Recommendations please: Trek FX 7.5 or road bike?

[Bumer]

My humblest apologies for creating another thread. I'm new here, so ... forgive me.

I'm hoping to get some feedback on my un-easy decision of getting new bike.

I currently ride Trek FS Rumblefish on mountain trails. I'd like to get second bike so I could do other types of trails / rides, like compressed dust and pavements.

After extended research I set my eyes on Trek FX 7.5. On another bike forum, the question was raised - why don't I get road bike? To me FX 7.5 seems almost like a road bike: light weight, rigid carbon fork, road gearing, slim tires. It just more versatile, and has flat handlebars.

So, my main question is: should I be getting road bike instead?

Thank you very much!

[dtrain]

...and has flat handlebars.

Well, do you want flat bars and the versatility to do other trails? No one else can make this call for you. A road bike will be much better on the road than anything else - but will not offer the same versatility. A 'cross bike is another option.

[jmX]

I've got a MTB, a Trek FX, and a road bike, and by far the FX gets the least use. If I wanna do "trails" I take the mountain bike. If I want to ride on the road, I of course take the road bike. The FX has been turned into the family cruiser which I pull a trailer with. It will work fine as a road bike, but it's not as good as one. Its heavier, flat bars are worse than road bars in just about every way, and at least my FX (a 7.3) is the least smooth bike I have...even with its fat 28mm tires. Rough roads are not fun on it.

Only you really know how you'll be using the bike, but since you already have a mountain bike I say go for the other end of things and get a pure road bike.

[RJM]

I have a 7.5 fx and find it to be a pretty good crushed limestone trail bike and roadish bike with its 32mm tires. I bought a rivendell that does that job too so my fx is going up for sale, but I can't fault the bike. It makes a pretty comfy and relatively quick bike that also works great on a trainer. I did put some bar ends on the bike.

A road bike, like a Trek 2.1 will be quicker, but you will feel more of the road bumps compared to the FX and it just isn't the bike to take on a rougher trail.

[Axiom]

If you get the 7.5 you will want to upgrade to a road bike, so, just get a road bike.

[Bumer]

My biggest concern is - what if I get FX now, and regret it later?

When I was buying MTB, I was going to get hardtail, but was offered great deal on 2011 FS. And I'm glad I did... Now, looking back, when riding rocky trails, I keep thinking all the time that going for FS was absolutely right decision.

Don't know how to choose between FX and road bikes, though.

Well, do you want flat bars and the versatility to do other trails? No one else can make this call for you. A road bike will be much better on the road than anything else - but will not offer the same versatility. A 'cross bike is another option.

I never rode road bike (other than test riding on parking lot), but I did ride hybrid. So I know how it feels (more or less). It seems that everyone is saying that drop bars are more comfortable for longer rides.

Looked at 'cross bikes, but somehow did not feel connection.

I've got a MTB, a Trek FX, and a road bike, and by far the FX gets the least use. If I wanna do "trails" I take the mountain bike. If I want to ride on the road, I of course take the road bike. The FX has been turned into the family cruiser which I pull a trailer with. It will work fine as a road bike, but it's not as good as one. Its heavier, flat bars are worse than road bars in just about every way, and at least my FX (a 7.3) is the least smooth bike I have...even with its fat 28mm tires. Rough roads are not fun on it.

Only you really know how you'll be using the bike, but since you already have a mountain bike I say go for the other end of things and get a pure road bike.

If I had hardtail mountain bike, that's definitely what I would do. But as I go on my FS bike on compressed dust / crushed gravel trails, the harder I pedal, the more I can feel rear suspension, which is not good.

Since road bike would not be able to go on such trails, that's why I was eyeing FX.
I narrowed my choices down to 7.5 because of carbon fork and road gearing.

I have a 7.5 fx and find it to be a pretty good crushed limestone trail bike and roadish bike with its 32mm tires. I bought a rivendell that does that job too so my fx is going up for sale, but I can't fault the bike. It makes a pretty comfy and relatively quick bike that also works great on a trainer. I did put some bar ends on the bike.

A road bike, like a Trek 2.1 will be quicker, but you will feel more of the road bumps compared to the FX and it just isn't the bike to take on a rougher trail.

Wow, I though that you could not put bar ends on it because of special design (or that's what I heard). Sounds like this way it can be made more comfortable to ride longer distances.

It's a vicious circle: road bike - no trails, but great for long road rides, FX - slower, but more comfortable for shorter rides.

[dtrain]

It's a vicious circle: road bike - no trails, but great for long road rides, FX - slower, but more comfortable for shorter rides.

Sounds like you need both - better get both.

