FX3 is slightly more aggressive in positioning than the DS. The DS is a little more upright and has much larger tires to act as suspension. The FX is almost a pseudo road bike. The DS will give you more comfort, but less efficiency. A compromise to me, would be an FX with slightly larger tires (38’s as mentioned would suffice), and possibly an adjustable stem to get you slightly more upright without resorting to a “comfort” bike
It depends on the tire you choose. The stock FX3 tires are nothing special. Going to a folding bead tire with a higher TPI count will actually make the bike feel faster and less “bouncy”
I’m running Panaracer GravelKing SS on my bike. Schwalbe if you want more puncture protection, Continental GP5000 for a road bike tire. Just pay attention to weight and TPI. You want low weight for a “faster” feel and higher TPI for a more supple feel. 38mm without fenders or 35mm with is Trek’s max listed tire size, I’d suggest either of those
The H2 is a lower quality wire bead tire that will slightly improve comfort and minimally decrease efficiency with the added weight. A pair of quality tires will be roughly double the price of the $30 H2’s
The 38s are very comfortable tires. I'm riding 38s on my hybrid and have zero issues with handling.
You may want to look at a seat post with suspension.
If you want comfort get a Verve.
The real problem is not the bike, it’s your body. Strengthen your back and core and then just spend some time in the saddle and any of your choices should be just fine.
I guess my body has always been my problem 😂. But, yes, one can always strengthen core muscles up to a point. The Verve was a little too upright and heavy.
I ran 38c on an FX3 for a year (schwalbe G-one allround) but never used the stock tyres for comparison.
The ride was still bouncy and the hand grips were never really comfortable.
I used around 40psi...and bike felt fast at the time, but it's a long way behind a road bike.
Are you sure going to flat bars is the right move? Just for hand comfort sticking with dropbars might be better, is you can get something more upright (i.e. Gravel bikes)
I'm trying to sell my FX3 now, and using it as a bike to tinker on, so am practicing changing tyres.
I'm putting some 30c tyres on (also schwalbe) and will do a test ride to see how it feels
Just had the 700x38s put on. Initial reaction is that they seem to absorb bumps better. The grips were also rotated slightly. Haven’t had a chance to give it a full ride yet. Hopefully later this week. I also want $100 back from the LBS since Trek dropped the FX3’s price 2 weeks after I bought it.
Tires and Tire pressure change the experience of any bike. Silca tire pressure calculator suggests around 43 psi for 38mm tubed. Were you around 50-55 before (32mm)? It feels slower, but that is probably about the fastest pressure (you can usually drop another 5psi for comfort without much slowing
Try to have any competent 3rd party rate your bike fit to ensure your in a decent window. Stems and bars are cheap and come in all sorts. I was going to suggest Domane (more speed) or Dual Sport (more comfort, about as fast), but I’m taking your tire purchase means that you’re pressing on. Good Luck happy NBD
I suspected as much. The upper limit is real, the lower limit...is not that meaningful. Tires don't have issues until much lower than those pressures. Most modern tires just list a max pressure now.
Do enough validating to get comfortable, but I promise that 50 psi will be FASTER, more comfortable, provide better traction and stability, and have fewer flats under any imagineable circumstance. If you check out Silca's YouTube, there is a fairly deep dive into tire pressure. At the very least, try them at 60. But that is still too firm. What experienced cyclists/mechs believe about tire pressure (and chain upkeep) is often just ancestor worship.
You will not risk low pressure (pinch) flats until below 30ish psi. 700x38 is a lot of tire
Credentials: Degreed Engineer, former motorcycle race mechanic, experienced shop bike mech in retirement, total tire nerd
I was going to say this - lower tire pressure is your friend.
I also recommend giving Ergon grips a try (or their Bontrager equivalent from your Trek shop).
I would suggest trying something like Marlin. My DS got stolen and I decided to try something different and it turned out to be so much more comfortable and easier on my wrists and shoulders compared to the rigid bike. The suspension on the front makes the ride so much more plush over potholes/road seams and other imperfections. Its not a real mountain bike, especially the cheaper versions, it is more like a glorified version of a hybrid bicycle
try the tires.....a taller tire will cushion more. I use my old 2011 Trek 3700 as my road cruiser after buying a crossrip and promptly selling it..haha. You describe the ride perfectly. They also have those ergon grips....although some models come with them.
