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7.2fx or 7.3fx

Old 08-20-08, 02:07 PM
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7.2fx or 7.3fx

first thread...i know i know i should search...i did but it didnt answer my questions.

im shopping for my first non-bmx bike and feel like ive settled to 2 choices. trek 7.2fx or 7.3fx. all the previous threads were saying that there was only a $70 difference but those threads were a couple years old.

i just went to the LBS yesterday and they quoted me 629 for a 7.3 and 479 for a 7.2 for 2009 versions. are either of these bikes worth it for these prices? and is the 150 difference worth it between the 7.2 and 7.3?

thanks for all your help in advance!

JQ
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Old 08-20-08, 06:22 PM
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bump
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Old 08-20-08, 07:07 PM
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Prices have really skyrocketed this year . Its true that the differentce in price btw the 7.2 and 7.3 used to be small and I used to say get the 7.3 but at $150, it would make me think twice.

The 7.3 has a better frame, and better drivetrain. If you intend to just tool around on bike paths then just get the 7.2.
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Old 08-20-08, 09:57 PM
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so its not worth the price difference anymore? i kinda want to keep this bike for quite a while and wondering if its worth the extra investment. would i notice a difference? i dont even know what the major differences are other than the frame.
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Old 08-21-08, 12:16 AM
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If you can find an '08 7.3fx, go for it. I picked one up about a month ago for $520. Many LBS's have 08's in stock on major discounts. If you get an 09 model and the price of the 7.3 doesn't turn you off, go for that. But a 7.2 is a decent bike, check into cannondale bikes while you're at it. Try a few towns within driving distance of you, someone should have an '08 FX 7.2/3.

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Old 08-21-08, 04:14 AM
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Here's the spec sheet on the two, if it helps. From my rookie research it seemed the 7.3 had a fairly good build, nothing top end, but decent quality stuff. 7.2 has been cut back to be much less pricey, at the expense of sold parts. After 200 miles I've only replaced the seat, pedals, brake pads, tires and the stem. The stem because the 25" bike is still a little small on me, tires because I'm heavy, ride trails and wanted better puncture resistance. As-is, new pedals is all the bike really needs, from my limited time with it. The pads where really noisy and poor in the wet, went for some koolstop salmon mountain pads, couldn't be happier.

7.3 FX
Frame FX Alpha Black Aluminum
Fork FX Alloy w/tapered wall thickness, straight blades
Wheels
Wheels Alloy front hub, Shimano RM60 rear hub; Bontrager Camino rims
Tires Bontrager Race Lite Hardcase, 700x32c; 60 tpi
Drivetrain
Shifters Shimano EF60, 8 speed
Front Derailleur Shimano C102
Rear Derailleur Shimano Deore
Crank Shimano M341 48/38/28 w/chainguard
Cassette SRAM PG830 11-30, 8 speed
Pedals Nylon body w/alloy cage
Components
Saddle Bontrager Race Lux Basic
Seat Post Bontrager Sport
Handlebars Bontrager Crowbar Sport, 25mm rise
Stem Bontrager Sport, 10 degree
Headset Aheadset Slimstak w/semi-cartridge bearings, sealed
Brakeset Avid SD-3 w/Shimano EF50 levers

7.2 FX
Frame FX Alpha White Aluminum
Fork High tensile steel w/lowrider mounts, straight blades
Wheels
Wheels Alloy front hub, Shimano RM60 rear hub; Matrix 750 rims
Tires Bontrager Select Invert, puncture resistant, 700x35c; 60 tpi
Drivetrain
Shifters Shimano EF50, 8 speed
Front Derailleur Shimano C102
Rear Derailleur Shimano Alivio
Crank Shimano M191 48/38/28 w/chainguard
Cassette SRAM PG830 11-30, 8 speed
Pedals Nylon body w/alloy cage
Components
Saddle Bontrager Approved
Seat Post Alloy adjustable suspension
Handlebars Bontrager Crowbar Sport, 25mm rise
Stem Bontrager Sport, 10 degree
Headset Aheadset Slimstak w/semi-cartridge bearings, sealed
Brakeset Tektro V w/Shimano EF50 levers

Last edited by MilitantPotato; 08-21-08 at 04:24 AM.
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Old 08-21-08, 07:18 AM
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thanks for all the help man! appreciate it greatly. ill call around.
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Old 08-21-08, 11:15 AM
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MY co-worker recently went through the same comparison. After looking at a few bikes he quickly gravitated to the 7.2/3 FX series. His wife was not supportive of buying a quality bike, and through that a Wallmart bike would be fine. Thankfully it didn't take much to convincing my co-worker that buying a sub $200 bike that ha to be self assembled (or reassembled because there is a good chance it wasn't done right) and will probably fall appart soon.

