Trek FX 3 for Touring - My 1500 Mile Review
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Trek FX 3 for Touring - My 1500 Mile Review
After 1500 miles of riding, I've tweaked my setup over time and created a little blog post about it. If anyone is considering possible using a fitness bike for lightweight touring, perhaps this will give them some ideas on some of the things I've done.
It's by no means perfect, but I've sure had a good time doing it!
https://captainbobadventures.wordpre...0-mile-review/
- Cpt. Bob
It's by no means perfect, but I've sure had a good time doing it!
https://captainbobadventures.wordpre...0-mile-review/
- Cpt. Bob
#3
Senior Member
Thread Starter
I am Captain Bob Thanks. Yeah I've used the FX for touring and it works fine. I like that it is multipurpose! Fitness, rail trail, short tours, so many uses. Fun bike. Glad you like the youtube vids
- Cpt. Bob
- Cpt. Bob
#5
Member
Captain Bob, I've watched most of your cycling videos and appreciate your time in producing them. I've been in the process of looking at purchasing a touring bike. I have kinda settled on the Fuji Touring bike, but have also been looking at the Trek FX 2 or FX 3. You mention that your FX 3 has been good for light touring, what exactly is considered light touring? Is it the overall weight, only using 2 panniers rather than 4, or what? (I hear that term a lot, but not sure I really understand it). I would think most of my trips will be short overnights (maybe 2) or hopefully a week long trip a year.
- PJ
- PJ
#6
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Well I'm sure light touring is in the eye of the beholder, but to me, it's 40lbs of gear or less. Hopefully less, haha. I run two of the Arkel Dry-Lite panniers, a frame bag and handle bar bag, which I'm sure you've seen a bit of if you've watched the videos. I think the bike can definitely handle more than that, but to me, it defeated the purpose of a light weight fitness bike. Fuji makes a great bike though, so I'm sure that will serve you well!
- Cap'n Bob
- Cap'n Bob
#8
Hey Bob - got a 2018 fx 3 Disc which I’ve put around 3000 km or so on mainly commuting. It’s been pretty solid. I’ve made a few tasteful additions of accessories and run a rear bontrager deluxe pannier rack to carry stuff. I’m just wondering if you have had any issues with the rear wheel blowing spokes? I’ve broken 2 spokes so far at the nipple which some suggest isn’t out of the norm and others think is a bit much (I’m about 220 and don’t carry too much weight on the rear rack while commuting ) - I’m gonna get some Velocity Dyad 36 hole wheels built up to replace the stock wheels.
I also upgraded the the disc brakes to shimano metallic pads with appropriate shimano rotors as the stock resin pads didn’t last very long. The metallic pads and rotors made a reasonable improvement in braking power and have lasted much longer so far. The bike spec is pretty solid so far - really can’t complain at all.
I also upgraded the the disc brakes to shimano metallic pads with appropriate shimano rotors as the stock resin pads didn’t last very long. The metallic pads and rotors made a reasonable improvement in braking power and have lasted much longer so far. The bike spec is pretty solid so far - really can’t complain at all.
#9
Senior Member
Thread Starter
I've not personally had any issues with blown spokes. I"m still on the original wheels and my 2nd set of tires. That being said, my buddy had a Trek FX 7.3 and he did have some issues with that on his rear wheel. I'd say it is worthy to upgrade the wheels honestly.