Any Clydes riding a Trek FX??
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Colorado
Posts: 27
Bikes: 2015 Trek 7.4FX Disc
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Any Clydes riding a Trek FX??
Is a Trek FX safe to ride as a commuter for a clyde? I am about 270 and am going to start commuting to work. Should I just go ahead and get stronger rims with more spokes, or see how it goes riding stock for a while?
#2
Senior Member
Trek FX is solid and popular choice for Clydes. My advice with wheels is always to see how riding the stock wheels goes, before splashing out on a new wheelset. If you want to be pro-active, you could always ask your LBS to true and properly tension your stock wheels.
#5
Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Florida
Posts: 5
Bikes: Trek 7.3FX, Specialized Hardrock
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
1 Post
I have a 7.2 fx and I weigh 295. I didn't have a problem until about 700 miles, then I broke 4 spokes in three months, which wasn't much fun. I think tensioning might help, but I eventually replaced the rear wheel to avoid further unscheduled long walks. I've read of others with similar issues with spokes on the fx's. Otherwise the bike has been great.
#6
Still learning
Excellent bikes, very comfortable, robust build but not heavy.
#7
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Colorado
Posts: 27
Bikes: 2015 Trek 7.4FX Disc
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Thanks for all of your input! I will take it to my LBS and have the spokes properly and start enjoying my FX. Looking forward to losing some weight!!
#8
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Colorado
Posts: 27
Bikes: 2015 Trek 7.4FX Disc
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Can I ask what kind of saddles you guys are using on your FX? I don't hate the Nebula that came stock but I wouldn't mind finding something a little more comfortable. I'll only be commuting about 15 miles each way.
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: DFW
Posts: 4,126
Bikes: Steel 1x's
Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 632 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
I suspect it would be a fine bike for me now at 272. If not, wheels for it are cheap.
#12
Senior Member
I am a heavy weight, ride both mountain and road bike, and all you really are going to need is a good set of wheels. Wait until a spoke breaks and just invest in a nice hand laced wheel. Learn how to spin the pedals and not mash. 36 spokes with a Velocity Dyad rim and you will be set for a long time.
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Upper Michigan USA
Posts: 186
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Most of the FX models have 32 spoke wheels and 32mm wide tires (that absorb shocks), which should be good for up to 300 lbs, and passable for heavier. The upper end models (7.5 up I think) go with lighter 24 spoke wheels and 28mm tires, which I don't think is a good idea for clydes. Real heavy clydes I think should think about a custom 36 spoke or a touring strength 32 spoke for the rear wheel (stock 32 spoke fine in front).
#15
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Colorado
Posts: 27
Bikes: 2015 Trek 7.4FX Disc
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#16
Senior Member
I think the need for bar ends is really dictated by amount of time spent on the bike multiplied by the amount of weight you put on your wrists. I can do about an hour max on flat bars with no ends. The fx is just aggressive enough that I have weight I have to support on my hands til my core gets strong enough to support me.
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Fort Wayne, IN
Posts: 1,690
Bikes: Cannondale CAAD9-4
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Saddles are a very personal thing. What works for one rider may not work for another, even if their height and weight are nearly identical.
#18
Newbie
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 1
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I started out on a 7.2 at 350lbs. Stock wheels worked fine for about 600 miles. Once I got down to about 280 and began pushing the bike I started breaking rear spokes. Had a wheel shop true the wheels and high tension the spokes and never had a problem again. Just picked up my emonda ALR 4 btw. Keep riding.
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 76
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
1 Post
I had a fx 7.2 that I bought new in 2013. Bike worked wonderfully but like some of the other comments, the back rim didn't hold up. I put well over 3000 miles on the bike in about 2 years and never had issues except for the back rim. I was about 270lbs and got down to about 250 in that time. Spokes were popping every other ride it seemed. I did change the seat to a cheap $40 bontrager gel commuter seat that I still use on my current bike. For me it was a good starter bike, but I have since upgraded to Felt's V85 and I don't think I could ever go back to an aluminum rigid fork again.