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The Trek FX 1 hybrid bike is often considered by beginners, commuters, and those who want to upgrade their old bike. But the question is, is it worth it?
Based on my overview of the hybrid bike market, comparisons with other brands, and components, the Trek FX 1 is worth it. You’ll appreciate its riding comfort, which is achieved thanks to wider tires and relaxed geometry, which allows for an upright riding position. Trek FX is also well-built, considering its affordable price. Continue reading to learn more about it or buy it here.
Is Trek FX 1 a Good Bike?
Trek FX 1 Gen 4 is popular thanks to its affordable price and riding comfort. It retails for $699 (in 2025). It is available in multiple sizes (XS-XL), pleasing riders of many heights.
You can also choose from several colors that change with each new generation. Trek also usually equips them with slightly modified components every year.
Pros and Cons of Trek FX 1
Here, I summarized the pros and cons of Trek FX 1 and FX 1 Disc.
Pros of Trek FX 1
- Quality and sturdy aluminum frame
- Disc brakes provide excellent stopping power
- Excellent price-value ratio
- Comfortable geometry, allowing an upright riding position
- Ergonomic grips for relieving pressure on your wrists
- Compatible with racks and fenders
- Flat pedals included
Cons of Trek FX 1
- Slightly heavier
- Disc brakes are only mechanical, not hydraulic
To fully understand the pros and cons, I recommend reading the following section, where I compare its features with today’s hybrid bikes.
Main Features of Trek FX 1
Let’s now dive deeper into Trek’s FX 1 components so you can better understand its value.
Aluminum Frame
One of the main features of every bike is its frame. Trek FX 1 is based on an aluminum frame. Aluminum frames are durable, reasonably lightweight, and affordable. That’s why aluminum is still one of the most popular bike frame materials.
Its fork is made of steel, though. This means a weight increase and a little worse aesthetics as the fork doesn’t match the rest of the bike. But, function-wise, you can rely on it.
The geometry of FX bikes is a bit more aggressive than other hybrid bikes for around $500 but still relaxed enough for an upright riding position.
This means you won’t experience back pain after long rides, and you don’t need to be as flexible as you would on high-performance road bikes, for example.
700c Wheels
Trek FX 1 has 700c wheels that are standard on hybrid and road bikes. It comes with 35mm hybrid tires, which ensure you can ride fast on paved roads but won’t puncture once you enter gravel.
These tires are one of the main reasons this bike is so versatile. Of course, we are not talking about MTB-like terrain but about a compromise between road and gravel biking.
Components
Trek FX bikes come with Shimano and Tektro components (drivetrain and brakes) and a 1X or 2X drivetrain, which are simpler and lighter than the 3X used on previous generations.
The 2X and 1X gears are more suitable for beginners and less experienced riders, as they make it easier to avoid chain crossing.
Other components, like the saddle, seatpost, handlebar, stem, etc., were made by Trek’s brand Bontrager.
Gears
The 2×8spd Shimano Acera drivetrain offers 16 gears to help you tackle almost any terrain. The higher-end versions usually offer more gears.
The gear ratios (i.e., the gears’ difficulty) range from easy gears suitable for steep climbs up to hard gears for fast descents.
Extras
Trek FX 1 has a couple of extra features worth mentioning. First, it has ergonomic grips that reduce pressure on your palms. So, even if you ride without gloves, your hands won’t get sore.
Of course, it is also designed to be compatible with fenders, stands, and racks to increase your storage capacity.
Trek FX 1 Specifications
Below, I summarize the most important technical specifications.
- Frame material: Aluminum
- Fork material: Steel
- Weight: ±13 kg (28.7 lbs), depending on frame size
- Wheel size: 700c
- Brakes: Disc
- Groupset: Shimano Acera
- Gears: 2×8spd (12-32T cassette)
- Colors: Differ based on the year
The following pictures show the detailed specifications of the Trek FX 1.
