Bicycle Addict

I am picking up a Giant Innova in a couple of days in pretty rough condition, is it worth a rebuild/repaint?
I would like some thing like a Marin Stinson or Trek Multitrack something CroMo 700c, Canti mount so the Innova should fit the bill, for the time being.
Anyway I would love to see photos of early 90's 700c Canti stuff, Giant, Trek, Marin, Nishiki, Univega, Diamond Back, Gary Fisher.


If you got 'em show 'em with pride!!!

jbchybridrider 

Best I can do, it's not much anymore but I really do like the old steel hybrids.

corwin1968

Two 1995 Trek Multitracks:

Ed.M

MRT2

Other than the saddle, that doesn't look too bad. Give it a full tuneup, new brake pads, new chain maybe, perhaps replace the tires and ride it. I wouldn't repaint it.

Bicycle Addict

That looks to be in better nick than mine!! What are the dérailleurs? Is it 1 inch or 1 1/8th stem? Surely it is on your to do list?? Even if it only ends up a spare bike? We have to keep these steel frames alive

Bicycle Addict

Surely you don't need 2?? How about freighting one to me?? LOL These bikes are lovely Thanks for sharing. Love that green.

Bicycle Addict

Ed.M that Nishiki is beautiful, Nishiki have always made a lovely bike. There was a thread comparing the Trek to its Giant equivalent, may make for some interesting reading.
Thanks for sharing

MRT2 Thanks for the reply, my plan is to get it roadworthy and ride the wheels off it for the next 3 months(winter here in NZ) and then reassess what direction to take with it.
I can not wait, I am picking it up tomorrow, tomorrow could not get here fast enough though

concordino

This is one of my 90's Hybrids, It is 1990-91 Kastle Trekking Pro.

The Frame is Chromoly Columbus.

I'll post pics of my Giant Cadex 890I Limited Edition shortly, Although technically it carries only 26" wheels.

The 890I belonged to the SFT series (Sport-Fitness-Training) and could be considered one of the early generation Hybrids of the 90's.

concordino

This is it, It sports 26" wheels and the widest tires it takes are 1.6.

Current setups has it with 1.25s.

Bicycle Addict

Hi Concordino Welcome to the Forums . . .Kinda a Newbie here too, I love both your bikes, mainly your Cadex it is awesome where the whole hybrid thing has gone MTB's look great with slicks rigid fork especially, tailor-made bikes, utilitarian transport.
These bikes were first off people like Gary Fisher trying to get to what we now know as a 29er, although for me personally the first time I heard the term/phrase hybrid was in about '83 when MTB's were first really released to the public (here in NZ)people saw, tried these "new" bikes and liked the ride position. Next thing you know a whole heap of people starting converting their 10 speeds to flat bar sometimes with proper MTB bars and B/levers Shifters, others opting for a length of steel 22.2 diameter and bending 10 speed B/levers flat so they would work on flat bars! Crazy times.
I have the bikes home from a 450 KM round trip. I got 3 bikes free and paid $25 for an NZ made e-stay MTB (Avanti).
1) Giant Innova with stuck post (It will not beat me)
2) Specailized Hard Rock, small frame that will need all new(old) groupset
3) Mystery Red MTB rough welds?? Don't know anymore
All Free, this is the first time I have got free bikes, and it feels pretty good.
Photos tomorrow
Thank you guys for the replies

PJCB

Early 1990s Univega Via Activa. It's my girlfriends main ride until I get her Raleigh Sports up and running. Love the versatility of this bike...

jbchybridrider 

The whole original groupset is Shimano Altus A20. The shifters on this bike are missing parts and the front chain rings are totally worn.
I used to ride this bike regularly some 20-25 years ago and recently was going to rebuild it into a drop bar cyclocross bike but the reach with drops is to long for me. It actually says Cyclocross on the headtube decal, I don't think they were using the term hybrid in those days.
I'm not one to ever throw frames away and may still put it to some use in the future but with drop bars it would need a 50mm stem for me.

This is when I was toying with the idea of a rebuild, to fit me half the seat post would need to be lowered past the clamp bolt but then this stem would be way too high and way to long if angled down.
Stem is 1 1/8 I have other parts to try but never got into the project to try them.

clarkbre

Here is a pic of my mid-90's Giant Innova. My neighbor bought it new and rode it very infrequently. In 2012 she had a hip replaced and vowed never to get on a bike again. I bought it for next to nothing, changed out the seat, shifters, grips, and added bar ends. Overall, it is a very nice riding bike and I like the simplicity of it.

Bicycle Addict

This is one sweet looking bike . . . I wonder if I should go this route?? It will be cool to see how your frame ends up. I think sometimes reintroducing yourself to the inspiration gets one enthused again?? Who knows aye?? Would make a nice 7sp type wet weather bike in this config. Could you post some seat and top tube measurements please?

Bicycle Addict

PJCB Nice Univega these bikes have been teasing me a little lately as I have just purchased some Bicycling magazines from 91-92-93. Around this time these bikes were being fiercely at this time, with the likes of DB, Marin, Univega, Nishiki, Giant, Specialized all having full page Ads in most issues.
I seen an interview with Gary Fisher talking about the origins of the 29er, where he talks about these bikes as being a nice medium between MTB type speed down hills and road speed on road.
Thanks for the post.

Bicycle Addict

I dream of finding something in this condition, almost looks museum condition, a beautiful bike . . . years of lovely biking ahead . . great. Thank you posting/skiting!? LOL

Bicycle Addict

Also guys . . . . .seat post is out after about an hour in the vice,frame is still straight enough, post in mangled beyond belief condition, Giant Innova guys seat post size please??
I think it maybe 26.8 mm, (at least I hope it is as I have one somewhere) Any help would be great.
Thanks all.

jbchybridrider 

My seat post is 26.6 I checked before posting to be sure.

Bicycle Addict

Thank you for that JBC, I will have to look at work.

Anymore pics out there? 26 inch hybrids?

oddjob2

Originally $25, swapped out black quill, bars, and seatpost for silver, added trigger shifters and Deore rear derailleur

Bicycle Addict

Lovely bike oddjob2, i have already seen it actually seen it while surfing the net. I really like a white bike some how more of a pull to ride? I do not know . . .lovely bike
I will eventually get the BB out of the frame (hopefully tomorrow, new Ritchey Logic h/set new seat post, I will repaint if the bike rides nicely, but will possibly on sell if it is too small(fingers crossed) I will look into replacement rims too at that point, maybe even a Brooks
Thank you for posting.

There's a lot of love out there man(Fillmore, Cars movie) . . . a lot of CroMo love!

Doohickie

It's a 90s hybrid, honest.



This is what that 1994 beauty looked like when I bought it in 2008 (with the original store price tags on it)

Bicycle Addict

Nice Bike Doohickie, I really like it now and also like the shot of what it was too, price tags still on that many years later . . . oh to find a few bikes like that.
I will post a pic soon of stripped frame and then some progress shots as I go. I am really enjoying this build so it should not take long at all . . hopefully!? I just love saving stuff thats destined for the dump!
Thanks for all the replies Guys lets keep 'em coming.

Bicycle Addict

Thought I would post a pic.



A very bare state and not out of the woods yet as I still have the BB to try to get out.