Official Trek FX Thread
#1626
Junior Member
I'd highly recommend riding both and decide for yourself. Some people ride Audi, BMW, Lexus and think it's worth it over Honda, Toyota, etc. And some people don't think the improvement justifies the expense. It's a highly individual value judgment.
Having just been where you are (Memorial Day 2019), here's how my experience went.
Having just been where you are (Memorial Day 2019), here's how my experience went.
- Walked into LBS, just getting back into cycling after nearly 30 years of not being on a bike. Wanted to spend under a grand. Tried FX3 Disc. Liked it. Saw the FX4 which had a $100 discount due to Mem Day sale, so since it closed the gap in price I asked to test ride it.
- Rode the FX4. The shedding of about 3lbs, plus the improvement from the Acera 3x9 to the Tiagra 2x10 was noticeable. Also the ride felt a little bit...not stiffer...but it felt like it was easier to pedal, like more of my effort was going to the wheels and translating into slightly faster speed for the same or less effort.
- Black has always been one of my favorite colors for vehicles. Of course, the FXS5 was right beside the FX4 on the rack. I lifted the bike and even though on paper it lists as only 1lbs lighter, it seemed more. I had never ridden a carbon bike, so I was intrigued, even though I had already hit my budget limit with the FX4. That was a revelatory experience. I immediately knew that if I bought the 4, I'd spend the next year(s) second-guessing not ponying up for the CF frame. Same Tiagra transmission, but the CF frame literally felt like a different class of vehicle. I went faster with less effort. Cornering was tight as a drum. A stupid smile emerged and stayed on my face. This was definitely going to be the one.
- Until I saw the 6 right beside it. The LBS manager mentioned that at over $2K, the Mem Day discount jumped to $200 off. And the LBS was having a "they pay sales tax" special, so the difference then was only $100 between the 5 and 6. Let's just say that I'd have paid the entire $200 difference after experiencing the 105 group set.
#1627
Junior Member
#1628
Senior Member
If you don't mind mail order, you might look at Canyon. I was at Carlsbad last month and rode several of their models. All were a lot of fun. They make good bikes at good prices, usually about 15-20% lower than those who go through dealers vs. internet direct. But you lose that connection with your LBS. If you are going to need service, nothing can replace a good relationship with a friendly LBS. But if you're comfortable doing light to moderate maintenance on your bike, and willing to pay for major repairs at the shop, then Canyons are a good value.
My first two purchases were from my LBS where I'm now on great terms with everyone who works there. My next one will likely be a Canyon, since I have a Parktool stand and the most common tools and greases/lubricants at home, plus a natural inclination to want to work on my own machines.
#1630
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: NE Indiana
Posts: 17
Bikes: 1994 Trek 1200, 1995 Trek 8000, Trek FX3 Disc, Marin Nail Trail 7
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My first pic.
Installed rack yesterday, including lots of cursing and ultimately manhandling into proper alignment. Panniers arrived today. Just loaded them up for a short (2mi) trip to my camping trailer, including two cast iron cooking pieces. 45lb of kit as basically a test run tomorrow. Grocery runs are the long-term plan here.
Installed rack yesterday, including lots of cursing and ultimately manhandling into proper alignment. Panniers arrived today. Just loaded them up for a short (2mi) trip to my camping trailer, including two cast iron cooking pieces. 45lb of kit as basically a test run tomorrow. Grocery runs are the long-term plan here.
Last edited by Drdiaboloco; 07-24-19 at 08:19 AM. Reason: formatting jacked up
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#1631
Junior Member
Bummer. But the 3 Disc is a good bike. I'm just a big fan of 2X drivetrains vs. 3X, so at minimum I would have said try to stretch to a 4. The 3 is still a solid fitness/hybrid bike.
If you don't mind mail order, you might look at Canyon. I was at Carlsbad last month and rode several of their models. All were a lot of fun. They make good bikes at good prices, usually about 15-20% lower than those who go through dealers vs. internet direct. But you lose that connection with your LBS. If you are going to need service, nothing can replace a good relationship with a friendly LBS. But if you're comfortable doing light to moderate maintenance on your bike, and willing to pay for major repairs at the shop, then Canyons are a good value.
My first two purchases were from my LBS where I'm now on great terms with everyone who works there. My next one will likely be a Canyon, since I have a Parktool stand and the most common tools and greases/lubricants at home, plus a natural inclination to want to work on my own machines.
