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Trek FX 2 Review: Ultimate Guide To The Fitness Hybrid Gravel Grinder

• by Riding With Ryan (Official)

My first bike from a legitimate bike shop was a Trek FX 2 Disc. There have been several changes over the years, almost all making this bike even better. If you are just getting into cycling and are interested in this Trek FX 2 review, be very careful. This bike will draw you into cycling, and soon you will start obsessing about saving grams, LYCRA, and Strava KOMs. Also, be sure to check out this 2022 Trek FX 3 review .

No need to worry about high prices with this bike. In other words, the Trek FX 2 is an awesome bike with a low price point, below $1,000. So what kind of bike is it, and who is it good for? These are both questions we will answer, and more, in this Trek FX 2 review. After that, you will want to call your bike shop to setup a test ride.

What Kind Of Bike Is The Trek FX 2?

The Trek FX 2 is a fitness hybrid bike. A hybrid bike is simply any bike that doesn’t fall into a specific category like road bike, mountain bike or cruiser. Fitness hybrids are bikes with similar geometry to an endurance road bike, but it will have flat handlebars instead of traditional road bike drop bars.

Fitness hybrid bikes can be ridden in the road, on light gravel, or a combination of the two. They make great bikes for commuting, as well as making an awesome gravel bike with flat bars. It really is a do-it all bike that’s good at everything, great at nothing.

For a long time I ran two different sets of wheels on my Trek FX 2. I had a set of wheels with 40mm gravel tires, and I replaced the stock 35mm tires for some slightly more aggressive 32mm road tires for the factory wheelset. Eventually tire upgrades were not enough and I started buying upgraded bikes. However, I love my Trek FX 2 so much I still own it today.

Who Is The Trek FX 2 Good For?

The Trek FX 2 is made for anyone looking for a high quality ride without sacrificing comfort. This bike is incredibly fast to anyone not already riding a road bike. With beefier tires its a capable endurance bike.

The Trek FX 2 has multiple rack and fender mounts for commuters, and plenty of storage add-ons available for tourers.

It’s not often a single bike fills the holes of so many different riding disciplines. This Trek FX 2 review may be the first bike review I’ve done that covers road biking, fitness, gravel, and recreational riding. All of which are extremely fun and comfortable on the FX 2. The only riding discipline the FX 2 isn’t good for is mountain biking.

Trek FX 2 Gravel Upgrades

One of the most popular questions in the bike shop these days is about gravel bikes. Its an awesome riding discipline that has exploded in popularity for good reason. An easy and affordable way to ride gravel is with the Trek FX 2.

The maximum tire size recommended by Trek for the FX 2 Disc model is a 38mm tire. I have first hand experience fitting 40mm tires on my Trek FX 2 without a single issue. Above all, you don’t want to risk your warranty. It’s best to stay within the specifications Trek recommends. Adding fenders restricts that maximum tire size to 35mm.

After the new tires the FX 2 is ready to shred your next gravel trail. Modifying grips and saddles, as well as adding clipless pedals are all recommendations I would make. Getting those accessories specifically for gravel riding will only enhance your riding experience.

Gravel Purists, or Gravel Snobs, will not appreciate your flat bar gravel bike. Gravel bikes have drop handlebars. Some forged bar ends hanging down should be the final touch to keep everyone happy. They will also give you some additional hand positions on longer rides.

Is the Trek FX 2 Worth It?

Yes, the 2022 Trek FX 2 Disc is certainly worth it’s $779.99 price tag. Save the extra $150 to afford the Trek FX 3 Disc. It comes with an upgraded group set and a carbon fork to eat up additional vibrations from the road. In other words, you can’t go wrong with any Trek FX model.

The 2022 Trek FX 2 Disc bikes come in two color options. Firstly, is Trek’s traditional Satin Lithium Gray that has been a color option every year on the FX model. The second color option is absolute fire. It is Satin Viper Red and it looks amazing.

