ssbn642blue

I have not bought a new bike in 30 years, (Shogun GT) and am looking at the Trek 7.3 because of the fork and rear derailer. My question is this upgrade over the Trek 7.2 worth it.

I ride about 60 miles/week in Ohio. 95% flat smooth bike trails and am a recreational rider.
Because of where I ride, I don't have to shift often. Thoughts?

Thanks in advance.

Little Darwin

I ride a 7.3 FX from a few years back, that I bought used last year.

8 speed versus 9 speed... I would lean toward 8 speed because most of my bikes are 8 speed, and I wouldn't have to stock different components. Some would prefer the 9 speed to narrow a gap or two in the gearing. For your riding (which seems similar to mine) 8 speed rear is enough.

For the fork, you may save a few ounces on the 7.3, and probably get about the same ride. Some people would even prefer hi-ten steel over aluminum alloy for the fork.

The 7.3 has slightly narrower tires, if that matters to you, but I would guess you could run similar width on either (I know I am running 35 mm on my 7.3 even though it came with 32 mm).

If I was buying new today, with my personal preferences, I would probably buy the 7.2 FX since I don't think the upgrades to the 7.3 are enough to make the price difference worthwhile. I would possibly look at offerings by other vendors to see what they offer. If/when parts wear, you could always upgrade either bike about the same. In fact, I think the Alivio derailleur from the 7.3 FX is only about a $35 part, so if that is a key factor in your decision, then buy the 7.2 and swap derailleurs. Or even upgrade to a Deore.

practical

Are you set on Trek? I ask because I thought the 7.2 that my friend has is a little sluggish. Maybe that's a personal thing, but I like a bike that really accelerates when I pedal and I didn't think the 7.2 did that. I got a Giant Escape 1 instead. A little lighter, 9 speed, and I run "28's." Have you tried the Fuji Absolute? Also, if you want to wrench a little, I think a good chromoloy road bike from the 1980s converted to a flatbar can also be a good choice.

ssbn642blue

Trek is local to me, and the 7.3 fx is not a bad ride. If I could test ride a Giant Escape 1, I'd compare it, but no one local has one to ride (with-in 75 miles). The Giant is on my short list. But... What LD says about upgrading may be the right approach at this point.

I've riden the 7.3, but not the 7.2 yet. I know there are more differences between the two, but above is what is most important to me at this point.

ColonelSanders

The price difference between the two seems hard to justify choosing the 7.3FX, although it should be somewhat lighter due to the "Alpha Gold" aluminium frame.

Monstermash

Forget Trek. Buy a Specialized! :-)

Lanovran

The 7.3 is really an all-around upgrade from the 7.2, starting with the frame. It's made from a higher grade, lighter-weight aluminum than the 7.2 (Trek's "Alpha Gold" vs. "Alpha Silver"), with more refined tube shapes and internal cable routing, in addition to the aluminum fork vs. the hi-ten steel fork on the 7.2. It also has an upgraded drivetrain and shifters with a wider gearing range, lighter tubeless-ready wheels with better tires, ergonomic grips with vibration-dampening gel core (much more comfy than the grips on the 7.2, in my opinion), and a Blendr stem that comes with an integrated headlight or computer mount. Personally, the 7.3 is one of my favorite bikes that Trek offers.

Jetsetter

if youre just looking at the fork and derailleur upgrade, i dont think its worth it.

but if you look at the seat, rims and handlebars...these give more difference in comfort, difference in tire size isnt really that much between the two.

i own a 7.2 and the bike is a totally different beast when you flip the stem upside down....feels like it was meant for it, heres a pic with it flipped....steering is more precise and allows you to pedal more aggressively. Before the flip it felt like i was pedaling but really wasnt getting anywhere. I was about to sell this and get a Sirrus, but have changed my mind since flipping it over.

btw, if you can score a 2014 7.2 , it has the alpha gold frame. You can tell by the piece that angles downward from the top tubes underside to head. The 2015 doesnt have that part.

Rehab

I rode my 2010 7.3 last year about 2000 miles and it was my main road bike until last November when I bought the Madone. The 7.3 is a great bike. The triple 8 gear train was flawless and as the riding season progressed, I was increasing mileage and lowered the bars and flipped the stem to be in a more aero position. I often wished I had purchase the 7.4 to get the carbon fork, but other than that, it is a great choice. I am a big fan of the isogrips on the bars giving a much more comfortable feel.

Wanderer

Personally, I think the 7.4 is at the sweet spot in in the FX lineup. Most value for your dollar.

Grey.

The 2015 7.3 is an improvement in every way over the 7.2. Better seat, better frame, internal cables, better drivetrain, better tires, better handlebar, better grips, better shifters, it's also lighter and faster.

The difference between the 7.3 and the 7.2 is a mile long, but once you go past the 7.3 the differences become much slimmer. The 7.3, 7.4, and 7.5 all share the same frame, seat, handlebars and grips.

Obviously i'm a fan.

stkfox

I rode my 2010 7.3 for 7000 miles then gave it to my son in November when I bought the 2015 model. I love 'em!

yashinon

Dealer may have 2014's left, try to wheel and deal. I am partial to the 7.3. The current models look very sweet! Trek refined the frame to make it lighter.

godeacs

Better seat, better frame, internal cables, better drivetrain, better tires, better handlebar, better grips, better shifters, it's also lighter and faster.

May be "improvements" in the 7.3FX but don't think the OP is gonna notice the difference, not enough to justify the extra $$$. I know I didn't and I love my 7.2....almost 2 yrs and 4300 miles later....

Wanderer

The carbon fork is a HUGE difference on the 7.4........... well worth the increase in price, just for that! And, has a better rear derailleur. IMHO

ColonelSanders

That is also in my view, the best colour scheme in the FX range for 2015.

mac61

I looked at the 7.2 and ended up with the 7.3 -- i thought the upgrades were worth the money. Very pleased.

ColonelSanders

Just wanted to add that I was at a Trek Dealership today to pick up some inner tubes and whilst I was there I thought I would have a close look at a few of their bikes.

The first thing that struck me was that the frame shape of the 7.2 FX is different to the frame shape of the 7.4 FX. We don't get the 7.3 FX in Australia, but if the 7.3 & 7.4 FX have the same frame then the following should be applicable to a large extent.

I was surprised by how easily I could feel that the 7.2 FX was heavier than the 7.4 FX, but there is a noticeable difference(obvious the 7.4 FX does have a carbon fork, which the 7.3 FX lacks), so the different grade of aluminium in their respective frames, as well as the manufacturing process are undoubtedly playing a part here.

The 7.3/7.4 FX also have the Tubeless Ready Bontrager rims, which the 7.2 FX lacks, which may also be a factor in the weight difference.

With the above in mind, I recant my previous comments about the 7.3 FX not being worth it over the 7.2 FX.



Also had a chat to the sales guy and asked him how much resistance was he meeting from customers over the colour of the 7.4 FX disc.

He laughed and said "It is the biggest problem we have with selling it".

He suggested that because it was disc brake equipped and a hybrid, that it was the sort of bike that appealed to a slightly alternative customer base(I disagree with him, but didn't voice my disagreement) and that if the 7.4 FX had come in a black colour, they would have sold so many more of them(on that I do agree).

ssbn642blue

Just thought I'd let you know that I was able to pick up near brand new ( 100 miles ), 2013 Trek 7.3 FX. Showroom condition.

Thank you for all your comments and advice. I'll be staying around here to learn more. Great forum.

yashinon

Congratulations!

Wanderer

Thanks for letting us know. I always helps!