advice about hybrid bike

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I know these posts must get a little old, but I would really appreciate some advice about buying a hybrid bike. I've looked at so many threads on this forum and so many bikes online that I'm getting overwhelmed and am having a hard time making a decision.

I'm looking for a hybrid bike that will be used mostly on paved surfaces, but also on some gravel paths and a few light trails. I've been to the LBS a few times and really like the Trek bikes.

I'm considering:

'08 Trek 7100 - $360, but LBS doesn't have any of the right size in stock so I'd have to pay an extra $20 for S/H http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/2008/bike_path/7000_series/7100/

'08 Trek 7.2 FX (maybe WSD) - $460, more than I'd like to spend, but it depends on how much it's worth it and how good of a deal it is. LBS probably doesn't have any of these in the right size either, so S/H would be extra $20.
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/2008/bike_path/fx/72fxwsd/

'05 Trek 7300 FX - I found this one on Craigslist. It supposedly hasn't been used much and only has a few minor scratches on the frame. Asking price is $300, but I might see if I can get it down to $250 or so. The link is to the Trek bike archive, but all of the details are the same except that the one I'm looking at has MX2 disc brakes.
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/2005/archive/7300fx

I haven't done any cycling for quite a while, and even when I did I didn't know much about bikes. So as much as I look at all of the specifications for the bikes, I don't really know how to compare them and decide which one is the best value. I'd really appreciate any advice anyone can give me. Thanks!

FWIW. If it is between those three bikes, I would recommend you try to get the used 2005 Trek 7300 FX ... as long as it is the right size for you & you do not need a WSD-type frame (i.e., you're taller than 5'2", etc.) -- why pay more?

To put it another way (and, to paraphrase a well known phrase):

Scratches happen ...

I'm open to other suggestions. I've checked out some Specialized and Fuji hybrids, but I seem to keep coming back to the Treks.

The '05 Trek is a 15" frame which is what I need. I'm just at 5'2'', so it's hard to decide if a WSD would be better or not. I tried out a 15" Trek with the normal frame and it seemed to fit well.

Does the '05 7300 FX seem to have good components compared to the '08 models?

I don't get it, you shouldn't have to pay an extra for shipping! They can order it,
along with their other orders. Just tell them at their competitors, you don't have
to pay that. They will either waive it(like they should) or you take your business
elsewhere. Cheers.

I'm open to other suggestions. I've checked out some Specialized and Fuji hybrids, but I seem to keep coming back to the Treks.

The '05 Trek is a 15" frame which is what I need. I'm just at 5'2'', so it's hard to decide if a WSD would be better or not. I tried out a 15" Trek with the normal frame and it seemed to fit well.

Does the '05 7300 FX seem to have good components compared to the '08 models?Obviously, there is nothing wrong with Trek -- sometimes, you (the buyer) are paying a premium for the name. Regardless, if the Trek bicycles are what you keep gravitating to at the moment, then you needn't look too much further ...

As a rule of thumb for gauging Trek bicycles, for a given model year, the higher the number, the better the bike -- that is, a better bike may share the same frame as a less expensive model, but it will come with incrementally better components & different paint & decals.

Most of Shimano's components are very-good to great, and very few changes have been made to their mid-and-lower range components in the past few years, AFAIK.

The Shimano Deore rear derailleur is right in the middle, but closer to the higher end component design than the lower end.

SRAM components (i.e., shifters/derailleurs) have become proprietary ... in the past, there were some SRAM components which were Shimano-compatible, but I don't know if that is the case with the particular components in question on the 7100. Not generally an issue when new, but it could be if a part needs to be replaced.

Probably, $300 is a "good"/fair price for a used 7300 (which I think retails for around $600) ... so, anything less than HALF of the retail price for a USED bike with minimal wear-and-tear is probably a very good price. Consequently, I still vote for the 7300 FX for you over the other two.

BTW/IMO. In case you walk into a shop, again, if it comes up in conversation, you do want to stay with "hybrids" with 700c wheels rather than straying to "comfort" bikes (which I think come with 26" wheels) ...

And, a "solid" fork is generally better than an inexpensive suspension fork.

Thanks for the replies, especially the description of some of the components. It's hard for me to compare bikes from different years or different brands when I don't know a lot about bikes in the first place. All I know is that, whatever money I'm putting into it, I want to get a decent bike instead of just settling for one at a big chain store.

I wasn't sure why I was going to be charged for shipping either, considering that Trek is one of the main brands that the LBS carries anyways. Maybe I wouldn't have to pay it if they ordered the bike with their next shipment but I don't know when that would be anyways.

About staying with hybrids over comfort bikes...I agree. The guy I talked with at the LBS was good about only showing me hybrids since that was what I asked about. But I guess he was also kind of limited in what he could show me since I said that I didn't want the flowery designs or girly frames that some of the WSD's have.

I'm definitely leaning towards the '05 7300 FX at the moment. It just seems like it would be the best value. The ad stated that it was purchased for $549, so $300 does seem quite reasonable.

I ended up going for the '05 7300 FX and was able to get it for $230. Other than the few small scratches on the frame, it's in almost new condition. The guy who was selling it said that his wife had only ridden it for about 20 miles. Plus it came with a headlight/taillight set and a water bottle cage...small additions, but at least it's something I don't need to worry about getting. I only took it for a short ride so far, but I'm really happy with it!