esmitty

I searched through the forums but I have to ask...what is the cheapest CroMoly urban framed bike out there? My budget is tight and that is why I ask the question. I would even be happy with aluminum! I don't need 21 speeds-heck as little as 3 may do it. Bike path is where I want to excel. I have found few and want to bring your knowledge into here! I would love the aspect of the ability to change my hand position and thought that maybe bullhorn bars would be the way to go. Thoughts????

AlmostTrick

What kinds of bikes have you ridden in the past? What did you like/dislike about them?

esmitty

Current bike is the generic academy sports road bike-Ozone 500. It has stem shifters and if it wasn't for the 700c tires it feels straight out of the eighties. It weighs a ton. But I rarely use the drop bars. Before that was an Electra 7 speed. Love the gears, hated the twist shifter. Had it converted to a trigger shifter. Very comfy but not the best choice for my goal of going about 30 miles of more.

dynaryder

My shop carries KHS,they make CrMo hybrids:
URBAN Archives - KHS Bicycles

The parts are okay(not a fan of the Xpress's Microshift shifters),but the frames are pretty nice.

Sunset_Va

My first quality bike was a KHS Comp, around 1999, a mountain bike softail , with excellent components.
However, it never fit me, no matter what I altered. I rode it about a year and a half, and bought a Giant NRS2, 2001 , which I still have today. I am posting, because I think KHS bikes are underated, and to stress to you, the most important thing in seeking and buying a bike is that it feels good when you are on it. As soon as you get on a bike, its a feeling, either good or bad.

Good Luck!

esmitty

Thank you all! To make things worse, my buddy showed me some new trails in Shelby farms park here in Memphis. Well crap, now I need a mtb as well. I don't think you could do it all in one bike or can you? What is out there that can cover the trails(nothing heavy) as well as the bike paths? Is it possible? I need to head back to the lbs!

AlmostTrick

Practically any hybrid with a decent width tire. Get ye to the bike shop.

dr1445

as stated many times, " 90's hardtail mtb". in your case add a spare set of wheels and tires, one for woods riding, one for paths.

ColdCase

By heavy, what do you mean? If you are talking about less than 2-3 inch roots across the path, any hybrid with a suspension fork should handle that. My crosstrail does just fine, but you gotta go slow over the rough spots. If you are talking more rugged or want to go fast and often have the tires off the ground, you are looking at some kind a MTB. Hybrid wheels are not made for that kind abuse and their frames are not as strong as a MTB. As dr1445 mentions, a MTB with two sets of wheels/tires may be what you need.

Toch

Do you know what year this migh be? Thanks!

fietsbob

Why does It Matter so much ?, Suspension forks date it as being post 80's threadless forks were not around back Then either ..

Take an Old drop bar bike, even 27" wheel Old, and change it to straight bars and You have just made it a Hybrid..

coominya

Go do a search on bikepedia, I don't know if they have all brands listed but I found an exact match for a 98 Giant I was curious about.