I love the Viper Red for two reasons. Firstly, it makes the bike look great and look fast. Secondly, is the way the color stands out. Someone driving by is going to see this Viper Red bike. If they see you they are less likely to run you over. Which is, you know, a great thing!

If you are looking for a great way to transport your bikes read: Kuat NV 2.0 Review .

Trek FX 2 Disc vs Rim Brakes

Trek offers the FX 1 and 2 models in rim brake and disc brake versions. The FX 3 is disc brakes only. What exactly is the difference, and are disc brakes worth the upgrade? Lets dive into those details.

First, the difference between disc and rim brakes can be dramatic. Disc brakes provide better stopping power in all conditions. The Tour De France was won on rim brakes for over 100 years, but you can’t argue against disc brake stopping ability.

The only reason someone should consider rim brakes over disc brakes is if their budget requires it. Riding a rim brake bike is better than riding no bike at all. Also, many dry climates won’t notice much difference between disc and rim brakes. The differences are more noticeable in wet riding conditions.

In conclusion, if you aren’t sure which model of FX is best for you I’d recommend browsing through the details on Trek’s website. Also, you can read this 2022 Trek FX 3 review .

1 thought on “Trek FX 2 Review: Ultimate Guide To The Fitness Hybrid Gravel Grinder”

I just bought a Trek FX 2 Disc at Scheels Grand Forks, North Dakota on July 22nd, 2023. They installed cheap brake: RUSH bake system and Cheap tire 700x32c with no name on it into my bike. These components were not as specifications on sale list at Scheels Grand Forks, North Dakota. The bake system should be Tektro HD-R280 and the tires should be Bontrager H2 Comp, 700x35c. First, they said that they will replace the brake and the tire as the specifications on the sale list. Then they call me to come back to the store and told me they only change the tires to the Bontrager H2 Comp, and if I want to change the brake I have to pay for the labor. I really disappointed about this. To my experience, you should check out the component of the Trek bike before you buy it. If you don’t, maybe your Trek bike get a cheap component installed on it.

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Trek FX7.3 - change to drop handlebars ?

• Thread starter Col-A
• Start date 31 Jul 2009
• 31 Jul 2009

I've a Trek FX 7.3 (comes with straight bars); has anyone any experience changing to drop bars on this bike? If it's possible at all, I'm guessing there will be issues around headset/stem, brake levers & shifters. Is this do-able. . .? Is it cost effective? Cheers, Col  

Marie Attoinette Fan

> . . .in the end it isn't as good as a bike built for purpose. Thanks for that, aye, I agree - although I want my bike to be closer to a cyclocross than a pure road bike. Anyone any suggestions on where the best deals are for parts (bars, brakes/shifters)?  

I went to a lbs so I had back up if things went wrong/ it was harder than I thought; it wasn't I'm sure you'll find things cheaper on line. I find the online shops Chainreactoncycles and Probikekit OK for price but there are plenty out there and ebay too.  

Trumpettom001

Well-known member.

I was considering doing this with a MTB (GT Aggressor XC3 to be exact) but the guys at the bike workshop ripped the piss outta me for even suggesting the idea...... I'm still gonna do it to annoy them  

Did you ever get this completed as I want to convert my Trek 7.3FX Did you ever get this completed as I want to convert my Trek 7.3FX Was looking at the Shimano 2300 8-speed STI's but that's all I know as I'm new to all this!!!! I couldn't afford the Trek 1.5 (so the wife said) so had to go for the 7.3FX, but now really want drop bars etc.. Please can anybody help me on what I need ??? Thanks Peter  

Senior Member

I've done mine, I used Campag 10 speed shifters as I picked up a pair cheap, the 8 speed Shimanos were more expensive. Based on recommendation of someone else on here I also bought http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/src/froo...justers-with-Grease-Ports--Per-Pair-13985.htm and http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/src/froo...-Front-or-Rear--Silver-Alloy--Per-Pair-89.htm as there is no ability in the campag levers for adjustment and only the rear dérailleur and the drop bar levers don't have the right mechanical advantage for v brakes so you need the little vdaptors on them. Have a look here for more info http://www.cyclechat.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=28607 http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/productdetail.asp?productcatalogue=CAMPGRSS910000000000  

