Official Trek FX Thread
08-20-18 | 02:52 PM
#1377
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2017
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From: Northern Shenandoah Valley
Bikes: More bikes than riders
The $659 Trek FX 3 is the closest current bike to the 7.4 FX. Like the 7.4, the FX 3 has an Alpha Gold aluminum frame, a carbon fork, rim brakes, and a 3x9 drivetrain.
The next model up in the current Trek FX line is the FX 3 Disc, at $779. It's basically the same as the FX 3, but with hydraulic disc brakes instead of rim brakes. It's priced about the same as the 7.4 FX was, but you get discs instead of rim brakes.
The next model beyond that is the Trek FX Sport 4, at $1,149. It still has an aluminum frame (and carbon fork), but drops the mountain groupsets on the 3 and below and goes with a road Tiagra groupset, with a road double crank (2x10). This is getting pretty far away from what the 2016 7.4 FX was.
The next model up in the current Trek FX line is the FX 3 Disc, at $779. It's basically the same as the FX 3, but with hydraulic disc brakes instead of rim brakes. It's priced about the same as the 7.4 FX was, but you get discs instead of rim brakes.
The next model beyond that is the Trek FX Sport 4, at $1,149. It still has an aluminum frame (and carbon fork), but drops the mountain groupsets on the 3 and below and goes with a road Tiagra groupset, with a road double crank (2x10). This is getting pretty far away from what the 2016 7.4 FX was.
08-20-18 | 02:53 PM
#1378
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Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 1,742
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From: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Bikes: 1990 Raleigh Flyer; 2013 Trek 7.3 FX; 2014 Trek 7.6 FX; 2019 Dahon Mu D9.
08-20-18 | 03:12 PM
#1379
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Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 1,742
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From: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Bikes: 1990 Raleigh Flyer; 2013 Trek 7.3 FX; 2014 Trek 7.6 FX; 2019 Dahon Mu D9.
And let's not forget that up until about the 2016 model year, the FX line used to be much simpler: you got the popular alloy models and the pricier carbon models, with each available in men's and women's geometries, and that was it. Choices were simpler and more straightforward. Today, just look at how many versions there are of the FX 2!
08-20-18 | 07:55 PM
#1380
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 951
Likes: 30
From: Vacaville, CA
Bikes: 2011 Trek FX 7.3 | 2015 Trek FX 7.4 | Lotus Classique
I believe you Congaree, the S 4 would be my pick today.
Shook, I looked for that gray 7.4 but at year end couldn't find one in my size so got a white 7.4 like Jarrettein's. Your's looks handsome with the fenders properly installed. I'm surprised a shop would have sent it out with the first version, the type of work that has resulted in me never returning to a bike shop once I get the bike out of their hands.
Shook, I looked for that gray 7.4 but at year end couldn't find one in my size so got a white 7.4 like Jarrettein's. Your's looks handsome with the fenders properly installed. I'm surprised a shop would have sent it out with the first version, the type of work that has resulted in me never returning to a bike shop once I get the bike out of their hands.
I love my bike now that I have it the way I want it with a few mods. Nowadays I usually have a bike trailer attached to it and take my 2 year old to local parks but I love how it’s setup. Still speedy but absolutely practical around town.
And yes, I was pretty annoyed I had to bring the bike back to have the fenders done properly. This shop has been around a while and I’m sure I’m not the only one that’s gotten fenders installed there. I will still go there bc when I got my fx’s there, they all cane with “free lifetime adjustments” so I still have to go to the shop and play nice
08-20-18 | 07:57 PM
#1381
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 951
Likes: 30
From: Vacaville, CA
Bikes: 2011 Trek FX 7.3 | 2015 Trek FX 7.4 | Lotus Classique
08-20-18 | 08:17 PM
#1382
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 388
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From: iOWA
Bikes: Yep
08-20-18 | 08:19 PM
#1383
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Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 27
Likes: 2
If you can afford it, S4 is a lot better. Weight alone makes it up for the money.
And the Tiagra 4700, didn't realize how powerful it is till I did a 1900 ft climb and 50 miles last week. Coming from Verve 2, climbing hills is now a breeze
And the Tiagra 4700, didn't realize how powerful it is till I did a 1900 ft climb and 50 miles last week. Coming from Verve 2, climbing hills is now a breeze
08-20-18 | 08:31 PM
#1384
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Joined: Aug 2018
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Hoping to purchase this weekend if I get time....sounds like S4 is the go! I'm hoping I like the colour of the frame better in real life. In the pictures it looks a bit "meh" (maybe it's just me).
