dgunay

I'd pick 7.3. Better handlebar, better frame, better (lighter) fork, etc. better bike overall. It is worth the difference.

FasterNU

There are no upgrades for the 2016 7.4 (other than the Firebrand color). I am still on the fence between the 2015 7.3 Lime Green and the 2016 7.4 Firebrand (bright orange). I like both colors more than Trek's default black, gray or white.
I don't know if I can justify the cost difference for a carbon fork and slightly better derailleur.
I would like to add that of all the LBSs I've visited, the staff at the Trek Superstore were by far the most knowledgeable and helpful. (REI came in second and everyone else was useless. Avoid Dick's.)

ColonelSanders

Much better looking crank on the 7.4

Rsmith11

I don't know if you have a Scheels near you, but they are Trek dealer's and are knowledgeable and have the best customer service.

zeeway

Bought and installed a combo duo trap sensor and a computer yesterday on my 7.4fx. One of the Cateyes would have been cheaper, but I was sucked in by the sensor pocket build into the frame. Install was straight-forward - my biggest challenge was taking off the left pedal to install the cadence sensor. So you need two tools, a small metric hex wrench (I have a set), and a 15 mm open end wrench for the pedal removal (it has a left hand thread). The setup was easy since there are specific tire sizes built in which makes calibration easy. And I am happy to report, everything is working.

Angie

DeltaFoxtrtZulu

Just picked up my White 7.4 FX a couple weekends ago and I'm loving it so far. Rode it almost every day last week. A few 7.5-9 mile rides and a long 24 mile ride on the weekend. Might be pushing it a bit this early, but I'm excited to get out there and ride and actually start getting more serious about exercise. Loving mine so far. I did add a gel seat pad as a temporary solution while I look into a replacement more comfortable seat. Some of the suggestions in this thread sound very promising.

Just picked up some Shimano Click'R shoes(41) and pedals(400) that I'm looking forward to trying out. Got them installed but haven't had the time to practice or ride with them yet.

I had to do the exact same things to my FX. The front brake was a little off (I do associated this with removing the front wheel too). Found a video guide and fixed those up. And my front derailleur was causing rub in the 3 smallest rear gears (middle front) I had to adjust the high/low and tighten the cable to get it to quiet down. Odd, but as you said, a good learning experience to do it myself.

yashinon

The carbon fork is worth it! You can really feel the quality in the 7.4, at least I can. LOVE MINE!

Catinella

I have the 7.4, and am finding it a great bike. Keep in mind that only the non-disc version of the 7.4 has the carbon fork.

Bad Girl 1

I'm 5'1" and have a 2014 FX 7.7. I added LOOK Kéo 2 Max Carbon Road Pedals, a Serfas Dual Density gel seat, and the usual water cages. I love it except for the handlebar. It's simply too wide. I'm now looking at replacing it. I'm considering the Bontrager UCI Legal SC Bar. Has anyone tried replacing the handlebar?

dhopper521

I have a 2014 7.2 FX. Love it. I'm sure the higher models are better but the 7.2 is great. I do about 40-50 miles per week. Great bike. Whatever you get, enjoy!

yashinon

I replaced the ISOZone bar on my 7.4 w/ the Bontrager Race Lite bar. A lot better IMO! The UCI Legal bar looks sweet but pricey!

FasterNU

I just picked up my new 7.4 (Fierbrand orange) and the duo trap today. I am so looking forward to tomorrow's commute.
Thanks to everyone for your advice and input.

Rsmith11

It seems like a lot of new people are getting FX's and enjoying them. I like the look of the 7.4 in White, but my LBS didn't even have one in stock. All they had were 7.4s in that grey color and I didn't like that. I went with the matte black 7.3 for the look. I'm wondering if I should have considered the 7.4 in white w/ carbon fork more seriously! But still, i love my 7.3.

DeltaFoxtrtZulu

I had a similar problem. Tried and liked the black 7.3. Then the salesman made me try the gray 7.4 for the fork. I actually preferred some parts of the 7.3 over the 7.4 (shifting felt crisper/more controlled) and the looks for sure. I kinda felt the carbon fork was better but wasn't sure about it and the color. Came back another day and tried them both back to back and this time he had a white 7.4. I better understood what the fork was doing for me and I liked the white more than the gray so I ended up with the white 7.4.

jstolo

I'm sure this has been answered already, but I'm looking for an updated OPINION from the group.

