MTBnOH

anyone have any last minute opinions on this bike before I go purchase one?

positives?
negatives?
recommendations?

I'm strictly looking for a "Fitness"/Hybrid bike & quick errand commutes. I posted in another forum too but didn't get too many responses......also, if i do get the 7.2 fx, should i go w/ silver or red (a metallic burgundy color)?

notfred

All "hybrid" bikes in the same price range are pretty much the same. Pick whichever one has the features you want, and fits you well.

There are 50 other manufacturers making an almost identical bike. They're all perfectly fine if they fit you and have all the features you're looking for.

thelazywon

The paint is very fragile on that bike. Hook a trailer to it, and the AL will be bare. The welds are crap. Otherwise, it's ok.

Rokzane

Instead of the FX, I got the Trek 7300 hybrid. It has a more upright position than the FX, a sturdier frame, and front suspension, which I found to be a must on our pot hole ridden streets.

I'm not a racer and never intend to be one, but I ride this bike everywhere as it is very comfortable. It's not the fastest bike in the world, but it's reliable and fun to ride.

-Rokzane

nasiralpharia

https://i202.photobucket.com/albums/a.../d100_0343.jpg

I have the trek 7.2fx and it works great for me. Its not the fastest but i can hold my own on it. I pull a burley solo trailer with it and havent experienced any problems. I did switch out the tires for skinner ones, but now that i have a road bike I might switch them back. It was a good all purpose bike when I only had one to choose from. Now that I have more options I use it as a hauler.

bsyptak

Negative: aluminum

At least it has a suspension post. That'll help out a bit.

MTBnOH

why do they classify this as a "Fitness" bike?

what makes it more of a fitness bike than say a mountain bike?

bsyptak

Nothing. A mountain bike, properly used (i.e. on a mountain!), will work you far more than a trek 7.2fx ever could.

I think they're trying to distance this bike from a comfort bike, because a comfort bike comes with it a lot of stigma attached to it.

Think of it as fast comfort (sic).

cyccommute 

What he said.

Sportsman9

I recommend getting a test ride on it, and also the Trek 7200 or 7300, as the rides are very different.

I was tempted to get an FX, because it really scoots. It's a frisky li'l thing. However, the 7300 was for me a much nicer ride.

The minimum FX for me would be one with a carbon fork, which I think is the 7.5.

bradchandler

I've had the 7.2fx for about 1.5 months now. I like it and I haven't had any problems. I just wanted a good all around bike with decent speed. I looked at the comfort bikes briefly, but then decided I wanted something that looked a little sportier and that didn't have shocks. Also, I don't like those twist shifters that I think come on the Trek comfort bikes.

I don't like the saddle on the 7.2 though. I'm thinking of switching it out for a Brooks B17. I'll eventually put a rack on it, it seems to have all the necessary holes and braze-ons. Though, I do worry about the strength of those rear braze-ons on the aluminium frame. I bought the silver. It's a bit plain looking, but I didn't like that strange red color.

dingster1

Yep.Yep. Gotta rack on mine and just changed over to a Brooks B17. Heaven, I'm in heaven (ala old school tv stars). It's my grocery getter and all around bounce around towner. My rack is a cheapie from Performance as are my pannier and trunk bag.

dbc

I have an older 7200FX. Decent bike for what I use it for - around town, fitness, hard-packed trails. It's a touch heavy like all bikes in this price range. Maybe in the future, I'll do a modest drivetrain upgrade.

If I were buying today (and if I had the extra cash), I would get the 7.3FX for the slightly better frame.

Oh, and my vote would be for silver.

supercub

I've had a 7.2 for a year now and use it as a daily commuter. It's a nice bike. The paint comment upthread is OTM in my experience. I've torn up the paint job pretty good with daily use. To be honest, I really want a new bike. The 7.2 just doesn't inspire much passion in me.

discosaurus

Ditto the paint comment. I have the 7.2FX for only a couple months and it's already scratched up and chipped like crazy.

It's fast, much faster than the other hybrid bikes I've ridden, and much lighter. Easy to haul up and down stairs in my apartment building, and on/off the trains. I'm not 100% sure about the brakes though, they seem a little slippery at times.

I have the girl's version--all black with pink, much hotter than the other colors.