If you don't mind mail order, you might look at Canyon. I was at Carlsbad last month and rode several of their models. All were a lot of fun. They make good bikes at good prices, usually about 15-20% lower than those who go through dealers vs. internet direct. But you lose that connection with your LBS. If you are going to need service, nothing can replace a good relationship with a friendly LBS. But if you're comfortable doing light to moderate maintenance on your bike, and willing to pay for major repairs at the shop, then Canyons are a good value.
My first two purchases were from my LBS where I'm now on great terms with everyone who works there. My next one will likely be a Canyon, since I have a Parktool stand and the most common tools and greases/lubricants at home, plus a natural inclination to want to work on my own machines.
Last edited by Rick53; 07-24-19 at 09:26 AM.
#1632
Junior Member
My first pic.
Installed rack yesterday, including lots of cursing and ultimately manhandling into proper alignment. Panniers arrived today. Just loaded them up for a short (2mi) trip to my camping trailer, including two cast iron cooking pieces. 45lb of kit as basically a test run tomorrow. Grocery runs are the long-term plan here.
Installed rack yesterday, including lots of cursing and ultimately manhandling into proper alignment. Panniers arrived today. Just loaded them up for a short (2mi) trip to my camping trailer, including two cast iron cooking pieces. 45lb of kit as basically a test run tomorrow. Grocery runs are the long-term plan here.
#1634
Member
2020 FX Sport 6 Released
Some observations on the new 2020 FXs ...
All of the new 2020s added to the website have flat mount discs, both fork and frame.
The FX Sport 4 is now marked on the top tube as "FX 4" instead of "FX S 4", and it no longer has the same graphics as before. Also, it comes standard with the Bontrager R1 Hard-Case Lite tires instead of the Bontrager AW1 Hard-Case Lite tires. It seems to (based on the new pics) have actual Shimano calipers instead of the Tektro ones, and the disc rotors have changed. I'm not sure if they were Tektro previously, but they seem to be Shimanos now. I think the new pics show it to now be using the Shimano brake levers instead of the Tektro ones. The official weight has increased from 22.7 lbs to 23.11 lbs.
All of the new 2020s added to the website have flat mount discs, both fork and frame.
The FX Sport 4 is now marked on the top tube as "FX 4" instead of "FX S 4", and it no longer has the same graphics as before. Also, it comes standard with the Bontrager R1 Hard-Case Lite tires instead of the Bontrager AW1 Hard-Case Lite tires. It seems to (based on the new pics) have actual Shimano calipers instead of the Tektro ones, and the disc rotors have changed. I'm not sure if they were Tektro previously, but they seem to be Shimanos now. I think the new pics show it to now be using the Shimano brake levers instead of the Tektro ones. The official weight has increased from 22.7 lbs to 23.11 lbs.
I just noticed the new 2020 FX Sport 6 has been added to the US TREK website.
At first glance, everything seems to be the same as the 2019 model other than the graphics and the tires. It's now marked on the top tube as "FX 6" instead of "FX S 6". Similarly to the 2019 FX S 4 to 2020 FX S 4, tires have gone from AW to R tires, specifically AW2 Hard-Case Lite to R2 Hard-Case Lite. The specs indicate it's still using Tektro HD-R310 brakes.
The official weight has decreased from 21.16 lbs to 20.5 lbs.
https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/b...ort-6/p/28843/
Last edited by urbanOrange; 07-28-19 at 09:41 AM. Reason: Added observed changes between 2019 and 2020 models
#1635
Senior Member
Hi all,
I just noticed the new 2020 FX Sport 6 has been added to the US TREK website.
At first glance, everything seems to be the same as the 2019 model other than the graphics and the tires. It's now marked on the top tube as "FX 6" instead of "FX S 6". Similarly to the 2019 FX S 4 to 2020 FX S 4, tires have gone from AW to R tires, specifically AW2 Hard-Case Lite to R2 Hard-Case Lite. The specs indicate it's still using Tektro HD-R310 brakes.
The official weight has decreased from 21.16 lbs to 20.5 lbs.
https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/b...ort-6/p/28843/
I just noticed the new 2020 FX Sport 6 has been added to the US TREK website.
At first glance, everything seems to be the same as the 2019 model other than the graphics and the tires. It's now marked on the top tube as "FX 6" instead of "FX S 6". Similarly to the 2019 FX S 4 to 2020 FX S 4, tires have gone from AW to R tires, specifically AW2 Hard-Case Lite to R2 Hard-Case Lite. The specs indicate it's still using Tektro HD-R310 brakes.
