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I want a road bike, but am thinking as I want an extremely upright position, that the Trek FX road bike might be a great fit. Even the women's compact bikes with more upright stems still don't give me the upright position I want.
Anyone own a FX? How do you like it?
Lisa :)
I have one. I think it's the 7.3 from 2006. I bought it when I first started to ride again as an adult. I used it for about a month before I decided I should have gotten a road bike instead. I ended up buying a Bianchi road bike and haven't ridden the FX since. I loaned it to a friend of mine and she's now riding it.
If you really want an upright position, then it's a fine choice. What kind of riding do you want to do and what kind of distances? Is there a reason(s) you want to be in a more upright position?
I own an older hybrid Trek 7500 FX, aluminum. Probably not the same style of FX that you are considering. FWIW, it is my "beater bike." The one I take on limestone trails, in the rain.... It is quite heavy compared to my road bike but it takes repeated abuse and just keeps going. Notwithstanding how heavy it is and it's wider tires, I actually did a couple of MS-150s on this bike, and survived both.:)
I have a 7.3 fx, got it last summer, when I was just starting to ride a lot again. I love it dearly, and it was absolutely the right bike for me at the time, but I've kind of out-grown it. It's still my in-town, errand-running bike, but I have a traditional road bike too, now.
In my experience, the positives of the fx: the upright position is great in traffic, it's sturdy, and stable. The negatives: it's heavy, slower, and not as nimble as I would like. And the flat handlebar does a number on my hands...
That having been said, I've put a lot of miles on my trek, including rides up to 50 miles. And although I've moved on to another bike for long rides, I still put 40 miles on my trek last week just running around town....
My brother also rides a 7.3 fx (his is a bit older) and he's never felt the urge to move on to another bike. But he rides a lot less than I do-- mostly rides under 10 miles, in town, on weekends.
So it all depends-- how much you ride, how much do you expect to be riding in a year's time, and where do you normally ride, would be the questions to ask. And also if your LBS has any sort of trade-in policy for if you want to go to a traditional road bike in the future...
The responses you've gotten so far are from owners of older or lower end models.
I have a brand new 7.6 and I think it's great , but that's me.
We're all different.
Because we're women:rolleyes:and because it's higher end there probably won't be a shop that has one built up for you to try.
If you decide you want one try to find a shop that will order it and take it back if you don't like it or has a wide selection and will let you exchange.
This is the bike that really got me into riding. I've had it for almost 2 years and have used it a lot - it's lighter than a mountain bike, but still comfortable and upright.
But now, I'm in the market for a "real" road bike. And, although I'm sure it's more comfortable on a trail than a road bike, it still isn't quite as comfortable as a mountain bike with a front shock and bigger tires.
So, I bought a Trek 4500 mountain bike on Craigslist a few months ago, which I use for trails and to ride with my daughters, when I am not trying to go fast. It's a fun and comfortable bike.
If I would have jumped straight to a road bike, I think I would have been apprehensive about using it, so the fx was a great start for me. I would never even have looked for a forum like this before I owned my fx. So, I can't say I'm sorry that I bought it, but I feel like I've outgrown it now.
I have a 2008 7.2 fx.
If you want the "extreme" upright position you should get the one that is NOT FX. The FX means "performance" if I remember correctly, and rides a little bit more aggressively.
Enjoy!
I have a 7.2fx. It's my around town, Katy Trail bike. If I had it as my primary road bike, for longer rides, etc, I would certainly go up to at least the 7.3fx, and even higher if you can swing it. Different fork, better frame and components. You may not want extreme upright. The upright on the Trek fx is really enough. Far more than a road bike with drop bars, but not as much as a comfort bike. A real good all-around bike.
Yes, I'm looking for a performance bike, as we typcially ride 25+ miles at a time. I just think that even with the compact WSD bikes, that the stretch to the hoods will still have me fairly stretched out. I suppose it depends too on what modifications they can make with the stem and stack height.
Lisa
I have a Trek Pilot 5.0 and before I lowered and rotated the handlebars it was quite upright. I also saw a woman with a Trek Pilot 1.2 today that had even taller handlebars. It was very upright, but still had the drops for multiple hand positions. I'd say the stem was a good three or four inches higher than the seat. A bike shop might be able to do that for you.
I'd also check out some touring bikes like the LHT from Surly.
If I were doing long rides, I'd worry about being able to have multiple hand positions. Flat handle bar bikes don't really allow for that.
You should go try one out. I have really long legs compared to my arms and typically need a wsd bike, but my fx is just the regular one. I had a 90mm stem put on it and I don't feel stretched out at all. Of course the fx bikes are straight bar, and I'm sure that makes a big difference. Any trek dealer should have one, give it a try!Quote:
Originally Posted by itself
I had to order the 7.6Quote:
Originally Posted by uforgot
Last year I almost bought one, got a Giant OCR 3WSD instead. The only reason that led me away from a FX was the flat handlebars and the possibility of numbness, only having one position for your hands. In a way I wished I would have gotten an FX - I don't ride my road bike that much, I feel too self-conscious on it(I'm heavy - 210# and feel I'm almost too heavy for it) and ride my Trek 7100 more. I would test ride one. The specs are great, its like a road bike with flat bars. IMO you can't got wrong with a Trek.
