I think that the main consideration for this bike is it's truly intended use. It's not a race bike or a mountain bike. It's a hybrid aimed at a happy medium for a fair price. I don't think you'd choose this bike for any one specific riding style. It's a great bike for someone who wants a well rounded and versatile bike that can do lots of things good rather than any one thing great.
Purchased an aluminum FX3 a few months ago. Did 26 miles over the weekend on a bike path/ rail trail and it is fantastic. My posture is more upright than my race bike and provides a comfortable ride on the 32mm tires. It is doesn’t have the speed, acceleration or endurance of a road bike but for the bike paths/ rail trail so much more comfortable. It is a great purchase. Glad I bought the aluminum and will take the savings to get a better road bike in the future.
The aluminium versions are great bikes aren’t they! Love mine also. I think Trek are trying to hit all areas of the market with the sport version. Ultimately it’s just a carbon road bike with straight bars. I’m not a fan of carbon (at all) as have had many friends with cracked frames etc. durability of carbon has always been questionable to me, so always buy aluminium versions. The FX range is truly unbeatable.
I’ve had mine a year and really like it. I ride once or twice each week and have completed rides up to 75 miles long. At 72 years old, I appreciate the more upright position and it’s fast enough for my purposes. Enjoy your rides!
Have a Diamond Back Haanjo 1, aluminum, similar geometry, and way heavy. Slammed the stem, shaved an inch and a half off the flat bars, and run75 psi on my 38 slicks and often outrun carbon drop bar race bikes on the flats and descents. The added weight holds speed better, climbing is where I acquire most of my penalties, but you can make flat bar road bikes speed machines without question, just add a few more watts.
Such a beautiful bike. This is my dream bike the TREK FX sports 4 ❤ and a nice review brother. You can switch to 700x25 tires to be more faster I think. 🙏🏻
A more accurate way of comparison is to use a power meter and ride at the same rate of power. Also, the less aero position on the FX is the biggest disadvantage followed by the weight of the bike. Therefore one may have to put out 210 watts of power on FX vs only 180 watts of power on a Road bike to keep up. With all being said, it all comes down to the engine.
Recently started working in a Trek store and I was wondering about this bike in a real world ride perspective. Like you had mentioned for a carbon bike that is gravel ready it’s a great bike to consider. I was actually considering buying one of these for the purposes you had mentioned. But still on the fence about that. Thanks for sharing this video.
I actually ordered an FX4 Sport as my first bike 2 years ago and while waiting the 8 months for it to come in I found a Specialized Sirrus X 2.0. I'm so glad I did because I found out it wasn't the TYPE of bike I needed because I couldn't keep up with my friends on road bikes on the down hills. I ran out of gears and was spinning like a mouse on a wheel but the upside is that my gearing allowed me to speed up hills regardless of the weight of the bike and my fat tires. I cancelled the Trek order and bought a Fezzari Empire with a SRAM Rival group set. I rode it in a 100 km group ride the day after I received it and the difference was night and day. I dropped all of my riding partners because I had the gearing to keep up with them on the flats and down hills w/o crushing my cardio system. My conclusion is that, all things being equal, unless you're riding with elite riders, the gearing is much more important than a few pounds. Also to really make this video a like for like effort comparison you need to have at least heart rate data for both rides; power data would be better but heart rate data is an absolute necessity. Perceived effort is just not good enough for a comparison like this. Thanks and have a great ride!
Thanks for the comment Joe! Glad you found a bike that worked for you, and I agree this comparison could definitely have been better. I intend to introduce more metrics and KPI's in my future comparison videos. Thanks for watching!
Thanks much for your reviews - I found them very helpful! I bought one of these bikes and was shocked by how slow the bike was (and I definitely could not keep up with my road bike group.) I swapped the tires out for 32's and it made a huge difference for me. Still don't think the brochure hype is realistic, but at least I am closer now and the ride is comfortable.
The price is going up to 1,799.99 now on Trek site. If fx4 cannot keep up with other road bike when climbing on the hills, then the Fx5 and 6 will not either since the gear ratio in fx5 and 6 are not better than fx4 even they have 11 cogs. Some reviews mentioned that fx4 2021 is better than 2023 because of some of the better components on 2021 bike are not in 2023. However, the gear ratio in 2023 for climbing hill are better as mentioned above and can handle offroad better using large tires. I plan to get fx4 2023 instead of 2021 to handle offroad and climbing hill which are important to me. If you only care about flat road then fx4 2021 is better and at discount price, 1499.00.
If you wanted to ride more road, you could not only put fast road tires on it, but also should change the front chain ring; the FX 5 2023 comes with 40 tooth and can increase to 44 tooth max; it's probably same for FX4. that's a 10% increase in top speed which would make a good difference and probably still ok for max hill climbing on roads. It depends of course on how steep the hills are in your riding area. But one thing not mentioned in this review is the 1x drive train is much simpler and a bit lighter than 2x drive trains, and much simpler too on a flat bar vs drops. I have 1x11 on my MTB and absolutely love the simplicity and reliability.
Good remarks: I have the 2021 version FX 4 precisely for flatter road riding and its superior Shimano shifter derailleur crankset components and lighter weight at 21lbs.
Bought a FX Sport 5 two months ago. Swapped out the 40mm tires for 35mm tires (that are otherwise almost identical, eg same tread pattern). The 35s for me are the sweet spot - still very comfortable like the 40s, still great on dirt trails and dirt roads, but faster rolling and easier to keep up with my friends on their road bikes on our longer rides on streets and paved trails. Sure, not quite as fast as my Domane. But the Domane isn’t versatile like the FX, and it’s not quite as fun to ride.
