Didn't those used To be called Hybrids?
#76
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Ohio
Posts: 2,857
Bikes: Road bike, Hybrid, Gravel, Drop bar SS, hard tail MTB
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1218 Post(s)
Liked 298 Times
in
214 Posts
It's a good bike way ahead of its time.
Call it fitness, hybrid, gravel, etc... it all applies.
I just find thru axel disc brake and 700x50, and a weight diet all desirable traits. I'm still on the search.
Likes For Metieval:
#77
Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2023
Posts: 180
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 48 Post(s)
Liked 167 Times
in
84 Posts
As for tires, I'm running a 700x47c on the front of mine (Marathon Greenguard, measures an actual 47mm). Might fit a 50 on there. But the back just barely clears a (measured) 38. So it's only halfway there...
Likes For campfire:
#78
Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2023
Posts: 180
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 48 Post(s)
Liked 167 Times
in
84 Posts
daywood put this in this Schwinn thread. Seems to show a 40 on the back of a Crosscut, but I'd be surprised if it's truly 40mm wide. 38mm is pretty snug in mine.
#79
Live not by lies.
Join Date: Nov 2020
Posts: 1,306
Bikes: BigBox bikes.
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 860 Post(s)
Liked 784 Times
in
582 Posts
Hybrids used to be uncool, apparently they still are with some people. I for one welcome them. If I could have my 90s hybrid with thru axle, disc brake, carbon bars , wheels, seat post, 1x , that fits at least 2.35.
I'd rock it!
I built this 1991 Schwinn frame. (Made by Giant) it was a fun bike although very flexible, that fork was interesting to ride.
I'd rock it!
I built this 1991 Schwinn frame. (Made by Giant) it was a fun bike although very flexible, that fork was interesting to ride.
BTW, nice bike. How’d the paint job hold up?
#80
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Ohio
Posts: 2,857
Bikes: Road bike, Hybrid, Gravel, Drop bar SS, hard tail MTB
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1218 Post(s)
Liked 298 Times
in
214 Posts
I had on 700x38 pasela protite. I had also ran 700x40 x'plor MSO. I remember the rear being full but the front having more clearance.
To run 650b would gave been a hassle with brakes as I put hydraulic rim brakes on it magura hs11
On thinning my herd, I couldn't sell the bike. So I gave it to my nephew. Xt Saint shifter, xt rd. 11-36 casset. 44t wolftooth chainring on a 2x 6600 ultegra crank. with my old 2005 era mavic kysrium elite wheelset. The agreement was he couldnt ever sell it.
Now I'm down to 2 bikes my rlt9 rdo, and my Giant Trance advanced 29er. I'm generally on rough chunky gravel. I sold my 2015 himod scalpel. It was too to twitchy on the lose over hard descents for my liking.
I'm in a huge mental debate over 3 bikes at the moment to replace my xc scalpel. Niner sir 9, scalpel HT, or a kona unit x. The hudski looks ideal, but I don't want the aluminum frame. I love the geometry of the scalpel ht, but I would really like to ride the sir 9 853 steel.
The gravel I see, can't really call it gravel, is. CO, Alpine loop type stuff. Western AZ double track.
I figure the unit x is out for weight and the climbing, if I over night I'll just drop 700x50 tires on my rlt9 rdo.
The niner sir 9 is too much trail bike for long gravel rides.
But the scalpel ht, with a sid sl with lighter tires and low stack sit-in feel seems to hit the sweet spot for some un laden nasty gravel road, serious climbing, fast rough descending gravel rides. And then there is stuff like Long gravel rides at Crested Butte Co where the scalpel ht would shine. But so would my rlt9 rdo.
But the sir 9 853, mute feel seems ideal. I'm just worried its too much trail geo for longer gravel rides.
Choices suck... I just know I have an empty spot for 1 bike right now.
Being that the scalpel ht is 100mm fork. Converting it to rigid running a 2.35 29er ,would be an ideal flat bar gravel bike for some of the stuff I see. The biggest con of that carbon scalpel ht i see is the rebound on its compliance. It bucks bad!
Last edited by Metieval; 09-29-23 at 11:19 PM.
Likes For Metieval:
#81
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: SE Wisconsin
Posts: 1,855
Bikes: Lemond '01 Maillot Jaune, Lemond '02 Victoire, Lemond '03 Poprad, Lemond '03 Wayzata DB conv(Poprad), '79 AcerMex Windsor Carrera Professional(pur new), '88 GT Tequesta(pur new), '01 Bianchi Grizzly, 1993 Trek 970 DB conv, Trek 8900 DB conv
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 759 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 811 Times
in
471 Posts
Recently built up Trek 7.5FX WSD hybrid..err..gravel bike..err..wide tire road bike..do-all, fast, wide-gearing go anywhere lightweight bicycle that fits my girlfriend without needing to spend $1000-$2000(she has roadbikes like this if required). One key to making it this work is a JTEK #7 device to compensate for the front derailleur pull from road shifters.