• 27 Sep 2009

@codemagpie - I did change to Ritchey drops, Tekro v-brake levers and Shimano bar-end shifters, it turned out OK, but I have to agree with HLaB - it's never going to be as good as a purpose built bike. The gearing isn't the same as a road bike's - and I found the bar-end shifters a real pain in the butt - nowhere near as good as STI or equivalent. I've put the original bars back on the 7.3 and moved the drops to an old steel framed Pugeot road bike I'm building as a single speed. All in all it was worth the experiment, but if you want a road bike, buy a road bike.  

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Converting a Flat-Bar "Road" Bike to Drop Bars (aka Giant Rapid 3 upgrade potential?)

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Converting a Flat-Bar "Road" Bike to Drop Bars (aka Giant Rapid 3 upgrade potential?) Hello- I recently got a Giant Rapid 3 cheap from a buddy (bikepedia description below). https://bikepedia.com/QuickBike/BikeSpecs.aspx?item=19430 This is a flat-bar exercise-style "road" bike or "commuter" bike, that seems to use a road frame with mountain bike handlebars/shifters/brakes for a controllable commuter, or what some have described as a "fast around-towner". I am thinking of switching to a more road-bike setup. Specifically, I just want to switch to drop bars, with the accompanying shifter/brake combo that generally comes standard on road bikes now - where the brake levers double as hand-grips on the bend in the drop bar, and the shifters are integrated into the brake levers. In other words, I want to keep as many of the components as possible and just make it feel like a full road bike - with normal dropbars, shifters, and brakes. Is this possible to do this change on a bike like this? Do the derailleurs and chainrings match a mountain-bike setup and thus need to be switched out if I switch to drop-bar style brake levers/shifters (because those are designed for road bike specs)? If that level of swapping would need to happen to make it fully a road bike, would it be crazy or unsafe or a bad idea to put in drop bars and keep the current shifters/brakes, just added onto the drop bars? I'm new to conversions and upgrades, so pardon my ignorance. I just want to make this feel like a standard 10-speed when I ride it, instead of like using mountain bike controls slapped onto the body and ride of a road bike. Thanks so much!! -Nate  

Nate, Short answer is, it can be done and often asked. Most of us here prefer a dropbar to flatbar bike. But...big but, converting is universally a bad idea. Throwing good money after bad. Yes the bike can be converted, but if the bike fits you now with flat bar, it will fit poorer with a drop bar. Because handlebars sweep back with a flat bar, there is a 30-50mm different in top tube length between flat bar and drop bar bike for same rider size. Flatbar bikes...like a hybrid or mtb have longer top tubes for same size rider. This is because with drop bar, the hoods project forward...hoods being nominal riding position. Reason the drops sweep rearward is because they are much lower than a traditional flatbar which moves the hooks farther from the shoulder joints. Hope above makes sense. MUCH easier, to put the bike you have on Craigslist, ride it the way it is, or give it to a friend. Buy a decent Aluminum drop bar bike is much easier and you will end up with a much better bicycle. A last gross misconception about drop bar bicycles. Many will choose a flatbar bike to a drop bar because they find a flatbar bike more comfortable. The opposite should be true but generally isn't. Because a drop bar offers many more positions on the handlebar which also changes and helps mitigate rider fatigue, a drop bar should be more comfortable. Problem with many drop bar bikes for a given rider is the dropbar is merely in the wrong position, generally too low which puts more weight on the hands which sets the rider up for pain on longer rides. This is needless. A dropbar can be placed higher on a bicycle to replicate a flatbar riding position with optional hook position of getting low to cheat the wind. This is why OP, endurance genre dropbar bicycles are so popular among average riders...so seek an endurance geometry generally for more comfort. Body proportions and level of athleticism also affect what style dropbar bike may work best.  

