Hybrid Bicycles - Help! 2009 Trek 7.5fx WSD or 2010 7.6fx WSD???

Hello everyone,

This is my first post. I'm a virtual newbie, unless riding on my pink banana-seat Schwinn as a child qualifies me as an avid rider. A few months ago I decided to get into biking as a fun hobby and alternative to being stuck in the gym. I have been riding my old mountain bike on 20 mile rides, and I'm thinking now is the time to invest in a comfortable, lighter bike that I can ride around town and on bike paths. I don't want an actual road bike yet because I don't want the curled handlebars, and the thinness of the tires scare me. Once I ride a hybrid for a while, I may buy a road bike later.

My rides will mostly be at the beach, around town, on bike paths, and on the road for casual, organized rides (not races). I recently completed the 25 mile ride of the Tour de Palm Springs on my old mountain bike, and would like to do similar rides, increasing the distance to 50+. I'm not sure if I'll ever want to do a century ride, but who knows. I've decided that the best bike for me is a hybrid, and have liked the Trek's FX series.

Now, for my dilemma. When I first started looking for bikes, a shop near me had the 7.5fx from 2009. I fell in love. I was only going to get a 7.3, but I loved the design of the 2009 model of the 7.5fx WSD--It is matte black with gold script. It was a good, comfortable ride, and not surprisingly, much lighter than my mountain bike from circa 1996. Unfortunately, that store didn't have my size.

In my neurotic and relentless search to find the 2009 7.5fx WSD bike in my size, not only did I find this bike, but I found a 2010 7.6fx WSD for about the same price. Now, I'm torn! Getting the 7.6fx WSD in a newer model for practically the cost of the 7.5fx WSD is a major bargain. But, I hate the colors of the 2010 7.6fx WSD. The font is a limey yellow, juxtaposed on a blue that's not too bad, but can't be appreciated due to the 80's-esque gleam emanating from the font. But, technically, according to the specs, I'd be getting a better bike in the 2010 7.6fx WSD.

I test rode the 2010 7.6fx WSD and honestly, I didn't notice a difference. Perhaps I would only notice a difference on long rides, versus the brief test ride? The gears seemed to shift the same--both were clean. I did notice that the wheels were thinner on the 7.6, but I'm not sure if that will benefit me, or put me at greater risk for tumbles. Since I'll be riding at the beach, there might be sand here and there in the pathway, and occasionally I may want to ride on a non-paved (but not rocky) path--would the wheels on the 7.6 be suitable for riding on these types of terrain?

Sorry for the long winded-ness. What do all of you experienced riders think about the 7.5fx WSD vs. the 7.6fx WSD? Would I notice a difference between the two, given what I'll be using it for? Is the 7.6 a very superior bike to the 7.5? I'm so careful with my money that it seems wasteful to buy a "lesser" bike for almost the identical price of the better, newer bike. Argh. I'm so confused!! Thanks in advance for your help in the resolution of my internal struggle.

Link to the 2010 7.6FX specs: http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/2010/archive/76fxwsd
Link to the 2009 7.5FX specs: http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/2009/archive/75fxwsd

The chief difference between the two is the drivetrain.

The 2010 7.6FX has a slightly higher gear range on the front chainrings (50/39/30) vs the '09 7.5 (48/36/26) with the same 11-26 rear cassette. Basicaly the 7.6FX is capable of slightly higher speeds in some situations.

The shifters on the 7.5 (Deore) is slightly better than the shifters on the 7.6 (Alivio) though.

Me, I prefer the higher gear range. The difference to you probably isn't noticible. Go with what you like.

"The 2010 7.6FX has a slightly higher gear range on the front chainrings (50/39/30) vs the '09 7.5 (48/36/26) with the same 11-26 rear cassette. Basicaly the 7.6FX is capable of slightly higher speeds in some situations.....

Me, I prefer the higher gear range..."

Thanks, Tom! What are the "some situations" in which I'd notice a higher speed? Is the 7.5 or 7.6 better for climbing? I don't like hills and steep inclines, but I occasionally come upon them on my rides--would the higher gear range make that easier?

Lower gear range = easier to pedal up hills.

Higher gear range = top out at a faster speed pedaling down a slight incline or on level ground.

The '09 7.5FX has a 1:1 gear ratio when you shift it into the lowest gear combo (26 teeth front / 26 teeth back).
The '10 7.6FX has a 1:1.15 gear ratio when you shift it into the lowest gear combo (30 teeth front / 26 teeth back).

So it's easier to pedal the 7.5FX up a hill.

The '09 7.5FX has a 4.36:1 gear ratio when you shift it into the highest gear combo (48 teeth front / 11 teeth back).
The '10 7.6FX has a 4.54:1 gear ratio when you shift it into the highest gear combo (50 teeth front / 11 teeth back).

So the 7.6FX can top out at a slightly higher speed when you reach the highest gear while pedaling on flat ground or on a slight downslope.

Hope this helps!

Thanks! That was extremely helpful. Your insights and explanations have given me clarity in which bike will best suit my particular needs.

I've decided to go with the 7.5--I really am looking for a true hybrid, that will give me the stability and versatility I need, rather than something that is more of a road bike with flat handlebars. I'm also glad that I'll be getting a little more help going up hills with the 7.5. Maybe now I won't cringe as much when I see an incline. :)

I'm not planning on doing any high speed races (but you never know--Don't count me out, Lance Armstrong!), so the benefits of the pricier components in the 7.6 would probably be lost on me at this point in time. I have a feeling that I may get addicted and eventually want a road bike, but I'll cross that bridge (on a bike with drop handlebars and a carbon frame) when I come to it. Thanks for your help! My inner turmoil has been resolved and now I'm ready to ride!!!

Glad to help. :thumb:

Also, put some bar ends on the FX. It will help with hill climbs and long rides (allows your hands to grip from the sides, which is a more neutral position than flat on the top of the bars).

If you want a road bike, the Trek 7.9FX is actually a flat-bar road bike. It's got a carbon fiber frame and road-bike drivetrain, but with a flat handlebar and rapid-fire shifters rather than drop bars and brifters. Perfect for those who are used to flat bars but want to get close to road-bike speeds.