Trek from Evans or Local bike shop?

[Monsieur]

Mind is now set up and I've gone for a black 2012 Trek FX 7.2.
Went to my local (Lincoln) bike shop and they want £500.
Evans (Nottingham) would like a much more respectable £400.

Bit of a no-brainer you would think - however loyalty to local business plays a big part in my mind but the lure of the same bike for £100 less is a fair big pulling point.

So, two questions here...

1. Reckon the Trek FX7.2 is a good choice of bike - mostly road based but also tracks and woodland trails
2. Evans or LBS? Which would you go for?

 

[LosingFocus]

Have you asked the LBS to "split the difference" to help you shop there?

 

[Herzog]

Or ask the LBS to chuck in some accessories?

 

[The Jogger]

I would go for Evans if they don't price match and use the LBS to service it, I'm sure they would be glad of the difference. I have the 7.3FX for commuting and haven't had to change a tube yet on a couple of thousand miles, Bontrager Hardcase great tyre, so if the 7.2 has the same the terrain you go on will be fine.

 

[The Jogger]

In fact for fifty quid less than your LBS I would go for this.................

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/trek/73-fx-disc-2011-hybrid-bike-ec026266?query=trek 7.3fx

 

[smokeysmoo]

A few LBS's round here tend to refuse to work on bikes they haven't sold!

 

[The Jogger]

A few LBS's round here tend to refuse to work on bikes they haven't sold!

Nice they can pick and choose business, if that is the case I wouldn't use them full stop rather than be held to ransom.

 

[Monsieur]

In fact for fifty quid less than your LBS I would go for this.................

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/trek/73-fx-disc-2011-hybrid-bike-ec026266?query=trek 7.3fx

Whats the difference bewteen the 2011 and 2012 7.3?

 

[smokeysmoo]

Nice they can pick and choose business, if that is the case I wouldn't use them full stop rather than be held to ransom.

My thought's entirely. I hope it keeps fine for them, doesn't bother me anyway as I do all my own maintenance

 

[octobahn]

A few LBS's round here tend to refuse to work on bikes they haven't sold!

Wow! They must be doing really well. Ridiculous.

 

[smokeysmoo]

Wow! They must be doing really well. Ridiculous.

Yep!

Apologies Monsieur, I'd no intention of hijacking your thread. Good luck with your choice

 

[The Jogger]

Whats the difference bewteen the 2011 and 2012 7.3?

Monsiuer, not sure but usually there isn't a lot of difference, if it was me I know what I would go for. Mine has been an excellent both commute and distance bike and it doesn't even have the disk brakes..

 

[The Jogger]

The 2011 £449
Roadies, commuters, fitness freaks, errand runners, Sunday riders - everyone loves the Trek 7.3 FX Disc 2011 Hybrid Bike.
Frame:
FX Alpha Black Aluminium
Fork:
FX Alloy disc with tapered wall thickness, straight blade
Front Derailleur:
Shimano M191
Rear Derailleur:
Shimano Deore
Number of Gears:
24
Shifters:
Shimano EF60 Trigger shifters
Chainset:
Shimano M361 with chainguard
Chainrings:
48/38/28 tooth
Cassette:
SRAM PG-830, 8 speed, 11-32 tooth
Pedals:
Nylon body with alloy cage
Front Brake:
Shimano M416 mechanical disc
Rear Brake:
Shimano M416 mechanical disc
Brake Levers:
Shimano EF60
Handlebars:
Bontrager Satellite Plus Iso Zone Oversized, 25mm rise
Stem:
Bontrager SSR 10 degree
Headset:
Slimstak, semi-cartridge bearings, sealed
Rims:
Bontrager Nebula disc alloy 32 hole
Front Hub:
Alloy disc
Rear Hub:
Shimano M475 disc
Front Tyre:
Bontrager Race All Weather Hard-Case 700x32c
Rear Tyre:
Bontrager Race All Weather Hard-Case 700x32c
Saddle:
Bontrager H1
Seatpost:
Bontrager Nebula

The 2012: £550
With the new Trek 7.3 FX D 2012 Hybrid Bike you get a New lighter, sportier Alpha Gold Aluminium frame. IsoZone handlebar and grips, Shimano mechanical disc brakes for all-weather stopping power (7.3 FX Disc), Quality Shimano drivetrain. Easily accessorized rack and fender mounts.
Frame:
FX Alpha Gold Aluminium
Fork:
FX Alloy Disc w/tapered wall thickness, straight blades
Front Derailleur:
Shimano Altus
Rear Derailleur:
Shimano Deore
Number of Gears:
24
Shifters:
Shimano EF65, 8-speed trigger
Chainset:
Shimano M361, 48/38/28 w/chainguard
Cassette:
Shimano HG31 11-32, 8 speed
Pedals:
Nylon body w/alloy cage
Front Brake:
Shimano M416 mechanical disc brakes
Rear Brake:
Shimano M416 mechanical disc brakes
Brake Levers:
Shimano EF65 levers
Handlebars:
Bontrager Satellite Plus IsoZone OS, 25mm rise
Stem:
Bontrager SSR, 10 degree
Headset:
Slimstak, semi-cartridge bearings, sealed
Grips:
Bontrager Satellite IsoZone Elite, lock-on, ergonomic
Rims:
Bontrager Nebula disc 32-hole alloy rims
Front Hub:
Shimano centre lock disc hubs
Rear Hub:
Shimano centre lock disc hubs
Front Tyre:
Bontrager Race All-Weather Hard-Case, 700x32c
Rear Tyre:
Bontrager Race All-Weather Hard-Case, 700x32c
Saddle:
Bontrager H1
Seatpost:
Bontrager Nebula
Weight:
Not Specified

 

[marzjennings]

A few LBS's round here tend to refuse to work on bikes they haven't sold!

Not true, all shops will offer paid services on any bike brought to them, what most shops will not do is cover any warranty issues with bikes they have not sold.
We used to get folks all the time come in with cheap bikes bought from catalogs (pre-web days) and expect us to build them for them for either free or next to nothing. They'd get upset when the build price would cost them more than the purchase price.

 

[oldfatfool]

Although Evans is a big internet player they also have stores and local branches to upkeep and maintain the same as your other LBS, If their economies of scale allow them to sell cheaper and their store is within a reasonable distance then you would be daft not to use them imo.