Trek13

Hi everyone,

This is my first post here, so bear with me. I posted and then deleted this originally from road bike forum, but I was told by the LBS that the 7.3 FX is more of a straight handlebar road bike than the usual hybrid. I haven't ridden in 25 years and I am 50 years old. I'm in good shape (5'9, 175) being that I am a fitness nut (weights, elliptical and low impact jogging for almost 30 years. I never really thought much about getting a bike until I had my daughter finally take off her training wheels off (she's 6.5). I just couldn't keep up with her anymore by just jogging. She's riding a 16", but she can pedal like mad. Anyway, now I need a bike. I live in a busy suburb just outside NYC. I would obviously be riding with her (local side streets, some sidewalks, bike paths), to the gym (1.5 miles), bike shop (2 miles), occasional short errands (1-2 miles) and fitness runs of about 1 hour. I do like speed as I have been a motorcyclist since getting rid of my 10 speed Panasonic. The streets around here have some potholes and a few are 45 mph, side-streets have potholes also. I would need to follow my daughter to school starting next Spring (she will be getting a 20" by then), but she would need to use a few sidewalks, as some of the streets are too busy and dangerous for a 6-7 year old. Sidewalks around here aren't the smoothest with roots raising quite a few.

Anyway, I went to my LBS and test rode the 20" Trek FX3 and DS3. About 30 minutes each. I was able to ride the FX with much more confidence. I know by the specs and feel that it's leaning more towards a road bike than a hybrid. The 2013 now has 9 speed vs 8 for 2012 and different gearing. I'm looking for this bike to last me a long time. What do you folks think? Appreciate your input. Here are the specs:

Frame
FX Alpha Gold Aluminum
Fork
FX Alloy w/tapered wall thickness, straight blades, CLIX dropouts
Sizes
15, 17.5, 20, 22.5, 25"
Wheels
Formula FM21 alloy front hub; Shimano RM30 alloy rear hub w/Bontrager Nebula 32-hole rims
Tires
Bontrager Race All-Weather Hard-Case, 700x32c
Shifters
Shimano EF65, E-Z Fire 9 speed
Front derailleur
Shimano Acera
Rear derailleur
Shimano Alivio
Crank
Shimano Acera M391, 48/36/26 w/chainguard
Cassette
Shimano HG31 11-32, 9 speed
Pedals
Nylon body w/alloy cage
Saddle
Bontrager H1
Seatpost
Bontrager Nebula
Handlebar
Bontrager Satellite Plus IsoZone, 31.8mm, 15mm rise
Stem
Bontrager SSR, 10 degree
Headset
Slimstak, semi-cartridge bearings, sealed
Brakeset
Tektro alloy linear-pull brakes w/Shimano EF65 levers
Grips
Bontrager Satellite IsoZone Elite, lock-on, ergonomic

JH_788

Both I guess. I had the 7.2FX. It will handle dirt trails and such just fine, but the tires on it, combined with no suspension, really limits where you could take it. I think it's a fantastic bike for 1-2 mile errands. A little more practical than a true road bike (to me) in terms of soaking up pavement imperfections, hopping little curbs, etc. However, I sold mine because for me, those longer fitness rides you mentioned - I found the FX to just not be something for me on longer rides. Basically one riding position, which to me became tiresome and inefficient on longer rides. A true road bike you have multiple riding positions and can put yourself in a much more efficient pedaling position as well as aerodynamic position. Just 2 cents from a pretty inexperienced rider.

no1mad 

You are not buying a Trek FX3, as that model does not exist. What you are buying is a Trek 7.3 FX.

Trek's FX line of bikes are essentially fitness bikes- the low end 7.1 will be more like rigid mtb (no CF bits and base mtb components) while the high end will be more flat bar road bike (with a lot of CF bits and high end road components).

Trek13

Yes, you are correct, 7.3 FX. My mind is mush after all the research. Thanks

flan48

Hello Trek13. I think the idea of a flat bar road bike/performance hybrid is a good one, especially if your rides will be in the 1-2 hours range or less(although there are those who apparently do well with a hybrid of the FX type on very, very long rides). It is certainly why I purchased the 7.4FX.
It is my humble opinion, however, that you consider the 7.4 vs 7.3. For an extra $110-125 you'll get a carbon fork (significant difference in ride quality) and a Deore rear derailleur. In fact, I'd go out on a limb and say that if you do not go for the 7.4, you may as well get a 7.2FX.