After looking over both bikes very carefully I'd have to say that the tires, the crank, and the derailer upgrades are worth the extra $150. I've had the Invert tires and realy did not like them. They buzzed a but, and picked up loads of road grit. When the tires got older they would flat out all the time as all the road grit just sat then getting pushed in deeper and deeper with every turn. I already had the 25mm verion of the Race Lites on my road bike and was pleased. I now have the 32 mm Race Lites on my hybrid and am SO much happier. My Gary Fisher also has the Deore rear derailer, and it works very well. It survived it first year round commuting in Buffalo (NY), and still shifts spot on. There are higher grade derailers available, but the Deore is an excellent unit. As far as the difference in two versions of the frame, I don't know if anyone could feel that to easily. The 7.3 gets you out of the bodum rung of the parts bin and definitely offers a bike that if maintained could go for many years of troublefree use.

Happy riding,
André
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Old 08-21-08, 11:17 AM
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great thanks for the input! im definitely gon look at them both again. i guess since im a beginner i couldnt really notice the difference the first time around between the two...

well my coworker has thrown another option into the bunch...he suggested a specialized sirrus...so i guess the choice is between the sirrus and the 7.3fx now...
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Old 08-21-08, 11:18 AM
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Originally Posted by andrelam
MY co-worker recently went through the same comparison. After looking at a few bikes he quickly gravitated to the 7.2/3 FX series. His wife was not supportive of buying a quality bike, and through that a Wallmart bike would be fine. Thankfully it didn't take much to convincing my co-worker that buying a sub $200 bike that ha to be self assembled (or reassembled because there is a good chance it wasn't done right) and will probably fall appart soon.

After looking over both bikes very carefully I'd have to say that the tires, the crank, and the derailer upgrades are worth the extra $150. I've had the Invert tires and realy did not like them. They buzzed a but, and picked up loads of road grit. When the tires got older they would flat out all the time as all the road grit just sat then getting pushed in deeper and deeper with every turn. I already had the 25mm verion of the Race Lites on my road bike and was pleased. I now have the 32 mm Race Lites on my hybrid and am SO much happier. My Gary Fisher also has the Deore rear derailer, and it works very well. It survived it first year round commuting in Buffalo (NY), and still shifts spot on. There are higher grade derailers available, but the Deore is an excellent unit. As far as the difference in two versions of the frame, I don't know if anyone could feel that to easily. The 7.3 gets you out of the bodum rung of the parts bin and definitely offers a bike that if maintained could go for many years of troublefree use.

Happy riding,
André
I forgot the add, that my co-worler gat the 7.3Fx. He figured his wife was going to be quite upset. She came along to pickup the bike. She then tried a few bikes in the store as well. After a few test rides she then wanted a 7.3FX as well.

They are now happy cyclists!

André
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Old 08-25-08, 06:01 AM
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have two friends, Matt and Mike. Mike bought his bike first, a 7.2 FX. Matt bought his bike a few months later, a 7.3 FX. Matt paid $150 more for his bike. Mike wishes he had too. (I bought a 7200 but I REALLY like Matt's bike.)

Be like Matt.
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Old 08-25-08, 04:29 PM
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There is a difference in the frame between the 7.3 fx 2008 and 2009. The rear stays are configured differently to make a better ride. I am going back and forth between the two and have decided on the 7.3 because I plan on having this bike for a long time and if I do sell the resell value will be higher. LBS told me that you are spending more but getting more bang for your buck with the 7.3. I think that is Trek's thing...better value as you move up the ladder.
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Old 08-25-08, 04:30 PM
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aight so im bout to order my 7.3 soon. now the question is black or candy red?
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Old 08-26-08, 09:25 PM
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my sister has a 7.3 and my brothers have 7.2s, I say good choice on the 7.3 and I am partial to the candy red
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Old 08-28-08, 11:36 AM
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well i ended up picking up a 2009 7.3fx in candy red at lunch time. im excited to get home. also ordered a 7.2 fx in blue for the girlfriend. picking it up on tuesday.
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Old 08-29-08, 04:05 PM
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I'm thinking of buying a 2009 red 7.3 ! took it for a ride and felt nice, never used the upright handles, and it's been a while sinc eI have been on a bike (my legs hurt after a mile ride! ouch) I have read great things on it, the pro shop are great guys and true to what they reccomend.

COLOR??? it comes in black red and blue? thinking of going with the red, black too dark maybe for visibility?

rims? if going with red, do you do the black rims or standard silver lookign ones?
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Old 08-30-08, 11:33 AM
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For my first non-cheapo bike I initially was looking at both models and decided to go with the 7.3FX. Why?

I figure I'd either pay a little more now or pay a LOT more later. Simple as that.

EDIT: Highly satisfied with my purchase! Love it!
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Old 09-03-08, 12:41 PM
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i love these bikes! totally happy with the 7.3 but couldnt complain with the girlfriends 7.2. to us noobs, we dont notice much of a difference other than the weight. thanks for all the help!
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