Trek FX 1 Alternatives
One of the closest alternatives to the Trek FX family is the Co-op CTY bikes, especially the CTY 1.1 and CTY 1.2. Eventually, you can check out bikes like Marin or Polygon or:
You can also consider the other Trek FX bikes. See the table below for comparison.
| Feature | Trek FX 1 Gen 4 | Trek FX 2 Gen 4 (Mid-step) | Trek FX 3 Gen 4 | FX Sport 4 | FX Sport 5 | FX Sport 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $699.99 | $799.99 | $1149.99 | $1,999.99 | $2,299.99 | $3,299.99 |
| Frame | Aluminum | Aluminum | Aluminum | Carbon | Carbon | Carbon |
| Fork | Steel | Aluminum | Carbon | Carbon | Carbon | Carbon |
| Available sizes | XS-XL | S-L | S-XXL | XS-XL | S-XL | XS-XL |
| Wheels | Bontrager Connection tubeless-ready | Bontrager Connection tubeless-ready | Bontrager tubeless-ready | Bontrager Paradigm tubeless-ready | Bontrager Paradigm tubeless-ready | Bontrager Aeolus Elite 35 tubeless-ready |
| Wheel size | 700c | 700c | 700c | 700c | 700c | 700c |
| Tires | Bontrager H2 Comp 35c | Bontrager H2 Comp 35c | Bontrager H2 Comp 35c | Bontrager GR1 Expert, tubeless-ready 40c | Bontrager GR1 Expert, tubeless-ready 40c | Bontrager GR1 Expert, tubeless-ready 40c |
| Drivetrain | Shimano Tourney/Acera 1×8spd | Shimano U4000/CUES 1×9spd | Shimano CUES U6000 1×10spd | Shimano CUES 2×10spd | SRAM Apex 1×11spd | SRAM Apex XPLR eTap 1×12spd |
| Pedals | Wellgo nylon platform | Bontrager City pedals | Bontrager City pedals | Bontrager City pedals | Bontrager City pedals | Bontrager City pedals |
| Saddle | Bontrager Sport | Bontrager Sport Women’s | Bontrager H1 | Bontrager H1 | Bontrager Montrose Comp | Bontrager Montrose Comp |
| Grips | Bontrager Satellite | Bontrager Satellite | Bontrager Satellite IsoZone Plus | Bontrager Satellite IsoZone Plus Lock-on | Bontrager Satellite IsoZone Plus Lock-on | Bontrager Satellite IsoZone Plus Lock-on |
| Brakes | Tektro MD-U310 mechanical disc | Tektro HD-R280 hydraulic disc | Shimano MT201 hydraulic disc | Shimano MT201 hydraulic disc | Shimano MT201 hydraulic disc | Shimano MT201 hydraulic disc |
| Weight | 13.00 kg 28.67 lbs | 11.90 kg 26.24 lbs | 11.50 kg 25.36 lbs | 10.50 kg 23.15 lbs | 10.30 kg 22.71 lbs | 9.50 kg 20.95 lbs |
| Buy | Buy FX1 Gen 4 | Buy FX2 Gen 4 Buy FX2 Mid-step Gen 4 | Buy FX3 Gen 4 | Buy FX Sport 4 | Buy FX Sport 5 | Buy FX Sport 6 |
Specifications source: trekbikes.com, updated on July 30, 2025
Conclusion
The hybrid bike Trek FX 1 isn’t perfect – no bike is. However, it offers a good price-to-value ratio. It will reliably serve you whether you want to use it for commuting to work or maintaining your fitness.
It will allow you to ride on asphalt, paved paths, bumpy roads, and even on terrain like dirt roads or light gravel.
I have a 2024 v brake trek fx1 and i love it. Its probably the best bike I’ve ever had. Don’t like the mechanic at the shop I bought it from but I’ll definitely buy another trek bike if I could ever afford it. This thing glides. Love it. Somehow my rear v brake is spongy right after a break in adjustment and brake tune. Still figuring that out.
Cool. I am glad you enjoy it. 🙂 What do you mean by “spongy”?
– Petr
My 2024 Trek FX1 Disk has a 2x drivetrain.
Are you reviewing an older model maybe?
Hi Bill,
yes. The older generations had 3X drivetrains. 🙂
– Petr
2023 fx1 owner here. Around 8 months. Decent entry level bike. Have had some issues with a brake lever and grips practically melted like crap rubber. Had to replace those. The grips literally started falling apart.
Other than that its a decent bike. Better than others in its price range. I ride it for an hour or two almost every day sometimes. Sometimes more than that. Handling is good bike is nice and pretty light weight.
Hi Dim,
Thanks for sharing your experience and I am sorry to hear about the issues. I wish you many more kilometers in the saddle.
– Petr