GaIslander

I an going to upgrade my old Trek FX and I am looking at the Trek 2014 7.7 and the 7.6 FX series. I wanted the 7.7-all CF frame-, but the 7.6 has a CF fork and seat tube. Otherwise they are about the same. I don't think I need the 7.7 as I have a high end Road bike as well. I like the 7.6 too. I think it will be fine and $900 LESS.

Anyone have any experience with these or have have thoughts to share?

Thanks

KLiNCK

You'll be able to put a rack on the aluminum framed bike - makes it more versatile for hauling stuff.

Darth Lefty 

Limited experience, not ownership. I shopped these because I want something like this; my coworker has the 7-speed steel fork version and I think he cheaped out a bit. The sweet spot for me was 7.4 trim level, I didn't look higher than that. I'd actually have liked 8-speed just as well as 9, but wanted the carbon fork. Above that the wheels get lower spoke count and the gearing goes from hybrid triple to compact double. I need a lower range.

Clicking back and forth just now between the pictures on the 7.7 and 7.6 pages seemed odd, so I looked at the geometry. Holy cow, the carbon frame is three inches shorter wheelbase. The chain stays are much shorter and head tube is 2 degrees steeper. The sizing switches from inches (MTB) to centimeters (road). I think they just took a road bike and put flat bars on it.

Since I'm not feeling well this morning and just sitting on the couch, I looked into it further. It's a Madone 3 frame. The frame geometry pages match exactly. They share many components too.

themishmosh

I think the 7.7 DOES have a carbon frame from one of their road bikes. I think it would ride quite differently than the 7.6. That said, $900 is a huge difference in price and since you already have a road bike, maybe the 7.6 is the way to go. But man, if you have the money, the 7.7 is a sweet bike.

GaIslander

That is really awesome information. Thanks. The owner of my LBS was talking up the 7.7 as a Madone frame, but I blew it off as hype. I wouldn't have thought to look that closely at the specs.