I couldn't have said it better than 11spd. If you decide to go forward with this, then you will need a shorter stem, drop bar, bar tape, and Shimano 8 speed shifters (Shimano Claris 3x8 or old Shimano Sora 3x8). Microshift 3x8 shifters would also be an option as well. This is assuming you have the exact same bike on the website you linked.  

I agree with all said, but.... if he is converting a flat bar bike to road, he may want to move to a more aggressive position. I put road bars on my mountain bike and just adj the stem length to agree with my road bike setup and everything is fine so far. Do you have a road bike, if so check your measurements before moving forward on the stem, seat, etc. Another concern is the mt to road shifters, I didn't check your bike link, so you will need to get road shifters compatible with your bike's RD & FD. I did the conversion for about $150 with parts off ebay and am quite happy with it. But if your planning on riding a lot, get another bike....  

I’ve recently done this on two of my 29ers. Both have disc brakes. I used 405 and 505 hydro mechanical levers. Also went to 1x10 and 1x11 respectively from 3x9’s. Was a fun project. And as 11sp mentioned, I shortened my stems from about 100mm down to 40 or 50mm. Edit; I also used a Woolftooth tan pan on both and can report that this little device works flawlessly!!  

I converted my Trek 7.7FX flat bar road bike to drop bars. The flat bars felt too upright for me, so with drops I'm more stretched out. It was a fun project and I love the results. Note, it's not a cheap conversion: STI shifters, bars, bar tape, new brake and shifter cables, possibly a new stem, and possibly new brakes if switching from long pull levers (v-brakes). Labor will be expensive too unless you do it yourself. But, if you like your bike and want to keep it, it may be worth it to you.  

MountainOwl said: Hello- I recently got a Giant Rapid 3 cheap from a buddy (bikepedia description below). https://bikepedia.com/QuickBike/BikeSpecs.aspx?item=19430 This is a flat-bar exercise-style "road" bike or "commuter" bike, that seems to use a road frame with mountain bike handlebars/shifters/brakes for a controllable commuter, or what some have described as a "fast around-towner". I am thinking of switching to a more road-bike setup. Specifically, I just want to switch to drop bars, with the accompanying shifter/brake combo that generally comes standard on road bikes now - where the brake levers double as hand-grips on the bend in the drop bar, and the shifters are integrated into the brake levers. In other words, I want to keep as many of the components as possible and just make it feel like a full road bike - with normal dropbars, shifters, and brakes. Is this possible to do this change on a bike like this? Do the derailleurs and chainrings match a mountain-bike setup and thus need to be switched out if I switch to drop-bar style brake levers/shifters (because those are designed for road bike specs)? If that level of swapping would need to happen to make it fully a road bike, would it be crazy or unsafe or a bad idea to put in drop bars and keep the current shifters/brakes, just added onto the drop bars? I'm new to conversions and upgrades, so pardon my ignorance. I just want to make this feel like a standard 10-speed when I ride it, instead of like using mountain bike controls slapped onto the body and ride of a road bike. Thanks so much!! -Nate Click to expand...

I bought a bike that was converted to flat bar. Then I converted it back to drop bars. It's not a big deal, it just cost a bit of money for the shifters, cabling, stem, and bar. The biggest pain are shifters which will cost the most. The other stickler for me at least is I'm not sure I'd invest money into it given the original drivetrain wasn't that great to begin with at 8 speeds. I'd start by checking your local craigslist and get some used parts.  

