Has anyone test rode both bikes? Which one did you end up buying? Does one feel more spritely or lively than the other? Any feedback appreciated. I hope to test ride them within the next month or so. Let the analysis paralysis begin.

Thinking about buying one of these bikes. Overweight rider in descent shape. Most, if not all, riding will be on paved path's or sidewalk's. I do encounter some steep and/or long hills from time to time, but no mountains. Typical rides would be approximately 15 miles on mostly flat terrain. I am not a high cadence rider, so I'll not be a speed deamon on either. I am a pedal when you want/have to and coast when you can type of rider ha ha ha.

FX has the "Silver" frame whereas the Verve has the "Gold" frame. "Gold" frame is supposedly a step up in frame from the "Silver" though I doubt that there is that much difference. FX has a little taller head tube length. Both would have the steel fork.

For the sizes that I am considering, the Verve has a very slack 70.0° seat tube angle whereas the FX has 73.5 °. Both have a head tube angle of 71.5°. What does this slack of a seat tube angle do to riding position? Any advantages/disadvantages to the 70.0° vs 73.5 °. Would this slack of a seat tube put more weight on your bottom versus the hands? Sometimes when pedalling up a long hill I will stand to pedal for a bit .. would either seat tube angle be preferable to standing to pedal?

FX has eff top tube of 568 vs 606 (about 1.5 inch difference) for the Verve and I assume this difference is due to the slack seat tube angle. How is the Verve considered the "comfort" version with that much difference in the eff top tube length? Does anyone know if one of them has a taller stack height than the other? The Verve has a longer wheelbase by about 26 mm so I'm guessing it will feel a tad more stable?

Verve has the adjustable height quill type stem vs the normal type stem for the FX. I assume the FX stem type would allow more flexibility if you wanted to change or try out different length/height stems.

Verve has wider tires 45 vs 35 though I've read the FX can take a slightly wider tire than the stock tire. Being 330 lbs, I'd probably like at least a 38mm tire.

My body is not very flexible, so I'm even considering the women's version of the Verve as they have sizing large enough for me. The FX that is easier to step over stops the sizing one size to small for me. I'll probably end up with the typical men's style frame, but I'm open minded enough to at least try the model that is easier to step over thanks a hip that's probably going bad.


I'll hush now. Any feedback appreciated.