Trek Navigator - Comfort?
 

I am now 62 and sold my last bicycle about 15 years ago. Now I want to get back into it - for exercise and fun. Things have changed (just a bit) in 15 years. I was under the impression that the racing position is more comfortable over many miles than the more upright position.

Anyway, I went to a Trek dealer today and was led to the Trek Navigator series - includng the low price Navigator 50. The salesperson - clearly tons of bicycle experience - said this would be the more "comfortable" for most riding.

I was very impressed with the 50 - but wonder if it would be worth another $90 for the 100.

Any opinions about styles in general and the Treks specifically?

Trek is a fine bike. The extra $90 for the Navigator 100 over the Navigator 50 get you an aluminum frame, slightly better components, and a little more adjustability in the stem area.

I would also look into the Trek 7100 hybrid. Basically the same bike as the Navigator 100 with the easier rolling, taller and narrower 700x35c tire.

I have a freind that rides an '03 7100 and loves it. I myself bought an '03 7200. With no regrets. I put over 3400 miles on it with absolutely no problems at all. The tires are still the originals, but lots of life left in them.

Test ride them both. In my opinion I think the 7000 series hybrids with the taller tire are a smoother riding bike.

str8shooter makes excellent points. I have owned both bikes...personally, for an all around cruiser, I love the Navigator. However, for short distances (under 10 miles) it is great-if you're going to get into riding further than that, one the 7000 series would be a better choice. There are people who do ride their Navigators for longer distances. Ride them both and see how it feels to you.

Ditto to the 100 over the 50...much more for your money.

I'll vouch for distance riding on a 7000 series bike. My average weekday after dinner ride on my 7200 is approximately 25 miles. I try to do that at least 3 times a week. On Saturday and Sunday mornings when I can get out my average ride is usually between 40-60 miles.

Two weeks ago Saturday I did my first hundred miler on it. Over all I felt pretty good after the ride, but after about 80 miles my butt began to suffer. Thats my fault I learned the hard way that cotton shorts don't cut it on a long ride. My previous long ride before this was 67 miles and the shorts weren't an issue.

The hundred miler was a must do ride: 1. To prove to myself I could do it. 2. It was the last long ride I planned to do on the 7200. It will be used on casual rides with friends, and possibly start using it as back and forth to work bike.

The next day I went to Dicks and bought my 1st pair of bicycle shorts. Never thought I'd see myself in spandex, but I must admit it makes for a more pleasurable ride. :)

The following Tuesday I upgraded to a Trek 5000 road bike. Did my first hundred miler on that last Saturday. My butt wasn't too bad off thanks to the shorts but, I felt a few aches and pains I didn't feel the week before. I may have to get used to the new riding position.

I will say through experience that a Trek 7000 series bike can be ridden comfortably for long distances, but do yourself a favor and wear the right shorts.

Any saddle where you are sitting "upright" is going to hurt after a lot of miles. The optimum position is leaning slightly forward, on a firm saddle, where your sit bones position you on the seat.

Congrats on the road bike transition! Quite a big difference there, eh? Good choice!

Thanks for the replies. Problem is I now am in a quandary. I suspect that most of my rides will be in the 10 to 15 mile range. However, the trail I will ride most often is 60 miles round trip if you go to the end. Wouldn’t mind having that as a goal.

Have visited two specialty shops, and have had the Navigator recommended by both. I believe both mentioned that the bigger tires would “hold the road” better, and be safer. (I mentioned I am 62, so maybe these guys really wanted to put me in a three wheeler! By the way, I have now decided to move up to the Navigator 200. Lots of features for not a lot of dollars.

The Nav 200 and the 7200 are identically priced, and all specs with the obvious exception of tires and wheels are identical. Could one change out the original Navigator tires for the road tires at a later date?

Probably a dumb question, but I assume the larger tires would be a bit more difficult to power. But isn’t that why we have all those gears?

You cannot put the big, 700cc 7200 road tires on a Navigator. The frame will not allow it. You could put slick, higher pressure, more narrow (to an extent) 26" tires on the Navigator to make it a little more pavement friendly: less resistant roll.

The Navigator is more akin to a mountain bike while the 7200 is more akin to a road bike. If you want to get into riding 60 miles, go with the 7200 or even the one without front suspension. You won't need it and it only adds weight to the bike.

I am basically in the same place as you. I was told that the tires could not be change out on the Navigator and 7000 series because of wheel size, but it is possible to get a more all-terain tire that will fit the 700c wheel. Just want to let you know what I have been told.

Don't test ride a Navigator 300! LOL
I made the mistake of asking my wife to do it after she already liked the 200. She could tell such a difference in ride and shifting, we ended up with that one.

Trek 7100. rides like a Cadillac.

Hey, I've also got a recumbent bike...rides like a Cadillac and flies like the wind. NO PAIN...you can whip out that 60 miles lounging back in your comfy chair with a big ol' recumbent grin on your face! Check out that option. Here's a great website:

www.bentrideronline.com

I own a RANS Rocket and recently added an EasyRacers Tour Easy. Also ride a road and mountain bike. "Bents" are a blast too!

Well, since I've been dubbed the recumbnet evangelist on the forum let me evangelize: Lo, and there was wind in the face, a humming of wheels, and a big toothy grin as the reclined rider whizzed past the 100 mile marker! And behold the contorted faces of the DF masses as they struggled to the goal, hunched over in hellish pain! Does that capture the 'bent spirit? (chillidog, please don't take offense to the last comment there, I know you are a well rounded cyclist, and enjoy bikes of all kinds. That is great!)

'bent Brian

Hey Brian, what are you riding? Where is Wellington? Do you ride the Little Miami Bike Trail? I'm at the southern end of that....:D