Commuting - Any commuters using Trek 7200FX or 7.2FX?

Just wondering who is out there :)

What are your builds?

I used to, had to sell it so I wouldnt have more bikes than ex wives !

I have the '07 7.3 FX. Wasn't too keen at first but lately the machine is growing on me.

I was iffy with the ride quality at first but after getting used to keeping my tire pressure a little lower I have smoothed out the relatively rough ride (for a hybrid anyway) of the bike.

I was riding a 7200FX for my short 4 mile round trip commute. I swapped out the flats for trekking bars and that helped make it more comfy on my hands. But I've since committed to training for touring, so I got a Fuji and I ride that all the time now. It's much more better, for my purposes.

That said, I think that the Trek is a fine bicycle and quite solid. I completed my very first tour on it :) If I were to continue riding it, I'd swap out the tires for something a bit slimmer and more durable.

On the tire issue Brian I second that. I test rode a Raleigh Route 1 today, which is basically the same as the 7.2 FX but with slimmer 28s as opposed to 32s on mine now. Much peppier ride I must say.

I've got a 7300FX Disc that I ride all the time. I'd stay away from the discs (unless they've got to something better than the Hayes MX2) which are a PITA to keep/get properly adjusted. The '07 has Shimano discs, so they're probably a little different.

Overall, it's a tough bike. Not light by any means, but durable. I'd also suggest getting narrower tires (I ride 28 Gatorskins @ 120psi) than the 70psi Bontragers that come with the bike.

I got one!
I commute to school.. i'm a lil lazy 1.2 miles one way, but it gives me 15 min extra sleeping time!! I don't park my bike at the racks, cos i'm too cheapskate to get a new lock (my old lock froze, and i managed to unlock it, but i don't dare lock it again!!). Thus i carry my bike 5 floors up to my office and leave it there...
On weekends and some weekdays i go for longer rides...the longest so far is about 35 miles..not too bad...small rolling hills here and there...

The 7.2 does what it needs to do!...

(shhhhh..this is heresy, but i intend to get a roadbike once i save enough $$$...)

I had a 7.3 on order and I test rode one that was a bit too big. I ended up buying a 1000. Which was based on the time I had to wait for the 7.3 to come in. Also, I figured I would end up on a roadie soon as well.

I like my 7200 :) That is all I have to say ^.^

Overall, it's a tough bike. Not light by any means, but durable. I'd also suggest getting narrower tires (I ride 28 Gatorskins @ 120psi) than the 70psi Bontragers that come with the bike.

Really? I ride a 7.3 fx (no discs) and it seems lightish to me. To be fair, this is my first bike (not counting the Huffy when I was 10), but I weighed it in at just under 30 pounds, is that heavy? It's served me well and I feel like I lucked out in finding it, the store even cut me a pretty handsome discount.

Like I said, it's my first bike, the only qualm I have with it is that I can't really get into an aggressive position to tackle the one big hill on my commute. I've considered drop bars, but I'm not quite sure if the geometry is long enough to make that work. I dunno, I guess I should ask my LBS gurus.

30 pounds is hefty when you are talking about a hybrid/road bike. With mountain bikes it is so so (some are like 35 40 pounds...) and with a strict road bike it's like a brick.

I think drop handlebars look cool.

I have a 7.2FX. I took out the spacers and lowered the handlebars to get a more aggressive stance and replaced the saddle. At some point, I will invest in some narrower tires and a non-suspension seatpost (I hate that pogo stick thing).

As others have said, it serves me well. But of course I want a road bike ; )

At some point, I will invest in some narrower tires

What exactly are the advantages of narrower tires? I mean, I know big knobby ones slow one down, but the tires that came stock on my 7.3 don't seem to be too wide. Would narrower tires make on-road cycling that much easier?

I'm a newbie, so take what I write with a grain of salt. My understanding is that narrower tires reduce rolling resistence. Lower rolling resistence means higher speed (all else being equal). A narrower tire is narrower and has a higher PSI rating, so there is less surface area in contact with the ground. So the basic idea is narrower tires = faster.

The trade-off is a harsher ride. Maybe less traction in certain situations? Maybe higher chance of a flat? Not sure about those last two.

