Trek FX 3 1500 Mile Review

[@brandoncorn1544]

I went to a local cycling shop and was desperate for a bike that could support a 300 lb man. He showed me this bike and said that it was the only reasonably priced bike he had that would support me without worry. I have about 20 miles on it so far and I am in love with this bike! The seat really hurt my but, so I upgraded to a similar seat with more padding and bought some padded shorts. If you

[@BradBeaird]

This is a great bike to start your journey and I’m glad it was helpful!

[@claudiruiz1559]

Cool bike! I like how you've customized it and thank you for showing it to the world. It is very useful!

[@BradBeaird]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@jugglematt100]

Hi , I'm enjoying your detailed reviews on your fx3. I have the fx3 in a xxl frame for my 6ft5 height , after some modification , more upright headset , padded bontranger seat and bar ends , I'm very happy with the bike . I commute to work 3 or 4 mornings a week and am planning a tour with some friends in October . Am going with the bontranger rear rack and some panniers. . I love how light and how well the bike rolls . I had some rear spokes breaking which is not surprising as I'm about 100kg ,,, and must praise my local trek dealer . I had the rear wheel rebuilt with upgraded spokes , all under warranty , I also have a trek fuel ex8 dual sus mtb which I love . VeRy happy with trek . And they are a perfect choice for Tall riders

[@BradBeaird]

jugglematt100 awesome!

[@hermanwooster8944]

You could probably go on a 10-day camping trip with all of that space. Neat use of the FX3. 👍

[@BradBeaird]

I’ve done a week so far and that has worked out well. It’s been a fun setup.

[@davebrown5223]

Nice setup. I have the Topeak MTX trunk with fold out panniers. Love them

[@daynmitchell7543]

I just got a fx 3 for 200 used, not sure what year but it’s in good shape. Your bike is fully loaded my friend 😀 I wonder how much weight all that adds?

[@BradBeaird]

I estimated one time it was about 50lbs extra 😂

[@rechuckg]

I've got a FX3 Disk that I also use for light touring. My set-up is a bit different but probably similar in weight. I am using an old Blackburn FL1 lowrider rack in front with small panniers. Like you I am mostly happy with the set-up but wish there was a bit more room for wider tires.

[@primorodolfolamco8475]

well done sir v-brakes old skool sweet rule

[@peterandkodiak9762]

This is an excellent review. Thank you for sharing with your viewing audience. A+

[@BradBeaird]

Glad it was helpful

[@MrSleazymoney]

Hello, I'm looking at getting a 2017 trek fx3. I am wondering if I could fit a 38mm gravel king tire on it? What size did you manage to get on there? Cheers.

[@BradBeaird]

Without fenders, the largest tire is 700x38mm . With fenders a 700x35mm

[@brennantorun6619]

Thanks for a great video Brad. I'm just starting prep on my first bike tour also fx3. I wondered do you carry a bike lock?

[@BradBeaird]

I do carry a light cable lock but it’s really to keep the honest people honest if you know what I mean.

[@djkenny1202]

I have the belt drive Lync. Similar geometry. Really like it. I have an old Bridgestone and 520 for loaded camping. What tent and sleeping bag? Bag in front?

[@janomateo]

I have really enjoyed your Trek FX3 videos. We use FX3 for city commuting as well as overnight trips within range of NYC. With your current tires and enough gear for multi-day trips loaded on, how "off road" can you go--no problem with hilly gravel? At what point do you feel you max out the FX3 in terms of rugged terrain? Thanks!

[@BradBeaird]

I think anything much more than smooth limestone style gravel is a no go. Traditional gravel roads I personally think are uncomfortable.

[@jimdent351]

I like your homemade stand. I'm going to build one for myself. I don't have a bike yet because my FX3 is on order for Jan. 2022. Who would have thought that ordering a bicycle would be like buying an exotic sports car? lol Do you have a video showing the dimensions of your lumber. If not, it doesn't look too difficult to fake. Thanks.

[@BradBeaird]

No measurements really, just something I threw together haha.

[@chrisrand4863]

Great update. Thanks.

[@BradBeaird]

chris rand Thanks!

