so I am thinking i am between

the Cannondale Quick CX 5
the speialized crosstrail disc
and to make em all same price,
the trek 7.2FX disc.

I think look wise, the specialized looks best out of the 3.

If you don't think you really want/need front suspension, cross the Crosstrail off your list - and re look at the Sirrus. It's a very nice bike.

Also, you can go to the Specialized website, and use the find a dealer tool.

Do you think you really need disk brakes? Also, for $650 you can get the Giant Escape 1 which is a very good bike.

I probably don't need disc brakes. Trying to stay below $600.

The closest specialized dealer is 2 hours away

I'm going to offer something not so much on what to buy, but how to buy. I decided a couple of years ago to get back into riding after a 15-year hiatus. The last bike I owned was a GT Outpost I bought new in '93. I knew much had changed. First, I did some surfing on the basics of cycling, especially geometry, then looked into what was out there as far as frames and components. Then I pondered where and why I might be riding. Overall I did a general survey of sorts so I'd have some direction when I shopped (OK, so I can get geeky when it comes to research. I looked at CL, as the used route would be pretty sensible in my position, but there wasn't a whole there for a long-legged 6'5" guy like me. I figured I'd have to buy new anyway.

So with a head full of "gee whiz" biking gizmology, I called my best friend- we used to ride together a lot way back when. He keeps several bikes of different sorts for his varied riding. He's also incredibly practical. After I told him what all I had come across, he dissuaded me from all the newish techy stuff. His main point was, since I hadn't ridden for long to keep it simple, basic, and cheap (but not big box cheap). We took a day and looked around at several shops around Louisville. I tried this and that- all sorts and types, We had a running discussion as I shopped.

The winning candidate was a base XL 2011 Sirrus leftover. Indeed it lacked a lot, from the higher priced stuff I looked at- 21 speed Altus drivetrain for one- but that didn't mean it would be incompetent for me to start riding. In fact it would be quite suitable for my position. It was, most importantly, the right size. The test ride was very nice. and being a two-year old leftover. the price was right as there was a nice discount. It shared the frame with the more expensive aluminum frame Sirruses- since I have a mechanical bent, I'd have a good base to hang whatever I might want to replace in the low-end components.

... and if cycling didn't turn out to be so hot for me anymore, I didn't have a pricey bag of tricks to gather dust...

I'm not here to push a Sirrus, but it was the best choice for me then. I really like it, and I'm starting to do a little of this and that so it will suit me better.

Parts and maintenance deserve serious consideration. I know for me, I wanted something not finicky, with inexpensively replaced consumables. Something I could just hop on and ride. Staying straightforward in things meant that me- or my LBS mechanic- wouldn't have to spend a lot of labor time to work on it. The shop I've bought the bike from is excellent- i've taken a couple of other things to them since. It is over an hour away from my house- but they do good work for a reasonable price- for me that's worth the trip.

Cycling did catch on with me. I've got a lot of stuff to pedal now of all kinds. I just finished working over a '72 Schwinn Speedster 3-speed and have a couple more Raleigh 3-speeds to do in the queue (and that's just three...)

Which brings to mind my final point. You may not need a gazillon gears for where you will ride. For example, if it's pretty flat you can do just fine with a 3 or 8 speed rear hub and weight won't be so important. If it's like the Great Smokies where you are 30 speeds, under 25 pounds, and serious brakes might be needed so riding doesn't feel like a chore.

Solid advice.

You can do internet research till the cows come home, but the proof is in the riding. Hopefully OP, you will get on a bike that will speak to you and it will just feel right. Or you will go to a LBS that will work with you until you are dialed in on some stock bike they have on the floor.

Didn't Trek downgrade the frames on the '15 7.2s? Probably won't make a difference to the average user, but be wary of a price decrease. No such thing as a free lunch.

Solid advice, I strongly agree with you. You can look at pictures, compare specs, etc.
But until you sit on it, go for a spin, you'll never know what you really want.
Of course the sofa analytics can prepare you not to waste time/gas when you get out
there and get serious.

On the Specialized Sirrus and Cross-trail, I would not say either is "better", it more about what you intent to do. I LOVE my Sirrus, but it is not fit for a rough trail. It is definitely more road oriented. It's great of paved trails, roads, and relatively smooth trails. Cross-trail should be able to handle rougher terrain, but not as rough as a mountain bike. Bikes are far more specialized to perform for certain conditions. NONE do everything well. Hybrids by definition are intended to be more general purpose, but most have a "lean" to what they do best.

