Differences betweek Trek FX Bikes

[GrassyRidge]

And the weight DOES make a difference. I didn't realize it until I did a five mile ride on my old heavy mountain bike, and then did one on my new bike. I felt GREAT after the ride on the lighter bike, and totally worn out (and not in a good way) after the ride on the old one. The old bike is going to be tricked out for running errands, panniers etc. The new bike will get the long fun rides

[carinapir]

I think that primary difference between the Trek 7000 series and the Trek FX series is in the geometry, i.e. how up-right you are versus how bent over and other factors. The 7000 series are more hybrids, in my option, between a mountain bike (or cruiser) and a road bike. The FX series moves more towards being a flat-bar road bike. As a newer rider, you won't have any intellectual feelings about geometry. You will just have to ride them and feel the difference, but generally as you get more serious about speed you would probably find yourself wanting the FX or an actual road bike. The 7000 will be comfortable but your torso will be very upright and you will catch a lot of wind. So really, you have to understand what you want the bike for and how serious you might get about cycling in order to decide. The 7000 and FX series are for very different purposes.

From there, the more expensive bikes in both the 7000 and FX series upgrade to nicer gear shifters (derailleurs), carbon forks that dampen rough roads, better tires, lighter wheels, etc., but those things might not be important to you.

And really, the FX 7.2 is identical to the 7.6 in geometry (someone correct me if I'm wrong here), so you are really getting the exact same bike no matter what level you decide on, it's just that the components are better and lighter on the 7.6. It's like getting a V8 engine in your car instead of a V4. The shifting will be smother, the bike will be lighter and faster but it's the exact same bike. You have to decide on the balance between your budget and the elegance of the bike.

[beccaB]

So now I'm dilemmafied- I have a trek 7.3fx and I think it's the absolute perfect bike for me . But I want to be able to do a century in less time. I'm thinking of upgrading to the 7.6 or higher. Is the geometry the same? I was thinking I'd try trail riding and my next bike would be an entry level mountain bike. But this new knowledge about the fx series changes things.

[Zen]

The geometry is the same but you'll likely be faster on the 7.6. It's got narrower, slick tires and it's lighter overall.
It's gateway bike to the hard stuff
The 7.6 with Alivio trigger shifters, Deore front deraillerur and Tiagra rear
is as high as it gets for the WSD but you might not need that. The mens goes up to 7.9 and has a 105 front and rear. It also has a $2,619.99 price tag.

[carinapir]

Wow, Tiagra and Deora derailleurs on a bike that costs $1200? I'd rather just buy a road bike for that price.

[beccaB]

The geometry is the same but you'll likely be faster on the 7.6. It's got narrower, slick tires and it's lighter overall.
It's gateway bike to the hard stuff
The 7.6 with Alivio trigger shifters, Deore front deraillerur and Tiagra rear
is as high as it gets for the WSD but you might not need that. The mens goes up to 7.9 and has a 105 front and rear. It also has a $2,619.99 price tag.

I don't need wsd, but the frame size I have fits my legs nicely, and because my torso is shorter that a man's, I seem to be fitted to the bike in a more aggressive position, more downwards than I've seen a lot of people on hybrid bikes. It works real well for me, and that's why I think I might want to upgrade to the same bike but lighter weight with a few more technical parts. I don't think I can spend $2000 or more, it will be a stretch for me to spend the $1200 or so that the 7.6 costs. But I am all sorts of excited about the option of having a new and improved version of the bike I love so much!

[carinapir]

+1 on the just swap out the saddle on the FX as it seems like you really like that bike. It should be super easy to do that yourself but usually the bike shop would do it for free if you buy a new saddle at the same time. They might even do it free after the fact too. The 7000 series is more of a comfort bike, like a high, high end cruiser. They have really wide tires.

You might want to try out the Giant hybrids too which are called Dash in the women's version. They are basically equivalent to the Trek FX line. I happen to be a Giant fan and I ride a FCR3 which is an older version of the Dash. I use it as a "fitness" bike to exercise and I sometimes commute on it. It's comfortable (enough for me anyway) and I can almost keep up with roadies on it. :-)

[mhami]

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!!! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! I feel so uplifted today. I have finally made my decision on which bike I am going to purchase. Tomorrow I am going to buy the beautiful blue 7.3 FX that I can't stop thinking about. I made my decision last night, but did not tell DH until this morning. He likes the look better too and seemed happy that I made a decision.

