20davidf

I'm a newer biker who wants to use this bike for commuting as well as some road biking. What of the three is the best option? The FX 2 is $400 (on sale), the Escape 2 is $405, and the Absolute 2.1 is $410.

mickw

The three bikes are very close in specs to be nearly the same.
Fuji Bikes | Absolute 2.1
https://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/escape-2
https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/b.../1323010-2017/
The simple answer is ride all 3 and buy the one you feel best riding.
Ask each dealer the same questions and get a feel for the shop , the people in the shop could be a factor.
All 3 are pretty good basic , quality bikes.
If you're a big guy , ask the max tire width for each bike , or if your area of riding is pot holed or rough.
Ask each shop if they will spend some time getting you fitted properly . or if there is a charge for it.
Other than feel , the 3 are the same (nearly) on paper.
Happy shopping.
Mick

Aahzz

I don't know the Fuji, but just went through a choice between the Escape 2 and the FX 2. I chose the FX 2, because the Trek shop gave me better service, and the bike fit me better. In my case the Trek wasn't on sale, so it was more expensive, but the feel was worth it to me.

That said, for you the answer is the one given above by mickw - ride all 3, and buy the one that fits you best.

jase33

Ride the Giant and Trek and go with what feels best. That's what really matters.

20davidf

I settled on the black Trek FX 7.2 for $400 bucks -- good deal, good bike. Thank you for your input.

jase33

Congrats. Go get that bike dirty!

Aahzz

Same choice I made . Hope you dig yours as much as I dig mine.

Scooty Puff Jr

Another proud FX owner ! Welcome to the club.

bikehoco

Wow, I'm also trying to decide between those same 3 bikes.


Is this accurate:
FX2 = steel fork
Escape 2 = aluminum fork
Absolute 2.1 = **********??

hokiefyd 

It's very likely that the FX 2 has an aluminum fork. Go on trekbikes.com and use the instant chat window thing that comes up. They're usually very responsive to questions like that. I reckon Fuji would be, too if you chatted with or called them.

camjr

Fuji Absolute 2.1 = Hi-Ten Steel fork. It soaks up the vibrations nicely on mine.

Aahzz

FX 2 has hi-tensile steel fork. It's one of the reasons I chose it over the Giant, which has an aluminum fork.

Specs on the FX 2 are here:

https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/b.../1323010-2017/

1911bg

I bought a Trek DS 2 and it is working well.Part of my decision was there are several Trek dealers near me.

hokiefyd 

Thanks -- shoulda thought to look at the actual specs page.

The Verve 2 and 3 both use an alloy fork (with Verve 1 using steel), and I figured the same would be true of the FX line. Wrong!

bikehoco

I thought an aluminum fork was better than a steel fork.


One difference between the bikes is the tire size:
FX 2 = 700 x 35
Escape = 70 x 32

Aahzz

Aluminum is lighter, but steel gives a smoother ride. So, "better" becomes subjective, as to which factor you prefer.
You are correct on the tire size - I'm not sure if it contributed to my preference for the Trek or not - I preferred the feel of the Trek, but am not sure how much of that is tire and how much is the steel fork.

bikehoco

I was considering the Fuji Absolute 2.3 but got so much misinformation from the local shop I may go with the Trek.


Performance Bicycle said:
It has an aluminum fork - it's steel
It can't accommodate a wider tire - it can

coney462

Escape will easily accommodate 35mm tire and bigger