@@JitinMisra I feel like I should say the 40's are more comfortable. But honestly, I can't tell the difference in comfort between them. Both the 35 and 40 are certainly more comfortable than the 28 on my road bike (Trek Domane). What I can tell you about the 35 vs the 40 is that the 35 has less rolling resistance, so it's easier for me to ride faster and keep up with my friends riding their road bikes on our weekly road rides. The 35 still has the traction I like for gravel roads & trails. so for me, it's the sweet spot between comfort and speed and traction.
@@JitinMisra FX is more comfortable due to more upright seating position and wider tires. Domane is the mist comfortable road bike I’ve ever ridden, but FX beats it for comfort. Not really a fair comparison, though. Different kinds of bikes for different kinds of riding.
I had considered one of these bikes but after 30 years on hardtails I took the bait and bought a drop bar gravel bike. instead. All personal opinion but for me I hated the drops and at least for my gravel bike it was slower than my hardtails even on road course (back roads fairly rough). Wish I had spent my money on one of these instead. Yup if you want top speed get a drop bar carbon road bike but if you want versatility and still fairly good speed plus comfort I would get one of these or a hardtail and hit the trails too.
My current road bike is very good for the first 10-20km then it gets more and more uncomforatble since I am not very flexible, also my neck starts to hurt because I have to overextend it to keep my head up. And given this uncomforatble ride my speed tends to drop mile by mile. My point is that on a longer distance a slower bike can close a lot of the gap if it is comfortable and you do more pedaling and less fidgeting.
I plan to purchase the FX Sport 4 model and your video helped solidify my decision. My only uncertainty is the color - Trek White or Lithium Grey? The stores near me do not have any in stock. Do you have a recommendation based on your experience?
Thank you! I’m so happy I could help. I have seen them both up close in person and they are both super nice looking bikes. I really enjoyed the lithium grey color, but the white looked incredible too. If I had to go back and buy it again, I’d probably go with the white since I really like the shiny texture. It looked maybe a little bit more exciting and unique IMO. But honestly, you can’t go wrong with either. Both look awesome. Good luck!
I test rode this and found it to be pretty slow rolling compared to the 2021 version, I’m suspecting because of the tires. So i picked up a 2021 model and have made upgrades focused on increasing the speed - Hunt 34 Aero Wide wheels, Conti GP 5000 S TR tires (32mm), 44t Wolftooth chainring. These changes have indeed transformed the bike, but I do believe there is a limit to what hybrid bikes are capable of speed-wise. I think this is illustrated well by the following stats - my max speed on a particular downhill segment on my FX is ~27 mph, while my max speed on the same segment on my CAAD13 is -33 mph. I really think aero is the limiting factor as far as speed with hybrid bikes.
Hmm, think I was getting bad readings from my bike computer on my FX before today. Even when I thought I was hauling ass, I could never get a 30mph reading until today. Finally got a 30mph reading (30.56) on a downhill section that I can hit 32mph on my road bike.
Great review! I am trying to decide on the FX5 or the Domane AL 5. I love the idea of the carbon frame, but I really enjoy cranking out the miles on my local gravel rail trails, so I am wondering if the Domane will be that much faster. Then there is comfort. Will the carbon frame and more upright riding position on the FX be significantly more comfortable? I think I need to get to the shop and ride both.
Great question! I personally found the AL5 to be much more comrtable since there are multiple hand positions to switch between. Ironically, I only found the upright flat bar position on the FX series to be comfortable for short rides, as I got pretty sore and fatigued from being in just one position for too long. Additionally, it's so much easier to crank out the power on the Domane IMO given it's a bit more aggressive, and it is certainly more than capable of gravel riding too. Feel free to check out my review on the AL5 as well!
I would recommend the Domane AL 5 as well. I'm picking one up this weekend actually. Per Trek's website, the FX carbon actually weighs more than the Domane AL 5. And the AL 5 offers the drop bars for more comfortable riding positions and (in my opinion, most importantly) a 2x drivetrain. All that is worth the extra money for the Domane.
I have the FX5 sport as a gravel/road everything that is not my MTBs. For me the flat bars have plenty of different places for my hands, the grips are only a suggestion, one place for hands. I put a handlebar extension with a built in light out front giving me a lowered more forward hand position if the wind is in my face, or I want to look like I’m fast. I am not riding competitively…anymore. I compete only with myself. The FX is responsive, nimble and can easily keep up with anyone I’m riding with. If I was 30 years younger, the drop bars would be my choice, but now I don’t care what the “club riders” think. The fx5 is comfortable and fantastic for my needs.
What about the Trek FX Sport, 2022 model? I swapped out the gravel tires for Continental, GP Urban, 35mm tires and swapped out the Bontrager, alloy seatpost for a Bontrager, RSL carbon seatpost and changed the stock saddle for a Fizik, Alliante, all carbon saddle! The bike weighed about 20.8 pounds previous but it has to be around 19.8 now. Those changes shaved off pounds. I only ask because Trek and some reviewers say that road bikers will be amazed when you pass them up! I mean, this is subjective because I feel that also depends on the rider, size, weight and strength of the rider, as well as terrain! Yes, I would say, that climbing in an all out road bike is advantageous, compared with any other bike that’s either, flat bar or which is designated towards various terrain. I would be interested in seeing you check out the FX Sport 6. With that being said, however, I may also get a ‘pure’ road bike because I feel, perhaps, you will get more out of one! These manufacturers stake many claims but there’s a reason they make these road bikes that ride in the mountains and straightaways and can go, blisteringly fast and handle very stable on turns and descents! It’s hard to compare hybrid bikes to straight-up road bikes! It could be a ploy by some companies to attract people who want a road bike but can’t afford one!?
