Trek FX – snow and ice?

[cvcalhoun]

My LBS is telling me my Trek 7300 is probably not long for this world. I definitely don’t want a road bike, because I like the upright position, flat handlebars, lack of being a target for thieves, and durability that come with a hybrid. However, I’ve been told that a Trek FX might be a reasonable upgrade in terms of having advantages that I like, while still being more efficient to pedal.

My question is which FX? The higher end ones seem to be lighter. But in part, that comes from narrower tires. And I’m concerned about whether narrower tires will have sufficient traction on snow and ice. So, a couple of questions:

1. Can you put wider tires, or studs, on a higher end FX if you want to?
2. Do the wheels from a 7300 fit on an FX? If so, I might be able to keep the wheels from the 7300 and put studs on them. That way, I could keep the bike lighter on normal days, but quickly change to studs on a snowy day. (I really don’t want to start the day by changing the tires, but wheels seem a bit easier.)

Topic

[huskerdont]

@Judd 142834 wrote:

This exactly why I have four bikes. Just in case three of them experience mechanical issues on the same day.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You jest, but I have six (five road-worthy–I don’t really count the heavy 1965 Schwinn Varsity that sits on the trainer), and there have been times that three of them have had some sort of problem. Even now I’m riding one that I’m sure will have wheel failure eventually.

“Homer, I’m worried about the beer. After this case, and then the other case in the garage, there’s only one case left.” “Yeah yeah, Barney’s right.”

[ian74]

@cvcalhoun 142813 wrote:

In terms of budget, I know that if I wait until November, I can get a year-old Trek 7.3 FX from Bike and Roll for probably half the MSRP of a new one. On the other hand, I may be regularly commuting 25 miles or so all winter. Thus, if there is something that would make that noticeably easier, I’m willing to go up a lot on the budget. The real limit is not so much dollars as not wanting to have a bike that’s an obvious target for theft in downtown DC. And the question is whether any of the higher end models has advantages for me that outweigh the extra cost.

I didn’t know Bike and Roll sold the bikes they rented out at the end of the season. What kind of condition are they in? It does sound like you have a decent plan already in place. 7.3 is pretty much a newer 7300, if it works no need to change it.

[cvcalhoun]

@ian74 142860 wrote:

I didn’t know Bike and Roll sold the bikes they rented out at the end of the season. What kind of condition are they in? It does sound like you have a decent plan already in place. 7.3 is pretty much a newer 7300, if it works no need to change it.

Yep, the 7.3 FX pretty similar to the 7300, other than the front fork suspension. I’ve been told that the front fork suspension is not a good thing–it’s not needed on the trails, would not be enough for off-road riding, and uses a lot of my pedaling energy bobbing up and down instead of going forward. That’s the major reason I’m looking at a 7.3 FX, rather than a Verve (which is the current equivalent of the 7300).

As for Bike and Roll, they have a sale of their year-old rental bikes every November. It’s how I got my current one (except that the last bike didn’t break until July, but fortunately they still had one in my size left from the previous November). The bikes tend to be in very good shape. Bike and Roll has mechanics on staff, so they are well maintained. And the tourists who rent Bike and Roll bikes don’t abuse them as much as I do–the bikes don’t tend to get ridden in ice and snow every day all winter, for example.

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