Need Some Advice
05-25-09, 05:23 PM
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Need Some Advice
im looking at getting one of these
https://pedalpowerct.com/itemdetails....sc&LibId=47532
For some touring I’m going to be doing this summer, nothing to long distance but enough to warrant getting a geared bike, currently only have a fixed, ss bike. it was recommended by the LBS guy, just wanted some other opinions on it
https://pedalpowerct.com/itemdetails....sc&LibId=47532
For some touring I’m going to be doing this summer, nothing to long distance but enough to warrant getting a geared bike, currently only have a fixed, ss bike. it was recommended by the LBS guy, just wanted some other opinions on it
05-25-09, 10:32 PM
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The gearing looks (though it is hard to say from a picture) a little high, depending on how well-loaded you'll be. You'll also want to double-check which braze-ons it has and yes, figure out some new handlebars. Bar ends or a trekking bar will work with what's there; you could also convert to a drop bar, but that'll require new brake levers and shifters.
05-25-09, 11:39 PM
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The Trek 7.2 FX looks pretty reasonable for the price. People have crossed the entire US on lesser bikes.
On the plus side, it has a long wheelbase and longish chainstays. It has mid-fork braze-ons for solid mounting of a front rack. (I strongly recommend using a front rack as well as a rear rack on this bike. If the wheels are even a little bit iffy, the symmetrical front wheel is far stronger than the dished rear for carrying part of the load.) A 28x32 low gear will probably get the job done for anything less than mountain passes. Walk up a few hills if you have to. It still counts as touring.
On the minus side (for me) is the flat handlebar. Some bar ends and maybe some Ergon grips would help quite a bit. I personally prefer dropped handlebars or trekking bars, but lots of people tour successfuly with flat bars. The upright position is hard on my butt with anything less than a tractor seat. I don't like my hands lower than my butt either (on a loaded touring bike). Body position on a bike is a personal choice and people tour successfully with whatever works for themselves.
I'd want to make sure the pedals are up to the task. Cheap nylon-body pedals can split or break before too many miles have passed beneath them. Of course, I'd switch the pedals to SPD's for touring, anyway, if it were my bike.
I'm neutral on the trigger shifters. On a new bike, you're not likely to have much trouble with them. Even if you do, it's not like you'll be in a remote African desert, hundreds of miles away from someone who knows how to fix them. I'd want to put some miles on the bike before I left for a tour to make sure the cables are seated in and well adjusted.
All in all, there aren't too many choices for loaded touring at that price point. This bike looks reasonable.
On the plus side, it has a long wheelbase and longish chainstays. It has mid-fork braze-ons for solid mounting of a front rack. (I strongly recommend using a front rack as well as a rear rack on this bike. If the wheels are even a little bit iffy, the symmetrical front wheel is far stronger than the dished rear for carrying part of the load.) A 28x32 low gear will probably get the job done for anything less than mountain passes. Walk up a few hills if you have to. It still counts as touring.
On the minus side (for me) is the flat handlebar. Some bar ends and maybe some Ergon grips would help quite a bit. I personally prefer dropped handlebars or trekking bars, but lots of people tour successfuly with flat bars. The upright position is hard on my butt with anything less than a tractor seat. I don't like my hands lower than my butt either (on a loaded touring bike). Body position on a bike is a personal choice and people tour successfully with whatever works for themselves.
I'd want to make sure the pedals are up to the task. Cheap nylon-body pedals can split or break before too many miles have passed beneath them. Of course, I'd switch the pedals to SPD's for touring, anyway, if it were my bike.
I'm neutral on the trigger shifters. On a new bike, you're not likely to have much trouble with them. Even if you do, it's not like you'll be in a remote African desert, hundreds of miles away from someone who knows how to fix them. I'd want to put some miles on the bike before I left for a tour to make sure the cables are seated in and well adjusted.
All in all, there aren't too many choices for loaded touring at that price point. This bike looks reasonable.
05-26-09, 04:06 AM
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thanks for the info, they said they had the bike in stock that was my size, but wasent assembled. asked them if they could assemble it so i could test ride it, and well that was about a week ago and havent gotten a call back yet.
https://www.trekbikes.com/ca/en/bikes/bike_path/fx/72fx/
that has more specs on it ^^
https://www.trekbikes.com/ca/en/bikes/bike_path/fx/72fx/
that has more specs on it ^^
Last edited by Danimal89; 05-26-09 at 05:06 AM.