I also converted my Trek FX 7.5 to a drop bars. Bontrager "Short & Shallow" bar, way shorter stem (not sure of brand), new set of 105 shifters, AND Tektro Mini-V brakes. Those brakes work perfectly with the 105 shifters. When riding, the bike feels nearly identical to my Giant Defy Advanced road bike. My total cost for the conversion was just over $200. Bob  

Thanks so much for all the suggestions and tips for this thought! It sounds like getting a road bike is eventually going to be the move. In the meantime, I realized after riding it a bit that part of the problem was that the bars were just so damn wide. And they had that gross rubber handlebar gel grip. So, I slide the gear shifters/brake shifters to the center of the handlebar as much as I could, I slide the bar end "horns" to the center about 2'' on each side, and I bought some cork tape. I am going to cut 2'' off the handlebar on each end and then re-tape it with road bike wrap, so it'll be a less wide bar that feels more comfortable. Has anyone ever seen anyone do this, or done it themself? Hey thanks! -Nate  

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Trek FX 2 Disc Equipped review: Unspectacular but effective

The trek fx 2 disc is a versatile all-rounder with surprising levels of comfort and stability.

Cyclingnews Verdict

Built around a frame with a superb balance between responsiveness and comfort, the Trek FX 2 Disc Equipped will tackle any task required of a hybrid bike in an effective, if unspectacular, manner

The frame has a great balance between responsiveness and comfort

Equipped for night riding, bikepacking or commuting

Can carry a decent amount of weight

Stable ride for long distances

Would need a drivetrain upgrade to become a serious fitness bike

On the heavy side for a rigid frame

You can trust Cyclingnews Our experts spend countless hours testing cycling tech and will always share honest, unbiased advice to help you choose. Find out more about how we test.

A hybrid bike can and will mean different things to different people. But sometimes it is simply the bike that fills the gaps, that doesn't do any one thing but in fact does it all. Purists may scoff and say to compromise is to ruin the essence of life: if you are not something, you are nothing. But Trek has offered a repost: if you can't be something, be everything.

That certainly appears to be the aim of the Trek FX 2 Disc Equipped. It's the jack-of-all-trades, odd-jobber of a bike. It comes, as the name suggests, fully loaded with a pannier rack, lights, mudguards and even a kickstand but what elevates it to a place among the best budget hybrid bikes available today is that, as part of Trek's fitness range, all that versatility does not come at the cost of all rideability. 

And that's a crucial element. Just because a bike has more practical functions – going to the shops, commuting, family bike rides etc – doesn't mean it can't be fun, have its own personality and leave us looking forward to running that next errand.

Trek's FX range of bikes is quite extensive, starting at the £500.00/$599.99 FX 1 and going all the way to the full-carbon £3,050.00/$2,799.99 FX Sport 6. The FX 2 is available with a step-through frame – in both the Equipped and standard versions – and has been updated for 2023, with the main difference from the 2021 model being a move from a 3x8 to a 2x9 gearing system.

The FX 2 Disc Equipped is priced at £740.00 - it's not currently available in the USA - which is £90 more than the FX 2 Disc standard (£650.00/$799.99) which foregoes the rack, lights, mudguards and kickstand. Although it does come in a couple of extra colour options.

Design and specification

Recognising alloy frames' bad reputation for comfort compared to steel and carbon, Trek set itself a goal to "build more compliant frames that retain the acceleration and affordability that have always made aluminium popular" – and it is the fruit of that labour that the FX 2 Disc Equipped is designed around. 

The Alpha Gold Aluminium frame, while not the lightest, does offer a great balance between responsiveness and comfort. It is also strong: according to Trek, the FX 2 Disc can take weights of up to 136kg (for bike, rider, and cargo combined), which fares well compared to other hybrid bikes in the same class such as the Merida Speeder 200 (120kg) and Scott Sub Cross 50 (128kg). The pannier rack that comes with it is also very solid and suitable for carrying loads up to 25kg despite weighing less than 600g itself.

My size large test bike as a whole weighed in at 13.4kg with pedals. The rack, lights, mudguards, and kickstand account for just over a kilogram of that weight but it's still a touch on the heavy side for a fixed-frame hybrid in this price range. 

