Anyone Own a Trek FX bike?

[itself]

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

[indysteel]

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?

[Norse]

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.

[skhill]

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...

[Zen]

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 womenand 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.

[ms1]

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.

[Grog]

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!

[ms1]

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 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.

[PamNY]

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

[wackyjacky1]

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.

[itself]

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

[Zen]

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.

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.

[maryellen]

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.