FX isn’t a hybrid
 

The more I research, I am finding that FX isn’t a hybrid, it’s a slow upright road bike. Don’t get me wrong, I think it’s a great bike but not versatile at all.

Want to elaborate?

:fight:....:popcorn

False advertising!! *Gasp!*

I've owned my FX 7.5 for a year now. Can't speak from extensive research, only from a year of actual use in the real world.

I believe it is indeed a hybrid :)

i think it is a hybrid of road bike not mtb. i mean it is not designed especially for both using in the dirt road and road cycling. fx series design goal is use in a bike path. it is a variety of hybrid bike which is called cross bike.

What can you do with FX that you can’t do with a road bike?

FX is very comfortable but it’s not a hybrid.

Thirty percent of my riding is off-road along animal trails for photography. The riding position is very nice for this kind of use along with the photo gear backpack I carry. I've made numerous changes to mine to better facilitate this scenario but I wouldn't be interested in doing the muddy trails and marshes with a road bike. I also like the way the FX handles Wyoming winter riding better than the road bikes I've used in the past.

The term hybrid may be rather broad and subjective in terms of specific needs and wants. For me the FX is a hybrid, for you perhaps not so much.

I think your observation is accurate.

Remember when pick up trucks were strictly work vehicles? As they got more popular they became more car like. I see that happening to hybrids. They're becoming more and more like flat bar road bikes. That's just my observation though.

I'd be interested to know your definition of a hybrid.

The FX line is really expansive and would describe these as a road inspired hybrid which does at times, make some of them them come off as being slower road bikes... the carbon 7.9 costs as much or more as a decent road bike and is fitted out with higher end road components but the less aero upright posture kills a lot of the advantages all that carbon fibre and Ultegra offer.

Move down the line and the FX bikes get a little more mountain-ish in their component selection.

A lot of people have swapped out the flat bars for drops bars or trekking bars and have found they make a pretty decent touring bike.

Depending on the definition of hybrid, I think my Trek FX qualifies... it's more rugged than a road bike and lighter/more aero than a mountain bike. I'm not afraid to ride it off the road, and I'm pleased with how fast I can go on it.

It's not as strong as a steel mountain bike, and not as fast as a CF road bike, but it's nice to have one bike in my garage that does it all. Versatile! Sort of like a 'hybrid' between the two types.

It's also just a pair of bar-ends away from being a decent touring bike. The rims seem rugged enough and will accept a wide variety of tires.

If you think the trek FX isn't a hybrid bike, I suggest you give us your definition of what a hybrid bike is to you.
If you fail to give us your definition, we cannot argue over it, can we?

My definition of a hybrid:
"a bike that is both comfortable and not too slow on the road and that is able to handle cross-country aswell"

In that definition, a typical trek FX is indeed a hybrid bike, although I think there are way better and more capable hybrids outthere, ofcourse.

The FX line may not be a hybrid of MTB and road bikes, but so are all other manufacturer's hybrids. Maybe they should all be called "bike with 700C wheels and flat bars".

How are they not versatile? The fatter tires make them more suited for bad roads and light trails. The upright position lets you check your surroundings better. The low gears allow access to steeper inclines. Yes, they are slanted for road use, but that's what most of us have outside our front doors.

I have a road bike also, but for the moment, the hybrid is seeing more mileage from commuting, weekend rides with friends, and fitness rides over local craggy bike paths. Yes, it's slower, but sometimes speed isn't everything.

I was on the fence about this too. I have been kicking around the idea of getting a FX and was trying to figure out which model to go with. I stopped by my LBS and there was a Trek Valencia in the window. I hadn't even considered those but was intrigued by the discs and 700x32 tires. To me, that sounds more like a hybrid. I am guessing that might be a better solution for some packed fire roads or D&R canal rides?

I'm considering a 7.5 fx but also looking at the Cannondale Quick CX 700 which seems just a little more to the MTB side of Hybrid but not by much.

Road bikes have drop bars and narrow 700c wheels . Mountain bikes have flat bars and wide 26" or 29" tires. A bike with road wheels and mountain bike handlebars could easily be seen as a hybrid (a combination of two or more different things). The word hybrid does not imply increased versatility, but I imagine an FX frame will allow use of semi-fat knobby tires (700 x 38 perhaps) if you wish to improve the off road performance.

OP may be onto something. 7.7FX does come with a more aggressive stem angle (7 deg). Versatility - hmm you could probably keep up with the roadies, but not for long..depending on one's fitness level. You could certainly cruise all day at 13-14 mph and be very comfortable. Maybe put some 25's and flip the stem and see if you can't get more road bike out of it. Wheelbase is probably longer than most road bikes so handling more stable.

Overall, I would tend to agree with OP on it being a slow upright road bike.

I once seen the FX classified as a fitness bike. But that was a long time ago and I have not seen it since. It has been listed under Hybrids.

http://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/B...3+FX&Type=bike

Morganrider, show me a definition of the word hybrid that includes increased versatility in it.

Stem angle? It's not unusual for a rider to swap the stock stem for one that fits that particular rider's preferences better.

More aggressive angle compared to what? Road bikes? Mountain bikes? Other hybrids? Should all bikes without ridiculously upward pointed stems be excluded from the hybrid category?

Not sure what you are talking about "Q" ? I was merely commenting on OP saying he did not think the 7.7 FX was versatile. Trying to ride with roadies at 20 mph + all day may be a stretch on this bike. That's all I was saying

I'm talking about you agreeing that the FX bikes are not hybrids and I'm still wondering why.

For most of us, riding with roadies at 20mph + all day would be a stretch on any bike. I believe the OP was complaining about the lack of versatility on the other end. Could he keep up with a bunch of mountain bikers on technical single track all day on a FX bike?

More aggressive than the 7.6FX I returned due to frame defect. It had a 12 deg stem angle. So as you stated above, per my preferences, I swapped it out with a 17 deg stem. See pics in prior posts.

No, all bikes with flatter stems should not be excluded from hybrids. Don't want to debate what constitutes a hybrid. Hundred's of other post show that to be an exercise in futility.

Q = this is what I agree with. By all counts, it's a damn fast hybrid.