Thank ColonelSanders... I'm trying to explore all options and saw the 7.5 and considering it as worth a look. We'll see when I get to see up close and personal. Trek states "FX is fitness simplified. It offers a best-of-both-worlds combination of road bike speed and city bike comfort and versatility. It’s a perfect fitness bike, and so much more." Given that my off-roading is limited to some minor dirt paths, sand, gravel and seashells and my road riding is in small towns with lots of curbs to hop, it "may" be worth a closer look.
I'm not sure if the tire size differences are significant or semi-close - 700x28c on the 7.5 vs. 700x35c on the verve? Sorry for the rookie question but is that a huge deviation?
A 35c tyre is 25% wider than a 28c tyre, assuming the tyres in question match the designation(some tyres may be marketed as 30c, and could be closer to either 28c or 32c), so I would say on tyre width alone that is significant, but that difference will pale into insignificance compared to the different geometry and forks of the two bikes.
Also the tyre pressure differences between the tyres that come standard on each bike, would be quite significant too, I would imagine, with the 7.5FX likely to have a much higher tyre pressure.
A Verve and a 7.5FX are very different bikes and would not be considered rivals.
The curb hopping is where an FX bike might not be the best choice, depending on how vigorously you do hop on and off the footpath.
I would imagine something like the Trek DS 8.3 would be a better choice than the Verve 3, if you are looking to get a Trek.
It would be faster, much more dynamic bike that would be better at handling any rough stuff you throw at it, whilst still providing a very comfortable ride.