[@alexmorgan3435]

I have the Ortlieb bike packing front handlebar roll dry bag and it is a right PITA to get on with. Well made but a real PITA. First the way it mounts is a right faff to put on and take off. A traditional handle bar bag is far easier to clip on and off in a fraction of a second. Second the roll bag adds substantially more weight to the handlebars and affects handling. Thirdly to mount it securely you are inevitably going to crush brake and or gear cables. As careful as I was it caused my Rohloff shifter cables to split around the twist shift housing and I only used it for 3-4 days. Not good. I would only recommend one of these roll bar bags if you have a handle bar such as a Jones Loop handle bar to mount the bag out front away from cables so it doesn't crush or damage them. And finally I think the whole bike packing thing is the marketing mens' wet dream. They are now trying to tell us that for years we have been doing it all wrong and if touring we must have this set up. Bollocks. Panniers are so easy to get on with compared to this bike packing set up. You can get to stuff you need quickly without having to turn out the whole bag repack it and then spending 20 minutes trying to re-attach the bike packing bag to your bike. Panniers clip on and off in seconds. A bike packing set up might be fine for up to 5 days light touring but any longer and it would really become a set up I would grow to hate. Most bike packers seem to carry a lot of their gear in rucksacks which previously might well have been in panniers. LoL! Fail. What might be an improvement when it comes to panniers is you use only small ones, typically the front smaller ones on the rear rack and carry robust dry bags strapped to Salsa anything HD cages on the front fork for more storage. These could also be mounted higher up to increase ground clearance if you wanted. Panniers are far superior imho. You just have to take less gear. Oh and I don't like those frame bags I think they look ugly and you lose the use of your bottles in the traditional place in the frame. Again don't take so much stuff and do without one.

[@BradBeaird]

I'd agree with some things you mention particularly with getting it on the bike, but honestly, once it is on, I have little problem. With the spacers, I have room for my cables and such without issue. I don't, however, take it off routinely. I have my tent in mine, so when I'm ready to pull out the tent, I just loosen the tension, open one end, and pull out the tent. Pack it back up the same way, just slide it in the end, roll up the end, then re-tension. In addition, those I know with drop bars like on the Salsa Fargo usually have their cables all wrapped with the bar tape, so my buddy with the fargo has little issue either, but I can see how on some bikes that could be a problem. To me, anything on the bars or forks affects handling so I couldn't tell much difference there. I do agree that bike packing isn't easier. You'll have smaller spaces often, and more quantity of bags. Panniers are easier to pack, take off and on, and store away. Quick and easy. For some trail riding, I do find the bike packing rigs to be better for clearance and avoiding some obstacles, but it really depends on what kind of riding you do. Flat out road touring? Can't hardly beat the panniers. Frame bag: I absolutely love that thing. Can't beat the use of space honestly. Water bottles I just throw in the feedbags and they are easy to sip from then. I suppose there is no perfect system, and certainly a lot of it is just whatever you want to play around with. I'm having some fun just tweaking and trying different things, but the most important thing is to get out there and use it all, hahaha. Appreciate the comment and thought. Good stuff!

[@alexmorgan3435]

CaptainBobAdventures Well of course we are all different and we have different priorities. It would be a dull world if we all did and thought the same. Thank you again for posting.

[@zaldumbide13]

Hey CBA ever consider adding drop bars with aero brake levers/shifter, would you have change out your brake calipers to accommodate that kind of modification? I'm looking into getting a Trek hybrid in the near future.

[@BradBeaird]

I have considered drop bars on the next bike but I don’t know that I’ll convert this current bike.

[@wanderingsailor5503]

What's some advantages about moving more weight to the front? Does it not affect handling?

[@BradBeaird]

Handling is a big part of it and you can tell it when going downhill, etc but also helping to balance the overall load is easier on frame and wheels.

[@chuckmatses6803]

I really like all the luggage.

[@paulv8453]

Captainbobadventures You're just missing fenders. Very important imo. I have the Planet Bike Canadia hybrid model in my FX 7.2, along with Bontrager rear rack & an Arkel AC Low Rider rack on the front. Thinking about switching my bar with Ergon grips to the Jones H Loop bar. Also, definitely need a good set of Schwalbe tires. 👍

[@BradBeaird]

Paul Vasquez truth! It's in my list of things to do!

[@paulv8453]

CaptainBobAdventures I just installed a new B-17. It started to hurt at the end of my first 30 ride. it's supposed to get better little by little right? I know I have to push through it but now I know why many never even gave it a chance. so many others couldn't be wrong, so I'm going to stick it out.

[@BradBeaird]

Paul Vasquez keep riding man! I really think it was 500 miles before it got comfortable for me but little by little it improved. I'm now very pleased.

[@paulv8453]

CaptainBobAdventures That's what I hear....500 miles. Boy! It better be with it. lol

[@whatthehell007]

Hi, Captain Bob! What is the "mountain fit" botle holders on the handlebar? Thank you! Good luck!))

[@BradBeaird]

Revelate Designs Mountain Feed Bag. I have a video here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qminpJaKo8-na5Y

[@krisjacek]

Thanks for the info and the video link. Much appreciated. Kris

[@BradBeaird]

krisjacek glad to help

[@davebunn790]

That bike is lovely

[@BradBeaird]

Thank you!

[@shahel.a.z]

Hey , do you need to cut the handlebar grip in order to put that extra grip

[@BradBeaird]

Nope. You just move the grips in and get Treks bar end adapter kit.

