New 7.2 FX Owner - Now more questions
 

I bought a 2010 Trek 7.2 FX after much research and with help from this forum. I love the bike. I got it at my LBS this spring when they were having spring sales and the Trek sale was going on too so I got it for $429.99. I think I got a good deal on it. The downside about going when I did was that it was super crowded and I don't know if I got a great fitting while I was there.

I am 6'3" and got the 22.5" frame.

Now that I have 100 miles on it, my biggest complaint is hand comfort. I usually take 9-11 mile rides and my hands get sore and go numb during the ride. I feel like I am putting a lot of weight on the handle bars. What can help with this?

First: I am nervous I maybe should have gotten the 25" frame.
Second: I think I need to slide the saddle back.
Third: I think I would like to get Ergon grips. The stock grips seem small to me with my big hands.

Let me know if I am on the right track or if there are any other suggestions. I am really happy I got the performance hybrid vs. a comfort style hybrid. I know I got the right bike, just not sure about the fitting.

Thanks for your help.

I'm having the same issue with hand numbness on my 7.2 as well (same frame size, 22.5 and i'm 6'6") I had a very lengthy computerized fitting and still have hand numbness on longer rides. I'm thinking of switching out the grips for the ergons because like you said they don't feel that great in larger hands. They seem to put all the pressure into the valley of my hands where as the ergons feel as though they would spread it over a wider area but then again I'm fairly new to all of this, hopefully somebody with a little more experience can chime in.

I plan to discuss my issues with the LBS once I take it in for the break-in checkup.

Are you wearing gloves? I have GORE brand gel gloves, it's helps....

3 things:
First: if you want to lower the weight you put on your handlebars ... moving your sadle back will increase and not decrease this weight. Moving your sadle forward and if possible your handlebar upward will give you a more upright riding position and thus will decrease the pressure of your hands ... it will however make you less aerodynamical ofcourse.
Second: your bike doesn't have a suspension fork ... I got one and I can assure you it makes your ride much more comfortable ... especially for your hands and wrists.
Third: Your grips may be too hard ... try to find some grips which are soft yet foamy ... I have the Ritchey WCS Ergo TrueGrip grips and they are nice and comfy yet give enough control :)

Thanks, I am new at this too. I am going in for my break in checkup within the next week or so and I was planning on asking them too. I will let you know what they suggest. Let me know what your LBS says also. We can compare notes.

I do wear gloves. I just have some cheap Bell gloves that were like $14.99 at Dick's Sporting Goods. That may be something I need to upgrade. Thank you.

There is no adjustment on the handlebar,Ergon grips and gel filled gloves can solve your problem,may need to play with the grips a bit.

I had the same problem with hand numbness on my 7.3fx. What I did was put on the Bontrager ergo grips and a Dimension adjustable stem. Both of these helped alot.

The other adjustment was to put bar ends inside the shifters for more hand positions. But mounting the bar ends this far in will give you less leverage on the handlebars. So do this at your own risk.

Here is a picture of the setup:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...73/Trek7.3.gif