manual_overide

Does anyone run cyclocross tires on them? Is there enough clearance? I'm looking to build up a year-round commuter and thought that studded CX tires would be good in the winter.

I'm looking at a 7.2 or 7.3 as a cheaper commuter option rather than going for a full CX bike. Any LBS around me wants around 1K for a CX bike, which is out of my price range. I can get a 7.3 for around 450, so i'll have extra money left over to buy a rack and trunk bag, fenders, lights, etc. So my other question is: How do you like your FX?

EricDJ

With the exception on the 7.7fx, they all come with 700x32c/35c, so clearance shouldn't be an issue.

7.7fx has 28c, but I imagine bigger wouldn't be a prob.

manual_overide

Well, I put some money down on a 7.3 FX today. Hopefully, I'll be able to start commuting in a month when school is finished. Other than fenders and a rack and trunk bag, is there anything else I'll need to get before I start? I'm really excited about this!

golgotha

I have a Trek 7.2 FX. I've been commuting for about a month now. I think fenders and a rack are good additions. I use a backpack right now, and my back is sweaty every day. Also, my feet get soaked and my bag gets muddy on rainy days. So good additions in those two.
I would also get lights, front and rear. They help the cars see you, and that is good. Also, get a bright jacket or shirt you can wear each time you bike. You want to be visible. I have a synthetic jersey that wicks sweat away and drys fast. Coworkers make fun of me, but they make fun of everything.
Gloves. Get a pair of riding gloves. If you go down, the first thing to touch ground is your hand.
A helmet of course.
A U-Lock and a cable lock. It's a good system for locking your quick release front wheel to the frame and then locking the frame to a larger object.

manual_overide

lights will happen, but not right away. I need to save up more money first.

i ride road and have started to get into mountain too, so i have gloves and a helmet. saftey rocks!

I've got a masterlock brand NY chain. 3ft of heavy blunt weapon. At work there is little to no chance of my bike being stolen though, so I don't know if i really need to bring it along with me.

epon

Bumpin this cause I'm wondering too. I'm lookin at an '07 7.3 and would like to run cx or studded tires with fenders and am not sure of the options.

tdister

There are people running 35c slick tires with fenders. You should easily fit any 32c CX tires with room for a fender. Not sure how much, if any, the tread adds to the size.

I used some 38c treaded tires on my 7.3 this weekend and there is surprisingly very little height difference between them and 32c. Maybe 1/4" less clearance to the fork. I don't and never have had fenders though.

MattP.

The 7.6 has 28c tires as well.

epon

Looks like I would go with the schwalbe marathon winters in 700 x 35 and the plante bike 700c fenders. Think I'd have any clearence issues with that ?

tdister

should be fine

beingtxstate

The only prob I could see is if you have a rack installed. I have had minor clearence issues with 700c x 35mm tires due to the fact my rack pushes the fenders down a bit. The frame however has plenty of room, just get a taller rack.

discosaurus

Do you have a mountain bike? If not, the FX is definitely capable of all but the craziest singletrack, but you'd probably want to invest in a second, sturdier wheelset with cross or mtb tires. I haven't made the commitment to a second wheelset yet, but I'm definitely going to do that instead of a whole new bike if I stay interested in mountain biking.

I ride my 7.2 FX every day, and I have posted all over these forums about it. I love that bike, just check my posts through my profile if you want to read some of my gushing about it.

You can definitely fit fenders with 700x38 tires, and you could go up to 700x42 or 29x1.75 without. The narrowish 29er tires are uncommon, but they're out there. Any shop would be able to order them.

CaptainCool

Make sure you get the 45mm fenders, not the 35mm ones.

jostan1

I just got a 7.5FX a month ago. I love it, put fenders on it, but the tires are for fair weather only, so I ride my mtb when it snows/rains