Agent009

I like the look of the new Trek Checkpoint ALR5.

Going to test ride one tomorrow and also the FX S4. The ALR5 is $1000 more so will make a decision after trying both.

sh00k

Good luck on your search. Just looked at the checkpoint alr5 and it's gorgeous! I love the color, internally routed cables and groupset. that looks like such a fun bike.

Both are pricey so bring cash and try to haggle with your dealer. Trek's markups are huge on these higher end bikes so there is always wiggle room. You the consumer are in control of the price, not the dealers. This is the case at car dealers too.

Wish you all the best today.

congaree

Anybody use clipless peddles on their FX? I just got these new spiffy biking shoes (they are MTB shoes actually) and they are a little bit slippery on the OEM peddles on my FX. Want to know if anybody uses clipless and if so, is it worth the extra $$ for new peddles and riding adjustments?

sjanzeir

Good old-fashioned toe clips with the 7.6's OEM pedals for me. [shrug] They work for me, period. Especially with the hard soles of these Hummel Reflexes. I may or may not come around in the future, but for now, like carbon fiber and disk brakes, I still find clipless pedals/shoes gimmicky and pretentious [ducks for cover]

congaree

LOL..sounds like a different way to keep you're feet from sliding off the pedals, only in a less pretentious way In any event, I assume you're finding that they help or you wouldn't be using them.

sjanzeir

They're brilliant - especially given that I like to wear 80s-style sneakers all the time! Still old-skool over here

Jarrettsin

Yes, I use clipless. They're Shimano Clickr' SPD very easy to get in and out. My feet wander to much without them

congaree

Thanks Jarrettsin..those pedals look like a great way to start with clipless. My shoes are SPD, so that would fit the bill.

Jarrettsin

The Clickr' use a Shimano SH-56 SPD cleats as part of the easy in and out system. Do a quick google

Jarrettsin

An update to my FX 7.4 I added a Wahoo Bolt. I also changed the Blendr Mount to fit a mount I got mount from Shapeways (after reading about them here on BF)
Put it a little further out front (about 1.5 inches) then the Wahoo mount but frees up handle bar real estate. Trying to decide if I like it or the original mount better.

Fr4nk

I'm thinking of buying a fx 3 and wondering if there is really any difference between 2017 and 2019? The reason I'm asking is where I'm located a 2019 is $660 while the 2017 is on sale at a shop near me in my size for $460.

sail

Great deal, get it. 2016 fx 7.3 had aluminum fork, 2017 and later fx 3 have carbon fork with disc or rim brakes but otherwise little differences.

ColonelSanders

Just be careful comparing older Trek FX's to current ones.


Going from 2016 into 2017, Trek changed the naming convention a little bit, so what is a FX 3 from 2017 till now, use to be a 7.4 FX.


So are you looking at a genuine 2017 FX or is it a 2016 model that was sold in 2017?


Because as sail alluded to, a 7.3 FX has an aluminium fork, whereas all FX3's from 2017 onwards, have a carbon fork, since they are what use to be called 7.4 FX's.

sail

Jarrettsin

You sure the the 7.4 isn't closer to the S4? I have the 7.4 it just say Bontrager tubeless ready rims do you know a model number or anything?

sail

I was physically comparing the rims and tires between the FX 3 and FX 7.4, hard to tell online.

The frame geometry differs between the FX 3 or FX 7.4 (which are the same) and the S 4. The S 4 has a longer effective top tube, reach and a shorter stack. The S 4 also has the 2x10 as opposed to the 3x9 on the other two. That seems to leave the S 4 leaning more towards road than the other two. The gearing range is close, 21"-115" compared to the S 4 which is 26"-115".

Fr4nk

It's a genuine 2017 fx3.

ColonelSanders

Sounds like it would be a great buy then.

bacampbe

What's the kick stand you have on that? Does it work well? I've about decided I need one for my 2018.

congaree

It's just the basic model they had at the Trek shop when I bought the bike. It's worked very well for me thus far. It's this one:

Bontrager Integrated Rear Mount Kickstand

Cuyuna

Some Trek bikes have a specific mount on the left chainstay for a Bontrager kickstand. I had one on my Crossrip. Unfortunately there are no such mounts on my carbon FX6s. The FX4s has such a mount.

bacampbe

So, that's what that's for. Thanks!

sh00k

I actually just got the new bontrager kick stand for my fx 7.4 but it will not fit because of the connector i use for my kids bike trailer the mount is in the way of the kickstand when in it's closed position.

anyway, this is the one i ordered - https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/e...olorCode=black

livedarklions

I put a basic Greenfield kickstand on mine a few thousand miles ago--no problem just had to hack a little off:

https://www.amazon.com/Greenfield-KS...lack+kickstand. Totally away from your trailer mount.

crazyravr

What would be good set of knobby offroad tires to put on my 2018 FX2 so that I can do some gravel grinding and mountain biking in the fall winter?
Also, what are the widest tires that would fit the stock wheels?