrail VS Trek FX3
 

This is sooo timely a question. I bought a Crosstrail a week ago and put 70 miles on it. I too wanted something faster and willing to put my new Crosstrail on Craigslist to buy the Trek. THEN I read all this and now having second thoughts. Seems everyone loves the Crosstrail so maybe a skinnier tire is an option. I'm going to try that before buying the Trek. Thanks all.