yashinon

Hi everyone! Its been a long cold winter here in Upstate NY. Itching to get out and ride!

I currently have a 2006 Trek 7.3 FX, which I like. However, the 7.4 FX is really appealing! Lighter frame, better fork, etc.

Your thoughts and suggestions will be appreciated?

Wanderer

I always thought that the 7.4 is the sweet spot in the FX line - unless you want to go the carbon frame route

MRT2

The 7.4 is a fine bike, but since you have a perfect good 7.3, I would say no. My view is, when buying a new bike, get something different than what I already own, or much better. Going from a 7.3 to a 7.4 seems to be not that much of a step up.

yashinon

Hey there MRT2 - I am back on the boards after a period of hibernation!

I went through the same thing last season, however I had just picked up the 7.3. Got it used from CLIST. I added some of my own touches but the 7.4 FX is just so sweet!

yashinon

Wanderer - Can't go any higher - 7.3 FX to 7.4 FX are within range.

marimorimo

I'm a new rider and own the 7.4 FX women's version. Does your 7.3 FX have an aluminum or carbon fork? I was on the fence between the 7.2 and 7.4 but the feel of the carbon fork on the 7.4 FX was what decided it for me. It just felt more responsive, possibly because it was lighter? The seat is not the most comfortable (though I haven't swapped mine out yet). I like the fact that the 32 mm tires are slicker with just a bit of pattern on them- the only thing that I feel is holding me back from going faster is my own fitness and technical level! Also, the indicator windows showing which gear I'm currently in is invaluable to me (I don't understand why people scoff at them). I don't have other bikes to compare it with but it shifts just fine.

Overall I'm happy that I made a quality purchase. I just wish it didn't inspire such bike-lust in me. I now want a road bike!

MRT2

Than just wait. Looking at the specs, the only difference between the two bikes are the carbon fiber fork, vs. cro moly on the 7.3, 9 speed vs. 8, and maybe, nicer grips. My guess is maybe the new 7.4 is a lb or so lighter with the cf fork.

But if $800 is burning a hole in your pocket, and you have to have a shiny new bike, then go ahead.

yashinon

Marimorimo - LOL! I know what you mean by "bike-lust, in the photography world this is known as acquisition syndrome. I would LOVE a road bike but the Cervelo's are out of reach! 8-)) I am content with the hybrid, not riding long distances or racing.

My 7.3 has the aluminum fork with the "alpha silver aluminum" frame. I swapped out the saddle with a Bontrager sport that I found on eBy and it is pretty comfortable. Of course padding in tights/shorts helps! I think my lust has to do with the "newer" technology, lighter frame, etc.

yashinon

MRT2 - Thanks for the level headed response. Its just a thought right now.

altondavis2

If I were starting from Square-one, I would take the 7.4.
However you already have a 7.3, which even the manufacturer only values
at approximately an extra $150. The only difference is the carbon fork, you
may never use the extra gear.

yashinon

What about differences in geometry - new technology, etc?

marimorimo

No idea about the differences in geometry, but the 7.4 FX has cable routing so it looks "neater" and is a tiny bit easier to clean up. Maybe your 7.3 has exposed cables? I personally like the look of the hidden cables.

However, I do agree with what the others said. It's such a minor upgrade so if I were you I would buy a much better-spec'ed bike, or a totally different bike altogether (road, mtb, cyclocross, etc.) Or sell your 7.3 and give in to your 7.4 FX-lust. Or give in to your desires and keep both

ColonelSanders

You could test ride a 7.4FX to see if it feels much better or faster, but I suspect that unless there is something wrong with your 7.3FX that you aren't aware of, the difference won't be that big.

You could also give another brand a try, something like this perhaps --> Specialized Bicycle Components

Alternatively, there is a guy on this forum who has previously had a 7.5FX, a $2,000+ carbon Specialized Sirrus & a Giant Fastroad SLR, yet found the Jamis Coda Elite to be his preferred bike over all of them. JAMIS BICYCLES

yashinon

The Specialized does look nice! Thanks for all the suggestions/recommendations once again. I will mull it over, since it is still winter out there..I have a few more months! 8-))

Calder Benson

I'd love to read this story. Do you have a link? Or was it you, Colonel?

