Thoughts on Trek FX bikes?

[Emm]

I’m looking for a new commuter bike, and while bringing my road bike in for a pre-season tune up, the Trek FX 7.3 caught my eye. I was wondering if anyone had any experience with it or other bikes in the FX series, or had recommendations of other bikes to look at that are at that are at or below $700? I test rode the fx 7.3 and it was great–fit well, easily handled hills, and it was lightweight compared to the other hybrid/fitness bikes.

What I’m looking for is a solid bike that can handle rain and slippery road conditions from March-November (I’m still too chicken for freezing saddles), be modified to take a back rack, and costs below $700, so the FX 7.3 seems to fit this criteria. I’m ambivalent about flat handle bars vs drop bars–I find both comfortable for under 30 miles, and since my commute is 10 miles each way, either work. I also own a road bike for long distance riding and commuting on days the weather is nice, so I don’t need a second one of those. I looked at cx bikes but they were all out of my price range, and the road bikes which were close to my range the store talked me out of–they said they were NOT going to be comfortable or handle the roads as well as the FX. I’m also not dying to buy used since I’d like to get the service package at Revolution or through another shop since I go through chains and cassettes every 7-8 months (revolution’s service package covers replacing all the metal parts + labor when they wear down or break for ~5 years–it takes me almost no time to get my money’s worth).

Any advice is appreciated!

Topic

[DismalScientist]

If you had a 15mm open end wrench, it would work on pedals as well.

[Emm]

@DismalScientist 110598 wrote:

If you had a 15mm open end wrench, it would work on pedals as well.

You just saved me $10. Thank you. I had ordered a pedal wrench last night so I could switch my former commuter bike’s pedals back to the standard (not clip-less) ones before I sell the bike, and the box end one I just ordered has an open side as well. So I cancelled the pedal wrench. I really need to look more closely at descriptions before I buy tools…

[dbb]

@Emm 110599 wrote:

I really need to look more closely at descriptions before I buy tools…

No. Buying tools is always an honorable thing to do. Like snowflakes, every one is unique (even the duplicates). Even if you don’t have a technical use for the tool, you can always just admire it.

[mstone]

@DismalScientist 110598 wrote:

If you had a 15mm open end wrench, it would work on pedals as well.

Assuming either a narrow wrench head or a wide flat portion on the pedal. (Most of my pedals will not work with most of my wrenches.) Also, a lot of pedals these days take a hex key.

[Emm]

@dbb 110604 wrote:

No. Buying tools is always an honorable thing to do. Like snowflakes, every one is unique (even the duplicates). Even if you don’t have a technical use for the tool, you can always just admire it.

You must be my fiance’s twin. I think every time he goes to Lowe’s he’s just protecting his honor

Side note: Lowe’s will match any other major retailer’s price, even sale/black friday prices, and then beat it by 10%. And then give you an extra 10% off if you have a military ID. That’s how we got a $200 ladder for $100 last November. I that store.

[DismalScientist]

You are probably best off with the pedal wrench alone. I use mine to take off the axle nuts as well as pedals.

[ShawnoftheDread]

I’ve never had a problem using a standard 15mm wrench on pedals (except for the hex-only models).

[mstone]

@ShawnoftheDread 110636 wrote:

I’ve never had a problem using a standard 15mm wrench on pedals (except for the hex-only models).

I will not judge the daintiness of your equipment; the issue would be whether the head of your wrench fits between the crank arm and whatever collar is on the spindle–if yours fits, no worries. A lighter wrench is probably better for a tool bag anyway (though be careful that it isn’t too short for leverage on a stuck pedal). Mostly this is just something to be aware of and to try on a specific pedal before needing it.

[Harry Meatmotor]

@mstone 110660 wrote:

I will not judge the daintiness of your equipment; the issue would be whether the head of your wrench fits between the crank arm and whatever collar is on the spindle–if yours fits, no worries. A lighter wrench is probably better for a tool bag anyway (though be careful that it isn’t too short for leverage on a stuck pedal). Mostly this is just something to be aware of and to try on a specific pedal before needing it.

Agreed 100%.

There’s an old saying, “the right tool for the right job” – You might be able to use a plain old box end wrench on some pedals and you might be able to use a pedal wrench on 15mm axle nuts without dinging up the flats, but the only way to always be able to remove/install pedals with wrench flats is to use/have a pedal wrench and to always be sure that you’re not going to ding up an axle nut is with a proper box end wrench or ratcheting 14/15mm axle-nut socket wrench. just 2¢ from a grouchy mechanic…

[Author]

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