7.2 FX of Sirrus Sport? down to tire width?
 

Hi All,

So I've been looking into hybrids and want one to replace my road bike with so i can do more neighborhood riding along with occasional rides of 15-20 miles.

With my budget and local shops i can get a Trek 7.2 FX for $500.00 and a Specialized Sirrus Sport for $560.00 (both being 2013 models). would like to make some upgrades eventually so some cash for that too.

The biggest difference which seems to be my deciding factor is the tire width, the FX has 700 x 35 and the Sirrus has 700 x 28 and they look more like slicks. I have a walking trail near by, its not rocky its got woodchips, and would like to ride it and other trails once in a while but dont know the the Sirrus could handle it without upgrading tires. is this right? how about the FX tires?

Also I know I will be doing some curb hopping in the ciity, I wont be trashing the bike but I know its going to happen, so will the Sirrus rims be able to handle this without tacoing? or would the FX be better since it has wider/ bigger tires and a wider rim?

Finally I want to be able to do some distance riding as well, nothing over 20miles is very likely, but i would like to keep some good speed when I do. I'm use to the 700 x 23 slicks on the 1000 SL and know I hybrid will feel slower, especially at first, so would the FX tires be too wide?

So with this these long considerations (sorry) which bike should I go for? and would upgrading the tires be necessary?
Thanks in advance for your help.

Sounds like the Trek would be better suited to where you want to mainly ride, giving you the option to hop curbs and ride trails. Just keep them up to full pressure when you want to ride longer distances and they will be fine.

Which bike fits better when you test ride them? The Sirrus might be able to take wider tires and the shop might swap them out for free. 28s might be a bit on the narrow side for riding on "wood chips". They would probably be OK for smooth dirt paths.

700x35 are way to fat IMHO. If both bikes are the same to you, I'd take the Sirrus Sport. 700x28 is a nice trade off between road, paved or gravel paths.

I ride 35s and 40s on my Crosstrail. To say they are too fat is ridiculous. Wide tires are very nice for the type of riding you plan.

I'd ask the dealer to swap those skinny tires for fatter ones, as part of the sale.

Ride em both again, and decide which one jumps out at you. Buy the one you like the best, and put the tires you want on it.

I think either tire size and bike is fine. The upgrade you'll probably want to make to ride those woodchip trails are to more puncture-resistant tires like Continental Gatorskins.

As far as distance is concerned I've got stock 35mm tires on my hybrid and have no problem riding 15-20 miles at 10-15mph on flats with little wind or tire resistance, it does feel slower than my road bike but that's because it literally is. But then again when on my hybrid I'm usually taking it easy and not training or doing intervals.

The Sirrus has a straight blade alloy fork,the 7.2 has a straight blade steel fork. The Trek's fork will give a better ride,even if it had the same tires as the Spec. Additionally,the Trek's 8spd drivetrain will last a little longer and be parts will be a little cheaper to replace.

Chat Up The Shop you are buying through..

Tires can be exchanged at point of sale in a Real BikeShop.. its not like Wallyworld.

they will take tires used no more than a test ride and install something else ..

at worst a Up grade cost difference passed along..


& if you can get Air so as to land lightly on the sidewalk,
rather than body slam the curb, that may help the wheels last

Get that 'Bunny Hop' to work all the time.

I know there is a Giant dealer that offers an extended test ride of some of his bikes. Too bad you can't try each of these bikes out over a weekend or even a short afternoon near your house.
I have the same reservations you have about tires, but I do know that I tried almost every set of tires on my Trek 6500 before I decided it just wasn't going to be a road bike.
You have two great bike choices there.
Fred

I just put these on my Giant Escape and they ROCK:

http://www.biketiresdirect.com/produ...upersport-plus

Using 28's, but 25's would be insanely fast. They have the same tread
design as Conti Grand Prixes.
I'm getting a second set for my Specialized Sirrus Comp.
You might look at the Escape. I prefer the geometry on it
over the Sirrus, although the Sirrus is an excellent bike.
Shop around. You can get the SS+ for a great deal on sale.

S

Sounds like the FX would be the bike for you unless you can get the LBS to swap tires on the Sirrus. I would just pick the one that feels the best to you. Ride em both, and then ride them some more before you buy.

Can't speak for the Sirrus but the FX is a great commuter. I also ride it for centuries with 38mm tires so that isn't a problem.