All very well said and very well put! I am considering upgrading some components on my FX Sport 4 to be more road like and doing another video comparison on how it keeps up with road bikes. As you suggest, I think a lot of it is subjective and dependent on rider fitness and what not. Also curious how many lbs I can shave off it it, I imagine close to the 2 lbs mark. Stay tuned, and thanks for watching!
I own an FX2 2023...I keep up with rode bikes all the time. BUT the FX3 and FX4 have different gearing with a single front cog so you cant reach your bigger gears.
I am exactly your same height and was also in between sizes. Mine was a size L, but in retrospect, I feel a size XL may have been better. However, they will both work, and I think it’s more a matter of preference.
Yey. Since specialized moved onto the ridiculous staggered top tube and seat stay trend this will be my last from them. The Trek might be my next bike.
lets say that I am commuting to work. It takes me around 25 minutes in car (9km -5.5 miles) because of traffic and I want to switch to a bike. The most logical next step would be an electric bike, but apart from 2 models they don't sell where I live. What is being sold is FX disc and FX sport (which is harder to find and from all my searching I have only found 2021 models being sold). Is an FX disc as good as a high end FX sport? (price is not really a problem, I just want to get to work fast and not sweaty :D) thank you!
Great question! If you are talking about the FX 3 disc, I don't think you would notice much of a difference in terms of speed. The FX Disc will be a pound or so heavier, but the tire width is a little smaller and less knobby so I have a sneaking suspicion you would go faster on the FX Disc. Of course you could always change the tires on the FX Sport, but you're adding more money at that point. I think the FX Disc is an excellent value and I don't think you would loose much on speed, if even any at all. If I was in your shoes, I'd go for the FX Disc!
The 2021 FX Sport 4 is still available. It's a totally different bike compared to the 22 and 23's. The 2021 model is a bit more road oriented with skinner tires. And it's lighter than current model.
Tried a FX 4 a few days back and found it had an extremely smooth ride - even across a grassed park during my limited test ride. But I found the bike's prominently upright riding position off putting coming from my 10 year old, Can 0 Ale Quick CX1. I wonder about this riding position for a 25 mile ride, though. You did not really mention the riding position or the comfort.
Thank you for the feedback. You are totally right, I didn't talk about the riding position and I definitely should have. This was my first semi-review video, so this is good advice for any future reviews that I do, thank you! The ride position is very comfortable at 25 miles. I recently even did a 60 mile ride with this bike and it was still very comfortable. I would say it is a true endurance bike. The only downside to this position is that if you want to right hard and fast, then the position is not very practical or comfortable. You will find yourself wanting to get low and aggressive, and this bike does not let you do that. For more leisurely rides, it's an excellent choice.
@@hikerbikeromar Hmmm, not being able to crank out has been my main concern after testing and researching the FX 4. I do like to put my head down and 'just ride' on my 25 mile rail trail route and I'm beginning to think that this is not the bike for that. I'm also looking at the Specialized Sirrus 4 (on back order) and the Cannondale Quick 1 (sold out)...
@@allanharris4281 Gotcha! Yeah in that case, you'd probably want to stick with a drop bar bike, and if you want a comfier more durable ride, throwing slightly wider tires might be the way to go. I like the FX 4 Sport when biking with people who are more into site seeing, since in that case, my aero road bike is overkill. The FX 4 Sport is also a good alternative for adventure/gravel type rides where you're not sure what type of road surface you'll be on. But if you have a distinct 25 mile loop that you are familiar with and want something to crank out the power, my sense is you would feel a bit let down by the FX 4 Sport.
Waiting on the Dual Sport 3, which apparently also weighs around 24 pounds per Trek. I wonder how that bike would compare to this one.... same drivetrain if I'm not mistaken and all aluminum with Carbon fork...
I think the FX Sport 4 will feel more lively, snappier, and faster, but the Dual Sport 3 will feel more comfortable and more robust. Both will great options!
I ride a much heavier-, all aluminum "urban" bicycle, with straight handlebars, 35mm tires and a longer wheelbase than any road bike. Though I do not record as detailed data as do you, my personal findings are opposite of yours in general: on 3-5% grades I can pass the same road cyclists who passed me as if I were motionless when on the flats. Properly configured road bikes, in my experience, will always be noticeably faster particularly on paved, even terrain due to riding position, very much reduced rolling resistance and shorter wheelbase. Of course, they lose all that advantage where the pavement ends. The "fitness" of the rider has very little to do with speed unless it is an all out racing situation. And I'm not not really convinced that there exists any completely satisfying definition of the term, "fitness" in any case. Thanks for an interesting comparison.
@@hikerbikeromar Thank you for your reply! So often when there's a substitution (per a Trek rep, because of Shimano supply issues) buyers assume "lesser quality." Glad you like the ProMax brakes.
Do you find it’s harder to put the power down on the fx sport, due to the upright position ? Do you find the 2022 fx sport geometry is back step from regular fx bikes and 2021 fx sport bikes?
I think all of the FX bikes share a similar geometry, and I don't find it difficult to get the power out. However, I do find that the upright position will create a lot of wind resistance compared to drop bar bikes, and the FX bikes get fairly uncomfortable pretty quickly since there is only one position you can ride in, vs a drop bar bike which has several.
@@hikerbikeromarsorry but I meant compared to a road bike , does road bike positioning allow easier to put more power down than this fx sport in the video?
@@JitinMisra Perhaps a little, but I think it's fairly trivial. I think you can get the same amount of raw power on both bike types. However, I think the drop bar style geometry will be much more effective due to aerodynamics, and will be more a lot more comfortable, which over a long ride, will probably allow you to produce power more easily since you will feel fresh for longer. Hope that makes sense!
