Trek 7.3 FX and Trek 7.5 FX

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Chutzpah

Über Member
Location
Somerset, UK
I nipped into a local bike shop today to have a look at a better commuting bike.

Currently I have a Carrera Vulcan, relative entry level from Halfrauds. Purchased about four years ago and has been good at getting me back into cycling in the last few months, but I definitely want something lighter (and with brakes that I don't have to adjust every week), especially as I'm now commuting into work that I can put panniers on as opposed to lugging around a backpack. Oh, and full mudguards

For hybrids, the store specialised in Treks, and I was shown the Trek 7.3 FX (£500) and Trek 7.5 FX (£700). I'm a simply pleasedman , so both were gorgeous to me, but for once I was rational about it and said I'd go away and think about it
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The main difference seems to be a carbon fork in the 7.5.

Has anyone got any experience of these bikes, or recommend anything comparable? (I did do a forum search, but nothing came up)

I can see they're around £100 cheaper online, but the local bike store has the added advantage of the first four services being free.

I need to work out finances anyway, but anyone got anything to chip in?
 

potsy

Rambler
Location
My Armchair
I started cycling last year on a Trek 7.1FX and it is a decent bike,the 7.3 and 7.5 are much better though
You are mainly getting better lighter components with the 7.5 also 9 speed over 8 speed.
If you can get a test ride of a few bikes before making your mind up though.
 

Jerry Atrik

Veteran
Location
South Devon
I completed a tour of Cornwall on my 7.5 fx last month fully loaded and faced some serious climbs along the way and the bike was brilliant . On the flat and commuting it can whiz along and a great feel with the carbon forks and the extra gears are a must around here .
 

The Jogger

Legendary Member
Location
Spain
I have the FX 7.3 as my commute bike. I have put on full mudguards and a pannier. It is perfect for the job and also excellent for the weekend ride, the triple is idealt for the hills in my area.
 

Crankarm

Guru
Location
Nr Cambridge
I have a vintage Trek 7.5FX. I saw it's new variant a couple of weeks ago and all I can say is, I is glad I have the old one. I wouldn't pay £700 for a new one, not for any hybrid. I think mine was £299 or £399 back in the day. The frame is the most important component you should be considering. The new one has a carbon fork and no bosses for panniers so on this basis it would be a non starter for me. Plus it just seems too fragile. It's always going to be a hybrid so pointless spending over £400 / £500 on. Just my 2ps worth.

Ps The only original components left on mine are the Deore LX - brakes, shifters and rear mech. Everything else has been upgraded.

Perhaps chutzpah you can pick up a good second hand touring bike such as a Dawes Galaxy or a Roberts which I think would be infinitely better and so much more rewarding to ride particularly when loaded.
 

Eurygnomes

Active Member
Location
London, UK
Hey Chutzpah,

I had a Trek 7.5fx WSD 19" until it was removed from my tender ministrations by theives.

I miss my 'Red' (as she was appropriately nicknamed). I did a few FNRttCs on her, and she was super fast (me, not so much) so I was usually in the second wave (of approximately four) of riders. She was amenable to being dressed up (with panniers and a decent rack and mudguards) or dressed down (speed is the essence, I'm told). She used to get me to work in 13 mins or so - there and back every day - for about 10 months. There were enough of those bolty things that I ended up with two bottle cages without any issue of them getting tangled up.

Frankly, I'm now looking for a road bike, but Red was absolutely bloody perfect for what I needed her for at the time. She only cost me £600 though, and Evans apparently have the 2010 version of her in small for £549.

I miss her.

'nomes (ever sentimental)

P.S. She got me up Ditchling Beacon in one go - with gears to spare. There were other hills too, with names I don't recall, which were not too troublesome either.
 
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Chutzpah

Über Member
Location
Somerset, UK
Well, unfortunately I've done the numbers and it's going to be a pipe dream for me for another few months
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My wife's job isn't 100% secure at the moment so I have to be rational and realistic for once, even if I got it on finance it'll be tough buying food and heating. Normally I'd scrimp and go cold, but the two year old wouldn't like it :tongue:

I'm currently spending money getting kitted up for winter (it's my first one) and unless I can convince my boss to join the Cycle To Work scheme it's not going to be viable before Christmas.

But thanks everyone for the feedback so far - nice to see people who have it or similar rating it. It sounds silly but it is heart-wrenching as it looked gorgeous in store and a gazillion miles better than my heavy Halfrauds bike, but sometimes as an adult you need to make grown up decisions.....

Now, if I get a bonus for Christmas........................
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pstils

New Member
Hi, just got a 7.3fx from Evans online and it's been great so far. Really light weight and flys along the flats and I think the rear mech is good quality too. Personally, I wouldn't require anything lighter, especially for the price (it was reduced to £360 or there abouts) - it's nice to feel a little presence. As has been pointed out, the 7.5 doesn't have the pannier mounts, and perhaps one day this might be a tourer for you, in which case the 7.3 is ready to go. Things I would change? Front mech...eventually...and the rear hub to a RM40, again, eventually...and perhaps the shifters to deoreLX.
I've put mudguards all round (I'm a commuter) and one thing to bear in mind is that the bolt-hole where the front-fork bracket will attach is bigger than most allen-bolts on the bike, and probably bigger than the ones that will come with the mudguards. It's the same size as the one in the seat post (not sure what diameter), and I've had to temporarily "borrow" that one and pass a thinner gauge through the seat post bolt and use a nut to hold it clamped.
 

Mike!

Guru
Location
Suffolk
Chuntzpah, i tried both the Trek 7.5fx and the Specialized Sirrus Comp after deciding that's the kind of bike i wanted after not getting on with a drop bar on my commute.

First up was the Trek (as it was a 2010 model and discounted) but i didn't like it at all, it felt very light and skittish on the front end for me and seemed to hop about all over the place. The shop said that's probably down to a shorter top tube and obviously didn't suit me.

Tried the Sirrus comp and instantly felt at home, so comfortable and solid and none of the front end issues that showed up with the trek with me.

So basically they are both good bikes, try the sirrus as a comparison if you can. I certainly don't regret getting mine!
 
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