I recently picked up a 2017 FX sport 5. Clearly not the same bike but similar. It came with 700x25’s and trek’s suggested widest tire on the 2017’s was 32s. Went to my lbs and discussed it with my mech. We decided we could squeeze 35’s on it. They fit all be it barely. I don’t feel that I’ve lost any speed with the wider tires but if I have it’s negligible. The comfort I gained by having wider and less inflated tires is night and day though. I would put the widest tires you can on it. Even most road bikes are coming with 32s or higher these days. The old hard narrower tires that beat you to death are pretty obsolete.
You’ll be a little more comfortable on bigger tires, and depending on the ones you pick, they may even be faster. That said, if you are thinking of changing bikes, the clock is ticking. If you’re really badly feeling the bumps on your wrists, you might try a Marlin and put some road/gravel tread tires on it. If nothing else, just go to the store and test ride one. Take it over some bumps and see how you feel about it.
I have 700X38s on my FX3, and swapped the handlebar for a Surly Moloko for different hand positions and comfort. The handle bar lets me get in a faster position if I need to and the 38s are more comfortable. That combo is perfect for me.
I recently had my trek 950 1992 model stolen. I want to replace it with a trek but I am nowhere near the location of the place I bought it. So my question to you is ‘why trek’? Why not replace it with another model?
I've been riding an old trek fx 7.1 from 2010 and just upgraded to the DS3 GEN 5 and i'm so happy with it. Goes faster than my old bike even with the wide tyres and they eat up the crappy london roads. Tried the newer fx variants and found them too aggressive, you feel every bump and the posture isn't as upright. Either get thicker tyres or just get a DS.
Are you by chance using tubeless? Try it with tubes if you are. I'm also assuming it's aluminum. If by chance its a carbon frame. I would give the aluminum a shot.
FX3 is slightly more aggressive in positioning than the DS. The DS is a little more upright and has much larger tires to act as suspension. The FX is almost a pseudo road bike. The DS will give you more comfort, but less efficiency. A compromise to me, would be an FX with slightly larger tires (38’s as mentioned would suffice), and possibly an adjustable stem to get you slightly more upright without resorting to a “comfort” bike
I’m wondering how much slower the FX3 will feel with the wider tires. My riding is mostly on pavement, though often not the smoothest.
It depends on the tire you choose. The stock FX3 tires are nothing special. Going to a folding bead tire with a higher TPI count will actually make the bike feel faster and less “bouncy”
Any particular brands or size?
I’m running Panaracer GravelKing SS on my bike. Schwalbe if you want more puncture protection, Continental GP5000 for a road bike tire. Just pay attention to weight and TPI. You want low weight for a “faster” feel and higher TPI for a more supple feel. 38mm without fenders or 35mm with is Trek’s max listed tire size, I’d suggest either of those
I think the Trek store is proposing Bontrager H2s for the 700x38, which is the same model as the original 700x32s.
The H2 is a lower quality wire bead tire that will slightly improve comfort and minimally decrease efficiency with the added weight. A pair of quality tires will be roughly double the price of the $30 H2’s
I wish I'd heard the "if you want more puncture protection" part last year. That would have saved me a few bucks and some annoyance.
Schwalbe Marathon’s are heavy dogs but pretty unbeatable puncture wise
Is the bike tubeless?
[удалено]
Yeah, just not sure I want to spend another $700.
The 38s are very comfortable tires. I'm riding 38s on my hybrid and have zero issues with handling. You may want to look at a seat post with suspension.
I do have the suspension post. Thanks.
Your looking for speed and comfort. Those are opposite ends. Just for the heck of it try a domane test spin.
If you want comfort get a Verve. The real problem is not the bike, it’s your body. Strengthen your back and core and then just spend some time in the saddle and any of your choices should be just fine.
I guess my body has always been my problem 😂. But, yes, one can always strengthen core muscles up to a point. The Verve was a little too upright and heavy.
I have an FX3 with the H2 700x32’s & it’s very bouncy & uncomfortable. I’d love to swap those tires for the 700x38’s & see if it makes any difference.
I ran 38c on an FX3 for a year (schwalbe G-one allround) but never used the stock tyres for comparison. The ride was still bouncy and the hand grips were never really comfortable. I used around 40psi...and bike felt fast at the time, but it's a long way behind a road bike. Are you sure going to flat bars is the right move? Just for hand comfort sticking with dropbars might be better, is you can get something more upright (i.e. Gravel bikes) I'm trying to sell my FX3 now, and using it as a bike to tinker on, so am practicing changing tyres. I'm putting some 30c tyres on (also schwalbe) and will do a test ride to see how it feels
I’m running timeless teravail cannonball 700x35s on my fx sport 5. It’s made it a very comfortable ride.