I know they’re different purpose bikes but how would you compare this to a Specialized Sirrus X 4.0? This one looks like you get a lot more bike for the $300 difference between the two. I’m looking to buy a fast straight bar and these two are close to the top of my list.
That's a great question. The componentry is very similar on both bikes. The major difference is the Trek is fully carbon fiber whereas the specialized is all aluminum. Aluminum isn't necessarily bad, but I think for just an extra $200, the Trek is a much better value. An all carbon fiber bike for only $1699 is an incredible deal, and so I'd probably go with the Trek for that reason.
I think I'm settled on either this or the FX 5. Do you think the GRX groupset and Shimano brakes on the 5 are worth the $300 upgrade over the Deore and Promax brakes on the FX 4?
@@Barbas06 I have ridden both, and I really don’t think the GRX is worth the upgrade. I didn’t really notice a difference in shift performance. The Shimano Deore seems excellent to me.
@@hikerbikeromar Went into the store and they happened to have the 2021 version with the GRX and Shimano brakes and IsoSpeed for the same price so I just went with that 😅 I don't think the changes in the frame were worth the difference in component quality.
@@spottyride2657 That's a good question! In my opinion, the flats are good for more leisurely/recovery rides, or if you are biking through areas with lots of traffic. It's also good if you are biking through areas that you are not familiar with and are unsure of terrain, and want to sight-see in the process. For more intense rides where you want to put down the power, I think drops are better. That is just my personal opinion!
Is this exactly the same as the 2022 Trek FX Sport 4? They look identical and the comparison on 99spokes give them the exact same specs all the way down the line (same with the Sport 5) other than the price.
That’s a great question. I personally find the Domane road bike to be much more comfortable given the variation in hand positions. It’s much less fatiguing for most road rides in my opinion. I talk a bit more about it in my Domane AL 5 Review: czcams.com/video/ASZ2XyrHuyA/video.html
In my opinion, yes definitely. It’s no question. Of course, I encourage you to try them both at your local shop, but for me, the Domane is the most comfortable bike I have ever ridden.
These new fx sport bikes are so disappointing. They really should have kept the old sport , road oriented bikes with isospeed, for the fx sport, and maybe a second fx category for these gravel bikes.
This bike was really easy to assemble czcams.com/users/postUgkxMesz3KOGEmwmvyKQfLfrRSUXLFzfVHZA and required very few adjustments out of the box. The wheels did not require any truing/adjustments. The frame had some small scratches, but nothing major.I did replace the seat though - the seat it came with was very uncomfortable. The tires need to be re-inflated every 4-5 days, but this appears to be quite common for the narrow 700x25 tires.Overall, in my opinion, this bike looks and rides like a much more expensive bike.
I will tell everyone right now, if you add on a 200 dollar set of aero bars, you WILL be as fast as most road bikes. But you need to get rid of the knobby tires, they will slow you down. Down the road, you could upgrade to carbon deep dish 50mm rims. They will be much lighter, more aero and much faster. Or you can buy a used carbon frame road bike and swap out the curly bars with straight bars with aero bars. That's what I did and I'm faster than most weekend warriors on their $10,000 bikes.
Inspired by GCN’s comparison between drop bar and flat bar (czcams.com/video/lqSbc0qjVZk/video.html), I’d like to see this bike re-tested with add-on bars that enable a narrower riding position.
I think that the main consideration for this bike is it's truly intended use. It's not a race bike or a mountain bike. It's a hybrid aimed at a happy medium for a fair price. I don't think you'd choose this bike for any one specific riding style. It's a great bike for someone who wants a well rounded and versatile bike that can do lots of things good rather than any one thing great.
True, but I ride it because it keeps my posture fairly upright. I use it on days when I want to take a rest from the road bikes power positions.
I really like the format of this review, nice work!
Thank you!
To me it is not amount speed and performance. It is about comfort. The more upright position is more comfortable to me.
Purchased an aluminum FX3 a few months ago. Did 26 miles over the weekend on a bike path/ rail trail and it is fantastic. My posture is more upright than my race bike and provides a comfortable ride on the 32mm tires. It is doesn’t have the speed, acceleration or endurance of a road bike but for the bike paths/ rail trail so much more comfortable. It is a great purchase. Glad I bought the aluminum and will take the savings to get a better road bike in the future.
The aluminium versions are great bikes aren’t they! Love mine also. I think Trek are trying to hit all areas of the market with the sport version. Ultimately it’s just a carbon road bike with straight bars. I’m not a fan of carbon (at all) as have had many friends with cracked frames etc. durability of carbon has always been questionable to me, so always buy aluminium versions. The FX range is truly unbeatable.
I’ve had mine a year and really like it. I ride once or twice each week and have completed rides up to 75 miles long. At 72 years old, I appreciate the more upright position and it’s fast enough for my purposes. Enjoy your rides!
Have a Diamond Back Haanjo 1, aluminum, similar geometry, and way heavy. Slammed the stem, shaved an inch and a half off the flat bars, and run75 psi on my 38 slicks and often outrun carbon drop bar race bikes on the flats and descents. The added weight holds speed better, climbing is where I acquire most of my penalties, but you can make flat bar road bikes speed machines without question, just add a few more watts.
Such a beautiful bike. This is my dream bike the TREK FX sports 4 ❤ and a nice review brother. You can switch to 700x25 tires to be more faster I think. 🙏🏻
A more accurate way of comparison is to use a power meter and ride at the same rate of power. Also, the less aero position on the FX is the biggest disadvantage followed by the weight of the bike. Therefore one may have to put out 210 watts of power on FX vs only 180 watts of power on a Road bike to keep up. With all being said, it all comes down to the engine.
Well said , you hit the nail on the head .
