kclark84

I can get either one of these bikes for about $1000 from LBS. I like the ride of both. Any reason to prefer one over the other? I'm over 50, decent shape, will mostly use for commuting and weekend rides of 25-30 miles. Maybe RAGBRAI next year. Thanks in advance.

AdelaaR

The 7.6fx has a tiagra rear derailleur ... I think $1000 is a lot for a bike with tiagra.
The Rapid 1 has generally better componentry but the difference is small.

EsoxLucius

Ride the Jamis Coda Comp before you buy the Trek or Giant. Best yet if you can get a deal on a 2009 in closeout. The 2009 Jamis Coda Comp had better components and geometry than the 2010 Jamis Coda Comp and both of those have somewhat better components than the Trek or Giant. Steel is real.

kclark84

I can get a 2009 coda elite for $799.
https://www.bicyclebananasstore.com/2..._codaelite.htm
But I don't think I can test ride one in my area. I looked for a local dealer and can't find one.
Would you buy one without a test ride?

EsoxLucius

Fortunately, I was able to test ride a 2010 in St. Paul and a 2009 in Milwaukee before I purchased my 2009 Jamis Coda Comp from Bicycle Bananas. I really did that mostly to see how they were sized. I had pretty much made up my mind to get one before those rides, I love the bike.

Wanderer

Unless there are no other options, a test ride should be mandatory - you never know what it will feel like, until you ride it.

If it was me, and I liked them both the same - I'd go with the Giant, and the better componentry, for the same money.

kclark84

What's better about the components? I'm a newbie to high end components. Thanks.

desertdork

The 7.6FX was previously spec'd with R443 shifters & FD, 105 RD and (I believe) Tiagra cranks. As such, I felt it was a nicely equipped bike for the money. The whole drivetrain has been downgraded now. While changing the RD from 105 to Tiagra isn't as big of an issue, the move to an FSA crank and Alivio shifters is unnecessarily cheap on a bike of that price. The Rapid's drivetrain is a bit nicer. Also, the CXP22/Formula wheels on the Rapid should be just as good (or better) as the SSRs on the FX.

I see that the Rapid has long reach dual pivot calipers. If you think you might like to mount a large-ish tire on it one day, I suspect the FX will be better able to accommodate tires larger than 32mm. Maybe...or maybe not...important to you.

Regardless, test ride. Longer test rides, if possible. And if these bikes are sold from different shops, take into consideration any *feelings* you get about each shop.

kclark84

Thanks for all of your advice (which I took to heart). I got the Rapid 1. I thought the rides were equal between the two, but went with the better components. And the better bike shop.