With the above said much of this is about tolerance. As a kid/teen I rode a cheap heavy Wal Mart 10-Speed, with awful brakes (all of them were awful), very narrow tires, no suspension, drop handlebars, and wheels that were never true (didn't know what it was then). I rode those things EVERYWHERE. Asphalt, rural gravel roads, roads that were two ruts of low grass, and off road. Was all about just getting around, and just the way it was. Therefore the rough ride etc was tolerated without a second thought...... then. Now, I have the Sirrus for the more surfaced type riding, and a second mountain bike for dirt trails.

BTW, the Sirrus is the on that "Spoke" to me.

QT

My budget has gone up to $600 range, so more better options :)

Monday i will be starting to look at bikes in person.

1 quick question, is the trek 7.3 fx worth the extra $170 over the 7.2?

Tough call. 9 speed drive train rather than 8, and a higher end aluminum frame, but some things I don't like. For example, the aluminum fork on the 7.3. But if you want a carbon fiber fork, you need to get the 7.4, at least if you want Trek

My my advice is to look beyond Trek. You may decide the Trek is for you, but at least consider alternatives.

Have you looked online for a Hybrid? No tax and free shipping :thumb:
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SHIMANO 24Spd Disc Brake Flat Bar 2014 Gravity Liberty FB $499
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Shimano 27 Speed Hydraulic Disc Brakes Fuji SunFire 2.0 $599
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I would say "No".

What about the colour scheme of the bike?

Are you happy with a black colour, or would you prefer the bright red available on the 7.2FX?

For $600 you can buy a lot of bike from Performance........ By watching their sales, you can get a really nice Fuji Absolute, fully loaded, and even get between 10-30% back if you join their "club" first.

Solid choice and an option worth considering if you have a Performance store in your area. You won't get the same parking lot bragging rights when you show up for a group ride on a Fuji, but it looks like you can get a true flat bar road bike from Performance for the price of a basic Trek hybrid.

Buttttt, since he was looking for a hybrid, I don't understand why you would even bring road bike up in the Hybrid Forum - LOL Some people think everyone should be on a roadie, even if they don't want one!

Two reasons why a price can drop:

1) Increased volume results in lower manufacturing, material, and component costs.
2) Reducing the grade and quality of materials and components.

Trek may actually be getting better deals from it's suppliers and builders, so they may pass that on to undercut the competition. Today this may be a distinct possibility as globally the economy is going down (and here wages aren't exactly on the upswing). Everyone all along the chain may be reducing prices to maintain sales with shrinking global demand. It could just as likely be #2 for that same reason of maintaining sales- that was the case with my 2011 Sirrus base. To get the same componentry level in 2011 that one got on a Sirrus base in 2010 one had to stump up $75 more cash for a Sirrus Sport. The 2008 financial collapse hit the bike business hard, and I guess Specialized needed to keep the price points.

#2 however may not necessarily be a bad thing. It may come out in real-world use that a lower grade item may perform just as well as that of a higher grade- so no real difference and savings are passed on in a lower price. My Sirrus lost a rear cog in its downgrade from 24 to 21 speeds and that was the only real difference between the base and the Sport. But that just meant I was losing a cog in the middle. 24 speeds may be cooler but I feel 21 speeds is plenty- and since I got a really nice deal on the bike as a two-year old leftover, one more cog did not seem worth the price difference on a 2011 or a 2013. There is slightly less weight and complexity as well- which is also a plus for me. (I'll admit I go back and forth on my gearing-sometimes hourly :D- and I do investigate. Knowing myself it'll probably stay the same though, as I own other bike alternatives now.)

Nonetheless with a year to year price difference like that, read and compare the spec sheets closely. If nothing is apparent on those get the answers form the LBS- if they're worth their salt, they'll know.

Been 2 years since I started this. Some stuff came up and wasn't able to get a new bike. Havnt ridden alot in the last few year. Starting back up a few weeks ago, with a schwwinn i got 7 years ago from target.

Good news, I will be buying a new bike tomorrow.

90% sure it will be the Speacilized sirrus disc.

"life" happens ... good luck!

Welcome back!

Just going to throw this in here, since you're only 90% sure...

For $50 more, @$650 USD the Giant Escape 1 Disc is quite a much better bike with the same configuration. Upgrades include:

-Hydraulic disc brakes vs. mechanical
-2 levels better in rear Derailleur (the most important part of the drive train) - Alivio vs Altus
-1 level better front Derailleur - Altus versus Tourney (Tourney is what is found on department store bikes...)
-9 speed vs 8 speed (might not seem like a biggie but sometimes the extra gear is "just right")
-Composite fork vs. steel (lighter, similar vibration dampening characteristics).

Might be worth a final look and comparison before your purchase...

https://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/escape-1-disc

The Escape 1 Disc is actually a closer competitor to the Sirrus Sport Disc (model up from the one you mentioned) which sells for $50 more than the escape at $700, but the Escape still has a better Rear Derailleur...

Cheers
TRJB

I got one today.

I ended up getting a Raleigh cadent 2