richard4993

I recently sold my Trek 7200 that i was using as my beater and want to get something to replace it as I don't want to lock up my Trek Utopia. during the summer I borrowed a mid 90's Specialized Hybrid and was impressed by the ride quality of steel so I'm trying to decide if I should go with a Trek 700 series from the 90's which are pretty easy to find over here or spend a little and go with a a brand new 7.2 FX Disc.

corwin1968

I'm currently riding a 1995 Trek 730 and sold my Trek 7.2 FX. Both are fine bikes and you won't go wrong with either but I've been riding a 730 since 1995 and it has a lot of nostalgic value for me. Also, it's a project bike that I plan to completely retrofit and get re-painted and that's easier to justify on a 17 year old bike than on a new one.

I would say the 7.2 is a sportier bike. I think a primary reason for that is the oversized aluminum tubes make it more stiff and it feels more responsive when you start pedaling. The 730 is definately smoother riding. I think the lower level FX bikes aren't that different from the 700 series of Treks except for their aluminum frames. The higher level FX bikes are completely different beasts and are more akin to flat-bar road bikes.

If you are looking for a ready to ride bike, the FX might be a better choice. If you get a 90's bike there's a good chance it will need at least a tune-up and maybe an overhaul and new tires & tubes. The one I bought in November functioned perfectly but within a few months one of the tire casings split and they weren't even the original tires.

Whichever you get, be sure and post pics. I love those old Trek Multitracks and the new FX bikes are just gorgeous (unlike the 1997 version I owned, which I always thought was quite ugly).


Here's what mine looks like:

jbchybridrider 

If you bought the older Trek I know I would enjoy seeing it here.

richard4993

Thanks for the help guys. That bike looks good with all the decals stripped off of it. I'm thinking of keeping my eyes open for a 720 or higher cause I'm guessing it would have better components than a 700 unless I find a nice deal on one. Just curios what does that 730 come in at weight wise?

giantcfr1

I'd prefer a 7XX over a new bike any day.

corwin1968

I also prefer the look of not having any decals. The bike weighs approximately 28 lbs as you see it. The rear rim is a 40-spoke touring rim that is actually heavier than the cheap rim that came stock on the bike. It's bombproof though and since I weigh 380, it's worth the extra weight.

If you are serious about getting an old Multitrack, spend some time at vintage-trek.com and research the options. In 1995, there was a 700, 720, 730 and 750. Only the 730 and 750 were all cro-moly and made in the U.S.A. The 700 and 720 were all or partial hi-tensile steel and made in Taiwan. I'm almost 100% sure any 750 or 730 will be all cro-moly and there might have been some years where the 720 was as well but I'm not sure about that. I'm pretty sure 700's were never all cro-moly. They made 790's for a couple of years in the very early 90's and they are double-butted cro-moly as are most or all 750's. My 730 is "custom-butted" which could mean anything from one single butted tube end to just one shy of being double-butted.

You are also right that a higher level bike will have better components. I'm doing a major retro-fit of mine and have really considered upgrading to a modern Deore or Sugino crankset but the orginal, stamped steel, riveted crankset (Alivio level) on it now works perfectly fine, as does everything else. If you are interested more in a vintage steel bike, I definately recommend a multitrack. I've loved mine since 1995 and I've seen a lot of praise for the bikes on this forum. Also, there are a lot of them out there, far more than the other brands of hybrids made in the 90's. They are versatile as well. I've collected pictures of multitracks I've found online and these two show vastly different ways to use that old frame:

dr1445

pre 99 bianchi advantage also have crmo steel frames. mine is 21" and comes in at 29.6 lbs with updated 27 speed and road wheels/28tires. rides ok, they go for around $150 around my area cl. not many around but they come up a once in a while.

bigbubbag

My daily rider is a 2012 Trek 700. Every one talks about how it is the "low end" Trek. I don't care! I love mine!