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Skidmark · 09-05-2009, 07:10 PM

Our lbs has the Specialized Globe on sale for 350 right now on the 09. We got one for my wife and its fantastic. Plus she got to ride a half dozen bikes, they the service there is awesome.

Purple · 09-05-2009, 10:42 PM

Ok, so I've discovered one more contender. One LBS has ordered the Trek 7.1 FX in my size for me to try. However, at another LBS I found a Specialized Crosstrail. It's the basic, cheapest model. I didn't test ride it because it looked a lot more like a mountain bike than a hybrid but I've been reading reviews of it today online. People seem to LOVE this bike, especially as a commuter. It get high marks for quickness on pavement, coupled with the ability to eat up light off-road stuff that might occur on a commute, such as gravel, construction lots, curbs, grass and packed dirt. I didn't want front suspension, and the Crosstrail's fork doesn't lock out but it is adjustable to a pretty stiff setting for pavement.

Anyone have any experience with this ride? I'm very interested now and wish I'd taken a test ride. As I've said, I'll be almost exclusively on pavement but it'd be nice to know I could cut through a vacant lot or hit an easy dirt trail if I needed to. It seems more versatile than the Trek.

Again, thanks to all.

Purple · 09-05-2009, 10:51 PM

I forgot to mention that the LBS with the Crosstrail offers free lifetime tuneups. The Trek shop doesn't.

Skidmark · 09-06-2009, 02:05 AM

mtndoc has posted in several places here about his crosstrail and how well it performs. I would take the time to go back and give it a shot.

Purple · 09-06-2009, 02:41 AM

Cool. Thank you.

Purple · 09-08-2009, 10:30 PM

Thanks for your help, everyone, especially mtndoc who took time out to PM me and keep answering my asinine questions. I finally ended up with a bike today. I tried to forget about everything but how the bikes felt when I rode them. I just closed my eyes (not literally, of course) and decided to pick the one I felt the most comfortable and at home on. When I got home I had a beautiful new '09 Trek 7.2 FX in electric blue. Couldn't be happier so far.