gemini

I've now done some of the same exercise rides on my new 7.2 repeatedly that I used to do on the singlespeed Soho S, and the difference in speed is really amazingly small, less than 10 %. I guess it just goes to show that you can do a lot more on a singlespeed than people think. These are 25-40 km rides with small, but numerous hills. I don't have much strength in my legs (yet!), but I could climb the hills on the singlespeed without getting off the bike and pushing. It was a lot of out-of-saddle mashing that probably wasn't good for my knees or the chain of the bike, though. On the 7.2, I only use the middle chainring on these rides, and climb the hills neatly, sitting on the saddle. Thing is, I seem to be conditioned by all the riding on the singlespeed to 'settle' for the speed that was possible on it. I really have to pay attention to make use of the high gears on the 7.2 on downhills and flats, and keep the speed up.

sh00k

hi all,

glad to see this thread is alive and well. i have gained ~30 pounds in the past 2 years just from being busy, horrendous diet and not working out. looking to get back on my bikes this week to start the weight loss process. finally feeling motivated to do something about it now

i still have my 2015 7.4fx and my 2011 7.3fx. i had work done on my home and both of my bikes were covered in dust/pollen from bring in the garage... i dusted them off this weekend and they are about ready to hit the road.

i had added delta stem risers to both bikes but i will be taking them off of one of the bikes. I think the shorter/stock rise is a good position for aggressive riding since losing weight is my goal. the risers are great for just when i want to go on a leisurely cruise.

wish me luck! pictures to follow in a few days

side_FX

So now it seems the 2017 FX3 is pretty comparable to the 2016 7.4 FX, does anyone see a reason to pick one over the other?

rumrunn6

thinking about getting Wifey a used (just a cpl months old) FX Stagger (small frame). she's petite and has trouble swinging her leg to clear the saddle and any bike bag on her rear rack, often needing assistance, even tho I got her the small frame FX 7.1 (or 2) used a few yrs ago. she loves the bike just has trouble mounting/dismounting. she often remarks how she liked her old shogun mixte frame (which I also fixed up for her but prefer she ride a better newer bike like the rest of the family)

sh00k

you can get another mixte frame and put everything new on it, get it powder coated too to make it look brand spanking new!

LouB 

Went from a Townie 7 to a 7.4. Loved my Townie...but after riding the Trex for 4 months...wow, cant get enough. The bike eats ground, flattens hills and blows back my hair when I get after it. Very happy.

ColonelSanders

You might not be able to tell any difference, despite the large number of component changes, so pricing and colour choice should probably be your guide.

I will list what I can see are the differences according to the spec sheets.

2016 7.4 FX
Wheels...............Formula alloy front hub, Shimano FH-TX800 rear hub, Bontrager Tubeless Ready rims
Front Hub...........Formula TK31 alloy
Rear Hub............Shimano FH-TX800
Shifters..............Shimano Acera M390, 9-speed
Rear derailleur...Shimano Deore
Crank.................Shimano Acera M391, 48/36/26 w/chainguard
Cassette.............Shimano HG200, 11-32, 9-speed
Seatpost.............Bontrager Nebula, 27.2mm, 20mm offset
Head set.............VP Slimstak, sealed semi-cartridge bearings

2017 FX 3
Wheels...............Formula FM21 alloy front hub; Formula FM32 alloy rear hub; Bontrager Tubeless Ready rims
Front Hub...........Formula TK31 alloy
Rear Hub............Formula FM32 alloy
Shifters..............Shimano EF65, 9-speed
Rear derailleur...Shimano Alivio T4000
Crank.................FSA Dyna Drive, 48/36/26
Cassette.............Shimano HG20, 11-34, 9-speed
Seatpost.............Bontrager SSR, 2-bolt head, 27.2mm, 12mm offset
Head set.............1-1/8" threadless, sealed cartridge bearings

On the whole I don't see the above being that significant but arguably the biggest change is the drop down from Deore Rear derailleur to Alivio Rear derailleur, even if the Alivio derailleur is a new and improved version for Alivio.

You have different looking cranks and different brand of course, but they should perform the same.

