Cammienu

Hi all,

I'm new to the bike world and just bought a Trek 7.2 for commuting and pleasure riding. I debated back and forth between the 2014 and 2015 models, since I like the 2015 colors a lot better, but know that the 2014 specs are supposed to be slightly better (better frame and rear derailleur).

On the website, it shows that the 2015 model is supposed to have the alpha silver aluminum frame, and the Shimano Acera rear derailleur. However, when I was at my LBS this evening, I saw a 2015 in person and the frame was marked as alpha gold, and the rear derailleur was marked as Shimano Alivio. I was a bit confused since I thought these two components were supposed to be downgraded on the 2015 model? I was just wondering if anyone had insights into the discrepancy between the specs listed on the website and what's on the actual bike!

Thanks!

no1mad 

The fine print (on the 2014 7.2 and virtually every brand will say the same)-

NormanF

Yup. Bike manufacturers can and do change specs. If a company's bikes don't make you happy, competitors may provide greater value.

themishmosh

When it comes to frames and parts, if there is a surplus of 2014 stock, early 2015 builds may have them. In this case, it works out for the better but others have posted here in the past for different makes/models/years of how they got short-changed with lesser components than was listed in specs. Unless you are ordering the bike, it is always good to check out the goods before purchase. Don't assume.

ColonelSanders

To ask a silly question, was it definitely the 2015 model and not the 2014 model you saw?

Could it be that the store in question is using a sign from last year, just assuming the frame and derailleur hadn't changed?

Although it would be good if Trek saw the error in their ways here and made those changes.

Now if they could only change the colour of their 2015 7.4FX to something less bland.

burnhamd

You are correct. The LBS in my area had the same thing. As of right now the frame is still alpha gold aluminum on the 2015. This isn't the same frame though. You will notice the frame has changed slightly. The tail is now split instead of one solid piece and the bars in the front do not meet together anymore but are welded in separate locations. Theoretically this would make the new one more road bikeish, but I couldnt discern the difference in a short ride between them. Weight is also very similar. I picked both up side by side and couldn't tell which was heavier.

The components for now have also not changed. I imagine this is due to the surplus and will probably be downgraded later. For me it was a difference in color because everything else was pretty much the same. However, I ended up getting a sirrus sport because I was between the Trek sizes where one was a bit too large (20") and I felt cramped on the other (17.5"). The sirrus medium fits me like a glove.

The 2015 is listed cheaper in price. The LBS told me this is just because trek is positioning itself more competitively against the other brands. I think the 2014 probably has a slightly stronger build but honestly not even worth the 50 dollar price difference.

Cyclonefever

I bet they got the 2015 model. I noticed the same thing purchasing mine. I initially got a 2014, but the frame was one size to small, so I returned it and asked for a 20", which happened to be their first batch of 2015's. Mine also has a gold frame, despite the website saying it's silver.

Cammienu

Thanks for all of the great information - it's good to know that others have seen the same thing. I ended up buying the 2015 model, and am happy that I seem to have lucked out with slightly better components than expected!

MissDaisy

You guys are giving me hope! My new 2015 FX 7.2 is going to be delivered to the shop today and they should have it built by tomorrow :-). I'm looking forward to seeing if it has the gold frame and perhaps the 2014 deraileur. I'm having a hard time picturing the other changes to the frame that have been mentioned here.

Meanwhile, I took a Giant Escape 3 (2014) out on a test ride and it fit me perfectly, with the exception of the handlebars being slightly too wide. It was a very comfortable bike and a fantastic price. The Trek will need a stem adjustment. Hmmmmm....I am seriously considering getting both of them!

themishmosh

I hope your joking! Those bikes are too similar that it is a waste of money to buy them both. Pretty easy to tailor the Trek to your liking with a lot less coin. I find that over time, my preferences for setup changes anyways. What fits you on a test ride may not be what you want going forward. To me, if the bike is ballpark in the right size, that is good enough.

ColonelSanders

What colour did you get?

MissDaisy

I got the Seeglass crystal white. It has turquoise and black accents. The seat is brown. It has been a challenge to find, not only a bike that fits, but a WSD that isn't pink, purple, or the color of toothpaste!

evivbulgroz

At the Trek shop I visited, they had both 2014 and 2015 7.x FX. I tried the 2015 because it was cheaper. Asked teh LBS and they said there was not much difference.

