drg93

Hi - looking for a bit of advice.

Looking to buy a new hybrid bike and I have narrowed down to Trek’s FX3 and the Dual Sport 3.

The main question I have is whether or not I should be looking at the suspension option (Dual Sport 3) based on the type of riding I plan on doing. I will be mainly on roads or cycle paths, but want to be able to cycle on the odd gravel path and drop up/down the occasional curb.

Is suspension excessive for the type of riding I am wanting to do? Would the FX3 with the carbon forks handle gravel and the occasional curb?

hokiefyd 

The suspension fork is not likely to make a big difference in your stated riding environment. It'll make some difference, but probably not a lot. I think the bigger influence you'll find is to the bike's geometry. The head tube is much taller on a bike with a suspension fork, so you tend to sit more upright. You may or may not like that feeling. If you like that, then you may prefer the Dual Sport. On the other hand, you can also raise the handlebar quite a bit on an FX with an adjustable stem or with a stem riser (possibly needing longer hoses or cables), so you're not necessarily locked into a more aggressive position on the FX if you don't want to be. If you like the more aggressive riding position, that'll be harder to achieve on a Dual Sport because you can get the stem and handlebar only so low.

The Dual Sport will be a taller bike in general...its bottom bracket should be a little higher off the ground (less drop) than the FX will have it and the Dual Sport will likely have a little longer chain stays. All of these influence how a bike rides and feels and there are no absolutes here. Everything has benefits and drawbacks.

I'm a big fan of buying what feels right to you. If you have the ability to test ride both bikes, then definitely do it. One of them will likely immediately feel like the better option for you.

Rick53

I had an FX 3 And hated it . It was a ***** in Gravel . But I mainly found the Bike was to small for my body . I like the feel of My Dual Sport 3 for when I am alone . When I ride with the group of men and women the pace is slower . So I bought a Verve 3 for casual Riding . The dual Sport Front Shock You just flip it off unless you are riding where you may need it . That heavier fork even switched off handles well on Gravel. Actually so does the verve . The FX Slipped all over the place . I could barely get traction when teh gravel road hadn't been freshly graded . Get the Dual Sport . I love mine . Plus it's way better looking .

Honestly everytime I see someone on an FX . The Bike looks small on them. IMO iIt's suited more for small Men and Medium sized women. JMO though