While the focus is on the practicality of the frame, it is by no means ugly – especially when stripped of all the accessories – with internal cable routing, a gentle curve to the top tube that is reminiscent of the Specialized Sirrus (one of the classic beauties of the hybrid world) and the choice of a striking Viper Red or classy Lithium grey colourway. The geometry is pretty much what you would expect from a hybrid, with perhaps a slightly longer chainstay length adding to its stability. It is not as upright as, say, the Sirrus but similar to the Cannondale Quick 3 – which is a good bike to use as a comparison in general.

Like the Quick 3, the Trek FX 2 comes with a Shimano Acera/Altus 2x9 drivetrain and has an integrated mounting system in the stem, as well as the ability to track cadence and other metrics using an integrated wireless sensor. 

Trek's Blendr stem system is designed for easy installation of computers, lights and other accessories to your cockpit. It does, rather annoyingly, require an additional base to be purchased (which plugs into the stem) and then a further mount for the specific accessory (which attaches to the base) but that does allow for a wide range of options to suit all needs.  

The DuoTrap S is a Bluetooth/ANT+ sensor that integrates into the chainstay and wirelessly transmits to a smartphone or computer to track cadence and other metrics. Again, it requires a separate purchase, but the frame is set up for it to be attached without the need for zip wires or other ungainly fasteners.   

Trek has made an effort to include ergonomic grips on the FX 2 Disc Equipped, although they are a little on the basic side, especially compared to those on the more expensive models in the FX range. 

The lights, however, are far more impressive, particularly the AXA Greenline 35 headlight. USB-charging, it has a wide beam, is also designed to be visible from the side and is discreetly mounted on the top of the fork, which avoids cluttering the cockpit.

The Tektro HD-R280 hydraulic disc brakes are pretty standard now for mid-range hybrids. My test bike came with Bontrager H2 Comp 700x32c tyres but with the mudguards fitted there is room for up to 35mm and Bontrager H2 Hard-Case Light 700x35c tyres are listed as an option on the spec sheet. Without the mudguards, Trek says the frame can accommodate tyres up to 38mm in width.

Performance

Trek deserves credit here for really delivering on its aim of a responsive-yet-compliant frame. It's one thing coming up with the jargon, but another bringing it to fruition at a genuinely affordable price. While the FX 2 Disc Equipped might come across as a bit of a plodder on paper, in reality, it has a surprising amount of responsiveness. Loaded up with a carry pack on top of the pannier rack, I was happy overtaking other cyclists on reasonably fast country roads, knowing I had the acceleration to get past and back across to the side of the road in ample time.

Yes, it's no speed demon – it doesn't have the playfulness of the Boardman URB 8.9 or the lightweight climbing ability of the Merida Speeder 200, two bikes at a similar price point – but where it completely outscores both is in comfort and stability, even with a rack, mudguards, light, kickstand all bolted on. 

Interestingly enough, I took it for a ride with all those added extras stripped off and, while significantly lighter – making an obvious difference on climbs – there was not a huge noticeable change in its performance on the flat. 

My test bike came with a slightly-different-to-advertised Microshift Marvo front derailleur instead of Acera T3000, which is roughly equivalent, and I had no issues with it. However, as a whole, I did find the drivetrain to be under-par for a fitness bike. It's perfectly functional and will get you pretty much wherever you need to go, but it is a little clunky and I noted that the next bike up in the FX range, the FX 3 Disc Equipped , comes with a 10-speed Shimano Deore groupset which, in my experience, is a huge step up in performance. 

In particular, I could not get to grips with the drastic change when switching chainrings on the 46/30 chainset. If I didn't downshift on the 4th sprocket or earlier I found myself spinning out – and this is perhaps a rare example of the FX 2 Disc Equipped coming a little unstuck wanting to satisfy in all areas. That 16-tooth difference in the chainrings (the same difference as a 50/34 compact road chainset, for example) means the bike has the range to get up steep hills while also having enough gas on the flats, but the user experience is compromised a little in doing so. 