I figured that since I was having my immature baby attitude that "if I don't get the bike I like then I just don't want a bike" than I should just get the bike I like. From the sound of it, the saddle thing will work out one way or another. I'm going to buy it with the saddle it comes with because I am just assuming I am not going to like it, so I will give it a try. Maybe it won't be a problem for me. If it is, I will buy a new one.

Yay me!

Marianne (no longer confused LOL!)

[mhami]

So really, you have to understand what you want the bike for and how serious you might get about cycling in order to decide. The 7000 and FX series are for very different purposes.

Thank you for taking the time to respond so thoroughly. I'm happy this thread got some more action. You are right about the above statement and that is why I am having a hard time making a decision. I really, really, liked the beautiful blue 7.3 FX that I test rode. I also tested the 7200. I tested about seven different bikes.

Here is the problem I am having. I initially thought I was buying a bike to ride around with my kids and envisioned a fun ride with them on a rails-to-trails trail that takes us right to my Mom's house. It would be about a 21 mile run, but I thought with a little practice the kids and I could do that. I thought it would be fun to ride there, go swimming and spend the night and come home the next day. I envisioned riding with the kids to their school, riding to the bowling alley, riding to get a frozen yogurt, etc. I even envisioned buying a dog trailer and towing my dog.

Like a good consumer I researched the bikes I tested. I came across TE (a wonderful website) and got very excited about riding in general. It is hard not to get excited when you all are so passionate about riding. Since I am on a mission to lose 40 lbs by the end of July I began thinking how I would like to ride for exercise. I started plotting routes on Bikely.com and day dreaming about riding for exercise. As great as my intentions are, just like if I were to buy a treadmill and don't use it for its intended purpose, it is a waste of money.

Other than the mountain bike that I have been riding once in awhile over the past 10 years, all of my other bikes were (like) road bikes (10 speeds). I am mostly comfortable on the 7.3 FX. I am comfortable with the slight leaning forward, but I am not comfortable about the saddle. I am really worried about not being comfortable with the small around town trips I plan on doing. If I thought the saddle would be comfortable I would buy the FX in a heartbeat.

Another personal issue that I am having is that I don't really care for the look of the 7200 and the good reviews are mostly from beginning cyclists and 60 year old men. Seriously, I have nothing against beginning cyclists or 60 year old men and I value their opinion, but I would rather have an opinion from an avid cyclist who has experience.

From the picture I think the 7500 looks nice. I haven't tested it or know anything about it. I can only assume it is way more than I wanted to spend, but I might be willing to spend it if I think it is a bike that will last me. Maybe I should look at bikes other than Trek.

I'm sorry this message got to be so long. I am really frustrated now and can't make a decision. I go to bed thinking about bikes and I wake up thinking about them.

Confused in CA
Marianne

[Zen]

It's rare to find anyone who likes a Bontrager saddle.
That'll be the next thing you spend hours researching
You heard it here first.
you think you're confused now

[Maxxxie]

If I thought the saddle would be comfortable I would buy the FX in a heartbeat.

So buy the FX and replace the saddle! Sounds to me you already know which bike has stolen your heart. Everything else is just trying to justify it.

Another personal issue that I am having is that I don't really care for the look of the 7200

I could never, ever, ever buy a bike that I didn't like the look of. I'd resent even looking in its general direction and I'd never want to ride it.

Maybe I should look at bikes other than Trek.

Maybe you should! I looked for a new bike for months before finally deciding on the Cannondale. It was originally a brand (and model) I'd decided against, but after riding it, it totally stole my heart (and with it, all rational thought related to budget).

I go to bed thinking about bikes and I wake up thinking about them.

I'm sorry to be the one to tell you this.. but it will only get worse. You're on a slippery slope, my dear! Buying the bike of your dreams is just the start. Once you've got the bike, your dreams will be filled with rides on the new steed. Then, you'll wake up one day and realise the new steed needs new tyres, or maybe an updated doodad or better widget. Just embrace it, it's easier that way

Max

[krisl6]

Saddles are a very personal choice and I never keep the saddle that comes with my bikes. That definitely shouldn't stop you from buying the FX if you like everything else about it IMHO.