The cassette on the 2017 FX 3 has a slightly more hill friendly range and in theory I believe the head set bearing should be better, but probably unnoticeable in actual use.

The seatpost on the 2017 FX 3 has slightly less offset, as it as 12mm compared to the 20mm of the seatpost on the 2016 7.4 FX and they appear to have gone from a one bolt design on the 2016 7.4 FX to a two bolt design for the 2017 FX 3.

ColonelSanders

Always good to hear of happy bike owners.

side_FX

Wow, thank you for the great write-up, your analysis was very useful and greatly appreciated. I thought they seemed really similar and I am happy that someone with much more knowledge than me would second the motion. So basically I'd have to decide if it's worth it to me to spend an extra $60 for a better RD and the orange paint. I really do like the Forebrand color, but I wonder if I'd tire of it quickly. I really like the Viper Red that used to be on FXs in the past. It will be interesting to see the 2017 version. It's tough trying to get back into cycling. I am tempted at some of the good emonda deals, but I'm thinking easing in the FX/DS route first may be better bet.

ColonelSanders

If you don't have any bike at all right now and will have room for two bikes later on, it is very easy to justify having a FX bike as one of the two, as it makes for a great bike for quick trips to the shops or where ever and you can use your emonda or equivalent for longer rides and in situations you won't be locking your bike up.

Of course that doesn't mean that something like an FX can't be used on longer rides, so there is a lot to be said for that being a bike to get people back into riding, as it is a very versatile bike.

chong67

I see the newest and top of the line FX S 6 is external routing of cable? I thought internal routing is the hottie?

LouB 

Here she is. Gotta love a good bike.

HillRiderEast

Any pics yet?

ColonelSanders

If I wasn't so heavy, I might have chosen a 7.4FX myself, instead of the beefier Giant Toughroad SLR 2.

sh00k

I posted this in another thread but here goes I am guilty - I haven't taken other pictures/pictures during my ride bc i am usually in a rush and panting from peddling so hard so this is from when i got to a friends house.

ColonelSanders

Probably because it is based on an older Domane frame.

dklanecky1

Depending on your LBS, I found one in Dousman Wisconsin that is selling the 2016 FX 7.4 at the same price as the 2017 FX3, $699.. I am working on buying 2, one for the wife and one for myself.

chong67

I got this same bike 7.4 for this same price last year. But mine only comes with one bottle cage holder. It was my first expensive bike so I miss this knowledge.

My bike is 52, which is M. I heard S size bike will not have 2 bottle holders.

sh00k

i installed the bontrager trip 100 computer on my 7.4 yesterday. it was on sale for $34 (after tax) and original price was $50.

i will try to take it for a spin tonight to test it out. installation was a breeze although i dislike the bulky sensor that i had to zip-tie onto my front fork...








and this is my bike. that's a fanny pack that i am using as a top tube bag... anybody have ideas on how i can mount it to the top of the toptube? i just zip-tied it for now but it looks ridiculous haha

rumrunn6

not so happy that Wifey's new FX Stagger is a 7.0 and I got it to replace her FX 7.3

sail

Nice, that's an inexpensive option. With my 7.4 I considered the DuoTrap Bontrager DuoTrap S Digital Sensor | Trek Bikes with my iPhone, no zip ties, $60. Add the digital trip 300 run you a little more.

sh00k

cool, so what did you wind up going with? im a cheapskate and didnt want to spend more than $20 on one i have a schwinn bike computer on my 7.3 fx that was maybe $13 from amazon... i wanted to get that but this looks cooler

sail

What I should have know I'd get in the first place, nothing. I have MapMyRide on the phone but almost never use it. Had a multifunction computer a few years ago but it seemed like a nag so I took it off. Guess I'm not big on keeping stats.

rumrunn6

10 mile test ride & the pre-owned 2 month old silver FX Stagger 7.0 passes Wifey's trial. swapped over the bottle cage, cateye computer, saddle & rear rack. selling her 4 yr old black FX 7.3 for the same amount I got the Stagger for

ColonelSanders

Is the 7.3FX in this pic your wife's old bike or is it your bike?