Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Trek 7.3 FX ok for light trail?

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zr7rider
06-08-09, 05:53 PM
Got a question for those in the know. I'm considering hitting the Virginia Creeper Trail this summer. I'm wondering of my Trek 7.3 FX would be ok on the hardpacked small gravel trails on the Creeper Trail. I've gone from 245+ to 210 now. It's taken me since October to lose the weight. I thank cycling, running, and diet for the weight loss. I've used my Trek 7.3 for road use only, and have no idea if I'd be safe to use it on some light trails. I won't be doing any stump jumping, that's not my thing anyway.

Cheers!

bdinger
06-08-09, 08:52 PM
You'd be just fine. I took my 7.3FX on many a hardpacked limestone or gravel trail, and it performed very well. The only thing I'd suggest looking into would be a set of cross tires, in particular the Schwalbe Marathon Cross. They'll give you a better ride over the terrain, and they'll give some added confidence with the knobbier profile.

Even if you don't, though, I took my 7.3FX on a limestone/gravel metrix last year when I still had it, and it did great. Only times it was sketchy was on loose gravel and wet/muddy trails.
Neil_B
06-08-09, 10:02 PM
Got a question for those in the know. I'm considering hitting the Virginia Creeper Trail this summer. I'm wondering of my Trek 7.3 FX would be ok on the hardpacked small gravel trails on the Creeper Trail. I've gone from 245+ to 210 now. It's taken me since October to lose the weight. I thank cycling, running, and diet for the weight loss. I've used my Trek 7.3 for road use only, and have no idea if I'd be safe to use it on some light trails. I won't be doing any stump jumping, that's not my thing anyway.

Cheers!

Here's your answer:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3064/2799102955_850397267b_b.jpg

That's my 7.5 fx rockin' on the C & O Canal Towpath this past August. All 184 miles of it. Your 7.3 is probably a better choice, since the wheels have a higher spoke-count.

zoste
06-09-09, 06:54 AM
...The only thing I'd suggest looking into would be a set of cross tires, in particular the Schwalbe Marathon Cross. They'll give you a better ride over the terrain, and they'll give some added confidence with the knobbier profile.

No problem at all. I routinely ride my Salsa Casseroll road bike on the Perkiomen Trail, which is hard pack/gravel rail/trail. I have 700 x 28 Conti Gatorskins on the bike, which tends to make it wander on the gravel, but otherwise I don't give it a second thought.

Guess I just don't know any better, and I never bothered to ask ;)
bautieri
06-09-09, 07:15 AM
Your 7.3 will do just fine. Just make sure you slow down a bit for turns.

I would also advise that you practice a panic stop or two just so you can see how your bike reacts to a sudden stop on the looser surface. That way you won't be surprised if you do need to slam em on.