Trek 7500 FX

Price Paid:  $619.00 at Bicycles Inc. Bedfor

Favorite Ride:
River Legacy Park Arlington, TX

Bike Setup:
Everything on this bike came from the factory.

Summary:
I am a mature rider with a middle age desire to ride. I have to keep reminding myself that I am not 40 something any more. The 27 gears let me ride in any condition without straining. In flat contiditons I have not trouble maintaing 15mph. If I am in a group 18mph is easily done. The suspension system is great. The only changes I made to the bike was to change out the pedals so I could be clipped in. The techs at Bicycles Inc. helped me to get everything adjusted to a proper fit. it took a couple of trips but I have not made any adjustments since the first month I purchased the bike in june 2006. I followed a friends advise and went ahead and purchased the 7500 instead of the 7300. I am glad I did.

Strengths:
Bike is very comfortable. It is very responsive and shifts quickly. It is much like driving a sports car with a manual transmission. the adjustable front shocks are great. I have only had to take the bike in for tune ups. Looked at the odometer and I am almost at 500 miles in 15 months. The narrow tires are what I like the best. Very close to being a road bike without the front handle bars.

Weaknesses:
only weakness is that the tires seem to be prone to flats. I have had at least 6 flats on this bike. I had another bike prior to the Trek and rode almost the same places and only had one flat. Probably a rider problem more that the tires.

Similar Products Used:
this is my firt Hybrd. Before this bike I had a "Madwagon". Single speed fat tire bike.

Price Paid:  $800.00 at Cycles Plus

Favorite Ride:
7500FX

Bike Setup:
Stock. removed cheap plastic toe-clips.

Summary:
This bike is replacing the 1984 Fuji Gran Tourer SE I had since I was 16. It was stolen and I was heartbroken. I probably put 10,000 miles on that thing(commuting)and it was all original except the tires and handlebar tape. So I needed a new bike and since all the Spanish guys in my neighborhood ride mountain bikes(mostly huffys).....Boy was that a bad idea. I won't even mention the brand, but how annoying to work so hard and move so slow!!! Then I found this bike. Yes, it's fast, but I need my old Fuji back. Grrr. what's the point of a Hybrid anyway. My old road bike was more durable, just as light, faster, more manoueverable, prettier, more comfortable, less expensive, less pretentious, whew! I'm going on ebay!

Strengths:
has wheels and brakes

Weaknesses:
see review

Price Paid:  $800.00 at Bike One

Favorite Ride:
Trek 7500 FX

Bike Setup:
Overall stock. New Easton carbon handlebars and seatpost. New Terrazzo gel saddle and Bontrager carbon fiber water bottle holder. Trek under-seat bag. New Shimano smaller rear cassette...etc.

Summary:
Bought this bike new in 2004, come to find out it was the last year it came with the hydraulic disc brake (all new models are cable). I ride this thing everywhere and it's a great bike! The only problem I had at first was the gearing was a little strange and grinded more than I would have liked. I ended up replacing the rear cassette with a smaller Shimano one and I haven't had any issues any more. I would definately recommend this bike to anyone.

Strengths:
Good all-around bike for the money. It's quick enough for in-town commuting and comfortable to boot.

Weaknesses:
Hybrid is NOT intended for off-road. Don't try it for the sake of your teeth. It's a road bike no more.

Price Paid:  $650.00 at Trek Store

Favorite Ride:
Trek 7500 FX

Bike Setup:
Trek 7500 FX
Easton Carbon Seatpost
Dura Ace SPD Pedals
True Temper Alpha Q CX Fork

Summary:
I love my Trek 7500FX but it took some adjustments to get to that point. My previous bike was a Specialized Dulce Elite (I am small). The Trek is much heavier than I was used to with the road bike. A chunk of change was required to get the bike to the weight I am comfortable with. Added Easton Carbon Seatpost and True Temper Alpha Q CX Fork to help reduce some of the weight - seems better so far.

I like the gearing on this bike, particulary the low gears. We have a lot of hills in San Diego, they are no problem when you go into granny mode.

This is a good solid bike but if you are little like me you may want to consider the weight of the unit, especially if you bike a lot of hills.

Strengths:
Solid feel
Upright riding position

Weaknesses:
A little heavy

Similar Products Used:
Specialized Sirrus

Price Paid:  $649.00 at Team Cycling

Favorite Ride:
Ohio Erie trail

Bike Setup:
Added Cane Creek bar ends to offer more hand positions on long rides; CatEye Mity 3 computer; Speedplay Frogs; CatEye Luminex lights; seat and handlebar bag. So far I have kept the stock saddle and actually am finding it to be pretty comfortable overall. A real rarity among bike purchases, at least for me.

Summary:
This is the 2003 7500fx model. I got this bike to ride for when and where I would not be riding my road bike (Spec. Allez). I did not want to go for a mountain bike as I'm not interested in riding off-road very often. A hybrid with a suspension fork was too heavy, clunky, and not necessary. I wanted a good "all around" bike for road, light trail, and winter riding. I wanted a bike that felt almost as fast and as nimble as my road bike. This bike offers the best of all worlds: light, fast, stiff frame, plenty of gearing to ride with a club ride or event, nice upright seating without being too upright, rapid fire shifting, nice Bontrager 700cc wheelset, and darn good looks. Nice 38 tires grip the wet trail well, offer a comfortable, cushioned ride, yet roll smoothly and rapidly. Has eyelets for front and rear panniers for touring or longer day rides. I feel confident and safe on this bike-I can see where I am going in comfort and get there quickly or cruise along casually. I can ride on railtrails where there are wet leaves, uneven surfaces, muddy patches, graveled sections, limbs and twigs lying around and I don't have to worry about skidding out as I would on my road bike. I am really satisfied with a bike like this: it is so versatile, so much fun to ride. I can deck out in lycra and clipless or wear sneaks and baggies and cruise the neighborhood on the platform pedals it came with. I have considered adding a suspension or carbon seatpost, but really, the ride now is just fine with me. No problems with the chromoly fork. Bike handles solidly, responds like a dream, and almost feels like riding my roadie! In short, I love this bike!!! There are some bike trips I want to make on this that I could not consider on my roadie. It's a wonderful steed and may quickly become my favorite bike friend-look out Allez and Lemond!

Strengths:
Lightweight AL frame, Bontrager Select wheelset (can take tires to 28s), rack eyelets, rapidfire shifting, tough kevlar reinforced Bontrager tires, beautiful "coastal blue/silver" paint job. Trek warranty, quality, and service.

Weaknesses:
For this type of bike and the way I want to use it, I can think of no weaknesses. It is a sweet ride, no doubt about it.

Similar Products Used:
Had a 2001 7500FX (sorry I sold it!). Have test-ridden Cdale Adventure 400, Trek 7300, Trek Navigator, Mongoose comfort bike, GT Timberline, Cdale Bad Boy/Road Warrior, Specialized Expedition. None come close to the ride and quality of the 7500FX.