[@darzayed5199]

Thank you for the informative information. I am struggling in choosing my touring bike, this i have a question, If you compare between Trek 1120 and James renegade Escapade, which one is more suitable for touring in all roads off and on and can take heavy packing?

[@BradBeaird]

Personally if you are going to go heavy packing, I'd say Trek 1120.

[@darzayed5199]

Thank you, it was my first choice but someone told me steel frame is more suitable than the Aluminum Carbon.

[@darzayed5199]

Thank you for the reply Phil. At the end i bought The Thorn Nomad, and I used it in Bike Touring across South Korea and Japan (1500 km). It is strong bike, reliable but heavy.

[@lenbata]

Maybe add fenders?

[@BradBeaird]

Not a bad idea!

[@jodyhodge2129]

Looks like it would be fun. How far does one of your trips take you?

[@BradBeaird]

4-5 days usually. My buddy and I are on the Natchez Trace now for a 4 day :)

[@renecarbonell240]

You see you've got a bunch of ex weekend warriors' who don't play golf & in our youth road 10' speeds to death!! Keep theses informative video's coming.

[@BradBeaird]

Thanks for the encouragement :)

[@renecarbonell240]

Will all of these accessories fit my Trek Verve 2, I'm really hoping that everything interchangeable?

[@BradBeaird]

The only exception might be the frame bag depending on the size frame you purchase.

[@krisjacek]

How did you secure the Salsa Anything cages?

[@BradBeaird]

I used Gorilla Clips. I made a video about it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eaW3Y6F3ltCBeJY

[@alkoop100]

tell me what do you think about " fenders " :)

[@BradBeaird]

I don't have them yet, but am considering them. I think if you ride in any kind of rain, you will be glad you have them, but should not expect they will keep you dry. Everything I've read is that you will still get wet, just perhaps not as bad. As well I've read most say it also does help keep the bike a bit cleaner.

[@alkoop100]

thank you , How about rear view mirror ?

[@njrivetelite]

where do you keep your phone now?

[@BradBeaird]

Brian Michael in the Revelate Designs mag tank bag

[@pitts3219]

Looks like a shopper gone WILD

[@carlblaskowitz7817]

Bar ends and handlebar setup look comfortable, the seat looks like it was designed by satan to punish the asses of long endurance cyclists, it needs some chrome dog collar spikes. I like the bags but I think a BOB towed behind would be better for me. Definitely like those bars over using drops.

[@BradBeaird]

Brooks saddle has a special place in my....heart lol. I love the thing once it got broken in but I'll admit it takes a bit of time. Now it's like a trusted baseball glove that I just can't give up. Bars with the bar ends have been great. My buddy uses trekking bars and likes those, but i'm pretty happy with what I have right now.

[@carlblaskowitz7817]

Also the frame bag, that is a very good use of space once you freed up the water storage by using feedbags. What do you use for electrical energy storage or generation if any?

[@BradBeaird]

I use battery pack from Anker personally - Anker PowerCore 10000 - amzn.to/2quheKZ

[@carlblaskowitz7817]

Just noticed your a sailor too, I should have deduced that from the name.. rock on man, fair winds!

[@BradBeaird]

Thank you sir! Yeah I sail a Seaward 25 on a local lake here in Missouri.

[@BradBeaird]

Are there specific things you would like a video about with my specific setup? Feel free to leave a comment!

[@MrK-ti5lt]

Curious about the pedals - they don't look stock?

[@BradBeaird]

The bikes don't come from Trek with any pedals. These were simple flats from the LBS with added toe clips.

[@jakew9610]

I know I’m late but maybe something about how to add bar ends to the fx3 stock bars? I haven’t been able to find anything on that. It’s been great going through your old videos - getting a new fx soon 👍

[@BradBeaird]

@@jakew9610 You'll love the FX3. Just put up a video explaining how to install the bar ends for you :)

[@renecarbonell240]

Ive got a 20in.

[@BradBeaird]

I think you should be fine then

[@blakenielsen9955]

There was no review. It was all about the “stuff” on it. Not helpful at all, sorry!

[@BradBeaird]

Fair enough. Thank you for the feedback.

[@JuanMolina-dj1hb]

I bet he's homeless.

[@saxologist1]

@@JuanMolina-dj1hb Wuahaha

[@MC-nb6jx]

Sod all that, just cycle from motel to motel🤔🤣

[@BradBeaird]

Certainly many choose that method 😂

[@epepmeneses6976]

1500 miles? proof and evidence first....

[@BradBeaird]

TREK leta I gave up proving things to people a long, long time ago. Nice verse by the way: “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

[@epepmeneses6976]

@@BradBeaird i see, GBU more...