Favorite Ride: Meandering into town town and back/local neighborhoods
Bike Setup: Bontrager 700X38 invert select tires.
Summary: 2008 trek 7100.
Deceptively fast and stable. Compared to Schwinn road bikes twenty or more years old is just as fast without the twitchyness of steering.
Very solid frame and front forks absorb shock if hit the sidewalk hard from street speed.
Lee M.
Strengths: Very good quality. Am growing out of the fix or repair dailey phase.
Weaknesses: A bit heavy for a aluminum bike though it is built very strong A friend that is a pro lineman sized guy has had one three years and was concerned about his weight"It has held up fine" Also bought it at Scott's.
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Bike Setup: Comes with front and rear reflectors. I added a water bottle holder---my bike shop threw in a free water bottle. I plan to add a basket to it. And I might purchase some mountain bike tires for trail riding.
Summary: The year list doesn't offer 2008 yet....so yeah, my Trek 7100 is an '08 model. I tested several Treks today...all in the same price. My bike shop helped "custom fit" me to my bike, so this bike is a super douper comfy ride for me and perfect for my riding needs. I am a casual rider, I will be riding with my hubby and kids around the area and at parks. This really is a comfortable ride & fit. Excellent bike for the money, you won't be disappointed!! If you're in the market to purchase a bike I can't say enough for going to your local bike shop and getting their expertise and service. I get service for a year on my bike..including tune ups and any help or questions they are there for me. When we move they will box my bike for me for free if I want.
Strengths: It's a Trek, so you know you're getting quality. Beautiful handles and seat (I know, yes, I'm a girl). Smooth ride. Versatile.
Similar Products Used: I used to own a Schwinn and hated riding it :(
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Bike Setup: 100% stock. They wouldn't even give me a free cupholder. :)
Summary: This is a great bike for the money. The frame is the same as the frame on the 7500, but half the price. Of course, you'll notice the difference in the components. That's for sure. The shifting is a bit rough, definitely not impressive. I imagine that with the 7500 it would shift much, much smoother. But as far as speed of the bike, the components won't help that much.
I bought it today and then rode it to my place of employment and back (a 10-mile round trip), and made the following observations:
1. It's much faster than a bike with fat 26-inch wheels.
2. It handles small bumps just fine.
3. Hard-packed dirt, grass, pinestraw, etc. is no problem. I did go through some soft sand (about twelve feet of it), and the bike almost came to a dead stop. Had that sand lasted another ten feet I would have bogged for sure. I avoided all mud and water, since today is my first day with the bike. It did okay on the thick railroad-type of gravel road. Not ideal, but okay. Hold on and pay attention.
4. I rode over a lot of debris (rocks, sticks, some glass, thorns), and the tires held out alright (but I'll check in the morning).
5. Very easy to ride up big hills (and we have a ton of 'em here).
6. Very comfortable seat and post. After ten miles I was just fine.
7. Did I mention how fast it was compared to my Schwinn 26-inch fat-tired wannabe mountain bike that I got from a discount store for 99 bucks? Like night and day. Moral: Buy at your local bike shop.
8. Shifting was lame. Once in gear, of course, the bike was great, but the shifting is rough. The salesdude told me that after the 90-day tuneup it will be better. I hope so, cause half of my 5-mile commute to work is over dirt and grass.
9. It looks great. Unless someone has researched the bike like you are doing, they won't know anything other than that huge TREK on the side of the bike. It's like playing golf with Callaways. People look. You'll look cooler than the neighbor with the Murray or Schwinn.
10. 300 bucks? That's a deal, especially for how good the frame is. Someday I'll upgrade, but for now? Nah. I'm good. Great bike.
In summary: Let's be really honest here. How serious are you about riding? If, like me, you're just getting into it, don't go out and do a ton of research and then spend 800 bucks on the one you know is better. Just get the 7100 and go ride.
However, if you're really serious and will put in a lot of miles, then forget this bike and spend a grand on something that will really shift smoothly. That's what it's all about (shifting), cause you're not going to go any faster on the more expensive bike, but you'll shift smoother, and that can make a huge difference if you have a lot of hills and are changing gears a lot.
Also, don't kill yourself researching for a good price on this bike. For 300 you're going to get the Trek 7100, the Giant Cypress, or a cheap Gary Fisher or something. You're not going to get an awesome bike for 100 dollars less than a competitor. The companies are charging the exact same money for the exact same quality of bike. Just buy what you can afford and enjoy it.
Strengths: Fast, sturdy, great tires, comfy seat, nice look, name-brand (admit it: It matters), price, and very fun. For a weekend warrior like me, this bike is perfect.
Weaknesses: Shifters, derailers (both front and back) are loud, slow, and annoying. You can tell right away that you're getting budget components. Lame plastic pedals. I'll switch those out soon. The shifting will mess you up on the hills, but once you're in the right gear you'll be fine. They just don't shift well under pressure. Cheap (but with components you totally get what you pay for).
Similar Products Used: 99-dollar Piece of junk lead sled from a discount store that everyone complains about but shops at anyway because of the low, low prices.
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Bike Setup: 100% stock (but it came with an out of shape 38-year-old. ME).
Summary: I just bought it today and rode it home today (about two miles), so that's all the miles it has on it. Very fast compared to the mountain bikes. I have a cheapie Schwinn from a department store that was about a hundred bucks, and this thing blows it away. It's lighter, faster, smoother, everything. The shifting is fine, but not impressive. When you shift gears you won't say Wow.
Others will say wow, however, when they see the bike. With that huge TREK on the side, people know you have a nice bike (get a lock).
Even though it's a foreign-made product (what isn't), it's good to know that I bought it at a local shop instead of some multi-national discount store (although I do actually shop their too).
Service is good. Our shop gives some lifetime services and are open on Sundays. Bike Center in Peachtree City is a great place to get a bike.
Strengths: Great frame, light bike, nice smooth ride. Great price for a Trek.
Weaknesses: Shifters are unimpressive. If you're a serious rider (or ride a lot) you are going to be very unimpressed with the shifting. It's loud and a bit slow. Components make a huge difference for the serious rider. But you can always upgrade later. The frame is the same as the Treks that are twice the price.
Similar Products Used: Cheap 99 dollar Schwinn from Wally World.
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