Hybrid Bicycles - First Ride on my 7.5 FX

I took my Trek 7.5 FX for its first ride this morning. Here are some of my initial impressions.

I rode my normal route, which is a bit over 5 miles, criss-crossing the small town of Lindsborg, KS (it's only a bit over a mile long, so it takes a few loops to add up to any mileage!)

This bike is quite a bit different than my previous one, a Trek 7300. The handlebars, while not dropbars, are lower than before. The seat is quite different, narrower and not nearly as padded. And of course, there's no extra weight due to unneeded suspension like on the 7300. In fact, the 7.5 weighs 27 pounds, compared to 34 for the 7300.

Also different is the fact that I've gone clipless for the first time. I'm using a set of Shimano 530 pedals, which are clipless on one side and platform on the other.

So, on to the ride. I'd test-ridden a 7.3 fx and of course did the check-out ride for the 7.5, but today was the first real ride.

First thing, I was able to get clipped in without any big problems. It's not as quick as it will be, but not bad.

Next, the seat. By the first five minutes, I was wishing for my old padded 7300 seat. But, by 10 mins, it was no longer an issue.

I noticed a slight bit of numbing in my hands due to the fact I was placing more weight on my hands, but I was able to adjust and it never got bad.

After 10-15 minutes I started noticing some pain in my feet. Not quite in the arches, but close. I'm sure it was due to the extra work they had to perform using the clipless pedals.

So, other than that, how do I like the bike? I love it! It's very fast, responsive, and a joy to ride. I probably would not have liked it a month ago when I bought the 7300, but after 80 miles this month, I realized I needed a different bike and am glad I chose the 7.5 fx.
Overall, I had a great first ride, and am looking forward to racking up many more!

Oh, I should mention the almost accident. I was at a stop sign, going very, very slow, watching a car come from my right. She stared, and stared at me, and then turned right, so wide that she almost hit the truck that was headed my way. I simply ducked behind her and rode on. Of course, as my wife said, folks drive that poorly all the time around here, so it may not have had anything to do with me, but boy, she sure was staring at me!

My wife has the WSD 7.5FX and her only complaint was the seat. I got her a Serfas RX seat, and now she can ride for hours. It is a great bike.

My wife has the WSD 7.5FX and her only complaint was the seat. I got her a Serfas RX seat, and now she can ride for hours. It is a great bike.

Thanks, I'll check it out!

And of course, there's no extra weight due to unneeded suspension like on the 7300. In fact, the 7.5 weighs 27 pounds, compared to 34 for the 7300.

The 7.5FX is a great bike. They don't weigh anywhere near 27 pounds though. More on the order of about 23.5 pounds, unless the spec has drastically changed this year.

The 7.5FX is a great bike. They don't weigh anywhere near 27 pounds though. More on the order of about 23.5 pounds, unless the spec has drastically changed this year.

Could be my measuring technique, along w/the weight of the kickstand and water bottle cage. In any case, thanks for the update!

For the numbing of the hands, you might try adding bar ends to give you other hand positions.

For the numbing of the hands, you might try adding bar ends to give you other hand positions.

Thanks, I've definitely thought about bar ends as an option. There seem to be more than one choice/design, so that's one thing to figure out.

The other is the stock handlebars have a different end cap. I have a mirrcycle and had to get one specially for these handlebars, one w/the "bontrager" adapter.

So I'm not sure (based on a thread I read a few days ago) if there any compatible bar ends available for this bike.

Then too, there's the issue of the mirror, which I like.

For now, I'll do nothing til I have a better sense of my needs and the available options.

One other thing to consider is that I could swap out the entire handlebar to get some different choices. It's just me, but I intend to use the bike more or less stock for at least the first few weeks/months.

Without changing parts, you might try changing your seat angle to help keep the weight off of your hands.

Is your seat angled forward at all? This will lend itself to sliding forward on your seat and using your arms to hold yourself back. Make sure your seat is level with the ground, not the top tube.

Depending on your current seat position, you may also trying moving your seat forward in the clamp. Ideally you want your knee over the ball of your front foot when the crank is parallel with the ground. If you are further back than that, slide your seat forward. This will put you in a more upright position and take some stress off your arms. When you do start to experiment with seat positions pay attention to your body. Bad angles can lead to knee pain.

Padded gloves and padded short will improve comfort, but basically you need to ride enough to get used to your new bike. You've traded comfort for performance.

Your handlebars are defective. The shop should replace them for free in my opinion. How are they selling bikes as "fitness bikes" that doesn't accept barends?? Very, very bad idea, Trek. Stand up and recall these handlebars. Everyone hates them. Consumers are going home with less bike than they think they've purchased. Inexcusable. Get your head out of your ass, Trek!

Without changing parts, you might try changing your seat angle to help keep the weight off of your hands.

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Thanks, that's helpful advice. I don't think the seat is angled, but will double check. I'll also check the position of my knee with relation to my foot as you mentioned and move the seat accordingly. Thanks also for the reminder to pay attention to any new/different pain as a result of changes.

Oh, I did lower the seat a bit less that a 1/4 in. before my morning ride. That seemed to help a bit, so I think it will get better, both w/time and any needed adjustments.

Padded gloves and padded short will improve comfort, but basically you need to ride enough to get used to your new bike. You've traded comfort for performance.

Your handlebars are defective. The shop should replace them for free in my opinion. How are they selling bikes as "fitness bikes" that doesn't accept barends?? Very, very bad idea, Trek. Stand up and recall these handlebars. Everyone hates them. Consumers are going home with less bike than they think they've purchased. Inexcusable. Get your head out of your ass, Trek!

Got the gloves, so I'm covered there.

I think you hit it: comfort for performance. And that's fine, it's what I wanted (didn't want sore butt :-)

Wrt the design choices made by Trek, I think I will whine a bit at the LBS, just so they know, but it's really beyond their control; they're not going to drop Trek over one questionable choice. I do, so far, like the padded material on the handlebars, though I still need my gloves.

I'd give the saddle a little more time. I didn't like the stock saddle on mine, but after about 200 miles I didn't even notice it.

I'd give the saddle a little more time. I didn't like the stock saddle on mine, but after about 200 miles I didn't even notice it.

Not to revive an old thread, but if someone finds this via search ... what he said! The first 3-4 days I really noticed the seat, but after a week I barely noticed and now, after a month, it's simply not an issue.

Not that there aren't better seats out there, I'm not saying that. It's just that it does take a while to get used to this style of seat if one is relatively new (or newly returning to) biking.

I have the Trek 7.3 adn believe they have the same handle bars. I love them. Bar ends would be nice at times but with the Vibration Control inserts that the handle bars have I have very little trouble with numbness in my hands while riding. I did notice this after about 300 miles then I talked to my LBS and they asked if the grips have moved. So I readjusted and no more numbness. The saddle didnt bother me all that much at all.