Hybrid Bicycles - Finally getting my new hybrid - Trek 7.4 FX

After many months of indecision and reading tons of reviews/posts here, I finally pulled the trigger on a new 7.4 FX. I've test ridden many hybrids and like the features/ride/cost on this one the most.

I pick it up tomorrow hopefully!

:speedy:

Way to go! Enjoy your new ride~~~

Good call! I hope you enjoy it. Pics when you get it.

Congrats on the new bike enjoy

I rode one briefly a couple of weeks ago- it's what turned me onto hybrids, and I loved it! Light, quick, responsive feeling. Enjoy- I'm envious!! *s*
Wes

Thanks guys!

I just woke up and checked the board before work. I'm all excited like a little kid hee hee.

Definitely will post pics later today when I (hopefully) pick her up.

Can't wait...

Picture!
-Click image for larger version
http://i1073.photobucket.com/albums/w387/researcher7/MyTrek74FX.jpg (http://i1073.photobucket.com/albums/w387/researcher7/MyTrek74FX.jpg)

I also picked up a Bontrager 4W wireless analog computer. Always wanted a bike computer, finally bought one.
Wanted to get the fancier Trek Speedtrap thing, but the LBS was out - plus it only works with Digital wireless computers, not Analog (Bontrager 4W). The LBS only carried the $$$ digital wireless ones.
So I compromised for now.

Gonna ride to work tomorrow, can't wait.

It's going to be a great biking day in the Bay Area tomorrow! I have a dentist appointment so I'm driving. I really like the red accents on the frame.

Congrats! It's a beautiful, rich looking bike. I'm looking at a Fuji Absolute 1 as well- it's a white bike, and it just looks nowhere as rich as the Trek.
Wes

Thanks for the kind feedback guys.

I just rode into work and it sure felt great. My previous commuter was a tad small and induced knee pain.
On the (correctly-sized) 7.4FX everything is pain-free.

The FX is a bit faster than my "hybridized" MTB and I'm really enjoying the computer (making me want to go faster) =)


...now the hunt is on for a nice-looking rear rack!

Nice Bike!

Ride the Hell Out of It!!!

- Slim :)

Looks good, I just got a 7.5FX and it rides really nice.

What size frame is it? Looking at the saddle height it looks like you could go up a frame size.

Nice, I *almost* got the 7.5 but changed my mind at the last minute.

It's a 20"
I'm 5'11" and 3/4"
Do you think I should have gone with the 22? (or was it 22.5 I forget the next size up)

Thanks

Do you know your cycling inseam? If your saddle height is set correctly I'm guessing around 34".

Darn, no I don't know my cycling inseam. How to measure?

Here's how to measure cycling inseam (first part of the video.) What is your pant inseam?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwIMkqhWbBY

Nice, I *almost* got the 7.5 but changed my mind at the last minute.

It's a 20"
I'm 5'11" and 3/4"
Do you think I should have gone with the 22? (or was it 22.5 I forget the next size up)

Thanks

Go to any other bicycle shop and ask someone there, if you have the proper size bike. If they tell you that the size is off. Exchange the 7.4FX for a larger 7.5FX.

Do this immediately, before the ink has a chance to dry!

- Slim :)

Yeow, I sure appreciate you guys noticing the seat height and raising the sizing question.
I didn't even think about that...

FWIW, I spent about 30 minutes with a very good/reputable LBS a few months back, and they fit me for a 7.4 FX
We tried 20" and 22.5" sizes. In the end, they felt either size would be fine for me, but I felt the 20" was a little more comfortable, and he agreed the 20" was nearly ideal for my size.
So that's why I went with the 20"

Thanks for the youtube link =)
I asked around here at work, and nobody has a tape measure. But if it helps, my jeans are a 32 length?

Yeow, I sure appreciate you guys noticing the seat height and raising the sizing question.
I didn't even think about that...

FWIW, I spent about 30 minutes with a very good/reputable LBS a few months back, and they fit me for a 7.4 FX
We tried 20" and 22.5" sizes. In the end, they felt either size would be fine for me, but I felt the 20" was a little more comfortable, and he agreed the 20" was nearly ideal for my size.
So that's why I went with the 20"

Thanks for the youtube link =)
I asked around here at work, and nobody has a tape measure. But if it helps, my jeans are a 32 length?

Let professionals size you. Don't try to do it yourself!

It was their responsibility as a reputable Trek dealership, to properly size you in the first place.

Find a Giant, Jamis, or Cannondale dealership and ask them...