BTW, I believe the 7.3FX comes with 32' tires while the 7.2 has 35'. Road bikes often have 23' or 25' or 28'.

Yeah the 7200 has 700x35 tires if you stay stock.

Still I don't see the big difference between 35s and like say 32s. Perhaps there is a significant weight difference between 35s and 25s, however I don't like the trade off of the rough ride... I mean my ride is rough as it is on Michigan streets.

I'm really interested in this thread because I just bought a Trek 7.3FX a couple of weeks ago. I love it, but my basis of comparison is a 12-year-old Wal-Mart Wonder.

I found a LBS guy who seemed trustworthy and asked him for a bike that would be suitable for commuting (my main activity) but also useful for my triumphant segue into long-distance touring. :D

So, what's this about switching out handlebars and such? You can do that???

So, what's this about switching out handlebars and such? You can do that???

Well, I've only heard so anecdotally (with extensive photographic documentation on these forums. Apparently, most every component of a bicycle can be easily replaced, excepting the frame (at which point it technically becomes a new bike). Personally I went with the 7.3 was because I liked most of the components and the "feel" of the bike itself. I don't buy into any of this rubbish about the ride being too rough. But then again, we have fairly well paved roads around town. I also like the styling, particularly the big 'ol wheels, the straight-bladed fork, the flat bars, and that great orange paintjob. But the flat bars are apparently (from what I hear) good for getting sore hands on long rides, and "drop bars" (the funny-shaped road bike ones) allow one to assume a more aggressive cycling position, so as to more easily and comfortably climb hills and/or get up to speed. Am I right on this? ANybody tried putting drop bars on a 7.3? Does it work?

In terms of having another hand position, bar-ends are an option. I put some on, and my hands spend most of the time there. I also lowered the handlebars by removing the spacers, so I have a slightly more aggressive posture. So, by making these two modifications, I have some of the advantage offered by drop bars.

I think the main benefit from moving to a different tire is the higher air pressure which will let you roll a little easier. I have 700X32 Bontrager race lite hardcases on my 7.3fx and like them. I tried 700X28 but they were a little too rough for me - the 32s are more comfy. They also make the bike look better.

I have a 7.3 I put drop bars and brifters on it, and 28's. I still hate it and never ride it. I will ride my fixed gear or 1984 road bike first. As a matter of fact, I am selling it Saturday.

I have a 7.3 I put drop bars and brifters on it, and 28's. I still hate it and never ride it. I will ride my fixed gear or 1984 road bike first. As a matter of fact, I am selling it Saturday.

Why do you hate it??? :eek:

step through frame, welds are really ugly, it's too heavy, for some reasom I always am going so slooow on it.

step through frame, welds are really ugly, it's too heavy, for some reasom I always am going so slooow on it.

Yeah, the welds are really ugly. I don't have the step-through kinds, so I don't have a problem with that. As for the heaviness, I dunno. I've never ridden a road bike. I guess I like to think of it as a "trainer," all that weight's pushing my legs so I can go alot faster if I ever get a road bike :D .

I have a Trek 7100 so most of the components are similar. it's surprisingly light. i can get 30+/- mph on it sprinting and i'm not that fit. the only thing i've had a problem with is that i constantly have to adjust the derailleurs as there is some problems with shifting. other than that it's a really solid entry level bike, great decision for someones (like me) first foray into cycling. i also added some drop bars and an aero bar which i recommend.

I have a Trek 7100 so most of the components are similar. it's surprisingly light. i can get 30+/- mph on it sprinting and i'm not that fit. the only thing i've had a problem with is that i constantly have to adjust the derailleurs as there is some problems with shifting. other than that it's a really solid entry level bike, great decision for someones (like me) first foray into cycling. i also added some drop bars and an aero bar which i recommend.

Dude! 30MPH?! WhoA!!

Dropbars and Aerobars? Dammn...
I am considering that...but isn't the geometry a little off for that? Or it doesn't really matter (I'm really ignorant bout bikes and all. So some "enlightenment" would be great!)

Pictures! PLEASE! :)

My Trek 7.2 FX is my first bike. My LBS recommended it because I told them it was my first bike and my goal was to commute to work. I made the 7 mile commute (each way) a handful of times this summer and kept wishing I could go faster, (I am usually running late!) and wishing the bike was a little lighter. Though I must say I was never really uncomfortable. I like the saddle. Not sure if tires with a larger psi would make a big difference. Maybe I will switch them out someday. During my commute I kept wondering if a road bike would be better. Has anyone tried the stock Bontranger tires on trails? How did that work out?

