Help.. which Hybrid: Trek 7.2FX, 7.3FX, or 7.3FX Disc
 

Hello,

I am just getting back into riding with my wife, who has a Specialized bike. I mainly do the bike paths with little road.

I am looking at the Trek 7.2, 7.3FX, 7.3 FX with disc brakes. I know the difference between the 7.2 and 7.3 FX is $100 and the difference between the 7.2 and 7.3FX (w/ disc) is $130.

I am looking for opinions.. are the disc brakes worth it? Is the 7.3 FX a better value with the upgrades vs. the 7.2 FX?

Should I be looking at another bike? :rolleyes:

Thanks in advance

There really isn't much added value to having disk brakes unless you are constantly riding in wet/winter conditions or bombing down humongous downhills. The 7.3 FX has slightly better components that the 7.2FX, so that's your huckleberry.

Unless you are riding in an area with consistently bad weather you won't need the disc brakes, IMHO. I agree with chipcom the 7.3 has slightly better components and for the price difference I would go for the 7.3. I have a 7.5 and absolutely love it.

I have a 7.2fx and have no problems with it. Although if you can afford the extra $100, it is probably worth it. Let me just say the 7.2fx is a good bike.

The components on the 7.3 are worth ~$250 more than those on the 7.2. That basically means it will last a little longer without needing to replace anything. If you're planning on using the bike for more than 5 years, and the $100 won't hurt you financially, it's probably worth the upgrade. But it's not a clincher.

Disc brakes are not a good choice unless you need them (i.e., if you're riding through deep mud, not just rain or snow). They are more difficult to maintain than rim brakes, and rim brakes offer more than enough stopping power.

I commute daily on a 7.2FX. It's a fine bike, but I can't say I love it. Feels kind of soulless (if that makes sense). It has no personality. As far as I've noticed, most 7.2FX owners around here give it a mild thumbs up, but aren't exactly jumping up and down with enthusiam. The 7.5 gets more praise, but that's a whole different level of bike.

Check out the Jamis Coda. Unlike the 7.2, its owners actually seem to love it.

agreed. 7.3FX. huckleberry.

Meh? Discs are much easier to work with than rim brakes. The pads last much longer,you don't have to set up the angle or toe-in when replacing pads,you don't have to worry about your rims being perfectly true,they don't wear on your rims,you don't get brake dust all over your wheels and lower frame,and you don't need to open/close them when removing/installing your wheels. And rim brakes are almost useless in snow,I found that out my first winter commuting.

To the OP,if you're only going to be riding in nice weather,then the standard 7.3 is a better deal for the component level. If you're thinking about commuting in all weather,get the discs.

+1, Chipcom makes a good point on the disc brakes part.

Get the best equipment you are able to afford/willing to spend. I have never heard any complaints about someones ride being too nice. I have friends who have done lots of upgrades to their bikes to solve quality problems. bk

Just bought 2 7.3's this last weekend. These are the first bikes the wife and I have had in years but so far we love them. I kinda wish we had sprung for the disks as we live in Seattle right by Queen Anne hill but I figure by going with out we can upgrade as we please sooner or later.

How about the plain Trek 7.5 FX ?
No disc brakes, but you get the carbon fork.

Thanks for the advice everyone.. based upon what you guys were saying, I went ahead last night and ordered a 7.3 FX, paying more for it than the 7.2 because of the additional components.

The 7.3 & 7.5 FX are listed as fitness bikes in the Trek catalog. Are these bikes also suitable for light trail riding?

Probably. I have a Trek FX, I go short distances on packed dirt (and gravel, but that is sketchy) on occasion, and haven't had any probs. Tho these are mostly shortcuts and whatnot, as I use my bike primarily for commuting/transportation. Probably wouldn't be wise to take it on a lengthy trail ride that's more suitable for a mountain bike, unless it was a smooth surface.

xxx

There is a ton of clearance around the tires on my 7.2FX. I'm running 700x28, but there's nearly 3/4" of clearance all around the tire. The rims are 19mm, so Sheldon's chart says you can put 44mm+ tires on them.

I have the 2006 7.3FX and it does well on gravel. Dirt should be ok as long as you do not treat the bike like a freerider.