Impossible Hybrids
 

I have been keeping an eye peeled for an older steel framed hybrid for quite some time now. They just were not that popular up here it seems. That being the case, an XL one will be even more difficult to find. This leaves more modern a better option. I have heard the Jamis Coda Sport is a good one which can be had inexpensively for the most part.

Does your area have the same problem ... That is, absense of 1990's & early 2000's hybrids?

I built my hybrid in 2015 out of a New Albion Privateer and some parts I had. Pretty fun build and one of my favorites and one I cannot think of replacing. It has linear pull brakes, 1x9 shifting and a set of Moloko bars. Build your own and you can build your dream.

https://www.marinbikes.com/bikes/2023-muirwoods#buy

Might be worth considering or spend some time on Marin's site and see what the offer.

I'm very value conscious and hate to even buy a new bike part let alone a whole new bike. There are just so many, many bikes out there. I always look for used first and there were many a hybrid made during those years but I think they were more regional in popularity. Today they might call them a fitness bike. I'd prefer good ol' steel and cantilever brakes. I did see a Muirwoods not too long ago actually, offered by a local bike shop that was closing its' doors. But, the quest is for earlier hybrids.

How tall are you? Be careful some XL's may be too small and you may want to look at XXL's.

I have a 1990 Trek 720 and the 23" is too small for me at 6'6".

I did the same as veganbikes and made my own out of a New Albion Privateer. The 23" Trek is now up for sale.

Hi, you've a couple inches north of this guy and it is certainly true - an XXL is a better choice for 6'4" and up. I'd found the bike I'd been looking for for years but it was only an XL. Too bad. I haven't called the company to ask how many XXL they had made (they did make them) but probably should. Some companies tend to be conservative in their sizing, but not Rocky Mountain. The 720 you've got there would just fit, assuming a 23" top tube. I had a 1987 raleigh elkhorn mountain bike with similar square dimensions (23/23) that worked fine, this assumes an older hybrid and an older mountain bike would have similar geometrys.

Are those Albions a chinese build? Looks nice, kind of like a Velo Orange type offering.

It's Soma so they are welded in Taiwan using Tange Infinity tubing. For the price it is a really nice frame and many years later really zero complaints at least none I can really make that is fair. It is excellent quality and a fun bike that a lot of people enjoy riding it is the one bike I have loaned out to others and people have all liked it. Granted it is a combination of things but the frame is comfortable and paired with the ridiculous stack it is a super upright bike. I have a ton of spacers on top of a really long headtube so it is really nice and upright.

$700 for just a frame though is out of my league. Can buy many bikes for that. My current ride (Kuwahara Sage) was about $40.

Then you don't get what you want.

Compromise is a normal part of most folks' lives.

You should see what I spend on some of my saddles.

Then I wouldn't recommend paying that much it has gone up in price since I got mine but it is $449.99 from Soma. There are plenty of cheap bikes but this bike is a real winner. I can buy plenty of cheap bikes on craigslist or wherever but this bike is quite special. It is a long term bike with loads of possibilities. If I ever get bored I can get different wheels and tires and convert it to something else. Make a single speed or fixed gear, put a double or triple at the front and make it more of a touring bike. Drop bars, flat bars, other alt bars...
It is my cheapest bike festooned with nice but parts bin stuff but it is one of my most ridden bikes because it is just right.

What are you looking for in a hybrid? My '92 RockHopper makes a killer commuter/rambler/grocery-getter.


https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...de80ee6b43.jpg
Getting ready to start the Critical Mass ride.

We need to seduce the OP into buying it! Promo code"get20dec" to get 20% off ANYTHING in stock, ends Tuesday, Dec 6, 2022. New Albion frame is $400, can also get the matte purple Double Cross frame for a bit more.
I have a previous version, sky silver, also very happy with it.

I still see early 90's hybrids now and then

including the Schwinn Criss Cross ... Cross Cut ... Specialized Cross Roads ... and similar bikes

my LBS recently had a Jamis Coda in for repair

I'll just live with what I need

Haha... thanks for the encouragement. I'm up in Canada though. In the USA, people can import $800 duty free. For us, it's $20. But, usually the more practical threshold is around $70. They can't be bothered with the paperwork for 20. The exchange rate is the killer too.

I wanted to bag one of those old hybs for their larger tire capacity. I thought I'd try a change from a bike with 26" and see what a larger wheel with fat rubber feels like on our 3rd world roads.

Ahhh I see. There are definitely dealers in Canada for Soma/New Albion and if nothing else your local shop can probably get an account with Merry Sales Co. and get one ordered.

Also just FYI the 3rd world was countries not aligned with the U.S. and its allies or the Soviet Union and its allies during the Cold War which ended officially December 26th 1991.

I guess whoever said they were regional was right.
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/bik/7554428515.html
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/bik/7564100013.html
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/bik/7556777046.html
These are the least expensive ones in the bay area of Ca.

I would urge you to find a Jamis Coda. I think they are strangely undervalued.
Last summer, I found a 18” frameset at the local co-op. It was filthy and scratched but straight. I got it for $10. I built it up with a nice used Giant 8 speed wheel set and new Shimano components. By moving the seat post up and down, both my wife and I can ride it.

Two weeks ago I found a a really nice 200x 21.5” Jamis Coda Sport 9 speed with Deore rear derailleur, FSA crankset with Reynolds 520 steel frame. The owner had it on Craigslist for 2 months at $235. After he lowered it to $200 or best offer, I asked if he would take $150. Half an hour later I picked it up. I love the way it rides.

One can buy a brand new entry level Coda Sport for $580. I think that to be an incredible bargain on todays market.

I see a Jamis Quest road bike that needs a little TLC on the local Facebook market place for $99. This also has Reynolds 520 double butted chrome moly frame.

I'll keep an open for one of those old Sport models. The Cannondale Quick series isn't supposed to be too bad, but they are an Aluminum frame.

I can comment on the aluminum Quick series - I own a Quick 1 and rode multiple of the lower level Quicks. I think they are worth considering. The lower lever (higher numbers) have a more relaxed riding position than the Quick 1-4. I lucked into the Quick 1 Disc when a friend upgraded to a CF Specialized Roubaix and it is fast, light, and is very comfortable to ride. Best upgrade was switching from 700x30 to 700x35 tires to make rides on rough pavement more comfortable.

My 1995 Rockhopper was $75 with a Thule 4-bike rack thrown in. Swapped out the stem to reduce reach and installed Schwalbe Land Cruiser tires. Rolls smooth on pavement and gives me the option of checking out dirt roads and trails. Has become my favorite all-around bike for daily riding.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...a0b264cda.jpeg

there are a number of good options

just keep looking for the bike that is the right size at the right price

Hi, what year is your Q1?

I ride a bike like yours there, a Kuwahara Sage. Old steel non-suspension bikes are my usual go-to for toughness, huge economy and availability. I thought I'd try something with larger diameter wheels and something I can fit a 40mm tire on. There are many Hybrids out there from the past except none show up around here for some bizarre reason.

This is the bike I really want though. I have been seeking an XXL for years. It is a touring bike, but in the interim an old hybrid would do fine.