Recently started working in a Trek store and I was wondering about this bike in a real world ride perspective. Like you had mentioned for a carbon bike that is gravel ready it’s a great bike to consider. I was actually considering buying one of these for the purposes you had mentioned. But still on the fence about that. Thanks for sharing this video.
Thanks for your feedback and thanks for watching!
What size would you recommend for someone who is 5ft 6 and has an inside leg of 27inch.
I actually ordered an FX4 Sport as my first bike 2 years ago and while waiting the 8 months for it to come in I found a Specialized Sirrus X 2.0. I'm so glad I did because I found out it wasn't the TYPE of bike I needed because I couldn't keep up with my friends on road bikes on the down hills. I ran out of gears and was spinning like a mouse on a wheel but the upside is that my gearing allowed me to speed up hills regardless of the weight of the bike and my fat tires. I cancelled the Trek order and bought a Fezzari Empire with a SRAM Rival group set. I rode it in a 100 km group ride the day after I received it and the difference was night and day. I dropped all of my riding partners because I had the gearing to keep up with them on the flats and down hills w/o crushing my cardio system. My conclusion is that, all things being equal, unless you're riding with elite riders, the gearing is much more important than a few pounds. Also to really make this video a like for like effort comparison you need to have at least heart rate data for both rides; power data would be better but heart rate data is an absolute necessity. Perceived effort is just not good enough for a comparison like this. Thanks and have a great ride!
Thanks for the comment Joe! Glad you found a bike that worked for you, and I agree this comparison could definitely have been better. I intend to introduce more metrics and KPI's in my future comparison videos. Thanks for watching!
Thanks much for your reviews - I found them very helpful! I bought one of these bikes and was shocked by how slow the bike was (and I definitely could not keep up with my road bike group.) I swapped the tires out for 32's and it made a huge difference for me. Still don't think the brochure hype is realistic, but at least I am closer now and the ride is comfortable.
Thank you so much for sharing!
The price is going up to 1,799.99 now on Trek site. If fx4 cannot keep up with other road bike when climbing on the hills, then the Fx5 and 6 will not either since the gear ratio in fx5 and 6 are not better than fx4 even they have 11 cogs. Some reviews mentioned that fx4 2021 is better than 2023 because of some of the better components on 2021 bike are not in 2023. However, the gear ratio in 2023 for climbing hill are better as mentioned above and can handle offroad better using large tires. I plan to get fx4 2023 instead of 2021 to handle offroad and climbing hill which are important to me. If you only care about flat road then fx4 2021 is better and at discount price, 1499.00.
If you wanted to ride more road, you could not only put fast road tires on it, but also should change the front chain ring; the FX 5 2023 comes with 40 tooth and can increase to 44 tooth max; it's probably same for FX4. that's a 10% increase in top speed which would make a good difference and probably still ok for max hill climbing on roads. It depends of course on how steep the hills are in your riding area. But one thing not mentioned in this review is the 1x drive train is much simpler and a bit lighter than 2x drive trains, and much simpler too on a flat bar vs drops. I have 1x11 on my MTB and absolutely love the simplicity and reliability.
Good remarks: I have the 2021 version FX 4 precisely for flatter road riding and its superior Shimano shifter derailleur crankset components and lighter weight at 21lbs.
I have a 2022 Sport FX 4. I like it although I think it could use a few more gears (it had 5). Otherwise I like it a lot.
I like your videos, very informative!!! btw I noticed you had three motorcycles in the garage, do you review motorcycles too?
Thank you, I appreciate the comment! No unfortunately I don’t review motorcycles, but perhaps that’s a good side gig idea for me to consider! :)
Bought a FX Sport 5 two months ago. Swapped out the 40mm tires for 35mm tires (that are otherwise almost identical, eg same tread pattern).
The 35s for me are the sweet spot - still very comfortable like the 40s, still great on dirt trails and dirt roads, but faster rolling and easier to keep up with my friends on their road bikes on our longer rides on streets and paved trails.
Sure, not quite as fast as my Domane. But the Domane isn’t versatile like the FX, and it’s not quite as fun to ride.
What do you find more comfortable ?
@@JitinMisra I feel like I should say the 40's are more comfortable. But honestly, I can't tell the difference in comfort between them. Both the 35 and 40 are certainly more comfortable than the 28 on my road bike (Trek Domane).
What I can tell you about the 35 vs the 40 is that the 35 has less rolling resistance, so it's easier for me to ride faster and keep up with my friends riding their road bikes on our weekly road rides.
The 35 still has the traction I like for gravel roads & trails.
so for me, it's the sweet spot between comfort and speed and traction.
@@rc2257 I meant between the Domane and fx sport
@@JitinMisra FX is more comfortable due to more upright seating position and wider tires. Domane is the mist comfortable road bike I’ve ever ridden, but FX beats it for comfort.
Not really a fair comparison, though. Different kinds of bikes for different kinds of riding.
@@rc2257 but if i'm just trying to get fit, either bike should be fine right ?
Wow this is so cool! Thanks for sharing! I’m going to go by it now @trek
Haha awesome!
I love my fx 2 I do agree that on longer rides over like 55 60 miles it gets a little uncomfortable. I average 2 to 3 mph faster on my schwinn phocus.
Such a good looking bike
I picked up one of these for this year's Red Bull Rampage. My expectations are high.
I had considered one of these bikes but after 30 years on hardtails I took the bait and bought a drop bar gravel bike. instead. All personal opinion but for me I hated the drops and at least for my gravel bike it was slower than my hardtails even on road course (back roads fairly rough). Wish I had spent my money on one of these instead. Yup if you want top speed get a drop bar carbon road bike but if you want versatility and still fairly good speed plus comfort I would get one of these or a hardtail and hit the trails too.
