I have a Trek 7100 and I liked it a year ago, when I first started riding again. Then I got a Giant FCR and thought the 7100 was a big clumsy lummox of a bike. Now I have been riding it off road on rough not quite mountain bike trails, and I like it again. For the trails I am riding, it is about right. I am in no hurry on these trails and feel that the suspension softens the ride. I also ride it on the road on occasion, and it makes me appreciate the Giant more. As another poster mentioned, this series is more oriented to the mountain bike or at least trail portion of the hybrid spectrum than the road portion. I wouldn't even consider taken the Giant on the trails I am riding the Trek on.