2702

That's me, I enjoy the Giant Fastroad but not longer than say 3 hours riding. Got to admit aluminum can feel like a pogo stick sometimes. And carbon I am kind of mixed on it, I think my old Carbon Sirrus was too stiff of a frame. Don't want to spend money to find a softer carbon right now.

WDH74

I think that the hidden cables are new for 2015. I have a '14 FX 7.3, which has exposed cables, but if memory serves most FX models did at the time. Currently FX models from the 3 up have hidden cables. You're right, it does look tidier, but for me (with a year old bike) it's not something I'd go out and swap rides to get.

FWIW, I tried both and detected such a little difference between the two that the extra $200 or whatever to get a 4 wasn't worth it (at the time both models had quite a lot of component commonality - the main difference being the fork and one derailleur).

I'd also recommend a test ride of a 7.4 if you're seriously considering a change. Like others said, you might detect such a little difference between your bike and a new one that it's not worth spending the money.

side_FX

I would think you'd like the CF fork, but it's easy for me to spend your money. I also happen to love the crystal white. I vote for the 7.4

ColonelSanders

2702 has provided the answer, but I'll expand a bit because I find his experience to be truly fascinating and has really resonated with me.

2702's story as such on this is spread out over multiple threads and so far he has resisted my plea's for him to start a dedicated thread on the subject.

The first part starts with him getting an excellent 2014 high end carbon hybrid(which from what I can gather, was significantly better than his previous benchmark, the 7.5FX) and being quite pleased with it, but their appeared to be a slight yearning for something else.

2702 then bought the Giant Fastroad SLR, with the desire to alternate between it & the Sirrus for his rides. The most intriguing thing to me about this, is that 2702 thought that the Sirrus held so small an advantage over the Fastroad SLR, despite being twice the price.

I can't remember what led to 2702 trying out a steel framed Jamis, but it appears it was love at first ride, so much so, that he has now become a firm devotee of steel framed bikes, and has sold his Sirrus & looking to sell his Giant Fastroad.

When I asked 2702 about the speed difference between the Jamis Coda Elite & his other bikes, he didn't think it was that much of a difference, but that that Coda's ride was significantly better than his other bikes.

Hopefully I have done justice to 2702's thoughts & experience here and sure his is just one man's opinion, but this has inspired me to later this year try & find a Jamis Coda Elite to test ride, before I pull the trigger on my next bike.

Calder Benson

Thanks for the reply, Colonel. This interested me quite a bit.

I own the base model, the coda sport, and while it doesn't have the higher end components on it (ie shifters / derailers), I believe it has the same frame (not frame set). The difference would in ride be the carbon fiber fork on the Elite vs the chromoly fork I have on my Sport, and as it is I love the way my Sport rides, so I can just imagine how the Elite is.

2702

This post sums up why I left the Sirrus for a Coda. It is from a thread where someone is looking for a dreamy steel road bike.

The thing is, the dreamy ride of a steel bike /= stiff and responsive. If you place value in having a light bike and one that really responds to hard efforts, I'd agree that you should just stick with carbon or even higher-end alloy like a CAAD 10 or Smartweld (especially at your size). My steel Bianchi (Reynolds 631) felt a bit like the bowl of mush example when I'd put a hard effort down out of the saddle. It was much more noticeable once I had a carbon bike with an overbuilt/stiff BB area (like you have experience with). But at the same time, it was classy looking, was all day comfy, fit me well, and the weight difference wasn't a huge issue most of the time. Magic carpet ride vs. fighter jet.

The fighter jet feel of the SL4 frame has it place, like the park where the road is paved completely well and you could ride it fast. For inner city where I live it was too harsh and to be fair most road bikes to me are not a good fit as I ride mainly empty sidewalks and side streets.

Calder Benson

Good stuff , 2702.