Where it doesn't compromise, however, is in its comfort and handling, whether I took it on potholed roads, bike paths, or light gravel it felt so balanced and stable. I was even happy taking it on the grassy, rutted track of a nearby nature reserve – and this was all with the standard 32 mm tyres it came with. Even when there was a little rattling, you could tell it was coming from the rack, fenders, and lights rather than the frame. 

Taking it out at night in light rain did little to change my faith in its dependability and the lights were superb, particularly the wide-beam fork-mounted headlamp – a marked improvement from the usual glorified-torch-on-the-handlebars setup I usually use. Neither front nor rear light offered an intermittent option but, having been driven to distraction on long night rides behind blinking bulbs in the past, that was no great loss to me.

I took the Trek FX 2 Disc Equipped on rides around the countryside, trips to the shops, rides with the kids, rides at night, in the rain, for exercise, for errands and more, and on every occasion, it delivered. It is solid and dependable without feeling clunky or cumbersome. It's not sexy but it's not ugly. It's not overly fun but it's no chore to ride.

It will do what it needs to do in almost every situation you will need a hybrid bike for. Not necessarily to the highest level, but to a high enough level that you won't feel like you are missing out. 

Yes, I did find the Altus/Acera groupset to be restrictive in terms of performance but drivetrains can be upgraded, along with wheels and grips and seatposts etc. Having a top frame is such a great building block. I would stress, however, this frame still has a ceiling to what it can do as a fitness bike, even if it were upgraded in all those areas. It is built for sturdiness as much as anything else and the fact that its performance was similar with and without the rack, fenders, kickstand et al is quite telling. I'm not going to use it to take on the Brecon Beacons in the Dragon Ride but I might choose it over a more expensive performance-oriented bike for a long-distance overnight ride such as the Dunwich Dynamo , where comfort, stability and safety are the overriding priorities.

Tech specs: Trek FX 2 Disc Equipped

• Price Trek FX2 Disc Equipped : £740.00 / $N/A
• Price Trek FX2 Disc : £650.00 / $799.99 
• Sizes : S, M, L, XL
• Weight : 13.4kg (actual, size L, with pedals)
• Frame : Alpha Gold Aluminium
• Fork : FX Alloy
• Shifters : Shimano Altus M2010, 9-speed
• Front derailleur : Microshift Marvo
• Rear derailleur : Shimano Altus M2000
• Crankset : 46/30
• Cassette : Shimano HG200, 11-36, 9-speed
• Brakes : Tektro HD-R280 hydraulic disc
• Wheels : Bontrager Connection
• Tyres : Bontrager H2 Comp, 700x32c
• Saddle : Bontrager Sport
• Seatpost : Bontrager Alloy, 12mm offset
• Stem : Bontrager Comp, Blendr Compatible, 7-degree, 90mm length
• Handlebars : Bontrager alloy, 31.8mm, 15mm rise
• Extras : Rack, Eurofender Snello mudguards, Spanninga SOLO rear light and AXA Greenline 35 headlight, Bontrager Satellite grips, kickstand

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Ben has been a sports journalist for 16 years, covering everything from park football to the Olympic Games. As well as cycling, his passions include podcasts, tennis and speaking enough Italian to get by on his snowboarding trips to the Dolomites. A DIY rider who is almost as happy in the toolbox as he is in the saddle, he is still trying to emulate the feelings he experienced as a nine-year-old on his first Peugeot racer – he couldn’t fathom the down-tube friction shifters then and he’s still wrestling with groupsets now. When he isn’t making a beeline for the nearest Chiltern hill, he is probably tinkering or teaching his kids how to clean a bike properly. He rides a heavily modified 1980 Peugeot PVN10 Super Competition (steel is real) when the road is smooth and dry, and a BMC Alpenchallenge when it’s not.