- Slim :)

Probably the right size, but I'm wondering about the fit/set-up. It may just be the angle of the photo, but if the nose of your saddle is tilted downward a lot, it may be causing you to sit too far forward on the saddle which may be being compensated for by raising the saddle higher than it normally would be.

I saw you mentioned knee pain in previous post, so maybe a nose down saddle position is something you've arrived at to deal with that. Anyways, you say you're comfortable on the new Trek and that's what really matters.

Nice, I *almost* got the 7.5 but changed my mind at the last minute.

It's a 20"
I'm 5'11" and 3/4"
Do you think I should have gone with the 22? (or was it 22.5 I forget the next size up)

Thanks

@Researcher,
Saddle height looks entirely within 'normal' range for that (compact) frame. Looks like you have the saddle set roughly in the middle of the rails (good).

A couple of quick checks you can do yourself:

When you sit on the bike, crankarms in-line with the seat tube, does your heel (with your cycling shoes on) just rest on the down pedal if your leg is pretty much straight/extended? If so, then given the picture you provided the bike appears to be sized right for you; you've got plenty of adjustment up or down for fine tuning.

You mentioned in another post that it feels great so far; you don't feel like you are 'cramped' in terms of reach to the bars and/or feel like you will 'fall forward' if you lift your hands off the bars? If 'no' to both (make sure the saddle is level as well as in the middle of the rails), the frame is likely pretty much sized correctly.

Thanks guys

@Pendergast: I just re-checked the saddle and it's perfectly horizontal. But thanks for the info on a potential issue.
My knee pain I think was from the poor sizing setup on my previous commuter bike (MTB)

@badger1: Thanks for the confirmation. When I was at the Trek LBS 2 months ago, he performed that test you described.
(I had previously read about this, I think on Sheldon Brown's site maybe, and knew what to look for).
On the 20", the leg test came out perfectly.

And yes, the overall feel is great. I don't feel cramped like on my old bike.
I'll try the 2nd test on my ride home tonight.

The shop and your personal experience sound right, you could probably comfortably ride either size. The only thing I would point is that the 20" frame is going to limit to a fairly aggressive position. The handlebars look to be 1.5"-2" inches below the seat (which is called handlebar drop) and can't really moved up above level without resorting to some ugly looking stem rising contraptions. If you like riding with this position there is no reason to exchange the frame. A 22.5" with the same saddle height would place the handlebars in a position that allows you to easily adjust the bars level, above or below the seat. The 22.5" frame has a longer reach which may have made it feel more stretched out but that can easily be dialed out with a shorter stem.

Dunbar, thanks for the really clear explanation. This helped clarify things quite a bit.

When I was getting sized at the previous LBS, we both noticed the 22.5" frame definitely felt like I was reaching a little.
But I didn't think about swapping for a shorter stem (I don't recall if the LBS mentioned this)

Well, the good news is: I examined the bike just now and the handlebars and saddle are almost perfectly in line horizontally.
It was the angle of the photo that gave the impression they were offset by 1.5-2"

I'm also planning on using this bike for 1-2 short distance triathlons this spring. So the sizing/stance is important to me, beyond just work commuting and solving the knee pain issues of the past (hopefully).

Sounds like you're good to go. I wouldn't waste another moment second-guessing the size selection. Just get out there and enjoy your new bike!

Sweet - thanks.

I'm really looking forward to the ride home tonight. This bike is noticeably stiffer + faster than my hybrid MTB. Glad I got the carbon fiber fork too.
Now I need excuses to spend the Nashbar gift card I got for xmas. ;)

For the handlebar drop measure straight down with a tape measure from the top of the seat to the ground, do the same with the bars and then subtract the two. I have a 20" 7.5FX with my seat about 2" lower and I would be surprised if the bars were truly level with the seat on your bike. Like I said though, if you like riding with a more aggressive position the bike fit looks fine.

You'll be able to verify the sizing matter one way or another on your Triathlon ride.

Let's just hope for the best, eh!

Good Luck! :thumb:

- Slim :)

Sounds like you're good to go. I wouldn't waste another moment second-guessing the size selection. Just get out there and enjoy your new bike!

+1

+2

I am 5'7" with a 30" inseam. I purchased the 17.5" 7.5 FX and raised the seat about an inch. Compared to my road bike, the FX frame feels BIG. I would not want a 20" frame.

I've been oncall this week and it's been a 3 day driving week. You are making me jealous; I am going to try to get up early enough to bike to work before my oncall shift starts.

+2

I am 5'7" with a 30" inseam. I purchased the 17.5" 7.5 FX and raised the seat about an inch. Compared to my road bike, the FX frame feels BIG. I would not want a 20" frame.