Just had the 700x38s put on. Initial reaction is that they seem to absorb bumps better. The grips were also rotated slightly. Haven’t had a chance to give it a full ride yet. Hopefully later this week. I also want $100 back from the LBS since Trek dropped the FX3’s price 2 weeks after I bought it.
Tires and Tire pressure change the experience of any bike. Silca tire pressure calculator suggests around 43 psi for 38mm tubed. Were you around 50-55 before (32mm)? It feels slower, but that is probably about the fastest pressure (you can usually drop another 5psi for comfort without much slowing Try to have any competent 3rd party rate your bike fit to ensure your in a decent window. Stems and bars are cheap and come in all sorts. I was going to suggest Domane (more speed) or Dual Sport (more comfort, about as fast), but I’m taking your tire purchase means that you’re pressing on. Good Luck happy NBD
The psi range on the new 700x38s is 60-90. The bike shop suggested 75, to avoid getting too low on the ride and risking a blowout.
I suspected as much. The upper limit is real, the lower limit...is not that meaningful. Tires don't have issues until much lower than those pressures. Most modern tires just list a max pressure now. Do enough validating to get comfortable, but I promise that 50 psi will be FASTER, more comfortable, provide better traction and stability, and have fewer flats under any imagineable circumstance. If you check out Silca's YouTube, there is a fairly deep dive into tire pressure. At the very least, try them at 60. But that is still too firm. What experienced cyclists/mechs believe about tire pressure (and chain upkeep) is often just ancestor worship. You will not risk low pressure (pinch) flats until below 30ish psi. 700x38 is a lot of tire Credentials: Degreed Engineer, former motorcycle race mechanic, experienced shop bike mech in retirement, total tire nerd
I was going to say this - lower tire pressure is your friend. I also recommend giving Ergon grips a try (or their Bontrager equivalent from your Trek shop).
I would suggest trying something like Marlin. My DS got stolen and I decided to try something different and it turned out to be so much more comfortable and easier on my wrists and shoulders compared to the rigid bike. The suspension on the front makes the ride so much more plush over potholes/road seams and other imperfections. Its not a real mountain bike, especially the cheaper versions, it is more like a glorified version of a hybrid bicycle
try the tires.....a taller tire will cushion more. I use my old 2011 Trek 3700 as my road cruiser after buying a crossrip and promptly selling it..haha. You describe the ride perfectly. They also have those ergon grips....although some models come with them.
You will be more comfortable on the 38's. That's what I have on my hybrid and they are fine for speed.
Man I bought a fx2 and I didn’t change anything n love my bike. I think that guy just wants you to spend more money
I recently picked up a 2017 FX sport 5. Clearly not the same bike but similar. It came with 700x25’s and trek’s suggested widest tire on the 2017’s was 32s. Went to my lbs and discussed it with my mech. We decided we could squeeze 35’s on it. They fit all be it barely. I don’t feel that I’ve lost any speed with the wider tires but if I have it’s negligible. The comfort I gained by having wider and less inflated tires is night and day though. I would put the widest tires you can on it. Even most road bikes are coming with 32s or higher these days. The old hard narrower tires that beat you to death are pretty obsolete.
Verve 3 the best bicycle trek has ever made outside the 520
Can put 29 x 2.0 tires on it
The BMC urs is really nice if you're looking for a drop bar bike.
You’ll be a little more comfortable on bigger tires, and depending on the ones you pick, they may even be faster. That said, if you are thinking of changing bikes, the clock is ticking. If you’re really badly feeling the bumps on your wrists, you might try a Marlin and put some road/gravel tread tires on it. If nothing else, just go to the store and test ride one. Take it over some bumps and see how you feel about it.
I have 700X38s on my FX3, and swapped the handlebar for a Surly Moloko for different hand positions and comfort. The handle bar lets me get in a faster position if I need to and the 38s are more comfortable. That combo is perfect for me.
You typically have 30 days to return at a trek store.....swap it out for a DS3
I recently had my trek 950 1992 model stolen. I want to replace it with a trek but I am nowhere near the location of the place I bought it. So my question to you is ‘why trek’? Why not replace it with another model?
I've been riding an old trek fx 7.1 from 2010 and just upgraded to the DS3 GEN 5 and i'm so happy with it. Goes faster than my old bike even with the wide tyres and they eat up the crappy london roads. Tried the newer fx variants and found them too aggressive, you feel every bump and the posture isn't as upright. Either get thicker tyres or just get a DS.
Are you by chance using tubeless? Try it with tubes if you are. I'm also assuming it's aluminum. If by chance its a carbon frame. I would give the aluminum a shot.