Franc Franclin

2015 FX3. 28mm Gatorskins. Pedaling Innovation pedals. I carry way too much stuff in my saddle bag, but that's ok because I'm not going that fast so no big deal!!!

livedarklions

I have them on three different kinds of bikes now.

sh00k

I love the pedals! very nice. i have a set of shimano saint pedals on my 7.4 fx. they're crazy heavy but i dont mind it. I love having a nice BIG platform to MASH ON

bg7.3fx

What are the widest tires you have installed on your Trek FX3 or 7.3fx hybrid bike?

I own a 2016 7.3fx which came with 700c x 32mm tires, I am looking to put on 40 mm tires to make for a more comfortable ride.

bgdoyle

I have 40mm wide WTB Nanos on my '18 FX3. There is a little tab centered on the rear tire. Think it is for fenders. Just filed a little extra clearance to allow easier wheel removal. Rides much better and doesn't dig in loose sand the way the 32s did.

Aahzz

So I love my FX2, but I have a hankering for disc brakes. Don't need the more road-oriented drive train of the 4, 5, or 6, so that leaves me buying an FX2 disc, or an FX3 disc. Do you good people think the FX3 is enough of an upgrade to go that route? Am I silly for wanting disc brakes? Part of my reasoning is that I am a larger clyde, so I think the extra stopping power might help...I bought my FX2 2 or 3 months before they released the FX2 Disc or I would have bought one of those and this would be a moot point. Anyway, opinions? Thanks!

csrpenfab

After riding my FXS6, my neighbor was sold on the Trek hybrids. He was looking at the FX3 disc, but wound up with the FX4 for just a bit more $$. It was worth the upgrade for him since the 4 has hydraulic vs mechanical discs, better wheels, component group, and a lighter frame. I took him out for a 25 miler this past weekend and he was loving his new bike. As for the discs, I can see your point. My FXS6 was my first disc bike and I love the brakes. I'm a "larger" guy too and it stops on a dime wet or dry.

Aahzz

Trek's site lists the FX3s brakes as hydraulic as well...

Mtl01

I just got the FX 2 with hydraulic disk brakes and love the bike (the 700x35 tires are perfect IMO).

I seriously thought about the FX 3. The main difference was that it had a carbon fiber front fork which is supposed to absorb vibrations and rough patches better. I didn't get it as it was about $300 (Cdn.) more.

I think both are good great choices.

hokiefyd 

You very likely will love the disc brakes. They don't necessarily have that much more power than rim brakes, but I think they're a lot nicer to use. I've owned a lot of rim brake bikes, and still own some, but I just don't ride them much. I ride my two newer bikes with disc brakes because the braking is super smooth and just very enjoyable. I highly prefer hydraulic disc brakes...one of my bikes came equipped with hydraulic, and one was cable-operated. I converted the cable discs to hydraulic pretty soon after starting to ride it. The brake lever action is very smooth (with no feel of a cable or springs, etc), and yet you have pretty good modulation at the braking surface.

They're a delight to use, and I'm sure you'll love having them.

Drdiaboloco

New 2019 FX3 Disc owner here. Pics not allowed for new posters, of course. But some changes to come anyway... my first bike purchase in nearly 25 years and so far I'm happy with my new "fitness bike".

Drdiaboloco

So.... time to pad the post count with some legitimate questions I have.

After putting on about 50mi over a few rides I think I would like some bar ends. I see there is an adapter kit, but I've seen conflicting reports about whether there are actually TWO kits.... one that allows you to use Bontrager-branded bar ends and another that allows use of other companies' bar ends. This hardly makes sense but it doesn't hurt to ask.

