kardut

Newbie here, and just bought a bike after not having ridden for 20-some years. Tried a bunch at my LBS and came home with a Vienna 3, but am now having second thoughts... I was torn between this bike and the Trek 7.3. Both felt comfortable and, in my admittedly uneducated hands, felt similar. What swayed me to the Vienna was the shifter, which I now realized was likely something that just needed adjustment on the Trek test bike. After coming home and reading reviews, it seems like the Trek is more well thought of than the Vienna...

Anyway, the LBS I bought from has a 14-day return policy, and just wondering if I should take advantage of it to get the Trek instead. I'm a 48-y-o female, ride mostly suburban paved bike trails/roads, and would possibly like to do some touring down the road (no pun intended) as my fitness improves. The Trek seems like it would be more adaptable to touring, which is why I may be leaning toward that...

Would appreciate any advice. Thanks!

wb416

I was just out with a friend this weekend that was test riding those very same bikes. Both seemed to be very adequate bikes, so I advised my friend to go with the LBS that suited his personality better (rather than talk him into using the shop I use)..... If I had to pick... I'd probably have gotten the Vienna... but again.... both seem suitable... he has similar goals as you.

They both seemed to be well suited to the trail/bike path riding you are referring to. I didn't feel that either one was particular well suited to touring.... unless it was extremely light. When he put rear panniers on both, his heel was hitting the bag. Would have to be a small pannier... IMHO.

If you get to the point where you want to do touring, then consider a touring specific bike... there's no shame in owning more than one bike.

jewelthief

I've never seen one other than on the internet, but it looks like a very nice bike. It sounds like you have a little bit of buyers remorse -- no need to worry though. A lot of us get that after a big purchase. I got it after my purchase of the 7.3! Doesn't mean its a bad bike - just that I was wondering if I spent my money wisely. Once you start start getting some miles on your new bike you'll be glad you got it!

fatboy cycling

The Vienna 3 should be compared to the 7.2 because the specs match more closely.

wb416

Perhaps... but the 7.2 and V3 are still darn close, with 7.2 matching up more closely to the V2, but still... I see no need for buyers remorse... either one is worthy.

https://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/S...=17581b+15824b

fatboy cycling

I agree!

Wanderer

Which one is the MOST comfortable for YOU to ride on? That's the one you want....

Forget the money, and forget the names.....

kardut

Thank you everyone for your responses. I went out yesterday for a nice ride, and decided that I really do love my Vienna after all

Wanderer

Good move!

kardut

Umm...never mind that last post. Even though I really enjoyed my ride on the Vienna, the Trek just kept calling my name. Went back to the LBS, and they had the 2010 7.3 WSD model (I don't think they had the WSD when I was there earlier). Took it for a spin and that was all it took. While the Vienna was a nice bike, it was kinda like a one-night-stand. Satisfying, but I woke up in the morning thinking, "what have I done?!" The fit was just not 100% right. The Trek was like that best friend that you just realized was really your soulmate. As I rode it through the parking lot, the wind blowing through my ponytail, it just felt so liberating and wonderful and right. So I paid the extra $$, loaded up the Trek (which was a lot easier, BTW, due to its lower weight), and drove home, stopping at a bike path along the way just to take it for another spin. I'm glad I went back, and thanks for all the advice!

wb416

Give it a day or two... you'll change your mind again... lol.

Enjoy your ride!

kardut

Ha...like I told the guy at the bike shop -- it's a lot less painful paying for a bike $100 or so at a time. Next week I'll exchange for the 7.5 and fool myself into thinking it only cost a couple hundred

But seriously, I love, love, LOVE the 7.3. And it's a nice bright white!

wb416

White is NOT a proper colour for a bike!! Flat black is the colour of choice for a bike like that!!

Seriously though... the more you love your bike, the more you'll find excuses to get out and ride it!!

Have fun!!

idrinkred

I went the other way and bought the Trek over the Vienna 3. I'm 5'3" and the smallest Vienna was just a bit too big for me. I felt the shifting was clunkier, but that could have been how the shop had that bike set up. I also rode a Cannondale that felt pretty good but the shifting was crap. That didn't give me a lot of confidence in that particular LBS and their service department either.

So I left that LBS and went back to the one with the Treks. Re-rode them and took home the sexiest little candy red Trek 7.3. I'm sure you'll be as happy with your Vienna as I'm gonna be with my Trek!

kardut

Idrinkred--See my updated post in this thread. I returned the Vienna and got the Trek (though it's the white '10 model, WSD). Mostly for the same reason you cited. I'm 5'6", and still felt the Vienna (49) was a little too much of a stretch for me...maybe a half-inch clearance over the bar, and that's if I stood right next to the seat, before it slopes upward. Love my Trek too, and am glad I made the return!

idrinkred

Ooops, I skipped right over that update! Duhr, rookie mistake on the boards.

The shop that had the Vienna even offered to change out the seat post, but that wasn't going to help any. The standover height just wasn't right.

My Trek is the first bike I've had since my teenage Schwinn years too...a sunset orange 10 speed that was my best friend. I'm so sad it's raining here again today.

Enjoy and see ya round!