My 7.2FX is just fine for my short commute to work and weekend fitness rides. It's a nice looking bike. But on some level I'm unhappy with my choice. Yes, it weighs a ton. Yes, the shifters are annoying. Yes, the Alivio deraileur sometimes makes a really ugly shift. Yes, bumps in road are jarring.

I look at Surly's website longingly (oh Crosscheck, I wish you were mine). I check out road bikes as they wiz by. But for now I must be content with my 7.2FX. It's more than enough bike for me, and it's only a few months old.

This concludes the newbie's lament.

I commute on a 7200fx in NYC. It's only 8 mi round trip, but the 7200fx seems to do just fine.

My last bike was a Specialized Rockhopper, but I trashed it while mountain biking in Sacramento. Compared to the Rockhopper, the 7200fx feels like a much better commuter.

I find that I need to keep the tires inflated almost to the max to avoid feeling like I'm pedaling through molasses though. I'm very tempted to swap out to some narrower slicks, but I'm cheap, and the stock tires have plenty of tread left.

As far as add-ons, I've only added a bell with compass, front and rear lights, bottle cage, and Cateye Endurance 8 computer. I also flattened the gooseneck (?) so that the bars are flatter.

It feels a bit heavy to me, but I enjoy riding it. I've done a few 20 - 50 mi rides on it, and it has held up well.

I just added a travel agent to the 7.3, and took it out for a test ride. I forgot how comfortable the thing is! I think it just got upgraded from never ride...to ride when I feel crappy in the morning!

According to Trek, the current 7.3FX weighs 25-25.5 pounds. The 7.5FX comes it at around 23.5 pounds. These are the weights for the 17.5" frame. The current models use fixed forks, with the 7.5FX using a carbon fork.

I think their older models were a bit heavier.

Hmmm..25pound bike, 5 story building... i'm loving the stares :P

Anyway, what constitute an "agressive" riding posture anyways?

I got my wife the 7.5FX wsd to replace her 7100 hybrid. She's faster and enjoying the ride more. I put barends on and upgraded the saddle to the Terry Fly. Added a saddle bag for tube/levers/cell phone and replaced the reflectors with blinkies. The Bontrager tires(700 x 32) can go up to 120psi which is what my 700 x 23 roadie tires take. Very nice bike. The suspension fork and seatpost on the old 7100 were just added weight. The FX can also take racks on the front and rear and have plenty of room for fenders.

I'd like to see pics of the drop and aero bars on a 7100, too.

An aggressive riding posture is that of a roadie riding with his hands on the drops, head down low. Seat higher than the handlebars. The hybrid bikes have you in an upright to mostly upright position. The FX bikes have you leaning forward more.

7.5FX wsd
http://www2.trekbikes.com/images/bikes_my07/large/75fxwsd_mineralblue.jpg

Aggressive position
http://212.25.248.194/originals/british-cyclists.jpg

I have a 7.3 I put drop bars and brifters on it, and 28's. I still hate it and never ride it. I will ride my fixed gear or 1984 road bike first. As a matter of fact, I am selling it Saturday.

Worst bike we've ever owned.
I have an absolutely mint WSD, 7.3 with only about 20 very short rides
on it I need to sell in preparation for an upcoming move if anyone
who does get along with these might be interested ?

I have a Trek 7100 so most of the components are similar. it's surprisingly light. i can get 30+/- mph on it sprinting and i'm not that fit.

I have a 7300 that (since I got my Giant OCR C2), I've turned into a full-blown commuter (Beavertail fenders, rack, full light kit). If the weather's bad, I'll be riding it. On a flat, the best I've been able to do is about 23MPH (and that's really pushing it). On a downhill, I can break 30MPH, and top speed on my commute is about 35MPH down a BIG hill. Average speed for the 22 mile trip (one way) has been as high as 16.4 inbound, with a 16.9 just a few weeks ago. I've got the suspension fork, so I'm looking at swapping that out for a rigid / light fork....anyone have any good recommendations?