The official weight has decreased from 21.16 lbs to 20.5 lbs.
https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/b...ort-6/p/28843/
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#1636
Junior Member
Those weights aren't 100% anyway : I would guess there's variables of ounces on every bike : I just rode a 2020 FX 6 and 2020 FX 4 > It's really hard to pick : THe dealer I was at was huge. They carry at least one of every trek : All the way up the Line : Of the lower cost they had 2-3 of each size and color. I mention this only to lend credit to what they told me. Which was there's some 2020 Models yet to come in the Dual Sport FX and the Verve : I didn't ask about the other models : So I would assume there as well.
I went to Buy an FX 6 : After Riding the FX 4 Not so Sure : JMO though
I went to Buy an FX 6 : After Riding the FX 4 Not so Sure : JMO though
#1637
Senior Member
Honestly, I only went for the FX S6 due to 1) the $200 off and LBS pays sales tax offer, 2) carbon frame (never owned one), 3) 105 group. The last one is probably the most important. The shifting was just demonstrably smoother than the FX 4, and the gear ratios (50/34 front chain + 11 gear 11-32 cassette of the S6 vs. the 48/34 + 10 gear 11-34 cassette of the 4) just felt better to me.
But that's not to say I didn't enjoy the heck out of riding the 4. In fact, like you, my dealer had the whole line. If I had never ridden the S5/6 I could have gone home with the FX4 and been perfectly happy. Just a totally unscientific personal opinion based on my test rides: the 4 gets you 80% of the ride quality of the S6 at 57% of the price. Whether that last 20% is worth the price difference is up to each of us.
But that's not to say I didn't enjoy the heck out of riding the 4. In fact, like you, my dealer had the whole line. If I had never ridden the S5/6 I could have gone home with the FX4 and been perfectly happy. Just a totally unscientific personal opinion based on my test rides: the 4 gets you 80% of the ride quality of the S6 at 57% of the price. Whether that last 20% is worth the price difference is up to each of us.
#1639
Senior Member
Cool! I did the "Australia region" trick on Trek's site and saw it. Interesting choice to go 46/30 paired with 11-36 9 speed cassette. When my shop gets theirs I'll be curious to ride it and see how the gearing ratios feel.
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#1640
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: NE Indiana
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I have a large. Weight of my bike as I have it equipped is 27lb 4oz.
Things on the bike that are not "stock": Kickstand (7oz), bottle cages (2 oz total), pedals (13oz), cycle computer (don't know, guessing 3oz).
So the bare bike with all stock reflectors but no pedals is 25lb 7oz. I didn't weigh the stock pedals but if they weigh a full pound then it's still just below the published weight of the bike in size M.
Last edited by Drdiaboloco; 07-28-19 at 09:28 PM.
#1641
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
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had a little Trek FX party w/ a short ride w/ some of the family
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#1642
Junior Member
Yesterday I went for a 20 mile ride that started on a paved path : 5 miles in we ran into gravel for 3 miles : Then a flooded out section for a 1/4 of a Mile > The middle was a ft deep. Which led to a few more miles of pot holes and gravel before we ended back on the smooth path. Really enjoyed the ride> Even though we ran into obstacles we weren't planning on.
2 guys that met up with us had expensive Carbon Hybrids One was from Giant, the other I have no idea. Those bikes weren't equipped for the riding we did . In fact the guy riding the Giant gave up and turned around when we ran into the Pot holes :
Until Yesterday I'd talked myself into one of the Upgrade FX models : After Yesterday I'm thinking that trail was fun : It basically had everything : Even hills :
My only complaint would be My tires after getting wet seemed to lose a small difference in traction : Maybe just my Imagination :
Another guy had an FX-2 but with Giant Crosscut Gravel tires : Those are the same size as what came on My DS-2. Definitely not as noisy as My tires on pavement : My tires that come stock on a DS-2 are hummers on concrete surfaces :But seem to out do others when climbing hills
I'm now thinking rather then FX-6 : Keep my Dual Sport and either buy the FX 4 or wait and see what the FX-3 offers : I do know it's a different chaining and the Cables are inside the frame : Obviously not every path is like what we encountered Yesterday. Some are a combination of both concrete and gravel. Others are all concrete : So I could take whatever was going to be best suited for the planned path.
