Erebedragons

I am thinking of buying a new bike and having looked around, the Trek 7200fx seems ok. My question is, is it worth the extra money to buy the suspension fork model or is the rigid fork model ok and does the suspension fork model make a great deal of difference to the ride.

bboseley

After a lot of research and talking, I purchased a 7300FX about 3 weeks ago. Fantastic bicycle from what I can tell. I’m no expert – but the person I purchased the bike from described the suspension model vs the FX as like a tight suspension on a car vs a light, soft suspension. Comes down to a matter of taste. Since I like to “feel the road”, I went for the FX. Maybe someone with more experience can give you a more technical answer.

tonphil1960

Hi, I too bought a new Trek recently, I got the 7100. Just go for this bike. The 7200 is only different in the wheels and rear derailer as far as I understand. You can get the 7100 with suspension for less than the others you mentioned. I just got back into cycling after a long absence, I love this bike, can't go wrong with it.

Good luck Tony

saabcaptain

i have the 2005 7300 with suspension but doing some reading online and with reviews most say the suspension on the 7100-7300 (the 7500 and up gets better) is pretty poor and doesn't do much and you would be better off getting an "FX" which for the same or lower price has basically the same ride (since the suspension doesn't do much) but has better components. I think you made a good move with your 7200fx but then again I love my 7300... either is great.

Leo the 3rd

Well I've only had it for a week, but the 7200 FX was a wee bit lighter than the 7200. I've getting use to it at this point. But it's a nice bike and the price was reasonable for me (as well as meeting the wife's acceptance factor).

Erebedragons

It is quite difficult to buy a bike as there is so much choice and it takes a lot of research. I used to go to work along the cycle path the journey was about 5 miles and it took about 35 minutes. I used my old Peugeot racing bike, I do not remember buying it, I think a friend gave it to me but it was along time ago.

The last bike I bought was a mountain bike, bought real cheap from a discount shop; no I did not bother to research the market, I just bought it as mountain bikes were the “in” thing.

So I have a new job and I live about 10 minute car drive away or about 30-minute walk, or a 10-minute bike ride away on the racing bike or 13 minute on my mountain bike. I must admit the mountain bike is more comfortable than the Peugeot.

As I wanted something more comfortable than my racing bike and more speed than my mountain bike, I decide to see what was on the market, I went into my LBS and they recommended a Trek hybrid, as I had never heard of them I decided to do some research and found they are a famous company, looks like gone are the days of just having one bike company to chose from, which was Raleigh.

Any way I have made my choice, I decided on the Trek 7100fx with the suspension forks, I have only had it a few days, and I am well pleased with it.

Erebedragons

For some reason mountain bikes are the “in thing” regardless of their use that they are intended for. That is going up mountains and rough trails; I see them on the roads all the time in my area, mostly ridden by young people. I asked a friend why he liked his, and his reply was that it made him feel safer on the road.

Whichever bike shop I went in, the great majority of bikes on show were mountain bikes. So the choice for other bikes is limited, I must admit I found my mountain bike comfortable but it can never compete speed wise, with a road or hybrid, as the wheels on a mountain bike are smaller so therefore with every crank of the pedal the smaller wheel does not go as far as a hybrid.

The best way of choosing a bike, is to discuss it with your lbs and to try the bikes that are in stock, bearing in the mind the type of ride you want it for.

After a couple of weeks of owning my new bike, I still find my Trek 7100 suits me fine.

Leo the 3rd

Erebedragons - Your absolutely right. Talk to the guys at the LBS and explain your needs. Based on what you want to do they will guide you in the right direction. I had a "city bike" back in college for commuting from the dorm to the campus and general riding around Berkeley and Oakland. I use to go on late night rides and the city bike worked great. I even used it along the beachs of So Cal.

Now that I've gotten back into biking with my spouse (who by the way is finally breaking down to buy tomorrow a replacement bike for her 8 year old Huffy), we chose hybrids for their upright position and because it would mainly be path/trail riding on weekend trips we plan to make each month. I'm still totally happy with the Trek 7200FX.

tomsanborn

I think the suspension fork makes a difference, but you won't be able to tell this by the short ride you will take the bike on before buying it. Is it worth the cost? For me it was. I was able to compare a rigid and suspension forks on 10 mile rides because my brother had a bike with a suspension fork. I could really tell a difference in my neck and shoulders.