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 f...
Bike Setup: Planet bike fenders and flashy things. Cateye wireless computer. MiNewt headlamp. Stock tires (and nokian a10 studded). New wheels (Mavic open pro 36 hole hoops with xt hub rear and tiagra front). Stock saddle. (I ride 16-26 miles a day commuting depending on mood)
Summary: I've got the 2009 7.5 fx.
1500 miles in the last 6mos commuting to work and back and just goofing around.
I have a rack and planetbike fenders mounted and use panniers as a part of my commute.
Not being light (225 lbs) and with luggage, I broke a spoke recently. I had some new wheels made up at lbs (36 spokes) and light rims. I use the other wheels with studded tires (nokian a10s) for the freezing fog days.
All in all I'm very happy with the bike, but occasionally wish for drop bars. Quite quick for a hybrid and fairly durable.
I've gone on several 2-3 hour rides and the anatomic saddle works fairly well, but I am still happy to dismount afterword.
Strengths: Lighter weight makes for spritely handling.
Carbon fork allows for some vibration damping.
Tires have lasted fine so far. The 32's are lots of cushion to support my girth (but I'll be trying some 28s.
Weaknesses: Broken spoke from (I think) my heavy loads.
Has needed frequent deraileur adjustment.
Similar Products Used: Cannondale hardtail mtb. 1999 model
Bike Setup: I did add bar ends to the handle bars. I also dropped the handle bars to the lowest position.
Summary: This has become my main bike. I used to primarily ride my Trek 5000 or Schwinn Cruiser. This bike has the comfort close to the cruiser and most of the speed of the road bike.
Strengths: Easy to handle, light weight makes it easy to enjoy long rides like a road bike.
Weaknesses: The paint is a matte silver. Looks nice, but it's very easy to damage the paint compared to a tradition finish.
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Summary: I was using this very forum to find my next commuter bike. I really like the Trek 7.3 and 7.5 but was a catch for me. The 7.3 was too cheap in components and the 7.5 was too steep in price for a recreational user. I ended up buying a Felt Speed 33. It seemed to be the halfway point between the two Trek models. I dont think the 7.3 is a good bet based on the components and I loved the 7.5 but I was having a hard time with the price. I recommend paying the extra for the 7.5 over the 7.3 big time.
Strengths: awesome for commuters or rec users who want to have the "kit" and not cheap stuff but look the part.
Bike Setup: stripped off fenders, lights, and reflectors ... draws attention so get a good lock
Summary: Got this bike the first week. Used to ride mountain bikes. Picked up biking again after 7 years, encouraged by gas prices and weak fitness. I use this bike to ride to town or to work. Haven't use this bike for long distances yet.
Overall impression compared to mountain bikes: you sit up more straight (shorter wheel base) and you dont feel the need to stand up pushing the pedals... After any ride, I feel my arms have been working, which I did not feel after riding a MTB. Weight is incredibly low (must be the wheels), so picking up speed is very easy. This bike demands to go fast. Off road is OK, as long as it is not too sandy or muddy. Riding on cobbled roads is a real pain: I have to slow down to releave the stress on my arms. Gear change is swift and rarely lets you down, unless you start using it under demanding (race like) stress.
Strengths: weight, speed, looks, real fitness machine
Weaknesses: The gear levers are the only things I would like to see better. To shift up (front as well as rear), you have to extend your thumb so far that you lose normal grip on the steering. Especially the rear gear if you want 3 gears up. This is not a good thing if you come up to a sudden hill or sudden stop. Interesting to note: appart from the rear gear, 7.6FX has the same components. The levers feel too plasticky to my liking.
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