Trek 7.2 FX Review
 

Hey guys. I'm new to this forum. I am looking into several bikes right now for a good commuter/light touring bike. I was at the local bike shop and rode a Trek 7.2 FX. It was a nice riding bike. But from opinions out there, is it really a decent bike. Again I am new to this. I really need a bike that is fun for around town and something I could strap a few bags on and head out for the weekend. I am also looking at the Ibex Corrida LT online and the Jamis Coda. It would be great to learn a little more about these bikes. Especially the Trek 7.2 FX. There is very little info about it online.

Thanks guys,
JD

You should hit up chipcom for his 2-cents, he got a new one for winter...

My wife and I have a brand new 7.3 (for sale, too !)...
Not a 7.2 I know, but I would suggest a few free tune-up visits
thrown in with the deal. The front derraileur on our 7.3 which
is the same, absolutely will not stay in adjustment.

A local shop uses them for rentals so I would guess they have some durability attributes.

I've got a 7.2FX that I use for my snow commuter and I used to have its forebear, the 7200FX. For the money ($389) it's a good bike. It's geared fairly low enough for slapping a load on and doing some touring (48-38-28 / 11-32), has all the required braze-ons and eyelets for racks and fenders, is relatively light (compared to a MTB or comfort bike), comes with a fair wheelset and can take wider tires (700x35 stock, 700x38 or so with fenders, maybe 40ish without). Even the stock saddle isn't bad compared to some (I replaced mine with a Brooks of course). The brakes are so-so, but I think they could easily be replaced with V-Brakes. I swapped the suspension seat post with a rigid one, but that's just my preference, espeically since I mount a Carradice SQR mount to it...but supposedly the stock suspension post is adjustable. The handlebar grips on the 7.2 are much better than what was on the old 7200.

http://www.chipcom.net/bikes/trek.jpg

The Jamis Codas have a pretty good reputation too, but I've never owned one myself.

I can see that...mine shifts OK, but keeping it noise-free in all ranges is an effort in futility. But from a shifting perspective, I've had no problems.

You say its ok for some touring? I am interested in possibly taking it out for an overnight weekend trip. Would the bike be fairly capable of doing that. My main intention for a bike is to just get a good solid commuter town bike. I am tired of driving everywhere and would like to slow down a bit and enjoy my day to and from places. Also, what do you all think about the Ibex Corrida LT?

Thanks again
JD

I did a small tour on the 7200FX (an ancestor of the 7.2FX). My major complaint was the flat bars after a few hours, but that's going to change from person to person -- my hands go numb. You can mitigate the flat bar issue, if it bothers you, with bar ends. On our weekend trip, I took probably 30 pounds of stuff and had no problems with the bike carrying the weight. I only put probably 500 miles on it before I sold it, but it was trouble-free the whole time. I sold it because I got a touring road bike instead. In sum, for what you've said you're going to do, this is a decent bike.

Brian is right about flat bars, but some bar-ends can help give you some additional hand positions. The brakes would be another thing I'd swap for something better, like V-brakes to give better stopping power under load and better wear. Carrying a load should not be a problem and you have low enough gearing for all but the toughest climbs with heavy loads.

I looked at the specs for the Ibex - it seems to be more of a flat-barred road bike. It's geared more like a road bike (higher gearing, less of a low range), has skinnier tires and a carbon fork - it'll ride faster, but not sure if it has the braze-ons for racks, though it should take fenders. The Ibex seems to have higher end components too.

I guess your choice depends on how much you want to spend, how much of a load you'll be carrying and how well you can climb with that load. The Trek is definitely the less-expensive alternative with more options for carrying a load and better gearing for loaded climbs. If you want to go fast and light, the Ibex might be a better choice.

Ok guys. I bought the Ibex Corrida CT today. I really wanted the LT but they sold the last 57cm frame about two hours before I wanted to place my order. You talk about upset. So I thought about it for just a little while and choose to go with the CT. The big difference between the two is one line down on components. Instead of the Shimano 105 its got the Shimano Tiagra. Instead of the Carbon fork its got a chromoly(which I like for beater purposes). Its pretty much just one step down. The nice thing is it was only $369 instead of $499. That was pretty nice. So in the long run I got I nice bike for less than what the trek was. I still think the trek 7.2 FX is a nice bike but I like the road aspect of the Ibex Corrida a little more. This is going to be an everyday beater for commuting, light touring, and some short club rides until I can afford to drop the big bucks on a nice road bike. I appreciate everyone's help on this decision. Ill take some pics when I get it and post them here.

JD