trek 7.3 fx
 

I'm new to cycling. I ordered a 2009 trek 7.3 fx. I have read in forums saddle is not comfortable. I need some suggestions on saddle, cyclo-computer and bar-ends. I intend to use this bike for fittness and might be riding it a two or three days a week. Thanks.

To me, the '09 7.3 saddle isn't that bad, I left mine on only because of economics and I wanted to ride the bike. I could really feel my sit bones on this saddle on the first few rides, but I don't notice it anymore.

Saddles are a personal preference, but the WTB Rocket V is very good. I put one on my '09 7.5 FX and it has been great.

Do not listen to anyone's opinion on what is or is ot a good saddle. Everyone's back side is different, what works for you may or may not work for them. Try it out ride it, not jsut around the parking lot at the shop but as you normally would. Give it time. I dont form an opinion on a saddle untill I have a coupel of hundred miles on it.

I bought a 7.5 FX last year - since then it's been totally customized - but the saddle was the first thing to go. I replaced it with a Terry Fly, but that's a $140 - $150 saddle. So try a few and see what feels right - IF the current saddle causes you pain.

For a bicycle-computer, I went for a Cateye Strada Wireless - around $50 - and it's never given me any trouble. Installation was simple. The batteries, that last a season, cheap if you hunt via Google. It just plain works.

Keep the bike stock. Your butt is supposed to be a bit sore when you start cycling and there isn't a saddle in the world that will change that. The fore/aft position and tilt of the saddle, as well as height, are far more important at this point. You can't possibly know what your preferences are going to be until you've been riding for a while. If something feels wrong right from the get go, even on short rides, it's more than likely a matter of fit rather than an issue with the quality of the saddle. Keep the saddle for now.

The stock saddle that was on my 7.5 was spongy - in all the wrong places. I was pedaling: Squish - chafe - squish - chafe - squish - you get the idea. The Terry does not do this. Yes it hurt before I got used to it - about 15 miles - but rapidly I wasn't even aware of the saddle. No after-ride pains. Ready to hop right back on and keep riding.

Now that's a good saddle!

As of '09 the FX models come with the Bontrager Nebula saddle, where previously they came with the Race LUX. I've put 1,600 miles on the Race Lux and haven't experienced any discomfort since I've owned it. The Nebula I have no experience with, so I can't comment.

It takes time for a saddle and butt to become compatable. Run it for a couple of hundred miles before deciding to buy a new saddle.

But saddle adjustment- Height and fore and aft position can be altered. Get the sit bones back on the wide part of the saddle as a starter. Then angle the nose to the right position to get weight off the Pubic Bone. Then ride it till it gets comfortable. If it doesn't - then start on the quest for a dream saddle- sometimes takes years.

Oh yeah - give 'em a fair chance before dropping a stack of money. A saddle that nearly killed me - is the best saddle for another person. This is why you shouldn't ask people on the internet what saddle you should get. The Terry Fly might be the one that kills YOU.

Thanks for the response. I will keep the saddle for now. I saw schwinn 17 function cyclo-computer in Amazon for cheap. Is it reliable?

+1 This could not have been said any better.

You will hear a lot of people telling you some clap trap of having to contact the saddle with you sit bones. A saddle os a very personal item, what works for you might not work for anyone else.

Bruce

+1, the Speed V is pretty good as well. I also ride the Specialize Avatar Gel on my CAAD9 and love it. Go visit a Specialized dealer and use their Butt-O-Meter and make sure you have the proper width saddle. I found the saddles I was using to wide and it caused me a lot of discomfort. A narrower saddle made all the difference.

Can you guys believe my stock FX 7.3 saddle is actually more comfy than my previous store bought gel padded saddle? That leads me to believe designs can really make a different.Do understand it takes time to adjust for new saddle,a hit or miss kinda thang,my 5 cents (inflation)

For what it's worth, I rode my '09 Trek 7.5 FX with the stock saddle for about a month (probably 300-400 miles), but I just wasn't able to get used to it. Then I got the Rocket V and never felt sore again.

So yeah, give the saddle a chance. It might work for you.

+1 on the Rocket V. I run Rocket V Pro's on all my bikes, just switched the last holdout over today. Great saddles. But Spinnaker is 100% that saddles are a very personal item.

The saddle on the '07 and '08 7.3fx was a little nicer than the current model, in my opinion. I just replaced my vanished '07 with an '09 and there are a few of small alterations that I am not at all pleased with. This is one of them. Another is the switch from the RM-60 freewheel to the RM-30. My '07 with the RM-60 felt better and was much quieter than the RM-30 in '09. Not sure what the difference is. The rims have also changed, and may account for some of the ride change, but I can't find much information on "camino" vs "nebula" rims. There were similar slight downgrades between '06 and '07.

WOW, that's a high price. Websites are aroun$110/$120. I got a band new one (tags attached) from an ebay store, titanium rails, Buzz Off model for $78. Put it on my 7.3FX and just love it but, yes, it's an individual fit, posture, ride style kinda thing.

For $140, it better come with two hot friends;)

The top model has a real leather saddle. Most of the lower-cost "Fly's" are synthetic. Titanium is pretty cheap, too. But I'm sure the true top-drawer Fly can't be found for under $130ish. Check the Terry website.

I also have a Tri-Fly gel, which go for $130. Both are very comfortable - but don't buy one on my account.