[eippo1]

FX bikes ride like crap on off road stuff. Get a cyclocross bike. You'll get the hand positions for long hauls (i.e. you can change your hands from hoods, to drops to tops etc, which also helps your back) and the tops position will be roughly similar to an fx.

Plus they are made to do road and do just fine on trails - hell, they're made to ride off road - not the FX. I have a full suspension bike for rough stuff, but if I want to fly down singletrack on a relatively comfy bike, then the cross bike goes out with me.

[Bumer]

If you get the 7.5 you will want to upgrade to a road bike, so, just get a road bike.

Very possible, and that is exactly what I'm trying to avoid.

Sounds like you need both - better get both.

That's good alternative. I could get FX for now, and if I feel like I definitely need dedicated road bike, I could get one later. I can always sell FX later. As FX is not ridiculously expensive, I probably would be fine with it losing some value. Tempting, tempting...

[Nachoman]

I voted road bike too. just because (1) you don't have one and (2) my FX is my least ridden bike.

[Bumer]

FX bikes ride like crap on off road stuff. Get a cyclocross bike. You'll get the hand positions for long hauls (i.e. you can change your hands from hoods, to drops to tops etc, which also helps your back) and the tops position will be roughly similar to an fx.

Plus they are made to do road and do just fine on trails - hell, they're made to ride off road - not the FX. I have a full suspension bike for rough stuff, but if I want to fly down singletrack on a relatively comfy bike, then the cross bike goes out with me.

Not sure about cyclocross, to me it sounds like another dimension. And it looks heavy... Just no connection... I see FX - I feel connection, I see road bike - I almost feel connection. But not cyclocross.

And I guess if I don't ride on off road stuff (have my fs mtb for that), why even bother with FX?

I voted road bike too. just because (1) you don't have one and (2) my FX is my least ridden bike.

Good argument

Why do you not ride FX often, just not enough suitable trails / paths?

*************

Thinking out loud...

As the only bike, FX makes more sense, but
as second bike (MTB as first one), road bike makes more sense?

[aztimm]

I just upgraded from a cyclocross bike (Specialized TriCross) to a road bike (Specialized Tarmac).

If you're wavering now, I'd go with a cyclocross bike. It is versatile, comfortable (I took mine on some 60 mile rides), and you'll get some solid miles out of it.

Check with your shop to see if they rent bikes. I started a now-lengthy thread like this a few weeks ago. Everyone told me I needed to ride 30+ miles before deciding. I rented 2 different bikes, and the cost of both was credited to my purchase. I rode each ~90 miles, and was able to make a good decision based on what I thought.

[RJM]

Very possible, and that is exactly what I'm trying to avoid.



That's good alternative. I could get FX for now, and if I feel like I definitely need dedicated road bike, I could get one later. I can always sell FX later. As FX is not ridiculously expensive, I probably would be fine with it losing some value. Tempting, tempting...

What size FX would you need? I have a 2010 17.5" for sale.

[Bumer]

I just upgraded from a cyclocross bike (Specialized TriCross) to a road bike (Specialized Tarmac).

If you're wavering now, I'd go with a cyclocross bike. It is versatile, comfortable (I took mine on some 60 mile rides), and you'll get some solid miles out of it.

Check with your shop to see if they rent bikes. I started a now-lengthy thread like this a few weeks ago. Everyone told me I needed to ride 30+ miles before deciding. I rented 2 different bikes, and the cost of both was credited to my purchase. I rode each ~90 miles, and was able to make a good decision based on what I thought.

Thanks for the tip on renting bikes! I'll have to check with my LBS.

But those wheels seems awefully big to ride on roads. It seems that cyclocross is best suited for dust singletracks, and I would just ride my fs mtb in that case.

What size FX would you need? I have a 2010 17.5" for sale.

I am borderline 20"-22.5", so my LBS recommended to go with 22.5"

[jmX]

It's a vicious circle: road bike - no trails, but great for long road rides, FX - slower, but more comfortable for shorter rides.

I wouldn't say that "FX is more comfortable than road bikes" is always true, because mine certainly isn't . Mine rides harsh...the aluminum is so stiff. My carbon road bike is so much more comfy and it is always my first pick. Depends on what road bikes you're comparing it to I suppose.

Anyway I've done several 100 mile rides on my FX, using bar ends (Ergon GC-3's I think?). Its fine for however far you wanna go, its just not optimal for that task. I don't find that riding on crushed trails is all that fun, so I stick to MTB on mountains, and road biking on pavement.

The FX series bikes aren't really standouts in any given situation, but they are versatile. If you have tons of crushed granite trails around you, then an FX or a cyclocross bike could be the right answer.

[dtrain]

http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/bik/2959121659.html

[Vlaam4ever]

Thanks for the tip on renting bikes! I'll have to check with my LBS.