I've been oncall this week and it's been a 3 day driving week. You are making me jealous; I am going to try to get up early enough to bike to work before my oncall shift starts.

Hey a1penguin, I hear ya on the oncall stuff. Mon & Tues I had to come in at 7am for meetings. So finally, today I had my opportunity to bike in.
Hope you make it tomorrow, and have a great ride!

Ok I just measured my inseam --> 32 "
So does the 20" frame sound ok?

If 32" is your cycling inseam measurement rather than your pants inseam, you have relatively short legs for your height. Which probably means you have a relatively long torso for your height. Which means you probably could have gone up a size if you wanted to.

I'm 5'7" with a pants inseam of 30" and a cycling inseam of 31.5". Make sure you're measuring your cycling inseam correctly--barefoot, feet 6" apart, top of the tape measure compressing your crotch to simulate the pressure of a bike saddle. You can use a book to simulate a saddle then measure to to top of the book.

If you don't feel cramped on the size you have now, I'd still say you're okay.

Thanks Pendergast

I think I was wearing shoes, and with my feet maybe 4" apart, but I did do the compressing of the book against my crotch.
I just re-measured (barefoot and correct foot spacing) and it's still coming out as 32 (maybe a tad under now, say 31.8")

But yeah, riding home I didn't feel cramped at all. It feels like a good proper fit IMO.

Thanks

I've not measured my inseam, but I'm 5'10 and ride a 17.5" Trek 7.3 with the saddle jacked up as far as it goes. My wife is the same height, and she rides the 20" frame. I don't feel cramped on the 17.5" frame, but don't feel stretched on the short hops I've done on my wife's bike either. If I were to replace my bike, I'd probably opt for the 20" frame. However, for a 5'7 person, the 17.5" frame sounds about right.

Thanks Pendergast

I think I was wearing shoes, and with my feet maybe 4" apart, but I did do the compressing of the book against my crotch.
I just re-measured (barefoot and correct foot spacing) and it's still coming out as 32 (maybe a tad under now, say 31.8")

But yeah, riding home I didn't feel cramped at all. It feels like a good proper fit IMO.

Thanks

This is all that matters; I agree with Pendergast that you could ride a 22 FX, and might want to try it were you feeling at all cramped up/unbalanced on the 20, but otherwise I would say (as I did above) the 20 really does sound and look right for you, based on your info/pics.

Just a bit of context: I test-rode the FX extensively a couple years back when buying my current bike. I'm just under 5' 9 but with a true cycling inseam of 33" (yep, all legs); the 17.5 FX was/is a perfect fit for me; I could ride the 20, but it felt like a gate! You appear to be proportioned a little more toward the shorter leg/longer torso side of things; I suspect the 22 would feel awkwardly 'tall' under you, though the reach would probably be fine, but I suspect the 20 is 'just right'.

Conclusion: you've got a great bike; appears to be the right size; you like it ... now, go ride the h_ll out of it!

Ok I just measured my inseam --> 32 "
So does the 20" frame sound ok?

If your pant inseam 32" than your cycling inseam should be 1-2" longer. If you think about it, if you pants were the same length as you legs they be "pooling up" over your shoes. If you like the current position of the bars in relation to the seat, and don't foresee a need to raise the bars in the future than keep the 20". Just for reference, here's a my 20" 7.5FX setup for my 31.5" cycling inseam (I'm 5'9" tall.) My seat is now about 3/4" higher than is pictured.

http://img39.imageshack.us/img39/9615/treku.jpg

If your pant inseam 32" than your cycling inseam should be 1-2" longer. If you think about it, if you pants were the same length as you legs they be "pooling up" over your shoes.

Actually they do... heh. I recently switched from 30" pants to 32" because the 30" were juust shy of being short-looking.
So currently my 32" pants indeed pool up a little over the shoes. But not hideously so.

Thanks for the info & pic. Love the 7.5FX in silver.

Coming from a road bike, I prefer the more hunched over ride. And as it's been so dang dry, I've been riding the road bike. Rain is moving in next week. Tomorrow is going to be an awesome day, my oncall shift is over at 10am and I am definitely going to take the round about commute in to work! I got paged just before my shift ended at 2 am, couldn't sleep well and drove in to work today. I suck.

Dunbar, your 7.5FX looks tan (I guess auto color would be champagne). I like that color!

Dunbar, your 7.5FX looks tan (I guess auto color would be champagne). I like that color!

The color is actually platinum which is a greyish silver. I like the color a lot more than my old silver Trek Navigator.

How does the 7.4 weight compare to the 7.3 and 7.5?
Dare i ask if anyone has actual weights for these 3 bikes?
Thanks.