tboned

Okay, final decision will be made tomorrow:

Trek SU200
https://www2.trekbikes.com/bikes/bike...d=1034060&f=21

OR

Trek 7.5 FX
https://www2.trekbikes.com/bikes/bike...d=1341000&f=26

I'm being given a generous Trek discount. For the riding to work/school/errands (<15 mi. a day) that I plan to do with this bike, I'm down to these two. I doubt I'll ever have any gripes about any differences between them. They're essentially the same bike. Very comparable anyway. I slightly prefer the looks of the SU200, but feel like I'd be giving up too much of a good bike if I didn't get the FX 7.5. I know I'll end up being really pleased with either of these bikes, but I'm deeply torn.

The 7.5 FX is the better bike for most practical considerations: better components, carbon fork, better wheels, probably slightly lighter, etc., but strikes me as sort of cruiser-bike looking. Maybe it's the rise in the handlebar? Yet the SU200 seems a bit more aesthetically pleasing. ...I think? No? This may end up being an aesthetic decision, although I know that internet pics aren't the best representations: both bikes will look different (and better) in person.

Are the differences negligible, or am I a fool for not obviously choosing the ____ due to its _____? Please do voice any opinions: materialistic, mechanical, fashion-driven, pragmatic, petty, or whatever. Which bike is cooler? Smarter? Sexier?
I nixed the SU100 only because I don't really like the dark-gray graphics on light-grey paint job. Seems kind of flashy.

Please weigh in--I welcome any opinions I can get. Sway me. HELP!

Trek930

Personally I would get the 7.5 FX because the components and wheels are better. Remember: fit first, then frame, then wheels, then components. Most of the money goes into the frame and wheels.

Disk brakes however are a great thing. You will not go back to anything else. Rain does not change how the brakes work. If you want flashy get the 7.5 FX Livestrong. That Black and yellow looks great.

slvoid

The 7.5 is light and fast.
Get the SU200 if you plan to dive into a lot of potholes.

DogBoy

My suggestion depends on you and your riding location/style. If you really like to hammer and you are on fairly smooth roads, get the FX. Having used cantilever, caliper and v-brakes in all kinds of conditions, from dry to wet/icy, I can tell you they still work. They may not be as nice as discs, but you will stop which is what you need.

If you ride in an urban jungle with potholes galore or like to saunter rather than hammer, I'd go with the SU. 26" wheels contribute to lower gearing (along with the gearing itself) and they are stronger than 700c wheels to hold up to the pounding of the urban roads.

Finally, if you ever want to do sport riding, I'd get the FX. It isn't a road bike, but I think you would find it to be much nicer for an afternoon out than the SU. Happy shopping.

cooperwx

Agree with slvoid. The fx is gonna be quite a bit faster. But that's a pretty steep difference in price. The SU200 "looks" more urban (dark color, thicker tires, less nimble makes it look more urban to me?) but I'm guessing it's at least a few pounds heavier.

You can get the 7.5fx with disc brakes if that's the concern...but I'm often slowing down from 30 to a dead stop and have no prob with the standard brakeset.

Last piece of advice: Go with feel rather than looks, and ride them both before you shell out the cash.

rule

My commute is defintely what can best be described as urban jungle. I am going into my second season on a 7700FX. I did a few upgrades to the stock bike, mostly to lighten it up a bit more. It is really fast for a flatbar, not as good as my roadie, but not by much. It is a whole lot more stable and forgiving though, and still is plenty responsive and nimble especially for slow speed manuevers around obstacles or in close quarters. I upgraded the brakes to Ultimates and they are better and more reliable than the Hayes discs on my rain bike.

I say ride you both choices and let their feel on the road decide it for you.

Turboem1

i would recomend the 7.3 fx disk.

Phantoj

I think discs are only a significant benefit when riding in the rain or wet. So, are you going to ride in the rain or wet?

I have discs on my latest; I really like them. Easy to maintain and the bike stays clean.