We have a lot of water this year : Being so close to Lake Michigan has caused even some of the Newest Trails to have areas where water has to be crossed :
It also seemed to me that the FX-6 places you more into a Rode Bike position then the FX-4 or some of the FX-2's I've tried : OR IS THAT My IMAGINATION?
Of course there's always getting an FX-6 and put a 40 size tire on it. But sorta defeats the Bikes Intentions
#1643
Junior Member
Nice Bike path : Looks flatter and twice as wide as where I am. We have all sorts of hilly areas around the Lakes : Most of our paths are the OLD Highways they decided to use as Bike Paths : Some of teh Hill areas are like a Roller Coaster :
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#1644
Senior Member
I am waiting for the FX3 : I already have 2019 Dual Sport 2 in black. If I were to Buy the FX-6 I'd have to sell it to afford the 6.
Yesterday I went for a 20 mile ride that started on a paved path : 5 miles in we ran into gravel for 3 miles : Then a flooded out section for a 1/4 of a Mile > The middle was a ft deep. Which led to a few more miles of pot holes and gravel before we ended back on the smooth path. Really enjoyed the ride> Even though we ran into obstacles we weren't planning on.
2 guys that met up with us had expensive Carbon Hybrids One was from Giant, the other I have no idea. Those bikes weren't equipped for the riding we did . In fact the guy riding the Giant gave up and turned around when we ran into the Pot holes :
Until Yesterday I'd talked myself into one of the Upgrade FX models : After Yesterday I'm thinking that trail was fun : It basically had everything : Even hills :
My only complaint would be My tires after getting wet seemed to lose a small difference in traction : Maybe just my Imagination :
Another guy had an FX-2 but with Giant Crosscut Gravel tires : Those are the same size as what came on My DS-2. Definitely not as noisy as My tires on pavement : My tires that come stock on a DS-2 are hummers on concrete surfaces :But seem to out do others when climbing hills
I'm now thinking rather then FX-6 : Keep my Dual Sport and either buy the FX 4 or wait and see what the FX-3 offers : I do know it's a different chaining and the Cables are inside the frame : Obviously not every path is like what we encountered Yesterday. Some are a combination of both concrete and gravel. Others are all concrete : So I could take whatever was going to be best suited for the planned path.
We have a lot of water this year : Being so close to Lake Michigan has caused even some of the Newest Trails to have areas where water has to be crossed :
It also seemed to me that the FX-6 places you more into a Rode Bike position then the FX-4 or some of the FX-2's I've tried : OR IS THAT My IMAGINATION?
Of course there's always getting an FX-6 and put a 40 size tire on it. But sorta defeats the Bikes Intentions
Yesterday I went for a 20 mile ride that started on a paved path : 5 miles in we ran into gravel for 3 miles : Then a flooded out section for a 1/4 of a Mile > The middle was a ft deep. Which led to a few more miles of pot holes and gravel before we ended back on the smooth path. Really enjoyed the ride> Even though we ran into obstacles we weren't planning on.
2 guys that met up with us had expensive Carbon Hybrids One was from Giant, the other I have no idea. Those bikes weren't equipped for the riding we did . In fact the guy riding the Giant gave up and turned around when we ran into the Pot holes :
Until Yesterday I'd talked myself into one of the Upgrade FX models : After Yesterday I'm thinking that trail was fun : It basically had everything : Even hills :
My only complaint would be My tires after getting wet seemed to lose a small difference in traction : Maybe just my Imagination :
Another guy had an FX-2 but with Giant Crosscut Gravel tires : Those are the same size as what came on My DS-2. Definitely not as noisy as My tires on pavement : My tires that come stock on a DS-2 are hummers on concrete surfaces :But seem to out do others when climbing hills
I'm now thinking rather then FX-6 : Keep my Dual Sport and either buy the FX 4 or wait and see what the FX-3 offers : I do know it's a different chaining and the Cables are inside the frame : Obviously not every path is like what we encountered Yesterday. Some are a combination of both concrete and gravel. Others are all concrete : So I could take whatever was going to be best suited for the planned path.
We have a lot of water this year : Being so close to Lake Michigan has caused even some of the Newest Trails to have areas where water has to be crossed :
It also seemed to me that the FX-6 places you more into a Rode Bike position then the FX-4 or some of the FX-2's I've tried : OR IS THAT My IMAGINATION?
