Hey there!. Been lurking for a couple of years and have learned a lot,so thanks. Been commuting on an oldie for a couple of years now and seeing as I'm gonna stick with it I want to pick up a new bike this week. Could some of you very knowlegable people please tell me which is better, especially the components..I've got it narrowed down to three and two of them are Treks. Is the 7.3 worth $130 more than the 7.2? And how does the Specialized compare?...Thanks very much in advance...

https://cyclesmith.ca/itemdetails.cfm...ogId=39&id=793

https://cyclesmith.ca/itemdetails.cfm...gId=39&id=1039

https://cyclesmith.ca/itemdetails.cfm...gId=39&id=1041

To be honest, they're really pretty similar. I say:
1. Buy the bike that fits the best.
2. Buy the best bike that you can afford.
3. Red bikes are faster. It's a fact!

Welcome to the posting crowd. I'm not sure I qualify as knowledgeable but here are my comments on the bikes. They are all solid and similar bikes. I probably go with the one that feels best as far as seat and grips and stuff. I'd also ask the shop if they had any similar bikes at similar prices with 9-speed geartrains. These are all 8-speed. Not a big deal.

I don't like suspension seatposts so the trek fx 7.2 is out for me but the shop will probably swap that out if you ask. If that appeals

The spcialized has the fatter tires with the 7.3 having the skinniest tires.

Thanks so far. I did stop by the shop for a few minutes and sat on them but I guess I need to ride them all around the parking lot. I guess I'm just a little concerned about a couple of things. The riding position for one. I've been riding,like i said,a cheapie for the last couple of years (I bought that before I researched-duh).anyway,it's really served me well though. I travel 9 miles each day to and from work and usually do a 20 miler on the weekend. I'm also known for carrying 10-25 lbs of crap in my panniers. I also want to get all new gear for the new bike too(rack,panniers,etc). Should I be concerned about the ruggedness of these bikes? Can they take a bit of load?...Anyway here's what I've been riding..Thanks again..

https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c2...g?t=1177962221

Edit....I'm not huge...5'11"-170 lbs....To consider..

What is the name of that bridge again? Mc/Mac something....

It's known as the 'OLD bridge'...Angus L MacDonald....The 'New bridge is The A Murray McKay...

If I were you, I'd go to ideal bikes for a bike. This time of year they have a really good selection of bikes in a variety of styles and their repari/maintenance work is pretty good (based on personal experience). I've bought a bike from ideal, and have had no problems with it or them.

All very good advice so far. I have an older 7200FX, and agree that the suspension post is bit more minus than plus. No comments about the Specialized other than it looks like a good option.

Let your budget decide. If I had the funds, I would go for the 7.3 to get the better frame material and incremental parts upgrades. All of them appear very serviceable however.

Yes that's to consider. Thanks. As a matter of fact that bike in the pic had the bottom bracket replaced a couple weeks ago by Ideal bikes..$30-$35 installed..I thought it very reasonable...

They are all solid bikes and all similar, as dalmore said. 7.3 fx is a bit more performance-driven: slightly more aero=less upright and some better components. Out of the three that'd be my choice, but you may have different priorities.

Also something to consider yes.In fact I've been power surfing because 'I WANT' ,to pick up a bike on Wed...Through surfing I've read some not so good reviews on Shimano Alivio and much better reviews on Deore..$650 before the add-ons is the limit I'm hoping for..

Sorry to be a pain. I know how some feel if it appears that the search option wasn't used but I really did. Anyway,one more question please and thanks. When I said that I carry 10-25 lbs of stuff in my panniers well I don't hit the 25 lb mark very often. In fact it's usually only about once per month when I hit the grocery store and then I only have a couple of blocks to go. Usually I'm only carrying around 8-10 lbs in my panniers. Anyway my question is do wider tires handle heavy loads better? Less prone to flats?..Thanks...

Well I decided on the 7.3...Got the rack and fenders,bar ends and an arkel rack pack installed(because it was my mode of transportation home). I also took a few measurements of my own to compare to what I was used to that don't show in the geometry on the site and the only real difference was the floor to hand grip. The one I'd been riding was about 2" higher. After getting dropped off from work today at the bike shop I only had to ride about 4 miles home but the first thing I noticed besides the height of the bars was the difference between 26" and 700 wheels...Time will tell...