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Need ~2" Handlebar Raiser for Trek FX2 Disc

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Hi, I'm a novice in the biking world, but am looking forward to the trails ahead. I have a stock Trek FX2 Disc, large frame. Problem is I'm very hunched over due to the low handlebar height. I am looking to retrofit a handlebar raiser that could lift the handle bars about 2 inches without messing with the cables. From what I can tell, my stem diameter is 31.8mm, 7 degree, 100m length. Please suggest a handlebar/stem raiser that would work for me. Thank you!  

Just do a search on 50mm riser bars-----I am using a 760 MM Diety zink bar that is 50mm rise but there are a good number out there--current stem is fine  

30 degree stem will help you get it up there and shorter for less reach. https://us.ritcheylogic.com/us_en/comp-4-axis-30d-stem  

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Savvino-storozhevsky monastery and museum.

Zvenigorod's most famous sight is the Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery, which was founded in 1398 by the monk Savva from the Troitse-Sergieva Lavra, at the invitation and with the support of Prince Yury Dmitrievich of Zvenigorod. Savva was later canonised as St Sabbas (Savva) of Storozhev. The monastery late flourished under the reign of Tsar Alexis, who chose the monastery as his family church and often went on pilgrimage there and made lots of donations to it. Most of the monastery’s buildings date from this time. The monastery is heavily fortified with thick walls and six towers, the most impressive of which is the Krasny Tower which also serves as the eastern entrance. The monastery was closed in 1918 and only reopened in 1995. In 1998 Patriarch Alexius II took part in a service to return the relics of St Sabbas to the monastery. Today the monastery has the status of a stauropegic monastery, which is second in status to a lavra. In addition to being a working monastery, it also holds the Zvenigorod Historical, Architectural and Art Museum.

Belfry and Neighbouring Churches

Located near the main entrance is the monastery's belfry which is perhaps the calling card of the monastery due to its uniqueness. It was built in the 1650s and the St Sergius of Radonezh’s Church was opened on the middle tier in the mid-17th century, although it was originally dedicated to the Trinity. The belfry's 35-tonne Great Bladgovestny Bell fell in 1941 and was only restored and returned in 2003. Attached to the belfry is a large refectory and the Transfiguration Church, both of which were built on the orders of Tsar Alexis in the 1650s.  

To the left of the belfry is another, smaller, refectory which is attached to the Trinity Gate-Church, which was also constructed in the 1650s on the orders of Tsar Alexis who made it his own family church. The church is elaborately decorated with colourful trims and underneath the archway is a beautiful 19th century fresco.

Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral

The Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral is the oldest building in the monastery and among the oldest buildings in the Moscow Region. It was built between 1404 and 1405 during the lifetime of St Sabbas and using the funds of Prince Yury of Zvenigorod. The white-stone cathedral is a standard four-pillar design with a single golden dome. After the death of St Sabbas he was interred in the cathedral and a new altar dedicated to him was added.

Under the reign of Tsar Alexis the cathedral was decorated with frescoes by Stepan Ryazanets, some of which remain today. Tsar Alexis also presented the cathedral with a five-tier iconostasis, the top row of icons have been preserved.

Tsaritsa's Chambers

The Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral is located between the Tsaritsa's Chambers of the left and the Palace of Tsar Alexis on the right. The Tsaritsa's Chambers were built in the mid-17th century for the wife of Tsar Alexey - Tsaritsa Maria Ilinichna Miloskavskaya. The design of the building is influenced by the ancient Russian architectural style. Is prettier than the Tsar's chambers opposite, being red in colour with elaborately decorated window frames and entrance.

At present the Tsaritsa's Chambers houses the Zvenigorod Historical, Architectural and Art Museum. Among its displays is an accurate recreation of the interior of a noble lady's chambers including furniture, decorations and a decorated tiled oven, and an exhibition on the history of Zvenigorod and the monastery.

Palace of Tsar Alexis

The Palace of Tsar Alexis was built in the 1650s and is now one of the best surviving examples of non-religious architecture of that era. It was built especially for Tsar Alexis who often visited the monastery on religious pilgrimages. Its most striking feature is its pretty row of nine chimney spouts which resemble towers.

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