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Trek 7700?

  • 23-06-2009 6:59pm
    #1
    quenching
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,190 ✭✭✭


    I borrowed a Trek 7.6FX and have decided that I'm too old and soft for it - that and I've got some bruised bones in my right hand and its just too uncomfortable on Dublin roads for me. I need something with a bit more comfort at the front but would rather not go for a full mountain bike as I already have one. The bike shop suggested a Trek 7700 instead, basically the same as the FX but with integrated suspension at the front - not suspension fork but a system similar to Cannondales headshok system.

    Anyone have one of these Treks with the integrated suspension or able to suggest anything similar? Can the suspension be locked out as with most mountain bike forks? I know Cannondales system can be locked off but can't find any info on the Trek.

    The 7700 is €999 while a Cannondale Bad Boy Ultra is the best part of €1700. Under the bike to work scheme the Trek costs me €500 and the Cannondale €1200, a price difference I find hard to justify.


Comments

  • #2
    blorg
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,995 ✭✭✭✭blorg


    As far as I can gather the SPA suspension is an elastomer more like Specialized's Zertz inserts than traditional suspension or even Cannondale's headshok. So I don't think it is something you lock off, it is more about smoothing out high frequency vibration than absorbing large holes. The 7.6FX indeed has it at the back. Hincapie had it on his Paris-Roubaix bike in 2005 apparently when he came 2nd- I only mention this from the point of view that it cannot be like mountain bike front suspension or he wouldn't have had it on there.

    Another difference between the 7.6FX and the 7700 would simply be the tyre width, which has a massive impact on comfort- the former is 700x28c and the latter 700x35c. This is something easily changed but that has quite the impact on how you perceive the road surface. Might be worth considering.

    Also- do you wear cycling gloves, this also helps a lot.

    The Bad Boy is my view is an utter abomination with an unexplainably high price so I won't go there :) I would go for the Trek.


  • #3
    245
    Closed Accounts Posts: 760 ✭✭✭245


    blorg wrote: »
    Another difference between the 7.6FX and the 7700 would simply be the tyre width, which has a massive impact on comfort- the former is 700x28c and the latter 700x35c. This is something easily changed but that has quite the impact on how you perceive the road surface. Might be worth considering.

    +1 - I've got Schwalbe Marathon Plus 32c tyres on my bike running at 80 psi and find that its comfortable even on poor quality Kildare backroads. The tyres have a thick insert which are said to increase rolling resistance but seem to add to the comfort. The bike cruises quite happily with little enough effort from me so they don't feel like they're holding me back too much. No self respecting enthusiast would be seen on a bike fitted with them but they work for me. When I grow a few callouses I may go for something narrower :P

    My hands also ache (I assume its from the drop bars and the forward leaning position) but I've ordered gloves with gel insets - it feels like a muscular/tendon issue so I reckon that it'll pass once more miles are covered and I adjust.


  • #4
    quenching
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,190 ✭✭✭quenching


    245 wrote: »
    +1 - I've got Schwalbe Marathon Plus 32c tyres on my bike running at 80 psi and find that its comfortable even on poor quality Kildare backroads. The tyres have a thick insert which are said to increase rolling resistance but seem to add to the comfort. The bike cruises quite happily with little enough effort from me so they don't feel like they're holding me back too much. No self respecting enthusiast would be seen on a bike fitted with them but they work for me. When I grow a few callouses I may go for something narrower :P

    My hands also ache (I assume its from the drop bars and the forward leaning position) but I've ordered gloves with gel insets - it feels like a muscular/tendon issue so I reckon that it'll pass once more miles are covered and I adjust.

    Seems our paths cross again 245, if it has wheels our interests seem to overlap! My other search is still ongoing - just a bit more slowly now.

    I'm going to try the Trek 7700 with the 35c tyres and "suspension" and see how that works out, not into discomfort if its at all avoidable and already wearing gloves with gel pads, I'd sooner sacrifice a bit of speed. I seem to remember that its more than an elastomer insert and has a piston of some sort with about 35mm travel, but the bike shop was uncertain as its not usually stocked by them so we'll have to wait and see.


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