But those wheels seems awefully big to ride on roads. It seems that cyclocross is best suited for dust singletracks, and I would just ride my fs mtb in that case.

The cyclocross is similar to roadbike but with clearance for nobby tires. Not nearly like a mountain bike. The sitting position, shifting are much more effecitve over the FX hybrids IMHO. Call it a compromise of the 2 options you suggested. Sound perfect for the trail you want to ride.

EDIT: Cylcocross bikes are a popular option among those looking for commutor bikes. Primarly because the larger clearance for tires and general versatility of the bike.

[Bumer]

I wouldn't say that "FX is more comfortable than road bikes" is always true, because mine certainly isn't . Mine rides harsh...the aluminum is so stiff. My carbon road bike is so much more comfy and it is always my first pick. Depends on what road bikes you're comparing it to I suppose.

Anyway I've done several 100 mile rides on my FX, using bar ends (Ergon GC-3's I think?). Its fine for however far you wanna go, its just not optimal for that task. I don't find that riding on crushed trails is all that fun, so I stick to MTB on mountains, and road biking on pavement.

The FX series bikes aren't really standouts in any given situation, but they are versatile. If you have tons of crushed granite trails around you, then an FX or a cyclocross bike could be the right answer.

Not many crushed granite trails around, I only know of one. But it's very long, so I can easily go 20+ miles trips on it. As for paved trails, I also don't know many, but supposedly there are more of them than crushed granite.

Ohh... things are just not getting easier... One minute I think FX is way to go, and then that my choice should be road bike...

http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/bik/2959121659.html

Thank you, but that would be little too far from me. Sorry, did not have location in my profile. Corrected.

The cyclocross is similar to roadbike but with clearance for nobby tires. Not nearly like a mountain bike. The sitting position, shifting are much more effecitve over the FX hybrids IMHO. Call it a compromise of the 2 options you suggested. Sound perfect for the trail you want to ride.

EDIT: Cylcocross bikes are a popular option among those looking for commutor bikes. Primarly because the larger clearance for tires and general versatility of the bike.

It does seems like great solution for crushed stone trails, but I'd be concerned about 38mm tires on paved surface. Wouldn't 7.5 fx be better alternative with 28mm tires?
I might, however, be missing the point. Since most of this is new to me...

[eippo1]

It does seems like great solution for crushed stone trails, but I'd be concerned about 38mm tires on paved surface. Wouldn't 7.5 fx be better alternative with 28mm tires?
I might, however, be missing the point. Since most of this is new to me...

Cyclocross bikes use the same wheels as road bikes. If you want to ride on roads, use a file tread tire like most come with and many commute with or change the tire to a regular road tire. If you ride in mud, put on a knobby tire. That's exactly why they are so versatile.

[dtrain]

By the time you get back to CT, you'll realize that you should have purchased a road bike.

[shon73]

If you get the 7.5 you will want to upgrade to a road bike, so, just get a road bike.

+1 I was in a similar situation and bought a Specialized Sirrus and ended up buying a road bike 6months later.

[aztimm]

Cyclocross bikes use the same wheels as road bikes. If you want to ride on roads, use a file tread tire like most come with and many commute with or change the tire to a regular road tire. If you ride in mud, put on a knobby tire. That's exactly why they are so versatile.

My cyclocross bike has wider wheels than my roadbike.

[Bumer]

Cyclocross bikes use the same wheels as road bikes. If you want to ride on roads, use a file tread tire like most come with and many commute with or change the tire to a regular road tire. If you ride in mud, put on a knobby tire. That's exactly why they are so versatile.

That's great, but then are we talking about more than twice the price of decent entry level road bike? Trek Ion CX is ~$1,800 + set of wheels & tires. I can get Trek 1.2 for less than $1,000, or 2.1 for ~$1,400, or even Madone 3 for ~$1,900.

By the time you get back to CT, you'll realize that you should have purchased a road bike.

Very true!

+1 I was in a similar situation and bought a Specialized Sirrus and ended up buying a road bike 6months later.

Thanks! I assume you are not regretting your decision?

[aztimm]

Do you have to buy a bike right now? If you can wait until Nov-Dec, bike shops will have most of their bikes on clearance, and you can get some really good deals. I got a Specialized TriCross for around $600 during such a sale.

[Bumer]

Do you have to buy a bike right now? If you can wait until Nov-Dec, bike shops will have most of their bikes on clearance, and you can get some really good deals. I got a Specialized TriCross for around $600 during such a sale.

I thought about that, but that seems like centuries away. And with summer almost here, I could ride for 5-6 months before bikes go on clearance. So, I decided not to wait and get it now.

I did get my Rumblefish that way, and very happy about it.