Light and rugged. Fast and strong. You get the best of both worlds with Trek's 7.5 FX! Its FX Alpha hydroformed-aluminum frame provides an efficient, comfortable ride, while the Bontrager carbon fork is super light and damps vibrations for a velvety-smooth ride. You'll also appreciate the light Bontrager SSR wheels and the Bontrager Race Lite Hardcase tires, which are equally at home on roads, paths, and trails. Plus, the 27-speed drivetrain gives you the right gear for any hill and pace, and the linear-pull brakes offer total control.
Weaknesses: Spokes are breaking.
Pedals have bad bearings.
Bottom Line:
Since 3 months I'm owner of the Trek FX 7.5 model 2012. I've ridden it for 3000 km, mostly commuting. I like the bike a lot but there are some serious quality issues. The bearings on both pedals wore out after 2000km, and now I have the 3rd broken spoke in the Bontrager rear wheel. They always break near the rim on the left side of the hub. My driving style is rather calm and I'm not the kind of person that always has things breaking down. This really spoils the fun of driving this bike.
Strengths: The Trek 7.5 is more cycle cross bike than hybrid. It's fast and can handle dirt trails
Weaknesses: Some gear ratios are more favorable for a mountain bike.
Bottom Line:
I was looking for a fast, comfortable winter bike. The professionals at Cyclesport, recommended the Trek 7.5. The 7.5 measures up to everything I was expecting. Fast, responsive and still able to safely handle the cinder/dirt trails along New York's Hudson River parks.
Strengths: Comfortable ride. Respectable components. Versatility. Good for everything but the extremes.
Weaknesses: For the 2008 7.5 FX, the wheelset may be the only shortfall. I have broken two spokes in around 9,500 miles and do not think I am too hard on my bikes. However, I was able to finish my rides with only minor wheel wobble. Fortunately, you are unlikely to see this wheelset since it does not appear that Trek uses it any longer. I do not consider the stock saddle a "weakness" since I have never had a stock saddle that was comfortable at distance.
Bottom Line:
I am reviewing the 2008 FX 7.5. I began riding this bike in early January of 2008. I use this bike for commuting and short, light touring. I believe the FX series without carbon fork could be used for loaded touring but that may be pushing it. I purchased this bike because my road bike had limited tire capacity and was not very stable for commuting. The FX will take at least a 34 mm tire, probably larger without fenders. Mine has fenders, flat pedals, Brooks saddle, and bar ends. This bike is an excellent all-rounder. I use the bike for commuting to work, running errands, doing fitness rides, and touring on paved and unpaved rail-trails. I also rode this bike on the 2008 Cycle North Carolina "Mountains-to-the-Sea" ride, a supported 450+ mile tour. I have over 9,000 miles on mine and am currently breaking in my third cassette. Although called a hybrid, the ride position is somewhat like a mountain bike, depending on how you pick your size (I recommend going with the largest frame you are comfortable with). I think instead of calling it a flat bar road bike or performance hybrid, "flat bar cross bike" would be closer to the mark.
Similar Products Used: Road bikes and "sport touring" bikes from Schwinn, Fuji, and Bianchi.
Bike Setup: Stock Trek 7.5 FX with, Brooks B-17 Standard saddle, Wellgo Lamda pedals, Performance carbon bar ends, Planet Bike fenders, Topeak Expedition rack and bags, SRAM 11-28 cassette.
Strengths: She's sleek, fast, nimble and responsive! Oh, and I love the color combo. Very attractive! Good for the commuter and recreational rider on a variety of surfaces.
Weaknesses: Higher price point, crappy stock saddle.
Bottom Line:
I love this bike! Let me say it again: I LOVE THIS BIKE! The 7.5FX was the best hybrid we found on the market at the time we were shopping. Most hybrids we looked at had more in common with mountain bikes – front fork shocks, fat tires, mountain bike geometry, etc. Trek really appeals to those of us who love the road bike feel and geometry with the FX series. This one is definitely more road than mountain in ride, handling, and responsiveness. I love the way it rides – it’s light and strong and very fast! Not quite as fast as my old 10-speed racer, but fast enough for me to commute 10 miles each way comfortably. I tend to average around 15mph on the street and pretty much live in the higher gears for speed since I ride with traffic with long stretches between stops.
The shifters are smooth and responsive. We needed to tweak it a little after the first few months of riding, which is to be expected. But since then, shifting is easy and quiet. I like the gear ratios and it works well for my moderately powerful cadence. I am 5’9” and don’t use clips but I can still maintain my speed without over exerting myself. Braking is responsive and easy. I tend to down shift prior to braking when I can anticipate and this method works for me very well. I’ve never had any issue with my braking or gears. They are great for my commuting needs and the occasional weekend recreational ride on the canals around the South East Valley.
I also like the straight handlebars. The spread is just right for my 5’9” frame. The grips are just okay, though, and could stand upgrading. I am thinking about getting perpendicular grips that will keep my wrists straight as I find I now have a bit of carpel tunnel from too much time at a desk job. My 10-speed had drop handle bars and I never had any issues since I would often grip the corners, not the top or the drops. The pedals are fine; like I said before, I don’t ride with clips and these are adequate for me and my walking shoes and heels. They do grip treads nicely when I’m wearing running or hiking shoes, I have to say.
The wheels are nice – they are nicely balanced and attractive. I love the look with the fewer spokes and dark metal! It’s very sleek with the silvery-blue-grey colored frame. I did replace the saddle; I ride with a Terry Butterfly (in black) for comfort. The saddle that came with the bike was brutal – not just for my female anatomy, but also my husband. He said he experienced numbness very quickly, even with padded bike shorts, which I don't ever bother with since I just bike in my work clothes.
I think this bike is definitely geared towards a person who prefers a road bike feel over the squishy mountain bike easy ride. Commuters will be happy with its lightness, speed, and stability. The gears are responsive and reliable. Braking is fast and reliable. Overall, the bike as built is worth the price. My husband has the 7.3FX and he likes his bike, but says mine is the faster of the two – definitely worth the extra $200. All in all, I LOVE THIS BIKE! I hope it lasts for years and years.
Similar Products Used: My husband rides the 7.3FX for commuting and the 7.5 is lighter and faster(prettier, too!). Also, my previous commuting bike was a 10-speed racer and while the FX isn't quite as fast, it is more versatile and easier to ride for recreation.
Bike Setup: Stock specs; nothing changed except to upgrade my saddle to the Terry Butterfly and add an under saddle bag, lights, and a CatEye.
Weaknesses: Poor brakes
Horrible Saddle
Excesive viration on anything other than smooth asphalt
Bottom Line:
After ridig my $179 BD cheapy for 4 years I felt it was time for an upgrade.I went with the 2010 Trek FX 7.5 after testing several brands available localy and researching on line. Got it home and discoverred it did not have the saddle highlighted in add. Trek's answer to my inquirey was "this is a rolling spec". The H2 flex form with vibration dampenning is no longer available. My dealer might help me out but Trek couldn't care less!
I got better service from Bikes Direct
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