themanfromvan

I am seriously considering purchasing a Trek 7200 hybrid bike. If anyone reading this thread owns one, I'd appreciate your opinion of the product.

It seems like it would be ideally suited to my type of riding. Flat, paved rail/trails. I'm a pretty big guy, though. 5' 10" - 237 lbs. In the past I've ridden a mountain bike that I have made a comfort bike, of sorts, out of. I need to get seated in a more upright position, though. I'm too old and fat to try to get "aero" !!

Thanks everyone !!

masiman

There has been much written already. Type 7200 into "Search this Forum". I showed 78 thread hits.

bbattle

My wife rode a 7100 for a couple of years. She liked the upright position and the gearing was low enough to climb anything. When we started doing longer rides in the country though, she needed a faster bike. Now, my stepdaughter uses the 7100 to pull her two youngest around town.

For your needs the 7200 would be a great bike. After you get the bike, be sure to give us a ride report.

Have fun!

Woodlark

I have a 7200, and it is a very nice bike. I replaced the seat with a Brooks Champion Flyer, but I think most stock seats on any brand leave a lot to be desired.

Lion Steve

I've put about 4,300 miles on my Trek 7200 since Spring of '05 without any problems with it. I mainly use it on the bike path, so it hasn't seen much hard use.

Patman

Don't have a 7200, but I do have a 7100. I'm close to your weight, but a bit taller (6'3"). All in all, I enjoyed the first "season" with the bike.

Tom Bombadil

I've ridden nearly all of Trek's 7000-series hybrids. I find them comfortable and well-suited to bike paths and casual road use. A good bike for enjoying a country ride, or working your way back into shape in order to move up to a faster bike (if you get hooked on it).

themanfromvan

Upon furthur consideration, I've decided to go for a Giant Sedona. I like Trek but have opted for Giant for three reasons -

1. It's the brand my LBS carries. I like to support my local businessman, when I can.

2. It has underbar, Rapid Fire shifters stock, out of the box. The Trek dealership told me they could swap out the grip shift for underbar at $50 upcharge.

3. The Sedona has disc brakes. Easily worth a $100 upcharge over the Trek. So.... the dealer's Trek 7200 price is $380 + $50 for shifters = $430. Disc brakes are worth $100, if I could even get them on the Trek. That would put it's value at $530. My LBS wants $480 for the Giant. I get local sales and support.....

I rode the Giant. I think it's a pretty plush bike. I like it. Anyone agree or disagree with my logic in chosing Giant?

Tom Bombadil

The Sedona is a bit more of a comfort bike. It uses smaller, fatter tires.

The Hayes MX-2 mechanical disc brakes are good on a hybrid, a bit lacking on an off-road mountain bike. They would certainly meet my needs.

My Trek dealer offered to swap for easy fire shifters at no upcost. But I like grip shifters better. I have some arthiritis in my thumbs and thumb shifters can be painful for me. Also, despite the name "Rapid Fire", grip shifters are much faster if one is quickly shifting two or three gears. But this is a personal choice thing. The "Rapid Fire" shifters have that locked-into-gear feeling.

Both are good quality bikes. I've never ridden a Sedona but have ridden a couple of the Cypress models. I would expect the Sedona to be a little more comfortable albeit a bit slower than the 7200.

dbc

A nice plush ride suits the flat terrain that you'll ride in. Congrats on your pick!

The only nit I would pick is that I don't believe discs belong on entry level bikes. If you take a look, there's not alot of space between the brake pads and rotor, so many components have to be well aligned (and stay that way) to have things work well. On my friend's bike, just removing the wheel and putting it back on would cause the brake to rub a bit. Since I throw my bike into the car trunk now and then, this would drive me crazy enough to adjust them on the loose side.

But if you like how the brake feels to you, and like the whole package, then go for it!

themanfromvan

It's been over 4 months since I replied to this thread and a lot has transpired in that length of time. First of all, I did not buy the Giant Sedona. As I have stated in other threads, I decided to go for a Trek 7300 instead. Mostly because my wife and I have owned Trek bikes in the past and have had good luck with them. But, price also played a factor. $140 less for the 7300 vs. the Sedona.

Since March 25 I've managed to put 100 miles on the bike. The weather hasn't exactly been too cooperative around here. In fact, it's snowing here right now. I have no complaints against the Trek. I think it serves my riding purpose to a tee. I do, however, need to learn to adjust my riding style. I am so used to being "scrunched up" and contorted on my old mountain bike that I find myself adopting that postition to the new bike. When I realize I'm doing it, I'll sit more upright. I rode 20 miles today and my neck hurts a little.

I've stated on other threads that I wish I'd considered the FX line from Trek before buying the 7300. When spring gets here for good, I am going to go to the LBS and try a 7.3 or 7.5 again. I may save my money to buy one or the other and hand the 7300 down to my wife. I'm not sure though. We'll see how that works out. Maybe I won't like the FX's, I don't know.

I should say that as windy as it's been around here lately, I have not even had the opportunity to try out the high end of the gearing on the 7300. So, if you're reading this thread for pre-purchase information, I can't help you there. Once we get all these cold fronts out of here, I'm sure the wind will co-operate with me so I can get into the upper end of the drivetrain. I love the 700C road tires. I'll never have a bike with 26"ers again, smooth tread or otherwise.

Hey folks !! Happy bike shopping !! Make the most of your test riding experience and don't make any snap decisions or impulse buys. Take your time.... you've got your whole life to ride !!!

conurejade

If you're uncomfortable on the bike, have your LBS check the fit. Sometimes small adjustments can make a BIG difference in the ride. The 7300 has an adjustable stem, so you can play around with height and angle somewhat to see what feels best.

I have a 7100 and I drove the LBS crazy getting the bike dialed in as my fitness level improved. Luckily, my LBS is terrific and had no problem helping me get everything "just right". Of course, you don't have to go as far as I did - my bike doesn't much resemble a stock 7100 at all anymore.

The FX is a great series of bikes. Definitely test ride them - but you can hopefully make the 7300 much more comfortable in the meantime.

tonphil1960

Get it. I have a 3 year old 7100, love the bike. Like many though I am getting a road bike next week as I need more speed. I am thinking about putting Flat bars and 28 c tires on the 7100 now to get more speed out of it.
T

mikedsokc

Take a look at this page for sizing information. It helped me out.