Thank you for sharing your experience!
Both are very nice. I would prefer the Trek for my daily use.
My current road bike is very good for the first 10-20km then it gets more and more uncomforatble since I am not very flexible, also my neck starts to hurt because I have to overextend it to keep my head up. And given this uncomforatble ride my speed tends to drop mile by mile. My point is that on a longer distance a slower bike can close a lot of the gap if it is comfortable and you do more pedaling and less fidgeting.
I plan to purchase the FX Sport 4 model and your video helped solidify my decision. My only uncertainty is the color - Trek White or Lithium Grey? The stores near me do not have any in stock. Do you have a recommendation based on your experience?
Thank you! I’m so happy I could help.
I have seen them both up close in person and they are both super nice looking bikes. I really enjoyed the lithium grey color, but the white looked incredible too. If I had to go back and buy it again, I’d probably go with the white since I really like the shiny texture. It looked maybe a little bit more exciting and unique IMO. But honestly, you can’t go wrong with either. Both look awesome. Good luck!
I test rode this and found it to be pretty slow rolling compared to the 2021 version, I’m suspecting because of the tires. So i picked up a 2021 model and have made upgrades focused on increasing the speed - Hunt 34 Aero Wide wheels, Conti GP 5000 S TR tires (32mm), 44t Wolftooth chainring. These changes have indeed transformed the bike, but I do believe there is a limit to what hybrid bikes are capable of speed-wise. I think this is illustrated well by the following stats - my max speed on a particular downhill segment on my FX is ~27 mph, while my max speed on the same segment on my CAAD13 is -33 mph. I really think aero is the limiting factor as far as speed with hybrid bikes.
This is awesome info, thank you for sharing!!
Hmm, think I was getting bad readings from my bike computer on my FX before today. Even when I thought I was hauling ass, I could never get a 30mph reading until today. Finally got a 30mph reading (30.56) on a downhill section that I can hit 32mph on my road bike.
Actually, 33.3 on the road bike.
And could never get above 27mph reading on the FX before, not 30.
The only way I would get to 30 is if I switched to km/hr
I love it! What do you think about the FX3 for a commuter bike?
FX3 is an excellent commuter bike!
Great review! I am trying to decide on the FX5 or the Domane AL 5. I love the idea of the carbon frame, but I really enjoy cranking out the miles on my local gravel rail trails, so I am wondering if the Domane will be that much faster. Then there is comfort. Will the carbon frame and more upright riding position on the FX be significantly more comfortable? I think I need to get to the shop and ride both.
Great question! I personally found the AL5 to be much more comrtable since there are multiple hand positions to switch between. Ironically, I only found the upright flat bar position on the FX series to be comfortable for short rides, as I got pretty sore and fatigued from being in just one position for too long. Additionally, it's so much easier to crank out the power on the Domane IMO given it's a bit more aggressive, and it is certainly more than capable of gravel riding too. Feel free to check out my review on the AL5 as well!
I would recommend the Domane AL 5 as well. I'm picking one up this weekend actually. Per Trek's website, the FX carbon actually weighs more than the Domane AL 5. And the AL 5 offers the drop bars for more comfortable riding positions and (in my opinion, most importantly) a 2x drivetrain. All that is worth the extra money for the Domane.
I have the FX5 sport as a gravel/road everything that is not my MTBs. For me the flat bars have plenty of different places for my hands, the grips are only a suggestion, one place for hands. I put a handlebar extension with a built in light out front giving me a lowered more forward hand position if the wind is in my face, or I want to look like I’m fast.
I am not riding competitively…anymore. I compete only with myself. The FX is responsive, nimble and can easily keep up with anyone I’m riding with. If I was 30 years younger, the drop bars would be my choice, but now I don’t care what the “club riders” think. The fx5 is comfortable and fantastic for my needs.
why is that seatpost jacked up so high like a protour bike but it doesn't have any forward stretch on the top tube and stem
I picked up a Domane AL4 to replace a Trek FX3. I get 3mph more on average on the same route. Its staggering how much faster the road bike is.
I agree!
I’m in Barrington so it’s cool to see another local.
Awesome!!
What about the Trek FX Sport, 2022 model? I swapped out the gravel tires for Continental, GP Urban, 35mm tires and swapped out the Bontrager, alloy seatpost for a Bontrager, RSL carbon seatpost and changed the stock saddle for a Fizik, Alliante, all carbon saddle! The bike weighed about 20.8 pounds previous but it has to be around 19.8 now. Those changes shaved off pounds. I only ask because Trek and some reviewers say that road bikers will be amazed when you pass them up! I mean, this is subjective because I feel that also depends on the rider, size, weight and strength of the rider, as well as terrain! Yes, I would say, that climbing in an all out road bike is advantageous, compared with any other bike that’s either, flat bar or which is designated towards various terrain. I would be interested in seeing you check out the FX Sport 6. With that being said, however, I may also get a ‘pure’ road bike because I feel, perhaps, you will get more out of one! These manufacturers stake many claims but there’s a reason they make these road bikes that ride in the mountains and straightaways and can go, blisteringly fast and handle very stable on turns and descents! It’s hard to compare hybrid bikes to straight-up road bikes! It could be a ploy by some companies to attract people who want a road bike but can’t afford one!?
All very well said and very well put! I am considering upgrading some components on my FX Sport 4 to be more road like and doing another video comparison on how it keeps up with road bikes. As you suggest, I think a lot of it is subjective and dependent on rider fitness and what not. Also curious how many lbs I can shave off it it, I imagine close to the 2 lbs mark. Stay tuned, and thanks for watching!
You should swap the tires out to a more road tire when city riding. The comparison will be more correct then.