If I were you, and had to get a Trek, I'd get a Pilot 1.0. But among those two choices, I'd get the the FX. BUT, you seem to like the SU better. So get what YOU like.


You could put knobbies on the SU and it would be like a rigid mountain bike. So if you want to hit the local singletrack, get the SU. For fun rides on the local bikepath, get the FX.

DogBoy

Also of benefit on long downhills when rim brakes can overheat the rims leading to brake/tire failure, but that likely isn't a concern for commuting duty.

tboned

Thanks for the replies. With your help, I've pulled the trigger on the 7.5 FX. I'm really excited, it's a great bike, if anything I'm worried it's a bit too much bike for a beat around town bike. All in all, I just couldn't pass it up. Trek has put together a really nice package here.

azrob00

Hey Keep us posted on how you like it! I am kinda debating between the 7.5fx and the su100 ( don't care about the disc brakes...I have descended alpine passes on normal breaks and except for cramps in my hands, the bike always stopped...) i commute 13 miles each way everyday right now, on a carbon fiber dual suspension bike( trek fuel 98); it would be nice to have something a little more commute specific.and some slick tires...

slvoid

Remember, disc brakes not only work better, they're more consistent, don't over heat, are better in the rain, are way way cleaner, don't wear away your rim, last longer, aren't affected by debris on the road that can get lodged in your regular pads, and allow you to put reflective tape along the whole sidewall of your wheels for that cool effect.

If you can afford it and don't mind the extra few ounces, get them.

anonymouse99

You can slap maximum width knobbies on the SU200 and take her off-road, which is what I'm currently doing. During the summer, I had 26x1.35" Schwalbe Marathon Slicks, which were thin and fast enough for long distance rides, even though the geometry of the bike and handlebars are not optimal for long distances. But, then again, neither is that of the fitness bikes. I got the SU200 because it is waaaayy more versitile.

mikdes

anonymouse99, would you recommend the SU200 as a low-maintenance bike for a 10-mile one-way commute? Is it fast enough to make that ride? Also, I'm in Oregon where it rains 8 months a year. The main reasons I'm looking at it are price and the disc brakes. I'll have about $100 to spare after buying the bike to add things like bar-ends, fenders, rack, etc.

My main concerns with it are speed, maintenance, and the aluminum frame (is it a harsh ride or do the fatter tires make it somewhat smooth?)

anonymouse99

You'll go just as fast on the SU200 as you would any other hybrid of comparable price, if not faster, since the smaller wheels allow for faster acceleration in stop and go traffick. Throughout the summer I used the bike for 20-30 mile bike rides on paved asphalt through the cornfields during the weekends and 6 mile round trip commutes each day. I competed in two sprint distance tri's with it, too, and on the first which recorded accurate split times, I averaged 18.2 mph over the course of 12 miles, which had lots of rolling hills.

I can't bike as much now as I used to, but get more joy out of riding the SU what little I am able to by riding it with fat-arse knobbies, 26x2.2" IRC Mythos, front and rear specific. Hummmmm-druuumm through the road. I don't avoid pot-holes anymore with them on... I go straight for them and hop curbs and ride through construction debris just for ****s and giggles.

Jay H

I hope you don't mind if I tag along this thread.

Does the SU200 still have the brake mounts for a standard linear pull brakes on the seatstays? Does it have eyelets on the rear dropouts for a rack? Does it come with two water bottle mounts in the main frame?

I am looking at the SU200 for my off-road 4-season commute. I like the disc brakes for the winter but I also need the brake mounts because my Old Man Mountain rear rack mounts to them. What I plan on doing if I was to buy it would be to switch out the front cluster to something like a 46/34/22 over the standard 44/32/22 and the SU200's 48/38/28. I would also switch the front fork to a suspension fork. (I have QR Old Man Mountain front rack and a Bomber Z2 that I use now).

My commute is a little over 10 miles and is a combination of road, woods trails so I like the suspension part. I also would probably want wheels that are not radially laced. I am a commuter not a racer.

Jay