kill.cactus

Just wondering who is out there

What are your builds?

Jarery

I used to, had to sell it so I wouldnt have more bikes than ex wives !

coolness03

I have the '07 7.3 FX. Wasn't too keen at first but lately the machine is growing on me.

kill.cactus

I was iffy with the ride quality at first but after getting used to keeping my tire pressure a little lower I have smoothed out the relatively rough ride (for a hybrid anyway) of the bike.

Brian Sorrell

I was riding a 7200FX for my short 4 mile round trip commute. I swapped out the flats for trekking bars and that helped make it more comfy on my hands. But I've since committed to training for touring, so I got a Fuji and I ride that all the time now. It's much more better, for my purposes.

That said, I think that the Trek is a fine bicycle and quite solid. I completed my very first tour on it If I were to continue riding it, I'd swap out the tires for something a bit slimmer and more durable.

coolness03

On the tire issue Brian I second that. I test rode a Raleigh Route 1 today, which is basically the same as the 7.2 FX but with slimmer 28s as opposed to 32s on mine now. Much peppier ride I must say.

BrianJ1888

I've got a 7300FX Disc that I ride all the time. I'd stay away from the discs (unless they've got to something better than the Hayes MX2) which are a PITA to keep/get properly adjusted. The '07 has Shimano discs, so they're probably a little different.

Overall, it's a tough bike. Not light by any means, but durable. I'd also suggest getting narrower tires (I ride 28 Gatorskins @ 120psi) than the 70psi Bontragers that come with the bike.

f0s_man

I got one!
I commute to school.. i'm a lil lazy 1.2 miles one way, but it gives me 15 min extra sleeping time!! I don't park my bike at the racks, cos i'm too cheapskate to get a new lock (my old lock froze, and i managed to unlock it, but i don't dare lock it again!!). Thus i carry my bike 5 floors up to my office and leave it there...
On weekends and some weekdays i go for longer rides...the longest so far is about 35 miles..not too bad...small rolling hills here and there...

The 7.2 does what it needs to do!...

(shhhhh..this is heresy, but i intend to get a roadbike once i save enough $$$...)

Hoshnasi

I had a 7.3 on order and I test rode one that was a bit too big. I ended up buying a 1000. Which was based on the time I had to wait for the 7.3 to come in. Also, I figured I would end up on a roadie soon as well.

kill.cactus

I like my 7200 That is all I have to say ^.^

k_r_

Really? I ride a 7.3 fx (no discs) and it seems lightish to me. To be fair, this is my first bike (not counting the Huffy when I was 10), but I weighed it in at just under 30 pounds, is that heavy? It's served me well and I feel like I lucked out in finding it, the store even cut me a pretty handsome discount.

Like I said, it's my first bike, the only qualm I have with it is that I can't really get into an aggressive position to tackle the one big hill on my commute. I've considered drop bars, but I'm not quite sure if the geometry is long enough to make that work. I dunno, I guess I should ask my LBS gurus.

kill.cactus

30 pounds is hefty when you are talking about a hybrid/road bike. With mountain bikes it is so so (some are like 35 40 pounds...) and with a strict road bike it's like a brick.

I think drop handlebars look cool.

supercub

I have a 7.2FX. I took out the spacers and lowered the handlebars to get a more aggressive stance and replaced the saddle. At some point, I will invest in some narrower tires and a non-suspension seatpost (I hate that pogo stick thing).

As others have said, it serves me well. But of course I want a road bike ; )

k_r_

What exactly are the advantages of narrower tires? I mean, I know big knobby ones slow one down, but the tires that came stock on my 7.3 don't seem to be too wide. Would narrower tires make on-road cycling that much easier?

supercub

I'm a newbie, so take what I write with a grain of salt. My understanding is that narrower tires reduce rolling resistence. Lower rolling resistence means higher speed (all else being equal). A narrower tire is narrower and has a higher PSI rating, so there is less surface area in contact with the ground. So the basic idea is narrower tires = faster.

The trade-off is a harsher ride. Maybe less traction in certain situations? Maybe higher chance of a flat? Not sure about those last two.

BTW, I believe the 7.3FX comes with 32' tires while the 7.2 has 35'. Road bikes often have 23' or 25' or 28'.

kill.cactus

Yeah the 7200 has 700x35 tires if you stay stock.

Still I don't see the big difference between 35s and like say 32s. Perhaps there is a significant weight difference between 35s and 25s, however I don't like the trade off of the rough ride... I mean my ride is rough as it is on Michigan streets.

Bike-a-Boo

I'm really interested in this thread because I just bought a Trek 7.3FX a couple of weeks ago. I love it, but my basis of comparison is a 12-year-old Wal-Mart Wonder.

I found a LBS guy who seemed trustworthy and asked him for a bike that would be suitable for commuting (my main activity) but also useful for my triumphant segue into long-distance touring.

So, what's this about switching out handlebars and such? You can do that???

k_r_

Well, I've only heard so anecdotally (with extensive photographic documentation on these forums. Apparently, most every component of a bicycle can be easily replaced, excepting the frame (at which point it technically becomes a new bike). Personally I went with the 7.3 was because I liked most of the components and the "feel" of the bike itself. I don't buy into any of this rubbish about the ride being too rough. But then again, we have fairly well paved roads around town. I also like the styling, particularly the big 'ol wheels, the straight-bladed fork, the flat bars, and that great orange paintjob. But the flat bars are apparently (from what I hear) good for getting sore hands on long rides, and "drop bars" (the funny-shaped road bike ones) allow one to assume a more aggressive cycling position, so as to more easily and comfortably climb hills and/or get up to speed. Am I right on this? ANybody tried putting drop bars on a 7.3? Does it work?

supercub

In terms of having another hand position, bar-ends are an option. I put some on, and my hands spend most of the time there. I also lowered the handlebars by removing the spacers, so I have a slightly more aggressive posture. So, by making these two modifications, I have some of the advantage offered by drop bars.

senorfrog97

I think the main benefit from moving to a different tire is the higher air pressure which will let you roll a little easier. I have 700X32 Bontrager race lite hardcases on my 7.3fx and like them. I tried 700X28 but they were a little too rough for me - the 32s are more comfy. They also make the bike look better.

thelazywon

I have a 7.3 I put drop bars and brifters on it, and 28's. I still hate it and never ride it. I will ride my fixed gear or 1984 road bike first. As a matter of fact, I am selling it Saturday.

Bike-a-Boo

Why do you hate it???

thelazywon

step through frame, welds are really ugly, it's too heavy, for some reasom I always am going so slooow on it.

k_r_

Yeah, the welds are really ugly. I don't have the step-through kinds, so I don't have a problem with that. As for the heaviness, I dunno. I've never ridden a road bike. I guess I like to think of it as a "trainer," all that weight's pushing my legs so I can go alot faster if I ever get a road bike .

caapn_jazz

I have a Trek 7100 so most of the components are similar. it's surprisingly light. i can get 30+/- mph on it sprinting and i'm not that fit. the only thing i've had a problem with is that i constantly have to adjust the derailleurs as there is some problems with shifting. other than that it's a really solid entry level bike, great decision for someones (like me) first foray into cycling. i also added some drop bars and an aero bar which i recommend.