08-21-18 | 06:28 AM
#1385
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Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 1,742
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From: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Bikes: 1990 Raleigh Flyer; 2013 Trek 7.3 FX; 2014 Trek 7.6 FX; 2019 Dahon Mu D9.
08-21-18 | 10:57 AM
#1386
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 951
Likes: 30
From: Vacaville, CA
Bikes: 2011 Trek FX 7.3 | 2015 Trek FX 7.4 | Lotus Classique
08-21-18 | 11:23 AM
#1387
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Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 1,742
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From: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Bikes: 1990 Raleigh Flyer; 2013 Trek 7.3 FX; 2014 Trek 7.6 FX; 2019 Dahon Mu D9.
Oh, I was just trying to warn the new guy that things could get ugly around here sometimes.
08-21-18 | 05:36 PM
#1390
Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 37
Likes: 1
From: Greenville, SC
Bikes: Trek FX S 4
08-21-18 | 05:39 PM
#1391
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Joined: Aug 2018
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I intend to put 35mm tires on the FX S4 (G-One Speed's). Was just making sure that the Toughroad wasn't a better option as there is a new Giant opening down the road from me and they are having good discounts due to the opening of the store.
08-21-18 | 05:40 PM
#1392
Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 37
Likes: 1
From: Greenville, SC
Bikes: Trek FX S 4
I noticed that when researching different brands...the FastRoad SLR appears to be Giant's version of the Trek S4 (or vice-versa). But it's obvious that both Trek and Giant have produced basically the same bike. Probably performs about the same for the same price.
08-21-18 | 08:53 PM
#1393
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Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 27
Likes: 2
I am sure that tire will suit well. If you need options check out Bontrager H5 Hardcase ultimate as well. I replaced stock tire with this (32mm version) and couldn't be happier. Had this on my verve 2, liked it and hence used the same when I got S4
https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/e...-tire/p/09389/
https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/e...-tire/p/09389/
Cheers. Yeah I would say Toughroad is 80% off road and 20% on road (FX probably opposite). Sounds like FX would suit me better.
I intend to put 35mm tires on the FX S4 (G-One Speed's). Was just making sure that the Toughroad wasn't a better option as there is a new Giant opening down the road from me and they are having good discounts due to the opening of the store.
I intend to put 35mm tires on the FX S4 (G-One Speed's). Was just making sure that the Toughroad wasn't a better option as there is a new Giant opening down the road from me and they are having good discounts due to the opening of the store.
Last edited by grayslaker; 08-21-18 at 08:56 PM.
08-21-18 | 10:17 PM
#1394
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
I am sure that tire will suit well. If you need options check out Bontrager H5 Hardcase ultimate as well. I replaced stock tire with this (32mm version) and couldn't be happier. Had this on my verve 2, liked it and hence used the same when I got S4
https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/e...-tire/p/09389/
https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/e...-tire/p/09389/
08-22-18 | 04:25 AM
#1395
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 388
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From: iOWA
Bikes: Yep
I'm one of those people who can ride the hell out of a bike but is utterly incompetent on anything more mechanically sophisticated than changing a tire or adjusting a seat, so bear with me if I ask some stupid questions. Please note--I do not want advice on my shifting/riding style, which I know is highly unusual and one that I've adopted through a lifetime of trial and error. I have short stocky legs, and this works really well for me.
I have a 2017 FX 3, and I spend well over 90% of my riding time on the large chain ring. I go up most hills on the large chain ring. It is 48T. My smallest gear in the rear is 11T. I actually use the 48X11 quite a bit running level, not just downhill. I feel like I actually could make use of a higher gear ratio.
Everything on the drive train except the pedals is the original stock equipment on the bike.
So my questions are: 1) Can I replace the 48T ring on my particular bike without having to change a whole lot of the rest of the drive train? What else, if anything, would I have to change?
2) How much of a difference would I feel between 50 x 11 and 48 x 11?
I have a 2017 FX 3, and I spend well over 90% of my riding time on the large chain ring. I go up most hills on the large chain ring. It is 48T. My smallest gear in the rear is 11T. I actually use the 48X11 quite a bit running level, not just downhill. I feel like I actually could make use of a higher gear ratio.
Everything on the drive train except the pedals is the original stock equipment on the bike.