..and a second Trek 7.5FX WSD hybrid/gravel/road/bicycle for the vacation home
Last edited by fishboat; 10-01-23 at 07:30 AM.
Likes For Metieval:
#83
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: SE Wisconsin
Posts: 1,855
Bikes: Lemond '01 Maillot Jaune, Lemond '02 Victoire, Lemond '03 Poprad, Lemond '03 Wayzata DB conv(Poprad), '79 AcerMex Windsor Carrera Professional(pur new), '88 GT Tequesta(pur new), '01 Bianchi Grizzly, 1993 Trek 970 DB conv, Trek 8900 DB conv
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 759 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 811 Times
in
471 Posts
A FX DB conversion, buying all required components(canti brakes, Koolstop pads, shifters, bars, cabling.....) new, including a JTEK #7 device to compensate for the front derailleur pull from road shifters, is around $250-$300. Looking for a great deal on an FX is key..used prices have gone up..but so has the cost of new bikes.
Likes For fishboat:
#84
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2022
Location: USA - Southwest PA
Posts: 3,292
Bikes: Cannondale - Gary Fisher - Giant - Litespeed - Schwinn Paramount - Schwinn (lugged steel) - Trek OCLV
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1464 Post(s)
Liked 2,101 Times
in
1,183 Posts
Recently built up Trek 7.5FX WSD hybrid..err..gravel bike..err..wide tire road bike..do-all, fast, wide-gearing go anywhere lightweight bicycle that fits my girlfriend without needing to spend $1000-$2000(she has roadbikes like this if required).
..and a second Trek 7.5FX WSD hybrid/gravel/road/bicycle for the vacation home
super job on the FX builds !
but we should expect no less from the infamous ‘fish boat’ !
Last edited by t2p; 10-02-23 at 10:09 AM.
#85
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Ohio
Posts: 2,857
Bikes: Road bike, Hybrid, Gravel, Drop bar SS, hard tail MTB
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1218 Post(s)
Liked 298 Times
in
214 Posts
I was looking at bikes. Saw the marin dsx flat bar gravel bike.
And it is QR.
I get it its a budget bike.
The question is why do manufactures make hybrids and flat bar gravel bike budget bikes?
If they made them of higher quality, through axel and at least deore groupsets. And if they wasn't lead bricks.
I guess I'd blame manufactures for hybrids having a bad rap. They are very useful fun bikes, but they only come in turd flavor.
And it is QR.
I get it its a budget bike.
The question is why do manufactures make hybrids and flat bar gravel bike budget bikes?
If they made them of higher quality, through axel and at least deore groupsets. And if they wasn't lead bricks.
I guess I'd blame manufactures for hybrids having a bad rap. They are very useful fun bikes, but they only come in turd flavor.
#86
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 1,508
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1093 Post(s)
Liked 710 Times
in
452 Posts
I don't know what to call this and don't care. Works for me on pavement, dirt roads, light gravel, ranch two tracks, MUPs, etc. Yes, I know it's a "mountain bike." About $150 in narrower tires and shorter stem. Bike was $50 on Facebook Marketplace. A new bottom bracket, chain rings, chain, and crank arms at no cost due to Shimano crank arm recall.
But I wanted to build her something for the MUP. She had just gotten back from a trip where everyone rented bikes for the paved path along the ocean, and they were single-speed, coaster-brake beach cruisers. She said she had a blast riding it. So I built her this. She's running on Pasela 26x1.5.
That's my Trek 750 with drop bars in the background. It was actually marketed as a hybrid back in the day. I'm running Schwalbe Little Big Ben tires.
It's always mostly about the tires. Multiple wheelsets make a bike SO much more versatile, and I have that with all my mountain bikes (all rigid steel). Road bikes not so much - I can't swap wheelsets between any of mine.
Last edited by Jeff Neese; 10-08-23 at 06:06 AM.
#87
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: SE Wyoming
Posts: 604
Bikes: 1995 Specialized Rockhopper,1989 Specialized Rock Combo, 2013 Specialized Tarmac Elite
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 213 Post(s)
Liked 589 Times
in
278 Posts
Is this the original "hybrid?" 1989 Specialized Rock Combo.
Likes For Inusuit:
#88
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 1,508
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1093 Post(s)
Liked 710 Times
in
452 Posts
When I think of "Hybrid" I envision a road bike with 700c wheels, just with fatter tires and flat bars. That looks more like a factory-produced MTB with 26" wheels, and a drop bar conversion. It looks like they took a Rockhopper or Hard Rock frame and just used a tall, short stem needed for drop bars.
