Trek 7100 or Trek Navigator 100

I'm helping a friend buy bikes for himself and his wife. I've pointed him towards the Trek 7100 or Navigator 100. The only difference I can see is that one has 700mm wheels and one has 26" wheels. They are identically priced, have the same suspension, and components. The 7100 is listed as a hybrid, where the Navigator is a comfort.

I've always felt, although I have no real basis for my belief, is that the larger wheel will result in a more efficient ride. And again, with no real basis, I've always felt a larger wheel would be better for climbing. Am I full of it? Does it matter? Other feelings between these two bikes?

Don't really want other bike suggestions as he has heard good things about Treks in general, and wants Treks. Thanks

The geometries are different; the 7100 is a bit more aggressive than the Navigator.

You may want to check out Trek's FX series. They are more of a road bike geometry with flat handlebars and thumb shifters. The 7100 and Navigator models have grip shifters.

My wife has a 7100 and she loves it. We go on nice rides in the country, up to 20 miles and could go more with no problems. She's ridden it on dirt roads with no problems, either. She's quite a bit slower than me on my Orbea (no surprise) so I'm looking to get her a new bike this Christmas. The 7100 isn't a bad bike, though.

if all the gearing is the same, then the 27" wheel will give you a faster ride, the 26" will be slower but make hills easier. i haven't looked at the bikes, but if the 26" is a mtb with fat knobby tires, it'll be slower still but better on gravel.

The choice depends on where they want to ride and on what feels best to them. If they plan to ride on paved roads, bike paths, and other relatively smooth surfaces, the 7100 would be the way to go. If they plan to ride off road or on gravel surfaces, then the Navigator would be the way to go. If they want to use the bike on a trainer, the 7100 would be a better choice. The knobby tires of the Navigator make for a lot of noise and vibration on a trainer.

On the other hand, it all comes down to what feels right for the individual. While both are good bikes for the money, they have entirely different feels to them. The wider, softer tires of the Navigator make for a slower, but smoother and more secure ride. The 7100 is no match for a road bike, but it is faster than the Navigator, more stable than a road bike on less than ideal surfaces, but less stable than the Navigator.

My wife has a 7200, and my daughter has a Specialized Expedition, which is similar to the Navigator. They both love their choices. They both tried the 7200, Navigator, Expedition, and Specialized Crossroads (similar to the 7200), and chose the one they did based on what felt right to them. I did the same, and ended up with the Crossroads.