New Member..Need help with first REAL bike Trek 7.2fx ($450) or Trek 8.3ds ($560)
 

First off I would like to say thank you to everyone within this forum for helping me narrow down my results.

I have narrowed it down to these two bikes at my LBS:

Trek 7.2fx - $450
or
Trek 8.3ds ($560, NORMALLY $660)

I know this is a common question, but your help would be appreciated. I live in Central Florida where there are a few state parks and bike paths/trails. The "trails" I would ride would be gravel, crushed limestone and dirt. I would ride the bike 70% road and 30% trails and dirt paths. I want a bike that I can ride 10 miles per day [I]to[I] the state parks, and then proceed to go on the trails in the state parks.

The owner at the LBS seems like hes pushing me towards the 7.2fx because he is telling me that the Trek DS line "doesn't do anything particularly well, its just a combination of a heavy road bike and an entry MTB".

The 7.2fx would be at full sticker price of $450. But the owner of the shop told me if I wanted the 8.3ds, he would sell it to me for $560, normally $660, just so I don't go to another LBS and buy a Specialized Crosstrail.

As of now I am not leaning towards either bike. I test drove both bikes in the LBS parking lot and really could not tell the difference. I feel like if I were able to take the bikes off of pavement, is when I would notice the true difference. I'm not sure the 7.2fx is made for anything off of pavement with its smaller tires and non-suspension.

I appreciate your help!!!

I was in the same situation and I settled on the DS. I did my research and came to the conclusion that the fx was the most popular of the two, but I was leaning towards the DS for some reason. I went in to my lbs and I tried both bikes, and the one I felt more comfortable for me ended up being the DS. All in all I felt I made the best decision for me, knowing I wanted to do light trails and also knowing my reckless biking (hopping curbs instead of riding ramps). I made the choice towards my needs, then the feel, and then finally the color. I loved the fx 7.3's matte black so I went up and bought the 8.4. The 8.3's black is not too shabby though. I hope this helped!

Oh i forgot...as for the DS "doesn't do anything well," I was put off by that generalization too, but I haven't read anything but good things on the DS forum and decided to trust the riders who actually own and ride these bikes.

If your trails are nice hardpack, the FX can handle them, although the DS with wider tires and suspension will be more comfortable. If the trails are more of the loose dirt variety, with some roots, rocks, and singletrails thrown in, you really want the DS.

For all those "the DS does nothing well" comments ... Sure it is not the greatest road bike, and not the greatest mountain bike, but what is DOES do particularly well is a ride with a combination of both! It can be argued that the FX does nothing well either, since it is inefficient for a road bike (no drop bars, weights 5lbs more than a good road bike), and even worst on trails. What do YOU want to do with the bike, and does it do THOSE things well, without having to buy multiple bikes!

I will only add to the previous posters that if you are going to DS route get a model with hydraulic lock suspension. I am not sure if 8.3 has it but 8.4 DS and Giant Roam 1/2 (Also a very good choice) have that feature.

My bad I just checked the trek site and 8.3 DS do have hydraulic lockout.

I did my research, test road both, and went with a 2016 8.5 DS (upgraded for the better components and remote lockout). A buddy has a FX 7.3 ... on the rail trails we ride, the DS is indeed more comfortable and capable, as steve_cay suggests. I disagree that the DS "does nothing well". Its an excellent dual-purpose bike. I also tested Giant, Cannondale, and Specialized equivalents. For the money, Trek was the winner for me. BTW, my LBS let me borrow a new 8.3 for a few hours to go test on a trail ... certainly that helped me decide.

I took your advice on your post, and everyone's post for that matter. I went back to the LBS to get the DS, and the owner said they do not carry them in stock because most people buy them, ride them for a few weeks, and then return them. He said he could order it for me, but it would take 2 weeks to come in.

At this point I was somewhat frustrated. I told him I would take my business elsewhere. I went to the local Specialized shop down the street and spoke to their sales person. I explained to him my entire situation, including my experience with the Trek store. He told me he had no problem price matching the Trek 8.3 DS with their Specialized Crosstrial Disc for $560, normally $600. He had great things to say about the bike and went down the line of specs and compared it to the 8.3DS (I think the 8.3DS had a few slightly better components.

So I am now the PROUD owner of a 2015 satin green Specialized Crosstrail Disc. I cannot wait to get home and ride it after work today. I would like to thank everyone on this thread for your help. Even though I ended up going away from Trek, to Specialized, your help was the most beneficial tool along the way!!! Thanks all!!!

I'm happy for you dude! If I didn't settle on a Trek I was going to buy a Specialized Crosstrail Disc! Post pics! I'm interested in having a look.
Anyways, again, congrats.

I will get you pictures today after my first ride! Someone on this forum sold me on getting the suspension, because at least I can lock it out. If I ever had a bike without suspension, I wouldn't have the luxury of having suspension unless I upgraded. Plus this bike has disc brakes, which the other bike I was looking at did now. I'm just hoping I don't lose too much speed because of going the suspension route vs a rigid fitness bike...

You did well! Crosstrail is a great do it all bike.

Congrats! I beleive choosing the right type of bike (I.e. A dual Sport), is more important than Trek vs Specialized vs Giant. The comparable models between good manufacturers are more similar than different!

Congrats ... nice bike. And BTW, regardless of which bike you ended up with, I think finding a LBS you are comfortable with makes all the difference in the world. The place that wants your business will work to keep your business should you ever have a problem. Actually, I even followed my favorite tech from one LBS to another when he moved. He fit my road bike so well, I bought my new Trek in part so that he would make sure it fit. Those kinds of relationships are invaluable over time.

Congrats on your new Crosstrail. It's a great bike, but then again, the Trek's are great bikes too.

Going down a hill this morning on my Crosstrail, I did 30.9.mph. Straight flats, I'm still doing about a slow 11mph. But it is a lot of fun and comfortable.