Updated on August 18, 2022
Everything you need to know about the best 2022 hybrid bike is in this review of the Trek FX 3. The 2022 Trek FX 3 has disc brakes, a 1X gear, and tubeless-ready wheels! It’s a fitness hybrid, so you can use it for commuting or riding around town like a flat bar road bike.
As far as value goes, FX 3 is tops. Forks are hefty, and the FX 1 has a steel one. FX 1s with rim brakes can still be found on select models. The Trek FX 2 and the FX 3 are priced similarly, however the FX 3 offers superior features. To learn more about those enhancements, click here! The front forks on the FX 2 and FX 3 are made of aluminium and carbon, respectively. Using carbon in the 2022 FX 3 will reduce vibrations, making it a more pleasant ride.
Table of Contents
Trek FX overview
FX bikes from Trek fall into the category of “hybrid bikes” or “fitness bikes.” These bikes are my favourite, and I’m particularly fond of the Trek FX.
With hybrid bikes, it might be beneficial if you can visualise a spectrum of bikes, starting with road bikes and moving toward mountains and downhills. Road bikes, as the name implies, are distinguished by their use of extremely thin tyres. Their riders are likely to be slumped over the handlebars, zooming over roads and pavements at fast speeds in tight spandex clothes. Mountain bikes, on the other hand, are built to withstand a lot more abuse. They’ll have huge, nasty tyres, suspension on the front and back wheels, and riders wearing loose-fitting bike suits and full-face motorcycle helmets. They’ll be traversing rocky and rooty terrain on backcountry paths with steep ups and downs.
Between these two, there’s a lot of room for hybrid bikes. A wide range of activities are well-suited to these bikes. Weekend bike excursions to the park with the kids, grocery shopping, trips to the beach, and going to work are all commonplace activities. They’re adaptable. A button-down and slacks for the workplace, a short and T-shirt, or a bathing suit and flip-flops for the beach might all be worn by hybrid bike riders. You don’t have to dress up to ride one, and it’s great for any occasion.
A road bike might move faster, but if you’re looking for a more comfortable ride and don’t want to wear spandex, then a mountain bike is the way to go. Single-track, near-vertical bike trails may not be accessible to you. Then again, you’re not a death wisher.
Hybrid motorcycles, in my opinion, have a lot going for them and almost no drawbacks.
There are 14 different models in the FX line, each with an own set of features and frame designs, such as unisex/male, low-step, and women’s. To begin with, you’ll find FX Sport 6 (highly-responsive, light on its feet, and extremely fast – but not cheap) and the FX1 (the most basic model) (which punches above its weight for the component list vs the price). Check out the FX3 Disc and decide whether or not it’s the right bike for you.
Trek FX3 Disc review
FX3 appears to be at that sweet spot in the FX range when component enhancements aren’t coupled with price increases. To quote the Trek crew, “Let’s jam in a whole lot of extra interesting features on the FX3 and hope no one sees we haven’t changed the price to match,” is what they must have thought.
Can you tell that I’m a big fan of your work?
When writing a review, I like to write about all the different colours that a bike comes in. But because I adore them so much, I’m going to begin with them this time. Dnister Black and Rage Red are the two colours available for the FX3. Honestly, I’m having a hard time deciding whether or not to buy this bike because of these two colours. …who is Dnister Black, anyway?” It’s stunning, I tell you. Elegant, yet subtle to a fault (much like myself, ahem). However, I’m a big fan of the Rage Red. It’s alive. Powerful… Honestly, it’s a difficult decision to make.
These two classic paint treatments have an impressive component list.
Trek’s Alpha Gold Aluminum is used for the frame. The FX3’s overall weight is under 26 pounds in part because of the aluminium, which is both light and flexible. Rather than having to retain a hunched-over position like road riders do, the geometry of this bike allows for a more upright riding position. Because of this, and the flat handlebars, you can easily maintain a comfortable riding position for long distances.
One of the most noticeable differences between the two models is that the front forks have been improved. The FX2’s metal forks have been replaced with carbon ones. In my opinion, this is one of the most compelling arguments for upgrading to the FX3 and is more than worth the additional cost over the FX2. Having a lighter bike allows you to peddle quicker because the carbon reduces the bike’s weight. At the same time, because of its greater elasticity, carbon fibres are better able to absorb road surface imperfections. As a result, your trip will be more comfortable and quicker.