Beautiful bike buth with lack of gears, compared to my Cannondale Quick1 Disc with Shimno 105 2 x 11
I own an FX2 2023...I keep up with rode bikes all the time. BUT the FX3 and FX4 have different gearing with a single front cog so you cant reach your bigger gears.
@hikerbikeromar Just curious what size you used and your height? Im about 186cm so am right between L & XL recommendation
I am exactly your same height and was also in between sizes. Mine was a size L, but in retrospect, I feel a size XL may have been better. However, they will both work, and I think it’s more a matter of preference.
Yey. Since specialized moved onto the ridiculous staggered top tube and seat stay trend this will be my last from them. The Trek might be my next bike.
lets say that I am commuting to work.
It takes me around 25 minutes in car (9km -5.5 miles) because of traffic and I want to switch to a bike.
The most logical next step would be an electric bike, but apart from 2 models they don't sell where I live.
What is being sold is FX disc and FX sport (which is harder to find and from all my searching I have only found 2021 models being sold).
Is an FX disc as good as a high end FX sport? (price is not really a problem, I just want to get to work fast and not sweaty :D)
thank you!
Great question! If you are talking about the FX 3 disc, I don't think you would notice much of a difference in terms of speed. The FX Disc will be a pound or so heavier, but the tire width is a little smaller and less knobby so I have a sneaking suspicion you would go faster on the FX Disc. Of course you could always change the tires on the FX Sport, but you're adding more money at that point. I think the FX Disc is an excellent value and I don't think you would loose much on speed, if even any at all. If I was in your shoes, I'd go for the FX Disc!
@@hikerbikeromar thank you so so much!
The 2021 FX Sport 4 is still available. It's a totally different bike compared to the 22 and 23's. The 2021 model is a bit more road oriented with skinner tires. And it's lighter than current model.
@@jcadvanced thanks for the further clarification 🙃
Tried a FX 4 a few days back and found it had an extremely smooth ride - even across a grassed park during my limited test ride. But I found the bike's prominently upright riding position off putting coming from my 10 year old, Can 0 Ale Quick CX1. I wonder about this riding position for a 25 mile ride, though. You did not really mention the riding position or the comfort.
Thank you for the feedback. You are totally right, I didn't talk about the riding position and I definitely should have. This was my first semi-review video, so this is good advice for any future reviews that I do, thank you! The ride position is very comfortable at 25 miles. I recently even did a 60 mile ride with this bike and it was still very comfortable. I would say it is a true endurance bike. The only downside to this position is that if you want to right hard and fast, then the position is not very practical or comfortable. You will find yourself wanting to get low and aggressive, and this bike does not let you do that. For more leisurely rides, it's an excellent choice.
@@hikerbikeromar Hmmm, not being able to crank out has been my main concern after testing and researching the FX 4. I do like to put my head down and 'just ride' on my 25 mile rail trail route and I'm beginning to think that this is not the bike for that. I'm also looking at the Specialized Sirrus 4 (on back order) and the Cannondale Quick 1 (sold out)...
@@allanharris4281 Gotcha! Yeah in that case, you'd probably want to stick with a drop bar bike, and if you want a comfier more durable ride, throwing slightly wider tires might be the way to go. I like the FX 4 Sport when biking with people who are more into site seeing, since in that case, my aero road bike is overkill. The FX 4 Sport is also a good alternative for adventure/gravel type rides where you're not sure what type of road surface you'll be on. But if you have a distinct 25 mile loop that you are familiar with and want something to crank out the power, my sense is you would feel a bit let down by the FX 4 Sport.
@@hikerbikeromar Omar, you have reinforced what ii is that I had thought on my test ride. It's not the right bike, for me. Thanks, for your time!
@@allanharris4281 Glad I could help! Good luck!
Waiting on the Dual Sport 3, which apparently also weighs around 24 pounds per Trek. I wonder how that bike would compare to this one.... same drivetrain if I'm not mistaken and all aluminum with Carbon fork...
I think the FX Sport 4 will feel more lively, snappier, and faster, but the Dual Sport 3 will feel more comfortable and more robust. Both will great options!
To me the seat post to cabon is what needs the upgrade the most.
Yes, test it on gravel. Would be really nice
I ride a much heavier-, all aluminum "urban" bicycle, with straight handlebars, 35mm tires and a longer wheelbase than any road bike.
Though I do not record as detailed data as do you, my personal findings are opposite of yours in general: on 3-5% grades I can pass the same road cyclists who passed me as if I were motionless when on the flats.
Properly configured road bikes, in my experience, will always be noticeably faster particularly on paved, even terrain due to riding position, very much reduced rolling resistance and shorter wheelbase. Of course, they lose all that advantage where the pavement ends.
The "fitness" of the rider has very little to do with speed unless it is an all out racing situation. And I'm not not really convinced that there exists any completely satisfying definition of the term, "fitness" in any case.
Thanks for an interesting comparison.
Thoughts regarding the ProMax brakes that Trek is using on the FX Sport 4 instead of Shimano?
That’s a great question! I think they are absolutely superb. They are hydraulic, so the modulation and power is excellent.
@@hikerbikeromar Thank you for your reply! So often when there's a substitution (per a Trek rep, because of Shimano supply issues) buyers assume "lesser quality." Glad you like the ProMax brakes.
Do you find it’s harder to put the power down on the fx sport, due to the upright position ?
Do you find the 2022 fx sport geometry is back step from regular fx bikes and 2021 fx sport bikes?
I think all of the FX bikes share a similar geometry, and I don't find it difficult to get the power out. However, I do find that the upright position will create a lot of wind resistance compared to drop bar bikes, and the FX bikes get fairly uncomfortable pretty quickly since there is only one position you can ride in, vs a drop bar bike which has several.