Ponch

Hi all
just got my 2015 7.2 FX...With all the confusion about silver vs gold frame, I can confirm that the 2015 7.2 FX is gold frame and alivia derailur.
went to couple Metro bicycle stores in New York and its the same. The difference I am told is that the forks are now stainless steel and not aluminum.. that could be the weight increase. It leads me to believe that Trek themselves may have it wrong on their website from whom the bike stores get the product info. On Trek website, there is 7.2 FX; and a 7.2 FX duo trap (which is the 2015 7.2 FX). They have the base where the duo trap sensor can be attached on the bar frame that goes from the pedal to the rear wheel.
So unless Trek made a mistake on their website, I have not seen the silver frame/acera derailur 7.2 FX.
Also great prices on the 2015 7.2 FX - Chicago - Village bicycle has it for $449. New York - Metro bicycles have it for $480 for the starry volt black/green which is sharp looking

burnhamd

Previous model also has an steel fork. Only difference is the frame is slightly different as I mentioned.

Lanovran

If that's all they said about the new FX series, then they're not very good sales reps. The 2015 FX, unlike the 2014 run, are all compatible with the new DuoTrap S wireless speed/cadence sensor; the 7.3 and up have new tubeless-ready wheels and Blendr stems (which come with a variety of light/computer mounts); the aluminum models have had some slight frame redesigns, theoretically to increase ride quality, from what I can tell; all of them have new-version saddles and grips; and finally, the carbon 7.7 FX now has a 4-series Domane frame instead of a 3-series Madone frame.

I work at a Trek dealer, and I noticed this issue last week. I contacted Trek directly about this in order to clear it up. Sorry to burst your bubble, but while the 2014 7.2 FX was Alpha Gold Aluminum with a high-tensile steel fork (only the 7.3 has an aluminum fork) and an Alivio rear derailleur, the 2015 7.2 FX is, in fact, Alpha Silver Aluminum with a steel fork, and it's supposed to have an Acera rear derailleur. If the 2015 frames have Alivio derailleurs, then I don't know what happened there (I'll have to double-check the bikes in my shop, because I hadn't noticed that bit). These changes were made to the 7.2 in order to adjust it down to a lower price point.

In any case, here is the email I received from Trek in regards to this question:

"I was forwarded a message about a discrepancy regarding our 7.2FX’s frame decal vs. marketing spec on Dexter/Website. In short, the website is correct. These are Alpha Silver.

We were first alerted to the error when the show sample of the bike came to Trek Waterloo and made the graphic change as fast as we could (early May). Unfortunately, a run of bikes were already finished. With stock levels perilously low, we made the call to deliver bikes and keep this important model flowing to your stores.

We’re very sorry for the inconvenience and hope this doesn’t cause too much confusion in your stores.

David Studner | Assistant Product Manager - City Bikes | Trek Bicycle Corporation"

So, it was a simple graphic design error that ended up on an entire run of bikes that was shipped out in spite of the mistake, so that stores could have the bikes in stock instead of not having them at all.

ColonelSanders

Have you heard what the 2015 DS model frames are like compared to the 2014 DS models, especially the 8.5 & 8.6 DS which now no longer have Iso-Zone in the seatstays?

Ponch

Thanks. If you could double check the bikes in your store and let us know it will be great. Understand the graphic issues being mislabeled. But the derailur says Alivio. Since the derailur comes from Shimano, not sure there is a graphic error on the derailur

Lanovran

The DS frames have had a complete redesign across the entire line, with a lower stand-over and some different tube shapes. Unfortunately, I don't know what the goals are for the redesign, nor for why the IsoZone was removed from the 8.5 and 8.6. My guess would be something to do with perceived benefit vs. production cost, but I really couldn't say. The 2015 DS do share some qualities with the FX line, meanwhile, in that they all have DuoTrap S compatibility, and that the 8.4 and up come with tubeless-ready wheels and Blendr stems.

Lanovran

I checked today, and all of the 7.2s in my shop have Alivio instead of Acera. More than likely, it's a case of where "specifications are subject to change." At least it's an upgrade in this case! I sent an email this afternoon to the same guy at Trek who replied to my previous question to confirm whether it was merely a spec change.

ColonelSanders

So does this mean that for the life of the 2015 7.2 FX, it will come with Alivio rear derailleur?

Lanovran

It's likely, but I don't know. I'll be waiting to receive a reply from Trek about it.

Lanovran

I received a reply from Trek today, and learned that the Alivio rear derailleur was in the original specs for the 2015 7.2; however, those specs were submitted prior to Trek learning that Shimano would be discontinuing the 7/8-speed Alivio rear derailleur (RD-M410). Thus, the switch to Acera is a "running spec change." If I understand it correctly (and I'm the first to admit that I may not), this means that when the Alivio stock runs out, the 7.2s will be built with Acera instead from that point on.

yashinon

Where are the specs for 2015 FX bikes? Trek's site still shows 2014.

Lanovran

Look at the ones labeled "DuoTrap S." Those are the 2015s. They haven't updated their main website with all of the new models yet, though.