I have the 7.3fx and I love it. My husband has to wait for me some, but we do centuries together. I needed something more upright than a road bike because of my shoulder injury. I have gone through some potholes that had no effect on the wheels, where my husband's got some broken spokes and ended up at the shop. The 7.3fx is a real workhorse, but a good compromise for me.
I don't know what you have in mind when you use the term "performance bike".Quote:
Originally Posted by itself
Many bikes that aren't termed 'performance bikes' will easily take you twenty five miles.
Most riders rarely ride in the drops. Multiple hand positions are an easy fix with these
I have a 2008 7.5fx and I really enjoy riding it. It's my commuter bike mostly, but if I want to take a casual long ride, it's great for that too. I find it a very comforable ride. Can't go wrong with the FX.
However...if you're into "spirited" riding, I'd get a road bike. Climbing in the FX can be done pretty easily, but I don't find the position to be nearly as comfy as my road bike's. Also not sure if i could sprint away from dogs as well on the fx either, but I could probAbly reach the spray easier! LOL
Seriously-it's a great bike and it's purty too! :-)
I have those too, and they certainly are comfortable!Quote:
Originally Posted by Zen
I think it depends on what your desires or goals are on the upright position...
Is it you say just to not be too stretched out? Versus back issues?
Some peeps get the road bike geo and put flat bars on it. If you found you wanted to switch back, you could put the drops back on.
I almost bought a Trek FX. In fact, everyone was trying their best to talk me into getting one when I wasn't sure what I really wanted. Had the mtb first purchase. Well, trying to ride that on pavement suxed to no end.
Finally, when I found a road bike in my size to test ride it all came back to me. I love the drops of my old steele 10speed from being a kid. THAT is what I was looking for... and thought, "this is what a bike is suppose to feel like". I would have been regretting my FX purchase in no time.
No offense against them. They are fine bikes. I've test ridden. I'd ride it for a short spin. I just don't see riding 'performance' at a distance on one. Without being exhausted in a wasted energy way anyway.
There are a lot of things that can be done for the bike to fit. To get upright. To NOT be too stretched out. Have you been to a good bike fitter?
I just recently got a new road ride cuz my other was way too big for me in the frame size. Make sure you get that one right. The bars, stem, etc. can be switched up. But, cutting "too stretched out length" outta a too big top tube is a lost cause. Something I'm painfully aware of (physically and financially).
Good Luck!
Itself, I'm glad you asked this question as Trek fx is what I plan to get when I upgrade.
I never knew you weren't supposed to ride certain bikes very far. I have a non-fx Trek and do 40 miles with no problem. It's heavier than a road bike but I assume that will make me stronger.
Pam
I have a 7.2 FX (2007). I love it!!! Hated the flat bars, though, and swapped 'em out for moustache bars. I did a 30+ mile ride last week with no problems, and plan to do longer rides on it as I get fitter. It's my "everything" bike -- errands, commute, and weekend rides.
The "H" bars or moutache bars are definitely necessary on this type of bike. This at least allows a couple of different hand positions.
Lisa
:DQuote:
Originally Posted by PamNY
Yeah, who made that rule?
So, I'm still confused about the "performance" terminology.
A touring bike might not win races but it will certainly go long distances and be comfortable.
But I think I said that already.
I give up.
I have a 2003 Trek 7500FX and have been v happy w it. I did swap out the front tire for a narrower tire but that's really the only change I made.
I've done several centuries on it and rode it on a 560 mile AIDS ride in 2005. Got a road bike in 2006 but have never loved it the way I love my 7500FX. (Possibly because I had a bad crash the first month w the road bike, but that's another story!). In fact, the road bike is on the trainer!
I figure that the relative rarity of flats/mechanicals on the 7500FX makes up for the extra weight and less aerodynamic position. I have a chronic low back problem due to an old compression fracture as well as spondelothesis and the 7500FX was been quite comfortable.
If both of my bikes disappeared today, I'd get a higher end FX model and not get another road bike. I think I'm in the minority here though.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ms1
I forgot to mention - first I had a 7.2 fx, sold it and then upgraded to the 7.5. And it was a huge different - lighter, faster and much more fun to ride. So, if your budget allows, go higher up with the fx. I have read (not sure if it's still true), that the 7.3 and 7.5 share the same frame, so maybe there's not as big a difference, but I wouldn't buy the 7.2.
The biggest difference is between the 7.2 and the 7.3. Different frame and forks. The Alpha black aluminum is on the 7.3, 7.5 and 7.6. If you are just looking for a commuter, the 7.2 is fine, but for those longer rides, I agree, get the better frame.
Another 7.2 owner here. Love mine
I bought a Trek 7.5 FX WSD a couple months ago and LOVE IT!!! I rode my neighbors Trek 1500 WSD and it the position was too aggressive for my neck. I may have gotten used to it, but I just didn't like it. So I rode a few upright bikes and chose the 7.5 because it is comfortable but also fast, so I can keep up with other road bikes if I do a group ride. Did I mention my DH has his eye on it to use when his Trek mtb is in the shop??? LOL.