I've done a couple of MTBs with drop bars, and the fit never seemed quite right and I always went back to flat bars on those frames. Notice how the position of the handlebars looks like if they turn too far, the bar ends are going to hit the top tube, which is what I found on my attempts. I've used a thick layer of clear Gorilla tape to protect the top tube, but it looked dumb and the whole setup seemed awkward. There's a whole thread on MTB drop bar conversions, but to me it's just a bad fit.
My "hybrid" is a rigid MTB like that (Trek 970), retaining the flat bars but with skinnier tires. I also put skinnier tires on my Rockhopper and thus turned it into a hybrid, but that bike is on the trainer now.
I've done a couple of MTBs with drop bars, and the fit never seemed quite right and I always went back to flat bars on those frames. Notice how the position of the handlebars looks like if they turn too far, the bar ends are going to hit the top tube, which is what I found on my attempts. I've used a thick layer of clear Gorilla tape to protect the top tube, but it looked dumb and the whole setup seemed awkward. There's a whole thread on MTB drop bar conversions, but to me it's just a bad fit.
My "hybrid" is a rigid MTB like that (Trek 970), retaining the flat bars but with skinnier tires. I also put skinnier tires on my Rockhopper and thus turned it into a hybrid, but that bike is on the trainer now.
#89
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Kips Bay, NY
Posts: 2,223
Bikes: Ritchey Swiss Cross | Teesdale Kona Hot | Haro Extreme | Specialized Stumpjumper Comp | Cannondale F1000 | Shogun 1000 | Cannondale M500 | Norco Charger | Marin Muirwoods 29er | Shogun Kaze | Breezer Lightning
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 583 Post(s)
Liked 1,030 Times
in
498 Posts
I have a bunch of vintage 26ers, and a fat large wheel is a different experience. I've been enjoying this 2013 Marin Muirwoods for 10 years now, currently with a triple and 48mm slicks. Its a bit heavy but very versatile and has modern disk brakes and modern geometry. My drop bar Trek 750 conversion is lighter and capable of faster speeds, but has much less tire clearance, so this bike fits a nice niche for me.
Likes For DorkDisk:
#90
Live not by lies.
Join Date: Nov 2020
Posts: 1,306
Bikes: BigBox bikes.
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 860 Post(s)
Liked 784 Times
in
582 Posts
When I think of "Hybrid" I envision a road bike with 700c wheels, just with fatter tires and flat bars. That looks more like a factory-produced MTB with 26" wheels, and a drop bar conversion. It looks like they took a Rockhopper or Hard Rock frame and just used a tall, short stem needed for drop bars.
I've done a couple of MTBs with drop bars, and the fit never seemed quite right and I always went back to flat bars on those frames. Notice how the position of the handlebars looks like if they turn too far, the bar ends are going to hit the top tube, which is what I found on my attempts. I've used a thick layer of clear Gorilla tape to protect the top tube, but it looked dumb and the whole setup seemed awkward. There's a whole thread on MTB drop bar conversions, but to me it's just a bad fit.
My "hybrid" is a rigid MTB like that (Trek 970), retaining the flat bars but with skinnier tires. I also put skinnier tires on my Rockhopper and thus turned it into a hybrid, but that bike is on the trainer now.
I've done a couple of MTBs with drop bars, and the fit never seemed quite right and I always went back to flat bars on those frames. Notice how the position of the handlebars looks like if they turn too far, the bar ends are going to hit the top tube, which is what I found on my attempts. I've used a thick layer of clear Gorilla tape to protect the top tube, but it looked dumb and the whole setup seemed awkward. There's a whole thread on MTB drop bar conversions, but to me it's just a bad fit.
My "hybrid" is a rigid MTB like that (Trek 970), retaining the flat bars but with skinnier tires. I also put skinnier tires on my Rockhopper and thus turned it into a hybrid, but that bike is on the trainer now.
I’m not saying it needs to be so, just that it isn’t unusual.
#91
cowboy, steel horse, etc
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: The hot spot.
Posts: 45,254
Bikes: everywhere
Mentioned: 74 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 13028 Post(s)
Liked 7,955 Times
in
4,230 Posts
For those that ride track bikes with no cables, top tube protectors are often used.
https://www.retro-gression.com/produ...tube-protector
#92
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 1,508
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1093 Post(s)
Liked 710 Times
in
452 Posts
Naturally it depends on stem length and height, and also specific drop-bar shape. On all four of my current road bikes, the top tube fits inside the bend, so worst case is that the top bar hits handlebar tape. I think that's been my experience all along for all my road bikes, once I adjusted handlebar height to fit me. What I found putting drop bars on a MTB is that the bar ends, which also include shifters, are always lined up to bang into the top bar. Just like the Specialized above.