So my questions are: 1) Can I replace the 48T ring on my particular bike without having to change a whole lot of the rest of the drive train? What else, if anything, would I have to change?
2) How much of a difference would I feel between 50 x 11 and 48 x 11?
08-22-18 | 05:59 AM
#1396
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 580
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From: Montreal, Canada/ Brasilia, Brazil (currently)
Bikes: Giant FCR 3 with lots of mods, Brazilian made Caloi 100.
Cheers. Yeah I would say Toughroad is 80% off road and 20% on road (FX probably opposite). Sounds like FX would suit me better.
I intend to put 35mm tires on the FX S4 (G-One Speed's). Was just making sure that the Toughroad wasn't a better option as there is a new Giant opening down the road from me and they are having good discounts due to the opening of the store.
I intend to put 35mm tires on the FX S4 (G-One Speed's). Was just making sure that the Toughroad wasn't a better option as there is a new Giant opening down the road from me and they are having good discounts due to the opening of the store.
08-22-18 | 08:57 AM
#1397
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 951
Likes: 30
From: Vacaville, CA
Bikes: 2011 Trek FX 7.3 | 2015 Trek FX 7.4 | Lotus Classique
I've mulled over converting my drivetrain to shimano 105 like the higher end fx model but i think i would miss the 3rd chainring...
Last edited by sh00k; 08-22-18 at 09:19 AM.
08-22-18 | 12:40 PM
#1398
Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 37
Likes: 1
From: Greenville, SC
Bikes: Trek FX S 4
Congaree (and other FX S 4 and up owners) just wondering if you've taken your fx s 4 on any hills? I ask because your bike has 2 chain rings and I wanted to know if those 2 are enough for some steep climbs... my 7.4 fx came with a triple that i absolutely love - gears that perfect for climbing and for good speed on the flats.
I've mulled over converting my drivetrain to shimano 105 like the higher end fx model but i think i would miss the 3rd chainring...
I've mulled over converting my drivetrain to shimano 105 like the higher end fx model but i think i would miss the 3rd chainring...
08-22-18 | 01:36 PM
#1399
Tragically Ignorant
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 15,593
Likes: 9,109
From: New England
Bikes: Serotta Atlanta; 1994 Specialized Allez Pro; Giant OCR A1; SOMA Double Cross Disc; 2022 Allez Elite mit der SRAM
Just saw this with no reply, Here is a gear calculator.https://www.sheldonbrown.com/gear-calc.html Difference between 48 and 50 not huge but noticeable. 117.8 inches compared to 122.7 inches, you could probably use the calculator to find this increment in your lower gears to feel the difference for some idea. But in looking at Acera if thats what you have I only see 48 and 44 large chain rings. If there is a 50 available the only other change would be possibly the need to add a few chain lengths and slight adjustment of front derailleur, but you might need to change the whole crank. Search ebay and shops for your crank. If the same group no problem and not real expensive but to change the crank to another 3x9 of a different group there could be bottom bracket compatibility.
Yeah, thanks for the informative response! I ended up buying a N+1 road bike with a 53x12 combination, which I have also been contemplating. I haven't ridden drop bars in 20+ years, but I test rode it and think I can adapt. So for now, I'm going to put off frankenbiking the FX drive train.
Looks like Trek is going to max out at 50T for all of their lines gong forward, btw.
08-23-18 | 08:40 AM
#1400
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 951
Likes: 30
From: Vacaville, CA
Bikes: 2011 Trek FX 7.3 | 2015 Trek FX 7.4 | Lotus Classique
oh how things have changed... I used to live in the city and rode this fx (and my other ones: 7.2, 7.3, 7.7) around town... now i'm in the burbs and pulling a kiddy trailer with my 7.4 
the roads by me are 98% perfect so i am using nice and light 25mm tires on my fx, a huge difference from the 32mm that it came with. without the trailer, i can ride the bike 30 miles before getting tired thanks to the tires
I've even been debating attaching the kiddy trailer to my $3,800 16-pound carbon Trek Emonda SL6... Just because I like the contrast/irony of it haha
the roads by me are 98% perfect so i am using nice and light 25mm tires on my fx, a huge difference from the 32mm that it came with. without the trailer, i can ride the bike 30 miles before getting tired thanks to the tires
I've even been debating attaching the kiddy trailer to my $3,800 16-pound carbon Trek Emonda SL6... Just because I like the contrast/irony of it haha
Last edited by sh00k; 08-23-18 at 11:16 AM.