Trek FX2 Gen 4 Bike - Poor Disk Brake Performance and Clunky Gears

[Clemenza]

Hi everyone,

I took a test ride on a Trek FX2 Gen 4 at my local Evens Cycles store last week. However, not only did I find that the brakes not as effective as my Carrara Subway 2, but that the process of changing gears was decidedly clunky and not at all what I expected. The mechanic explained that this was perfectly normal, given that the bike had a 1x setup and was using Shimano’s Cues system. I would welcome the opinions of others who have direct knowledge of the FX2 Gen 4 or indeed a bike fitted with the following Shimano Components.

Any comments, suggestions or advice, gratefully received.

Shifter: Shimano U4000, 9-speed

Rear derailleur Shimano CUES U4000

Crank: ProWheel Pro alloy, 40T narrow-wide steel ring, 170 mm length

Bottom bracket: Sealed cartridge, 68 mm

Cassette: Shimano LINKGLIDE LG300, 11-46, 9-speed

Chain: Shimano LG500

 

[cyberknight]

I have read on cycle chat from someone in the trade that cues is a bit pants

 

[Brandane]

Cannot comment about the gears as I have no knowledge of that set-up. But the brakes: I once tested a Genesis Croix de Fer 20 which I was interested in buying new. It was the first time I had ridden a bike with disc brakes and they were very disappointing. I didn't buy the bike.
A few months later an identical bike came up for sale on here second hand so I went and had a quick test ride on it. Brakes were great and I ended up buying it. 10,000 miles later I still have it and it's my favourite ride of my 6 bikes. I suspect that the only thing wrong with the brakes on the new bike I rode was that the pads had not been "bedded in", as I still have the same issue whenever I fit new pads. It takes a good few miles (maybe about 50) to get them bedded in. So perhaps your test ride was a similar scenario.

 

[Webbo2]

When I first used my brakes on my new disc braked bike I nearly flew over the handlebars as I stopped that quick.
Urban myth, when you buy a new car do you need to bed the disc brakes in.🤣🤣🤣🤣

 

[wafter]

No direct experience but I've read that Cues can be less snappy with the shifting due to its more robust construction.

Being a flat-bar bike I assume that has hydraulic discs; which I'd expect to be fantastic. My CdF 20 FB has Shimano's lowest-end hydro discs and they're still bloody great.