@@hikerbikeromarsorry but I meant compared to a road bike , does road bike positioning allow easier to put more power down than this fx sport in the video?
@@JitinMisra Perhaps a little, but I think it's fairly trivial. I think you can get the same amount of raw power on both bike types. However, I think the drop bar style geometry will be much more effective due to aerodynamics, and will be more a lot more comfortable, which over a long ride, will probably allow you to produce power more easily since you will feel fresh for longer. Hope that makes sense!
Should have done the test with the same tires
I know they’re different purpose bikes but how would you compare this to a Specialized Sirrus X 4.0? This one looks like you get a lot more bike for the $300 difference between the two. I’m looking to buy a fast straight bar and these two are close to the top of my list.
That's a great question. The componentry is very similar on both bikes. The major difference is the Trek is fully carbon fiber whereas the specialized is all aluminum. Aluminum isn't necessarily bad, but I think for just an extra $200, the Trek is a much better value. An all carbon fiber bike for only $1699 is an incredible deal, and so I'd probably go with the Trek for that reason.
I think I'm settled on either this or the FX 5. Do you think the GRX groupset and Shimano brakes on the 5 are worth the $300 upgrade over the Deore and Promax brakes on the FX 4?
@@Barbas06 I have ridden both, and I really don’t think the GRX is worth the upgrade. I didn’t really notice a difference in shift performance. The Shimano Deore seems excellent to me.
@@hikerbikeromar Went into the store and they happened to have the 2021 version with the GRX and Shimano brakes and IsoSpeed for the same price so I just went with that 😅 I don't think the changes in the frame were worth the difference in component quality.
@@Barbas06 Excellent choice! I think that's an awesome deal and worked out great! Let me know how you end up liking it.
Cool bike 🚲
Thank you!
@@hikerbikeromar are flats good? What do you think? I’ve had trek DOMANE basic one before 😜
@@spottyride2657 That's a good question! In my opinion, the flats are good for more leisurely/recovery rides, or if you are biking through areas with lots of traffic. It's also good if you are biking through areas that you are not familiar with and are unsure of terrain, and want to sight-see in the process. For more intense rides where you want to put down the power, I think drops are better. That is just my personal opinion!
@@hikerbikeromar oh ✅ good idea I’m only used to drops now unless on mtb 😜😜
Is this exactly the same as the 2022 Trek FX Sport 4? They look identical and the comparison on 99spokes give them the exact same specs all the way down the line (same with the Sport 5) other than the price.
Yep, same exact bike!
The Trek FX Sport 4 2022 is 1x10 the 2023 is 1x 11
The 2023 Trek FX Sport 4 is a 1x10, Shimano Deore M4100, 11-46 10 Speed
The sport 6 is way lighter. Would have been nice to see the comparison with that bike
i have a fx3, what is more comfortable the road bike or the fx sport 4? I really want a road bike, but i'm not sure if i will find it comfortable.
That’s a great question. I personally find the Domane road bike to be much more comfortable given the variation in hand positions. It’s much less fatiguing for most road rides in my opinion. I talk a bit more about it in my Domane AL 5 Review: czcams.com/video/ASZ2XyrHuyA/video.html
@@hikerbikeromar so you would say a domane would be more comfortable than an fx ?
In my opinion, yes definitely. It’s no question. Of course, I encourage you to try them both at your local shop, but for me, the Domane is the most comfortable bike I have ever ridden.
These new fx sport bikes are so disappointing. They really should have kept the old sport , road oriented bikes with isospeed, for the fx sport, and maybe a second fx category for these gravel bikes.
This bike was really easy to assemble czcams.com/users/postUgkxMesz3KOGEmwmvyKQfLfrRSUXLFzfVHZA and required very few adjustments out of the box. The wheels did not require any truing/adjustments. The frame had some small scratches, but nothing major.I did replace the seat though - the seat it came with was very uncomfortable. The tires need to be re-inflated every 4-5 days, but this appears to be quite common for the narrow 700x25 tires.Overall, in my opinion, this bike looks and rides like a much more expensive bike.
I will tell everyone right now, if you add on a 200 dollar set of aero bars, you WILL be as fast as most road bikes. But you need to get rid of the knobby tires, they will slow you down. Down the road, you could upgrade to carbon deep dish 50mm rims. They will be much lighter, more aero and much faster. Or you can buy a used carbon frame road bike and swap out the curly bars with straight bars with aero bars. That's what I did and I'm faster than most weekend warriors on their $10,000 bikes.
Inspired by GCN’s comparison between drop bar and flat bar (czcams.com/video/lqSbc0qjVZk/video.html), I’d like to see this bike re-tested with add-on bars that enable a narrower riding position.
Can you use 45mm tires on this bike?
Max tire size is 42mm
What about fun factor? For me riding a hybrid is allot more comfortable and fun!
Haha yes totally! It’s all personal preference for sure.
Is that an XS size?
L size
Put thinner tires on the trek n time will be more similar
Much better deal with the 2021 model
1:34, weight 1750 grams? WTH that's a record weight LOL You meaned pounds right? 17.5 which are 7.93 kilograms, 7937 grams
Sorry about the confusion! At that time stamp, I am talking about the wheels only, which weigh 1750 grams as a pair.
Is this 2023 or 22? Says in your test page 22
It’s a 2023. Sorry for the confusion!!
@@hikerbikeromar no worries. I’m from Nablus by the way.
@@Rootportz No way, so am I! Are you currently living there?
@@hikerbikeromar currently in San Francisco. But used to live there when I was a child. Happy I found your channel will keep following you on CZcams!
@@Rootportz Happy to have you as a follower!
Its the rider 60%,,the bike 40%.. fact
😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱 🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hahahaha!