FX6 Apex
10-22-24 | 07:50 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2024
Posts: 1,943
Likes: 340
FX6 Apex
My first choice for a flat bar bike, the Sirius X5, has been nixed due to shipping prices and the uncertainty of Specialized’s reasoning for removing the bike from the Canadian website.
The new FX6 Apex appears to be a solid replacement choice. The weak point appears to be the tires. How much credence does this review merit ? It would be cheaper to have dealer swap the tires before pickup. From bicycle rolling resistance review website
“We don't like being harsh about tires as we know very well that a single "best" (gravel bike) tire doesn't exist. Unfortunately, the Bontrager GR1 Team Issue is one of those tires we can't recommend to anyone. The incredibly high rolling resistance is a deal breaker, as this tire looks and feels like it should roll much faster.
Most tires that roll this slow come with huge knobs or a heavily reinforced casing, but that's also not the case with the GR1 Team Issue. The puncture resistance of the tread is also near the bottom of all tires we've tested, and the sidewalls offer just average puncture resistance. The tread pattern and compound provide good grip on our hard surface wet grip test, but given the knob height of just 1.2 mm, we don't expect much grip in wet off-road conditions.
We don't think this tire deserves the Team Issue name.
RATING: 2.0 / 5
TEST VERDICT: Not Recommended
The new FX6 Apex appears to be a solid replacement choice. The weak point appears to be the tires. How much credence does this review merit ? It would be cheaper to have dealer swap the tires before pickup. From bicycle rolling resistance review website
“We don't like being harsh about tires as we know very well that a single "best" (gravel bike) tire doesn't exist. Unfortunately, the Bontrager GR1 Team Issue is one of those tires we can't recommend to anyone. The incredibly high rolling resistance is a deal breaker, as this tire looks and feels like it should roll much faster.
Most tires that roll this slow come with huge knobs or a heavily reinforced casing, but that's also not the case with the GR1 Team Issue. The puncture resistance of the tread is also near the bottom of all tires we've tested, and the sidewalls offer just average puncture resistance. The tread pattern and compound provide good grip on our hard surface wet grip test, but given the knob height of just 1.2 mm, we don't expect much grip in wet off-road conditions.
We don't think this tire deserves the Team Issue name.
RATING: 2.0 / 5
TEST VERDICT: Not Recommended
10-22-24 | 09:29 PM
#3
Sunshine
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 18,752
Likes: 10,314
From: Des Moines, IA
Bikes: '18 class built steel roadbike, '19 Fairlight Secan, '88 Schwinn Premis , Black Mountain Cycles Monstercross V4, '89 Novara Trionfo
I would value a BRR summary because it is based on measurements, comparables, and repeatable testing.
10-23-24 | 04:48 AM
#5
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 7,700
Likes: 2,586
From: Jacksonville, FL
Bikes: Trek Checkmate, Lynskey Elysium, Trek FX 5 Sport
Pick up a set of the Bontrager Girona RSL tires in a 38 or 42, they are fantastic tires. 220 tpi, comfortable, fast rolling, and are pretty reasonably priced. I have some for my CheckPoint when I am going to be riding a 50\50 fast gravel\ road course. You wont be disappointed. I have about 800 miles on mine at this point and they still look brand new. They have even held up in some pretty chunky gravel, that normally I would have wanted something a little more knobby on. They are putting this tire on their new CheckMate Gravel racer.
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Brian | 2025 Trek Checkmate | 2025 Lynskey Elysium | 2022 Trek FX Sport 5
Brian | 2025 Trek Checkmate | 2025 Lynskey Elysium | 2022 Trek FX Sport 5
Last edited by jaxgtr; 10-23-24 at 04:53 AM.
10-23-24 | 07:44 AM
#7
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 7,700
Likes: 2,586
From: Jacksonville, FL
Bikes: Trek Checkmate, Lynskey Elysium, Trek FX 5 Sport
10-23-24 | 08:39 AM
#8
Sunshine
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 18,752
Likes: 10,314
From: Des Moines, IA
Bikes: '18 class built steel roadbike, '19 Fairlight Secan, '88 Schwinn Premis , Black Mountain Cycles Monstercross V4, '89 Novara Trionfo
Arent you the guy that claimed Marathon Plus 38mm tires were just as fast as anything else in that size? What happened?...you sure refused to budge off that opinion despite basically saying it was based on ignorance, so why change now?
