cerbeos

Hey everyone, just found this site last night while doing some research for the 08 7.3 FXs from Trek. Seems like an amazing site with a load of helpful people.

Anyways, I used to ride quite a bit when I was younger. Even though I almost always had a mountain bike, I never really needed one to be honest. Now my Junior year at PSU is coming up and I'm going to need some decent transport for the commute from the apartments to campus. I was orig. going to get a Suzuki Burgman 400 scooter, but the price is a little steep for right now.

From the research I've done thus far, looks like I'm going to end up with an 08 Trek 7.3 FX. My local bike shop has a sale going on this weekend, which would bring the price to $499 ($50 off their price). I really don't need a mountain bike, and the hybrid type seems like the kind that would fit me. I don't need gears, but I'm sure I'd be kicking myself if I didn't get something with gears in it.

Any hints/tips you guys/gals could throw out at me would be much appreciated.


Thanks

East Hill

Hello cerbeos, where exactly are you? Unless you are on absolutely flat land, most people like at least a couple of gears . What has lead you to the 7.3FX in particular?

Welcome to BF!

East Hill

cerbeos

Currently I'm in the Pittsburgh/Monroeville area, but sometime around Aug. I'll be moving up to State College where University Park is located for PSU. Can't honestly say what exactly lead me to the 7.3FX but it seems to be one of the best ones I've found in my price range.

I actually went to a LBS today and looked at a 2007 Raleigh Route 66 and was very impressed by it. Both the store owner and the bike were amazing. He's willing to sell the bike for $549, so I'm quite tempted to get that bike instead of the 7.3FX.

Anyone have any experience with the Raleighs? Also, he showed me a 2008 Jamis Allegro 1, but he didn't have any my size at the store, but he's going to try to have one brought down from their other location by tomorrow for me.

East Hill

Well, Raleigh USA headquarters happens to be located where I live (Kent, Washington), and I've seen the Route 66 in person, so if the bike fits you, you like, and you like the owner...it's be a good deal. I don't think the Jamis is as good a deal.

But really, they would all work--it's a matter of which one fits you best. Check the Jamis before you go with any of them, and take them out for a few miles test ride.

East Hill

cerbeos

One more quick question for ya. The Route 66 has a triple, while the allegro has a compact. From what the guy was telling me, from dropping down to a compact the new route 66 or whatever actually lost 2 pounds in weight. Would it be worth the extra money for me to go out of my way, possibly get a cheaper base price bike (like the allegro from the rt. 66) that has a compact on it? Is there that much noticed in dropping those pounds and loosing those near-useless gears?

East Hill

You really won't notice the weight unless you start going in for some major big league racing (and it's easy enough for you to lose two pounds ), but as to whether or not the triple or the compact--that's a matter of taste. Here where I live a triple is nice to have (we have some big hills, not to mention a few mountains), but on the other hand, all my bikes but one have 10 or 12 speeds... .

East Hill

Business810

The weight difference between the triple and compact double is not that noticeable if you're just riding around campus, but around PSU you probably won't really need a triple. It's in the valley, so the actual campus and surroundings are relatively flat. I'd go with whichever one is cheaper.

Out of curiosity, which LBS are you going to? I live in Pittsburgh, so I'm always open to hearing about good shop experiences around here. I know of a few other good shops if for some reason you want to look elsewhere...

tomg

welcome!

i have an old raleigh technium mtb (1986+/-). it has triple crankset that comes in handy even here in "flat" southern nj. the bike itself has been functional and reliable.

i toured x-pennsylvania (rt 322 basically) from west chester to erie. there is an up-hill (+/- 7 miles long) into state college, pa that even with granny gear 28x32, i wished for an even lower gear ratio! like business810 mentioned, the actual extra weight from the expanded gear ratio choice is hardly noticeable and i would suggest this addition to any bike you get untill you move on to road bike riding.

welcome x2!

tomg

cerbeos

I've been going to BikeTek in Monroeville, in the Miracle Mile shopping center. I think I've actually moved away from the Trek 7.3FX and gone more towards the Raleigh Route 66/24. I was going to get the 66, but he said he has a few 24s at his other location, that are $100 cheaper. The only difference from what he has told me are the color, wheelset, and 24 gears, opposed to 27 on the 66.

The guy that owns the shop, or at least is there every time I go there, is incredibly nice. He isn't the most sociable of people, but he does try his best and seems like he most definately knows what is what.

When looking at the Treks I went to the Bike Line in Greensburg. The guy I talked to there didnt seem that enthusiastic and really didn't seem to be too interested. I trust the store because my aunt/cousins have always bought bikes there, but I personally wouldnt deal with that guy hehe.


Color aside, do you guys/gals think it's worth spending the extra $100 for the Route 66 over the 24? As of right now, I'm not sure if I could live with the blue Route 24, the silver 66 is just amazing looking. The prices are $549 for the Route 66, and $449 for the Route 24. (He's having a blowout sale because they're closing that location, and moving all of their bikes to their new Squirrel Hill location.)

SpaceNerd

I don't know what your area is like but something you might want to consider is what's going to happen to your paintjob when you start putting that bike on racks. I dunno, just a thought but be ready for it to get banged around a lot by people who don't really care about your bike when they're putting thier own on the rack. I'm sure you'll enjoy whatever you get though, have fun and remember to lock it really well!

Business810

There are a few other subtle differences between the 24 and the 66 from looking at the Raleigh website - the 66 gets a Shimano 105 rear derailleur, for instance. For what you'd be using it for, though, I'd probably opt for getting the Route 24 to save some money. The differences in equipment probably wouldn't make much of a difference in function for commuting/riding around campus sort of stuff. I would say ride both - if you like how the 66 rides better, get it!

Like SpaceNerd said, be careful and lock it well. That's why I always rode used bikes in college. (I still only ride used bikes today, but that's beside the point.)

I've never been to BikeTek's Monroeville location but I live about a half mile from their Squirrel Hill shop. The few times I've been in there I've had a mixed experience. They definitely seem to know their stuff, but the times I've talked to them they seemed to cater much more to the high end roadie and MTB crowds. I usually go somewhere else when I need to go to a shop, but there are also much worse places out there. (Your mileage may vary, of course!)

Good luck with whichever you choose...

East Hill

If you like the 66, and the fit is good, I'd go with the extra $100, just because you are more likely to ride it if you like the look. Seriously!

East Hill

cerbeos

Hmm, all of the comments about the paint just get my head rolling even more, heh. All great points I didn't even think of.

Is that Shimano 105 really that much better than the Tiagra that is on the Route 24? I've been reading around the forums and have seen a bunch of posts saying the 105 is the abs. best bang for your buck.

cerbeos

Hey everyone just thought I'd keep you guys up to date.

He said he was going to get a Route 24 for me to check out by tues, so I went up on thursday and he didnt have it. He said that he would go to the other location and get it for me to test out. I came back out to the store on friday and he didn't go and get it. I was obviously upset, but he fixed it right away.

He let me take the Route 66 for an even deeper discount (same price as the 24 would have been) and sent me off.

So far, I absolutely loooove this bike. Shifts so smooth and is a breeze to ride. I don't think I could be happier. Everything worked out in the end :-).

East Hill

Excellent! I hope he keeps making you happy (and not by annoying you first!).

East Hill