Trek FX2 vs FX3 vs DS2?

[Theyseemeflying]

I’m looking to buy a new bike, as my previous bike is worn out and can no longer ride it. The bike is a $250 CCM Mountain Bike from CanadianTire that I bought 10 years ago.

I looked at these (prices are CAD)

- Trek FX 2 Disk 2023 ($700)
- Trek FX 2 Disk 2025 ($980)
- Trek FX 3 2025 ($1229)
- Trek Dual Sport 2 2025 ($1060)

I plan on mainly staying on pavement. Maybe occasionally going on a dirt or gravel off road section.

Which one would be best?

I suppose the most expensive one is probably ‘best’. But just for casual fun riding, I’m leaning most towards the 2023 FX 2, because it seems to be a pretty good price. I don’t know if I’d make use of the additional features in a higher end model.

I just want something that’s good. But if there is a very good value upgrade between bikes that is worthwhile, then I would be fine with that. But I just feel I’m not ‘hardcore’ enough to appreciate the differences between the bikes and I’d just waste money. Thoughts?

Like, I *can* buy the more expensive model. But I don’t just want to waste money that could be spent on something else.

I also heard advice that I should go for the FX 2 Gen 4 over the FX 2 Gen 3 for the following reasons, but I’m not sure if it’s worth the extra $300?
- 1x gear instead of 2x (simpler, less maintenance)
- CUES (new) instead of Altus (old)

 

[RichK]

I can't say which is 'best' for you but I've got the one at the bottom of that list as a commuter bike.
I've had it for a year & it's "OK"
Some parts are clearly cheapest available - mainly the cranks so they've been swapped out for a better bottom bracket & chainset (I already had in a box) The wheels/tyres are functional but similarly budget.
The bars were too wide & the grips awful so out with the hacksaw & grips swapped.
The original gear range is way too wide for me (46/30 & 11-36) - 39T front & 11-32 is enough so I've removed front derailleur (not needed)

In the ideal world I'd have gone up the range, but was on a very tight budget at the time.

Otherwise, it's been reliable for the year I've used it.

 

[styles]

I have the FX 3 Disc, albeit from 2021.

I originally used it mainly for commuting on roads and blacktop cycle paths. I found it quick enough, smooth enough, and light enough for the occasional lift up some stairs.

Later on I used it more for cycle backpacking trips, so two panniers on the front, two on the back, lots of camping kit etc. Swapped the tyres out for some a bit more rugged, and it was coping with slate trails, hard surface forest tracks, coarse gravel pretty fine. Ideally some front suspension would've helped with the comfort on this sort of terrain, but it wasn't bad.

Like @RichK though, I swapped the grips out as I didn't find them very comfortable.

I paid GBP£900 including tax for it at the time, which is what, about USD$1200 in today's money, so its price has held pretty steady between versions.

Had it for 4 years so far and still enjoying it on road/pavement/cycle lane rides.

 

[si_c]

Any of those bikes will be a massive upgrade from your previous bike, if you can stretch a little bit more to the FX3 then that would be a better bike with a carbon fork meaning it will ride a bit better than the FX2 and it has a more modern drivetrain with Shimano brakes instead of Tektro.

Budget a decent amount (~$100CAD) for replacing the tyres at some point in the near future whichever bike you get as the stock ones are always the weakest point.

If you can get to a Trek dealer near you it's likely they will have at least one model from the range for you to check sizing, that's the most important thing, don't go off the size of your previous bike.