Who’s got experience with a Trek 7.3 FX
 

I am about to buy it and was looking for people to share their experience. Thanks

Just came back from the shop and its sold out in my size so I might just get the Trek 7.3 with V brakes. Does anyone own it here?

I like the looks of the bike a lot. There's a brand new one that parks at the same bike rack as me downtown. My boyfriend needs a new bike and I've recommended that he check out the FX line of bikes. Have you test ridden it?

Yeh I have test ridden it and it was beautiful. It is fast and easy to handle / control and light. Changing gears could be a little smother.

I’m very likely to buy it.

I've had mine for about four or five months. It rides a little rough but I found that a pair of gel gloves takes the edge off. The only other complaint is the bottom bracket recently developed a ticking noise that my local LBS is currently investigating. Other than those two issues, the bike has been great. I actually find the shifting to be quite smooth but the dérailleurs on my other bikes have all been lower quality so I don't really have a reference. It is definitely quick and light. The 110 PSI 32mm Bontrager tires rock. Oh, the stock saddle is really uncomfortable. I replaced mine with a Brooks.

I bought my 7.3 FX in almost-spring, and have almost 1,000 miles on it. Impressions? GREAT value for the money (I paid $479 for mine, it's a blue '07).

I'm a bigger guy, so the stock rear wheel, well, it just died. At about mile 200 I had it replaced with a handbuilt wheel, some minor hiccups around mile 850, but now it's seemingly fine. The stock saddle stinks, so I replaced it with a Brooks B-17. Both alleviated pain, and took the edge off the ride. Finally, I have wide feet, so I swapped the pedals with something wider.

I'll agree with nextstopwillbe, the stock Bontrager tires are great. I replaced my rear yesterday due to glass + sidewall terror, but that was the first *knock on wood* flat I've had on this bike. They offer great puncture protection, and at 110psi they roll FAST. Knock 'em down to 80psi and it smoothes the ride out, but takes the super-speedy response off the ride. I'll definitely keep running these tires, I'm sold on 'em even if replacements aren't exactly cheap (~$35). I'd imagine that had the beer bottle not ended the life prematurely, I'd have chalked up at least 2,000 miles on the set.

I also have the ticking noise, actually, and have resigned myself to just ignoring it. I'll replace the BB soon, but the ride is still very smooth/fast.

Oh, and the stock brake pads are a little on the "meh" side, they work fine enough but the Kool-Stops on my MTB put them to shame. After (almost) 1,000 miles, they are pretty much toast.. but I ride hard/fast in an urban setting.

Overall, I've recommended the bike to several others and don't feel bad about it. Great ride, and will likely be with me for a long time.

I've got one. A great bike for the price. Not to scare you off, but here are my gripes.

1. I too have that ticking in the BB and it is driving me crazy. I think I will take it to the LBS. Can other people post their solutions when they find them?
2. It's also a little heavy carrying up stairs.
3. Great shifting, but I think it has TOO many gears. I don't use the granny gears much or the massive ones either.

Honestly, for the price, it is extremely competitive for most out there. I like the upright posture for city cycling. My commute is only 3 miles, and I have no real complaints, just minor gripes. I can only commute once a week now, but I look forward to it all week.

Love the 7.5 FX
 

I know this is a step up but it's been Mr. Dependable. Everything I've read is true about the 7.5 as well. Can the stock seat, great tires (love em) and could shift a little smoother. Brakes are dependable wet or dry. Even ride at night on long rides... I really enjoy my Trek..

http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes..._path/fx/73fx/

http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/2007/archive/73fx

Not to hijack the thread but I got my 7.3 FX back from the LBS last night. They looked into the ticking issue and couldn't find anything obviously wrong, everything was tight and lubricated. So it seems like it's coming from the sealed bottom bracket. I decided to leave it alone for now and see if it goes from annoying to problematic.

When did the ticking start? has it always been there or did it develop?

I don't remember exactly but it was probably about 2-2 1/2 months after I got it. It would have had less than 350 miles on it. I hear it on the right side of the bracket and it stays pretty close to the same position on my stroke. Usually just once per revolution.

Sounds extremely annoying. good luck , hope it goes away.

That describes mine too. How much does it cost to replace a BB anyways?

Honestly for the price, I really think it's a great buy. I'd go for bar ends too. I like the flat bars, but it rides a little "stiff". The extra hand positions really help.

Great bikes... and for the money even better. I bought a couple FX7.2's for my kids and a FX 7.3 for my wife and she absolutely loves it. Tested a 7.3 for myself as well and would have bought either it or a 7.5 had I not bought a roadie. Solid bikes... good luck!

My LBS said it was $30 for the part and $20 to install it.

UPDATE: This is a preliminary finding so make of it what you will. Oiled my chain this morning and the ticking sound that I thought was coming from the bottom bracket seems to have disappeared. Just wanted to give other 7.3 owners a heads up in case they have the same problem.

Thanks for the update :)

I got my 2007 fx disc this spring and have put 3300 miles on it.

Quite a few of my miles are pulling a trailer.

I would immediately switch the stock racing style tires out for something that works for commuting. My bike shop gave me 50% of retail value on trading in the parts that came with the bike so I traded in the saddle, handlebars, pedals and tires and replaced them with stuff that is more functional.

I have put thousands of miles on disc brakes and they are 1000% better than rim brakes. Some of my hard core commuting buddies go through several wheels per year due to rim failure/wearing out and disc brakes are nearly maintance free whereas rim brakes are in almost constant need of adjustment, pad replacement, digging crap out of the pad etc.

Here is a pic of my 7.3 in action. BTW even though I often pull 100's pounds of crap my back wheel still spins smooth and I have only broken 1 spoke. I dont usually pull a load this heavy but I pull 100#'s or so almost everyday.

Also, I did not get the 7.5 because I did not think the carbon stays would hold up as well.

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s...ureforian1.jpg

Dude, you take too much stuff to work!

Hey there...It's a bit of a long read but here's my experience on the 7.3. I posted this over a month ago..Entertainment factor too..

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=326812