Of course there's always getting an FX-6 and put a 40 size tire on it. But sorta defeats the Bikes Intentions
A friend is inviting me to ride on trails. Again, just shy of mountain biking hard-riding (although the trails are up in the hills) and the only thing I'm considering is maybe switching out to 32c or 35c gravel tires for better grip.
I had considered something with shocks like the Dual Sport...but basically for roads and gravel I preferred the ride of the FX--the DS was much heavier and spongier/less responsive on better roads in comparison to the FX. But that's personal preference, you may feel differently.
If I do any "harder" type of riding, I'll get a MTB and go full-on off-roading.
#1645
Junior Member
To be clear: these other CF bikes you ran into were hybrid/fitness models right? Not road/racing models? Perhaps they had racing tires on? I know I have some 28c Conti 5K clinchers on my FXS6...I'm not afraid to take it on gravel, cobbly roads or even light off-road (not full mountain biking terrain) and I've hit more badly paved roads complete with potholes and parts of pavement sharply pushed up by tree roots and have never been scared for my frame.
A friend is inviting me to ride on trails. Again, just shy of mountain biking hard-riding (although the trails are up in the hills) and the only thing I'm considering is maybe switching out to 32c or 35c gravel tires for better grip.
I had considered something with shocks like the Dual Sport...but basically for roads and gravel I preferred the ride of the FX--the DS was much heavier and spongier/less responsive on better roads in comparison to the FX. But that's personal preference, you may feel differently.
If I do any "harder" type of riding, I'll get a MTB and go full-on off-roading.
A friend is inviting me to ride on trails. Again, just shy of mountain biking hard-riding (although the trails are up in the hills) and the only thing I'm considering is maybe switching out to 32c or 35c gravel tires for better grip.
I had considered something with shocks like the Dual Sport...but basically for roads and gravel I preferred the ride of the FX--the DS was much heavier and spongier/less responsive on better roads in comparison to the FX. But that's personal preference, you may feel differently.
If I do any "harder" type of riding, I'll get a MTB and go full-on off-roading.
Swapping tires looks relatively simple :Is it as easy as Videos make it appear?
I also noticed on Australia's Web Site There's a 2020 FX 5 : Maybe that's what this salesmen was referring to when he said the FX line was going to cover it all. Although I don't really see why you'd improve an FX-6 > I may yet go that route.
My State doesn't have Trek's Generous liberal Trade UP Policy : Nobody Here honors it: Living in Michigan Riding without Snow Often is End of April thru Mid October : Once in awhile we get an extended Fall or earlier Spring : But that is cut short on the other end . Early Spring =Earlier Snow We've had no Snow until Mid January But as early as Late September and stays > So best case is 7 months average:
Only one Bike Shop in 150 plus Miles that even carries Bikes past the $1000.00 Range : Sales Guy Told me the Hottest sellers are FX-2 and Verve 2 . Then a Few Marlins and Roscoe :
#1646
Full Member
I'm not sure I'd call Trek's "Trade Up" policy "liberal". It uses "Bicycle Blue Book" for values and my 2019 Trek FXS6 that was over $2k new 11 months ago has a top end value of about $800 if in perfect condition. I'm considering getting a high end carbon gravel bike, but for $800 I'll hold onto the FXS6!
#1647
Senior Member
Seems simple. I'll probably struggle.
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#1649
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ugh, thanks for following up lol. i never installed the kick stand and just attach the trailer. i lean my bike on the back of a bench or a tree or something similar when im out. i dont mind it.
#1650
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just my opinion on the 2020 fx 6 -https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/bikes/hybrid-bikes/fitness-bikes/fx/fx-sport-6/p/28843/
great specs all around but (and i have said this many times before) the color bores the life out of me. they have had this same color for years but now the TREK logo is in a brighter/sparklier color. that's nice but not enough. i get that matte black is trendy but to me, it's like buying a car that only has primer on it. wheres, the color, wheres the shine, wheres the life?! i still love the bike and wish i had one but the color would take a lot of the excitement out of riding for me.
/rant
great specs all around but (and i have said this many times before) the color bores the life out of me. they have had this same color for years but now the TREK logo is in a brighter/sparklier color. that's nice but not enough. i get that matte black is trendy but to me, it's like buying a car that only has primer on it. wheres, the color, wheres the shine, wheres the life?! i still love the bike and wish i had one but the color would take a lot of the excitement out of riding for me.
/rant
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