#93
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 1,508
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1093 Post(s)
Liked 710 Times
in
452 Posts
Very common. On bikes with shifters and brakes, often the cables will keep the top tube safe from total annihilation from bar impacts.
For those that ride track bikes with no cables, top tube protectors are often used.
https://www.retro-gression.com/produ...tube-protector
For those that ride track bikes with no cables, top tube protectors are often used.
https://www.retro-gression.com/produ...tube-protector
This is what I used. It's pretty thick stuff and wrapping it around 4 or 5 times gives you a nice thick layer of protection. It really is crystal clear so from a distance it blends in. I also use this for chainstay protection and for cable rub. You can't even see it, except at the edges.
Crystal Clear Gorilla Tape
#94
Newbie
I have a Gravel bike. It's actually from Flatbike and is a folding full sized 38mm x 700c tire bike.
I love it, but think it'd be perfect with a light duty front shock. Sometimes I am on dirt trails with a few roots and rocks as well and it's a jarring ride even with a carbon front fork.
So essentially I'd like a light duty, slim tire mountain bike with road style handlebars.
I love it, but think it'd be perfect with a light duty front shock. Sometimes I am on dirt trails with a few roots and rocks as well and it's a jarring ride even with a carbon front fork.
So essentially I'd like a light duty, slim tire mountain bike with road style handlebars.
#95
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Ohio
Posts: 2,857
Bikes: Road bike, Hybrid, Gravel, Drop bar SS, hard tail MTB
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1218 Post(s)
Liked 298 Times
in
214 Posts
Put a surly corner bar on it (or clone of)
Install skinny tires. Done.
I rode a hardtail 29er with 700x40 x'plor MSO tires. At high PSI and being an aluminum frame, roots could get jarring.
With a steel frame and tubeless gravel tires, which are now available in 45c and 50c. Ren herse has a 2.2 / 55mm. It would be a great gravel, rough trail bike.
#96
Newbie
Coming from the "hybrid side" (at least technically), I'm more a proponent of calling "flat bar gravel bikes" "flat bar gravel bikes" rather than "hybrid", for a simple reason: hybrid is for me an historical term, that doesn't describe a "usage", and that covers a too wide range of bikes to be relevant (fitness, commuters, cross (European way of saying a light off-roader, different from cyclocross),...).
I in fact also call my "hybrid" a "flat bar gravel", because it shares much more "functionally" and usage with gravel bikes than other categories, so by saying that people understand directly. If I say have an hybrid, I usually have to explain that hybrids are historically road bikes with MTB features, and that my hybrid is in fact an hybrid between an hybrid and a MTB. A bike with a 46/30 crankset, 11/42 cassette, 40-45mm tires and gravel tires - I have "inner bar-ends" for an hand alternate position, but miss the "drop position". I'm using it in group rides with gravel bikes, it fits right in. A bit better on rougher off-road (wider flat bar, suspension, gearing), but a but not as good on road (mostly the body position, upper gearing is the same).
I in fact also call my "hybrid" a "flat bar gravel", because it shares much more "functionally" and usage with gravel bikes than other categories, so by saying that people understand directly. If I say have an hybrid, I usually have to explain that hybrids are historically road bikes with MTB features, and that my hybrid is in fact an hybrid between an hybrid and a MTB. A bike with a 46/30 crankset, 11/42 cassette, 40-45mm tires and gravel tires - I have "inner bar-ends" for an hand alternate position, but miss the "drop position". I'm using it in group rides with gravel bikes, it fits right in. A bit better on rougher off-road (wider flat bar, suspension, gearing), but a but not as good on road (mostly the body position, upper gearing is the same).
#97
Sunshine
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Des Moines, IA
Posts: 16,774
Bikes: '18 class built steel roadbike, '19 Fairlight Secan, '88 Schwinn Premis , Black Mountain Cycles Monstercross V4, '89 Novara Trionfo
Mentioned: 124 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 11100 Post(s)
Liked 7,702 Times
in
4,289 Posts
I dont call my gravel bike with a drop bar a 'drop bar gravel bike' when describing/referencing it. Not sure why anyone with a flat bar would say 'flat bar gravel bike' when describing/referencing their bike.
Likes For mstateglfr:
#98
Newbie
Drop bar is the default, no need to add it. Not saying that anyone with a flat bar would say "flat bar gravel bike". In my case, I say it because I'm using it as a gravel bike, equip it with gravel components (when relevant - using a MTB components instead of GRX allows a wider range, for example), search for gravel tracks when going into new regions, participate to gravel events/rides, so saying "flat bar gravel bike" is clear for every one about what I do with it, and the kind of components it has. I'd be using this bike on tarmac, I'd call it differently of course...
#99
Full Member
Join Date: Oct 2021
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Posts: 410
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 131 Post(s)
Liked 443 Times
in
179 Posts