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Trek's 2023 FX 1 Bikes Are $600 Hunks of Aluminum With the Goods To Get You Moving Now

"But I don't have thousands of dollars to buy a new bike." "Not a problem, sir. Please, come this way." "Oh, what's this?" "This is a $600 piece of hardware from Trek designed to get you into the cycling game without ripping a hole in your pocket, and it has a lifetime warranty." "Really? That's more like it."
2023 FX 1 10 photos
Photo: Trek Bicycle Corporation
2023 FX 12023 FX 12023 FX 1 Cockpit2023 FX 1 Brakes2023 FX 1 Drivetrain2023 FX 12023 FX 12023 FX 1 Stagger2023 FX 1 Stagger
Without having to be very explicit, I'm sure you picked up on the fact that the two characters above are simply talking about a very budget-friendly bicycle from Trek. How budget-friendly? Well, you shouldn't be paying more than $600 for one of the two FX 1s available in the 2023 lineup. Unless, of course, your local dealership has deep pockets. Nonetheless, because this bike can be considered one of, if not the most affordable adult bicycle under Trek's umbrella, it's worth the exploration.

Now, whenever we explore a bicycle, we need to consider the sort of riding it's been designed for, and the FX 1 and 1 Stagger are two-wheelers meant for nothing more than riding around on asphalt. At best, a gravel road can be found rolling under your wheels and speaking of wheels, they're a clear indicator of the sort of riding you should embark upon, and so is that steel fork. The frame is built from aluminum, and once stocked with the goods I'll be running through, you'll be looking at a bike that weighs 27.7 pounds (12.5 kilograms) for a medium size machine. The Stagger comes in at 27.5 pounds (12.4 kilograms), so a tad lighter than the classic FX 1.

2023 FX 1
Photo: Trek Bicycle Corporation
For this sort of cash, don't expect some fantastic drivetrain that you'll be using to crush it uphill and bomb it downhill. With that in mind, Trek has called upon the powers of components blessed by the Shimano name. Nothing more than Altus shifters control Altus and Tourney shifters with a setup tuned to 3x7 speeds. The cassette boasts a 14-34T range, and the crank is set to 48/38/28. The remainder of the components are all branded Bontrager, as is customary for Trek bikes. You can also forget about disc brakes for this price; you'll find rim brakes on this one.

And that's basically all you're buying for the 600 bones. But is it really? Now, to help you understand a bit more about what this bike can do, I want you to imagine that you bought one, and it's currently sitting in your garage. Well, for a few bucks more, you can transform your FX 1 into a two-wheeler worthy of your approval.

What I mean to say is that Trek has taken the time to ensure you can do more than just ride to work and come home during weekdays. With a tad of extra cash and attention, the FX 1 can be transformed into a downright adventure machine, including cargo racks, fenders, water bottle cages, and whatever else you use those mounts for.

2023 FX 1 Drivetrain
Photo: Trek Bicycle Corporation
Why is this a big deal? Think about it. During the week, you can use the FX 1 to get you to work and even carry groceries home, but come Saturday, all hell breaks loose, and you and your loved one can take to the road and travel beyond your body's abilities. Once you run out of juice, unload your pop-up tent, set up that gas tank and stovetop, and enjoy the view with a hot cup of tea or even a meal. What you do with an FX 1 is in your hands.

At the end of the day, it's not a bike that you need to break the bank for, and what I found rather nice is that Trek still includes their lifetime warranty on the frame, even for a bike that'll cost you as low as $600. Just a little something-something for you to consider.
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Editor's note: Images in the gallery include both 2023 FX 1 and FX 1 Stagger frame styles.

About the author: Cristian Curmei
Cristian Curmei profile photo

A bit of a nomad at heart (being born in Europe and raised in several places in the USA), Cristian is enamored with travel trailers, campers and bikes. He also tests and writes about urban means of transportation like scooters, mopeds and e-bikes (when he's not busy hosting our video stories and guides).
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