10-23-24 | 09:17 AM
#10
Commuter, roadie
Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 2,863
Likes: 2,377
From: SE Wisconsin, USA
Bikes: Trek: Domane AL3, Checkpoint SL7; Priority Apollo 11, ZiZZO Forte + eBikes
Try them, they'll already be paid-for.
My road bike has what most people consider to be inferior tires, Bontrager R1 "Hardcase Lite". However, I've ridden it over 4,000 miles with no flats, so that's worth something. I'm supposed to look for supple tires, but those are also flat magnets, and I sure do hate flats.
Some of my buddies in the (roadie) club are very pro-tubeless, and it's true they don't get flats where they have to remove the wheel to fix them, but they sure do have punctures to plug a lot more often.
My plan (this might work for you) is to just use up those stock tires and get yourself a frame of reference while you build strength and endurance. THEN try something fancier and note whether they are easier to pedal and whether they flat more, etc. Just take notes from the experienced members here for now and try to ignore the unhelpful sarcastic responses. I always value the posts that are more like: "This is what I would do and why, based on this experience." But many people are too lazy to type that out for you, so they just post something snarky for a couple of Likes from some other Good Ol' Boys and move on.
My road bike has what most people consider to be inferior tires, Bontrager R1 "Hardcase Lite". However, I've ridden it over 4,000 miles with no flats, so that's worth something. I'm supposed to look for supple tires, but those are also flat magnets, and I sure do hate flats.
Some of my buddies in the (roadie) club are very pro-tubeless, and it's true they don't get flats where they have to remove the wheel to fix them, but they sure do have punctures to plug a lot more often.
My plan (this might work for you) is to just use up those stock tires and get yourself a frame of reference while you build strength and endurance. THEN try something fancier and note whether they are easier to pedal and whether they flat more, etc. Just take notes from the experienced members here for now and try to ignore the unhelpful sarcastic responses. I always value the posts that are more like: "This is what I would do and why, based on this experience." But many people are too lazy to type that out for you, so they just post something snarky for a couple of Likes from some other Good Ol' Boys and move on.
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-Jeremy
-Jeremy
10-23-24 | 10:52 AM
#12
Disco Infiltrator
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 15,350
Likes: 3,550
From: Folsom CA
Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem
FX1 tire ($500 bike) vs FX6 tire ($2700 bike) bumf
H2 is the go-to replacement tire for city and hybrid bikes. Its versatile design is at home on streets, paths, and light trails. The tread rolls smooth and provides good cornering traction for a confident, efficient ride, and the durable construction delivers long-lasting tread life.
The GR1 Team Issue gravel tire is designed for fast rolling performance and consistent traction on the roads less paved. It has proven success at the most demanding gravel races, and features Inner Strength Casing for lightweight puncture protection while maintaining a smooth, supple, fast feel. Plus, you can go tubeless for better performance and even more puncture protection.
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Genesis 49:16-17
"Well, well!" said Holmes, impatiently. "A good cyclist does not need a high road. The moor is intersected with paths and the moon is at the full."
Genesis 49:16-17
"Well, well!" said Holmes, impatiently. "A good cyclist does not need a high road. The moor is intersected with paths and the moon is at the full."
10-23-24 | 04:20 PM
#16
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 45,475
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10-23-24 | 07:48 PM
#18
Clark W. Griswold
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 18,445
Likes: 6,753
From: ,location, location
Bikes: Foundry Chilkoot Ti W/Ultegra Di2, Salsa Timberjack Ti, Cinelli Mash Work RandoCross Fun Time Machine, 1x9 XT Parts Hybrid, Co-Motion Cascadia, Specialized Langster, Phil Wood Apple VeloXS Frame (w/DA 7400), R+M Supercharger2 Rohloff, Habanero Ti 26
Spoken like someone who clearly has never been on tour and doesn't get it...heck if I didn't have to spend all my time at work I would love to go on a nice long tour somewhere fun.
10-24-24 | 06:42 AM
#20
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 15,336
Likes: 1,788
From: Far beyond the pale horizon.
10-24-24 | 07:08 AM
#22
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Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 10,383
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