I am pretty much sold on a new 2016 7.4 FX. The problem I have is my LBS only has a 17.5" frame on the floor for me to try. I am 5'10" with a 31" inseam. Any road bike I have had in the past was always a 55cm - 56cm frame. The 17.5" felt a little small but the LBS said that is the right one for me... Whats your opinion? Just for a comparison I went to a different LBS that sells Raleigh and tried an Cadent 3 which is almost exactly the same but their frames are 17" and 19". The 19" frame fit me like a glove and they agreed. So what should I do? Thank you all in advance for your advice.

zeeway

Well, you can ask LBS #1 to get in a Trek 7.4fx 20 inch frame, and try it out. While their advice is valuable, ultimately it is you that will know which ones feels right.

FasterNU

I am 5'10" with a 33" inseam I love the fit of my 20" FX I did consider the 22.5" version but was advised to get the 20".

Ktel16

So I am new to the forums. I have been thinking about getting a bike for some time now and narrowed it down to the trek 7.3 or 7.4. Well, here is my dilemma..my lbs has a white 7.4 fx which he will give it to me for $700. I know it is a good deal but I really wanted a matte black 7.3 which would cost $659.99. After seeing the white 7.4, i really like the white but think I like the matte black better but I feel like I cannot turn down this deal. What do you all think? Should I base my decision soley on color (in which I am sort of impartial now) or go with the best bang for my buck? Thanks and happy riding!

knightblaze

Bought my wife the FX 7.2 (white with the metallic blue accents). As far as I know, only the colors are changed on the 16 models, but that Firebrand Orange is truly drool worthy. I literally had to have it right then and there. Finally picked both bikes up today and earnestly waiting a nice day/night I can ride around on it! I'll post up some photo's on a sunny day, should make the color pop more.

knightblaze

The 7.4 comes with some upgrades aside from the Carbon Fork (have yet to ride mine to really see the difference). The shop should be able to provide you full details or even the trek website. The other plus are the Tubeless Wheels (need to get the proper tubes for them, but they are ready). One other thing is the 7.4 I believe comes with the presta valves (i need an adapter) and the 7.3 still comes with schrader valves. The others who are far better educated at the nuances between the variants can fill in the real differences.

Ktel16

I saw a firebrand orange 7.4 today and it really is beautiful! I took pics of the white one as well...






ps: sorry if the pics suck... my first time posting pics on here!

knightblaze

Even the white is slick, they know how to pick the right colors! Thanks for posting the pics!

Ktel16

They really do! I really like the orange... If the bike shop had it in stock (22.5"), I would really consider getting it over the white... But then again I am so very picky and cannot decide what color I really want! Lol. I just think the matte black is kind of plain... I need some color!

JGM411

I am 5'10' w/32' inseam. In 2013 I bought a 17.5' 7.3. I wish I would have gone with the 19 inch frame. My road bike is 54cm and it fits great.

sh00k

Be very careful here and trust the lbs person on size but with a bit of skepticism. I say this bc the lbs told me that a 20" trek 7.2 was the better size for me (back in 09 or '10 i believe) and i bought it but it was the wrong size! it turns out they just had a 20" on the floor and wanted to get rid of it so they pushed and pushed and said 20" was the right size just for the sale. it was very slimey of them to do that but i sold the bike a couple months later for almost what i paid for it so it worked out in the end! but be very wary of them pushing floor models onto you.

at 5'10", i think the 20" frame is the better fit. unless your arms and legs are shorter than the average 5'10" person, i think the 17.5" model is far too small for you. im 6'1" and my wife is as well and we have long arms and legs. for us, the 22.5" is actually a better size.

when you are on the bike, sit on the seat and rotate the bars all the way left and all the right. if they come close to hitting your knees (raise your knee up like you are about to pedal), then the size is too small for you.

the above is what i used to size myself for the 22.5" but ultimately you have to go with what you think FEELS the best.