Trek 7500 FX

Price Paid:  $650.00 at P.M. Bicycles-Rego P

Favorite Ride:
Trek 7500 FX

Bike Setup:
Stock except for above recommendations..have XT on front.

Summary:
The 7500 FX is not a good bike, but a great bike. I use it for recreational sport riding, and city comminuting, going on over four years at present. Its comfortable upright riding position, gear ratio, beautiful frame, rims, hubs, make it a worthwhile purchase. Its weight comes in at around 27 pounds and both myself and my wife can easily carry it down a few flights of stairs. Although not a racer, this bike is very fast, so much so that it can become a bit unstable at top speed going down a steep hill. Now as far as components go, change the stock seat, change the pedals, and think about installing a Shimano LX front derailleur, have never had any problems with my rear DEORE. I brought mine with the front being a Nexave (whatever that is) which in a word -SUCKS. So for $25. - $30. bucks get yourself the LX and be happy and content as you blow the doors off your fellow riders. JUST DO IT !

Strengths:
Beautiful frame, light weight, above average components.

Weaknesses:
Seat, pedals, and front derailleur

Similar Products Used:
former bikes include old Atala racer, and Trek 4900 mountain bike.

Price Paid:  $927.00 at RACEPACE bIKES

Favorite Ride:
All Rail Trails

Bike Setup:
Stock

Summary:
My wife and I were looking to upgrade our bikes since we discovered Rail Trails this summer. I got hung up on the Trek 7.9 for speed and weight. The sales asked what kind of riding we did. The 7.9 was overkill. We're never in a hurry. We like to enjoy the senery. I went back to the PC to search a little more and than bought the 2009 Trek 7500. My wife bought a trek 7300 step thru and then we join the "Rail to Trails Conservacy"

Strengths:
I went for a 15 mile (round trip)trail ride yesterday to break it and me in. I don't know much about bikes and bike components-only how it feels. This bike feels smooth, easy to balance, change gears, pedal etc. Not as jarring (for lack of a better word) as some other bikes I've ridden. Light weight which is the main reason I was looking at a 7.9 fx. Great overall feel when riding or just putting it on the bike rack.

Weaknesses:
Don't know yet

Similar Products Used:
none

Price Paid:  $619.00 at Bicycles Inc. Bedfor

Favorite Ride:
River Legacy Park Arlington, TX

Bike Setup:
Everything on this bike came from the factory.

Summary:
I am a mature rider with a middle age desire to ride. I have to keep reminding myself that I am not 40 something any more. The 27 gears let me ride in any condition without straining. In flat contiditons I have not trouble maintaing 15mph. If I am in a group 18mph is easily done. The suspension system is great. The only changes I made to the bike was to change out the pedals so I could be clipped in. The techs at Bicycles Inc. helped me to get everything adjusted to a proper fit. it took a couple of trips but I have not made any adjustments since the first month I purchased the bike in june 2006. I followed a friends advise and went ahead and purchased the 7500 instead of the 7300. I am glad I did.

Strengths:
Bike is very comfortable. It is very responsive and shifts quickly. It is much like driving a sports car with a manual transmission. the adjustable front shocks are great. I have only had to take the bike in for tune ups. Looked at the odometer and I am almost at 500 miles in 15 months. The narrow tires are what I like the best. Very close to being a road bike without the front handle bars.

Weaknesses:
only weakness is that the tires seem to be prone to flats. I have had at least 6 flats on this bike. I had another bike prior to the Trek and rode almost the same places and only had one flat. Probably a rider problem more that the tires.

Similar Products Used:
this is my firt Hybrd. Before this bike I had a "Madwagon". Single speed fat tire bike.

Price Paid:  $800.00 at Cycles Plus

Favorite Ride:
7500FX

Bike Setup:
Stock. removed cheap plastic toe-clips.

Summary:
This bike is replacing the 1984 Fuji Gran Tourer SE I had since I was 16. It was stolen and I was heartbroken. I probably put 10,000 miles on that thing(commuting)and it was all original except the tires and handlebar tape. So I needed a new bike and since all the Spanish guys in my neighborhood ride mountain bikes(mostly huffys).....Boy was that a bad idea. I won't even mention the brand, but how annoying to work so hard and move so slow!!! Then I found this bike. Yes, it's fast, but I need my old Fuji back. Grrr. what's the point of a Hybrid anyway. My old road bike was more durable, just as light, faster, more manoueverable, prettier, more comfortable, less expensive, less pretentious, whew! I'm going on ebay!

Strengths:
has wheels and brakes

Weaknesses:
see review

Price Paid:  $800.00 at Bike One

Favorite Ride:
Trek 7500 FX

Bike Setup:
Overall stock. New Easton carbon handlebars and seatpost. New Terrazzo gel saddle and Bontrager carbon fiber water bottle holder. Trek under-seat bag. New Shimano smaller rear cassette...etc.

Summary:
Bought this bike new in 2004, come to find out it was the last year it came with the hydraulic disc brake (all new models are cable). I ride this thing everywhere and it's a great bike! The only problem I had at first was the gearing was a little strange and grinded more than I would have liked. I ended up replacing the rear cassette with a smaller Shimano one and I haven't had any issues any more. I would definately recommend this bike to anyone.

Strengths:
Good all-around bike for the money. It's quick enough for in-town commuting and comfortable to boot.

Weaknesses:
Hybrid is NOT intended for off-road. Don't try it for the sake of your teeth. It's a road bike no more.