The main point is that a performance hybrid is a good idea for what your needs seem to be at this time.
Best regards

bjjoondo 

Acera and Alivio are considered "MTB" componets, not road bike, (2300, Sora, Tiagra, 105, etc. road bike componets), the 7.3 is a very good "hybrid" and will do the riding you want with ease. You can add, Ergo GP-1 grips and some "bar ends" for "different" hand positions, at least as many as a "road bike", that are "useable" jmho. Still IF, you even, THINK you might want a "drop bar road bike", then TEST RIDE a few and see if that's where you'd rather end up. Hybirds make excellent "jack of all trades" machines! I use mine for , recreational rides, pulling my utility trailer, training rides and even "lite touring". Is a pure road bike faster, yes, if your all about riding in a "club paceline", then the road bike is your only choice, if you want to be able to do all the "areas" of bicycling go hybrid! YMMV.

Trek13

Great responses guys. I will also give the 7.4 a test ride before I decide. Thanks

JohnnyRides

I'm 46 and hadn't been on a bike since i was about 15. I got my 7.3 back in April and was doing 10-15 mile rides with 2 weeks. Probably have 200-300 miles on it. I've done several rail trails with my teenagers and it does fine. It's more of a road bike but its easily handled anything i've thrown at it. I've do about 60/40 road vs trail. I plan to get Schwalbe Marathon Plus tires to make it more grippy on the trails without sacrificing much road performance - Plus they're virtually puncture proof. I put a Serfas RX921 seat on it with some bar ends so I can change grip positions. It's an absolutely great bike and you will thoroughly enjoy it.

If I thought I'd be more on trails than the road, then I'd get a Giant Roam.

giantcfr1

Does it really matter if it's a Road bike or Hybrid? Wouldn't it matter more how it feels when you ride it?

the painter

I just picked up a 2013 7.3 fx I only have about 3 miles on it great bike.

Trek13

Congrats! I'm very happy with mine except for some chain crossing causing a slight rub on the rear derailleur at 2 and 9 which I've been told is normal.

Trek13

the painter, does your rear derailleur rub also with the same settings of 2 and 9?

Thanks

the painter

no so far so good only about 12 miles on the bike its great to ride compared to the schwinn i purchased in june thanks for asking.

trekdianna

I have a Trek 7.3 FX and I love it. I actually keep it in my office at work and ride during lunch time. (I have a road bike and MTB for outside of work riding). I did ride the hybrid on a 25 miler once and had no problems.

Trek13

Glad you're happy! Also, glad you don't have any chain rubbing!! Not really a big deal. I'm a bit OCD. I have about 15 miles on mine so far.

phillybill

I had a trek fx 7.3 last year... and it is a great all around bike. Mine was a bit to large for me so I parted ways with it. But I was happy with it other than the size issue.

Trek13

Yep, I'm loving my 7.3 more and more with every ride. Also, no more chain crossing rub on the rear derailleur while in the front middle gear (2)! My 20" fits be perfectly (5"9', 32" or slightly less inseam), especially after raising the seat 3/4" from what the LBS had set it at. It's a great sport and fitness hybrid!!

pierce

someone mentioned Ergon GP-1 and bar ends... you don't really want to use seperate bar ends with the Ergon grips as their ends are clamps. Instead, get the Ergon GP-3 or GP-4 which have bar ends integrated into the grips. I put the GP3 on my hybrid.... after riding it a couple weeks, I just cut about 2cm off each end of the flatbar so the grips are a little closer together, and now the bar ends are *perfect* (before they felt like i was stretching my arms out too far). I'm a fairly big person, wide shoulders, 6' tall, and this was a 580mm flatbar, now its more like a 540mm

oh, the Ergon grips come in small and large (for your hand size) and they come in normal and short (for twist-shift systems). Since I have trigger shifters, and large hands, I got the large normal ones....

GP-3 ...




on my bike...



but thats before I dropped the stem another 15cm and replaced it with a 110mm stem, and before I cut the 20mm off each end of the bars...

I've also angled the ends up just a touch more. These give you two solid riding positions, the normal flat bar stance, but with better padding for your palms, and the end grip with your hands perpendicular something like riding on the hoods of a road bike but not as hunched over.

I probably should note, this bike came with riser bars that were also on top of 40mm of stem spacers.