Prior to me pulling my "frugal" trigger on a néw Trek 7.1 bike for commuter riding, can you fine folks point out some potential alternatives that would be potential competitors I might have missed in my research? I'm very thrifty and desire a below $600 choice.

Going under 600 gives you a lot of choices. The first that come to mind are Craigslist, and Bikes Direct. What exactly do you want from your bike? Where will you ride it? Do you want flat bars or drops, or are you open to both? This is 50 dollars less than a 7.1, and it has better components, a carbon fork, and an adjustable stem, but ius still pretty similar:

https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...afe_sprint.htm

Look around bikesdirect.com, and show us anything else within your price range you are interested in. If you spot anything cool on your local CL, post it too, we can help you make a decision.

You have two more days to enjoy what REI has to offer. Check out the commuter bikes and see if there is anything that suits your needs.

If this is your first 'real' bike, then stick with something from the LBS. You can save some $ by going the CL route, but may end with something that doesn't fit proper or needs minor/major TLC.

For your budget there are a bunch of bikes that are equal to, if not superior, to the Trek at the same or lower price.

Don't know what brands are local to you, but here a few that fit your budget easily (sorry, gonna be lazy and not provide links this time ).

KHS Urban line, Giant Escape series or Via, Jamis Coda, Kona Dew, Specialized Sirrus, pretty much anything by Torker...

If you want to keep it under $600, why not he 7.2 FX?

Marin bikes has the Belvedere. Similar to the Trek Fx 7.x series (flat bar, road bike). I have a Marin Mill Valley & a Trek FX 7.5. Both are similar bikes, but the Marin rides a LOT stiffer than the Trek.

Great suggestions! I intend on patronizing a LBS for sure. Will follow this thread, do more research, ride some of the suggested alternatives and report back. Thanks!

In that price range, I'm not sure BD is that great of a deal. You might save a few bucks up front, but unless you build the bike and tune it up yourself, chances are the small amount of savings is going to get eaten up in labor at the LBS quickly. Not to mention the free service down the road (and often discounts on accessories) that your LBS may provide when buying a bike there.

I would check out the Specialized Sirrus as well... of all the "hybrid bikes" I have tried, it was the most fun to ride. But beyond looks and some very minor ride differences, there is very little that separates bikes at that level. They are fairly basic aluminum frames, pretty equal components, and very similar weight. I would pick the bike that comes from the LBS you like and trust the most to take care of you down the road, because honestly that will probably make more difference than which specific brand it is.

With either the 7.1FX or Sirrus, I think the sweet spots are the second level up (7.2FX, ~$550 - cassette vs. freewheel, 8sp vs. 7sp, better frame - alpha black is nicer than alpha white) and the $1000 level (7.5FX, carbon fork, deore/LX components). I'd probably pass on the 7.3 (~$700) for no major improvements, just a slight component bump. The 7.1FX are great if it leaves you room for other stuff you need (fenders, racks, lights, etc.), but just looking at the bikes themselves, I think the jump to 7.2 is definitely worth it.

I know little about the Sirrus, but agreed on the FX series. You used to have to get the 7.3 (which I have) to get the lighter, Alpha Black, frame. For the past two years, the 7.2 has been made from Black. Definitely worth the price diff., IMHO.

BTW, I think the FX series are really nice bikes. Mine has become superfluous, due to my recent acquisition of a Kona Jake, but I really like the bike. I'm not crazy about the tires, but the 7.2 has different ones.

I ended up going Trek. Picked it up from the LBS today. Two factors.... #1. I just spent close to $600 for 4 tires for my Saturn Vue (last week) and #2. I got a Memorial Day discount on the Trek FX 7.1 that fit right in my budget because of that tire purchase that was overdue. I did test ride the Trek Allant which is a lovely bike but a bit cumbersome and the Trek Earl single speed which I ALMOST got in favor of the FX 7.1. In the end, gears won out. The Matte Silver 2011 Trek FX 7.1 awaits it's first voyage later today.

Congrats! Now we need pics.