Drdiaboloco

Another question, this about parts upgrades. I have no problem with the functionality of the existing separate Shimano brake handles and shifters but object slightly to the visual and spatial fussiness it introduces into the cockpit. I see that for well under a hundred USD I could upgrade to one-piece Alivio "brifters", available from multiple online sellers in hydraulic/3X9 configuration matching the stock setup. The Alivio brifters with a kit use the same brake hoses as the stock kit so there is no reason to replace the ones that are already on the bike. Same goes with the shifter cables and housings, of course. YouTube vids suggest that while not "approved" by manufacturers you can easily just replace hydraulic brake levers/brifters and use the original brake hoses assuming no other upgrades are necessary (like different model, stiffer hoses for upmarket Shimano series). Thoughts? The only possible hiccup I see here is whether or not the STM4050 (Alivio) brifters have any incompatibility with the existing MT-200 calipers, which I don't think they do.

csrpenfab

You are correct. If you have the Trek "Iso Zone" bars on your bike, there is a special adapter that you need to run bar ends. It fits into the "V" shaped Iso-Zone groove in the bars and allows the bar end to be bolted on. My Trek shop initially sold me the wrong of the two adapters for my Bontrager Race Lite Ergo Bar ends https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/e...de=black_white.

I then ordered the correct adapter and all is well. Here is the correct adapter: https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/e...olorCode=black

I'm very happy with the minimalist nature of the Race Lite Ergo bar ends. They provide a nice extra hand position for long rides and climbs.

donald_s

I am looking at the Trek FX line, particularly the FX3. Is there a real reason to get disc brakes if I never ride in the rain? The disc brakes cost $130 and add 1.5 pounds to the bike (it's the weight that really bugs me). Strangely, according to Trek, the FX2 disc and FX3 disc weigh the same, even though the FX3 has a carbon fiber fork.

csrpenfab

I would definitely recommend the discs. It's not just wet stopping, but powerful stopping in the dry too. I have hydraulic discs on my FX6S and I love the power and modulation of the brakes. Not sure about the mechanical discs on the FX2 or FX3, but I find it hard to believe it adds 1.5 lbs over traditional rim brakes. After owning about 20 bikes over the years, the FX6S is my first disc bike, and I don't think I'd go back to rim brakes. I also own a couple of Rad Mini E-bikes that have cable actuated mechanical discs. The full hyrdo brakes are much stronger.

Aahzz

FX2 and FX3 are both listed to be hydraulic disc, not mechanical

Drdiaboloco

Thank you for the reply. I follow that there are special adapters, but I don't understand how there would be different adapters for those particular bar ends vs. any other bar ends.

Ohhhh, NVM... at first I didn't actually click your link but now I see that for some reason that adapter is meant ONLY for the Ergo bar ends. Strange, but at least I know I'm not cracking up. (and my low post count means I can't even include your links in the message until I post more)

StuBerger

I haven’t rode a bike (at least one without a VTwin haha) for 30 years and decided to get my health in a better place so bought the Trek FXS5 and was trying to post a pic but seems I’m a newbie and need to post a few so guess for now a hello to all and glad I found the forum

stuman74

I have a 2015 FX 7.2 with rim brakes. LOVE the bike, but have an itch for an upgrade with disc brakes as well and maybe pass my '15 to my son.

I stopped into my LBS and looked at the:
FX 3
FX Sport 4
Dual Sport 4

I also currently have H5 42 mm tires on my '15 and would probably buy a similar tire out the gate and upgrade whichever of the 3 I wind up buying (really prefer the wider tire since 15% gravel riding makes me feel more stable). Anyway, would the FX 3 suffice or is it worth it to spend the extra money on the FX 4 or Dual Sport 4 maybe? Thanks!

Aahzz

I found myself in a similar situation - I'm on a 17 FX2, which I love, but really wanted disc brakes. Rode the FX3 and FXS4, and prefer the feel of the 3 - so I have one on order (I'm tired of black bikes, and black is all they had in stock. Viper red incoming ). And yup, my FX2 is going to my son.

Drdiaboloco

42" tires!?!? HOLY SMOKES!

stuman74

LOL...darn metric system!

CarloM

Does anyone who owns an FX S5 or S6 have a kickstand attached to it? My LBS sold me one (my 6 doesn't arrive until Mid June) but I think I read on the Trek site in the Q&A section for the FX S6 that it does not support a kickstand. Is this true? If so I wonder why my LBS sold it to me.

Lov2hurdle

newbi i was looking at new trek bikes verve 3 liked allot .got cold feet $ went to a shop found a 2006 7.5 fx fell in love with the look and feel.i cant find much reviews or spicific info seem it might have been the first 7.5 and they made changes in 07.all similar compnants but bontrader crank and chainring i suppose .bontrader seatpost disc brake .i find no feedback or opinions on this bike any words or history ?