The drivetrain will be the subject of our next examination. The switch to a Shimano drivetrain represents a big advancement for the FX3 Disc. All the gears you need for simple cruising up hills and speedy flats and descents are included in this package. There are two cogs on the crank and nine on the back hub, for a total of 18 gears. This is an improvement over the FX2, which has three cogs at the crank. Even if it doesn’t sound like much, there are two advantages to this approach. One benefit is that the front derailleur may be adjusted to catch two cogs instead of three, which reduces weight and, more importantly, simplifies maintenance.
Having a bike that is fast, light, and sensitive means you need a brake system that can stop you from crashing into other cars or squirrels darting across the road into your path. Trek has incorporated squirrel-friendly Shimano MT201 hydraulic disc brakes into their design for this purpose. Linear-pull brakes are standard on the FX1 (which are effective but can be impacted by rain and mud). Mechanical disc brakes are standard on the FX2. Hydraulic discs are then unleashed on the FX3.
When driving in wet weather, linear-pull brakes have a difficult time because the brake pads pull against the wheel rims, which can become slippery in puddles and snow and muck. Disc brakes, on the other hand, have a separate disc that the brake pads apply to, which is located near the wheel hubs. Brake fluid is used instead of a cable in hydraulic disc systems because it is both more responsive and lighter than a cable (so it saves on bike weight).
FX3 disc weighs 25.88 lbs and is a stunning piece of engineering and design.
A fantastic bike. Is it, however, right for you? A hybrid bike is an excellent choice if you plan to ride on smooth pavement or roads. Because the ground is already smooth, there’s no need for any sort of suspension. You don’t have to be bent over when you don’t have to be if you like to ride in an upright and relaxed position. The road riders can handle that. The FX3 is the best option if you’re looking for a bike that can get you where you need to go quickly, whether that’s the office or a family bike ride. Powerful, yet graceful. And that bike or rider may be the one I’m referring to.
Trek Fx vs Trek Dual Sport vs Trek Verve
The FX, Dual Sport, and Verve are the three most prevalent hybrid bikes in Trek’s lineup. There are a variety of features available depending on how and where you ride. There are various reasons why the Trek FX is the Five-Star General.
To begin, the Trek FX is the lightest of the three hybrid bikes we tested. Weight is added to the Dual Sport by the front fork suspension. There is not enough travel in the front fork to define Dual Sport as a mountain bike. It’s possible to fit a set of 2.6-inch Maxxis DHF or DHR tyres on the Dual Sport, but you won’t be able to construct a whole mountain bike out of it. It’s best to think of the Dual Sport as an over-equipped gravel bicycle.
There is no suspension on the Verve, and it is heavier than the FX. It’s still about the same as the Dual Sport in terms of weight. Your Dual Sport or Verve should weigh between 31 and 33 pounds, depending on the frame size. With a weight of 25 pounds, the FX 3 is a lot simpler to climb hills and go quickly.
Trek FX 3 Maximum Tire Clearance
The maximum tyre size for the Trek FX 3 is 38mm, according to Trek. Trek recommends a minimum of 6 millimetres of space between the tyre and the rim on both sides. I use 40mm gravel tyres on my FX 3 in the winter and when I know I’ll be riding a lot of dirt roads and singletrack. Adding an even wider tyre would only add unneeded weight to the bike, which is why these tyres are ideal.
Rack and fender mounts are standard on all three versions. In terms of adjustability, the Trek Verve is the only one that can beat it. When riding vigorously, the stem can be lowered to a more upright posture. An Allen wrench is used to make the adjustment. Adjustment on the Dual Sport and FX is accomplished by flipping the stem. Even if you manage to get the Verve’s adjustability range, you’ll still be short.
Conclusion
My favourite Trek FX model is the FX3 Disc. As you can see from the list of specifications, you receive a lot of value for your money. Aluminum. Carbon. Shimano is everywhere. All of this for about $150 less than the FX4’s next-highest model.
The FX3 is one of my favourites. I think it’s fantastic. So will you, in my opinion.
Hey, all I am Joe Marino I love to ride bikes and teach others how to ride them. Most of my articles are about which bike is best for others. I am passionate about cycling and it shows, whether I am writing about a $25 bicycle from any random website or a $5000 Santa Cruz.
I have always been the guy who gets calls from friends while at work asking which bike they should buy. I have written about the best city bike for commuting, the best folding bike for use on public transit, and even what to keep in mind when shopping for kids’ bikes.
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