MTBnOH

need some quick input.

It's a pretty big step up from the 7.2fx I was originally looking at. They have one left in my size & want $729 for it & I have it on hold until close of business tomorrow..... (the 7.2fx is $379)

It's the Trek 7.5fx Livestrong Edition:



positives/negatives to getting this thing??? please convince me why i should or shouldn't get this thing???

PunkMartyr

May help you with balls cancer

pedalMonger

Thats the bike I have...well close, mine isn't the Live Strong edition, but I have a FX 7.5


Geeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet it!

beingtxstate

I like it! I have a 7.2 and 7.3...I will say that for the price I may look at an entry road bike, but if you are specifically looking for a fitness/hybrid (like I was) I'd be all over it!

Whatever you get, be sure to give us some bike porn!

Severian

That's a decent price for that component set. Not so sure about the wheelset though.

Bklyn

Can I say it seems to be neither fish nor fowl? It's a hybrid with superrelaxed geometry, but what's with the weight-weenie wheelset?
It's either a very expensive hybrid, or a kind of sloppy road bike.

more than 2 cents, I realize.

But it is handsome, if you go for that sort of thing. Definitely.

TrackGuy

You can never have too many bikes in the garage... or the living room...

EricDJ

How much is retail on it? There is a place that comes up in google that has it for $699. Work em for a deal and get it

Jeffbeerman2

"I'll give you $350 to buy the 7.2 instead"

If that sounds good to you, then go with 7.2. Almost double the price. Take into consideration what you would upgrade on the 7.2, look at athe difference, then think about it as getting paid not to buy the upgrade.

Personally, I'd be cheap: but that bike is pretty!

divergence

If you like the more expensive bike better, buy it. Long after you'll have forgotten the financial sting, you'll still be riding the bike you want.

rogster

I had the 7500FX which is very similar to the 7.5FX. Used it a lot as my initial bike. Now, this bike is relegated as the family-ride bike. If this is going to be your only and last bike, sure.

It boils down to what you want to do with this bike, neighborhood ride vs commuting vs going further. For <15+ miles, it is great. Like the wheels and everything else on the 7500/7.5x.

Schwinnrider

It's a nice looking bike. Are you willing to spend double your budget? What do you intend to do with it? If it's going to be a commuter that will see potholes and city streets, the wheelset is a bad choice. Plus, the "Livestrong" graphics pretty much scream "STEAL ME". Now, if you're just going to use this to ride on your local rails-to-trails, it seems like an excellent choice. I don't like the weenie wheels, though.

pedalMonger

I ride mine on some rough streets (I live in MI, snow plows tear up the roads), haven't had any probs yet. Of course I dodge the major stuff, like craters. Check the tire pressure every couple-few days and keep the tires inflated near max pressure, and you shouldn't have to worry about pinch flats. They have kevlar in them too.

As a n00b, I didn't even know the wheels are considered "weight weenie" wheels when I got the bike, I just took one for a test ride and fell in love with it And I knew I would be able to put a rack and fenders on it.

I was a little concerned that I might break spokes with the bike loaded down with panniers full of stuff, and so on, as I think I read somewhere on this forum about a guy breaking rear spokes on this bike, but he was heavy set to begin with (I forget his weight, mid 200s lb range I think). Haven't broken a spoke yet, myself.


My only complaint with the bike is the saddle. I am going to get a Brooks Conquest for it one of these days. My ass tissue must have toughened up some, as the saddle isn't bothering me as much as it did initially, but I still wouldn't attempt any centuries on it with the stock saddle

pedalMonger

They might come down on price a bit, yeah. Perhaps when you go back, mention that you are aware the 2008 models will be coming out soon, and you were wondering if you should wait for those instead Bike shops want to get last years model out the door to make room for the new models. If they won't come down on price, you might be able to get them to throw in an extra, like a tire pump, or at least a cage and bottle!

hubcap

Will you be using this for commuting? How wide of tires will it take? with fenders?

MTBnOH

$799

MTBnOH

I thought about the Livestrong graphics & making it a higher risk to be stolen. I dont plan to leave it anywhere except locked up in my garage....

it'll be used for fitness/exercise/recreation only.

bike paths.

mgar

I have the 7.5 FX and use it for my daily commute. It came with 700x28 tires, contrary to the 32C called out on the Trek website. My commute takes me over semi-rough pavement. The 28C wheels are more than adequate for street riding in my opinion. So far the wheels have held up to daily use even with a loaded trunk rack and my 230lb weight. The hard case tires have held up with no flats so far. The bike was less that $700. I purchased this bike because I like the components. I was concerned about the wheels, and I will replace them if they don't hold up. I was told by the sales person that these wheels were just as durable as wheels with a higher spoke count because the spokes have a higher strength and the rims are stronger to compensate. He may or may not know what he is talking about, but that wasn't my primary concern.

Schwinnrider

If that's the case and you really want it, then go for it. Others have asked about fender/rack options. If you're going to commute on it those are nice to have. I don't like low spoke count wheels but that's a personal thing. I like lots of spokes.

sdime

Why did Trek make the top post slanted back, instead of flat like road bikes?

JeffS

Because "fitness riders" like a lot of standover clearance.

MTBnOH

would the 7.2fx be just as good for what i need personally?

supercub

What do you mean by "just as good?" Both bikes will allow you to ride for fitness, relaxation, pleasure, or whatever. The 7.5 has nicer components and would be somewhat faster (all else being equal). Maybe you should get the 7.2, but you seem to want to get the 7.5. Assuming you can afford either bike, go ahead and treat yourself to the 7.5. You'll be happier with what you really want.

bsyptak

One thing I've noticed on Craigslist is that more expensive hybrid/flat bar road bikes seem to be harder to sell used, and that they go for pretty cheap after being posted for quite some time. Seems like a tiny market (high end hybrids). If you think you might upgrade in the next year or 2 to a road bike, I'd go with the 7.2fx. It'll be easy to sell for $2-250, whereas you'll be lucky to get $400 for the Livestrong.

catcubed

Dont' worry about the rims they're strong and frankly better than normal count rims I've had.

I've got the same rims on my 7700FX, which I've had for 3 years. I'm not really gentle with my bike. I've loaded it down with camping gear and groceries and rode it off road. Never had a broken spoke and they almost never come untrue.