Which vintage hybrids used the best tubing?
#1
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Which vintage hybrids used the best tubing?
Are there any vintage hybrids that used top end tubing? I am guessing the top XO models, but those are pretty rare and equally pricey.
Most of the others I have seen from Bridgestone, Schwinn, Specialized, etc. are decent quality frames, but down a peg or two in terms of tube set. Am I missing any gems?
Most of the others I have seen from Bridgestone, Schwinn, Specialized, etc. are decent quality frames, but down a peg or two in terms of tube set. Am I missing any gems?
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my '93 mongoose crossways has db'd tange tubing. prestige i think? i'd have to double check. pretty good, no?
but, maybe you're thinking even better. trek is likely a good candidate to investigate
edit: apparently i was confusing the tubing of the mongoose with my tequesta....which has tange infinity....not prestige. anyway, mongoose...just plain tange maintubes
but, maybe you're thinking even better. trek is likely a good candidate to investigate
edit: apparently i was confusing the tubing of the mongoose with my tequesta....which has tange infinity....not prestige. anyway, mongoose...just plain tange maintubes
Last edited by thook; 01-05-21 at 04:07 PM.
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Are there any vintage hybrids that used top end tubing? I am guessing the top XO models, but those are pretty rare and equally pricey.
Most of the others I have seen from Bridgestone, Schwinn, Specialized, etc. are decent quality frames, but down a peg or two in terms of tube set. Am I missing any gems?
Most of the others I have seen from Bridgestone, Schwinn, Specialized, etc. are decent quality frames, but down a peg or two in terms of tube set. Am I missing any gems?
Otherwise, going way back, I see the old Mixtes of the '70's as the precursors to the "hybrid" concept (though the mixtes often had drop bars). Gitane, Motobecane, and others used 531 on their better mixtes, if memory serves
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Trek 750 from 94 to 97 used TT "OX" tubing which is reserved for the upper tubesets. A 21" frame w 2 headset cups weighs in at 4lbs 15oz, so its far from impressive but not terrible. These old Treks were not light, but the tubing was "good."
I seriously doubt a Mongoose hybrid had Prestige tubing. I bought a Prestige frame in 93, it cost 700 for the bare frame.
I seriously doubt a Mongoose hybrid had Prestige tubing. I bought a Prestige frame in 93, it cost 700 for the bare frame.
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Bikes like the Trek 750 and Diamondback Overdrive used True Temper AVR
I'm surprised the 1991 Bianchi Project 7 came with SunTour XC Pro components. This was the tubeset:
I'm surprised the 1991 Bianchi Project 7 came with SunTour XC Pro components. This was the tubeset:
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Miyata used butted cro-mo for most hybrids but I liked the 92 QuickCross in bonded aluminum with cro-mo fork. Jack be nimble...
There was also an aluminum cross but I think it was set up like a road bike.
There was also an aluminum cross but I think it was set up like a road bike.
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also full DB 531 YO
The extent to which the Raleigh Super Tourer counts as a "hybrid" is left to the reader to determine
also I believe the Miyata TripleCross used the spline/triplebutted Miyata tubing which was considered excellent by road bike standards.
The extent to which the Raleigh Super Tourer counts as a "hybrid" is left to the reader to determine
also I believe the Miyata TripleCross used the spline/triplebutted Miyata tubing which was considered excellent by road bike standards.
Last edited by sheddle; 01-05-21 at 03:56 PM.
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Well, I don't know how you define vintage and how you define hybrid, but the Lemond Poprad was built with 853 tubing in the early 2000's and then built with True Temper OX in the late 2000's:
The Jamis Aurora Elite used 631 tubing:
The Jamis Aurora Elite used 631 tubing:
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The Schwinn Crosscut bikes and Trek 750 (790 if you see one, but they don't appear often) use TruTemper. They are very nice frames. The Treks are maybe a little more finished and better paint. These are the two that come to mind and are plentiful. You should be able to find one without looking too hard.
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As sheddle points out, later Triple Crosses have Miyata's triple butted splined tubing...not too shabby.
Last edited by John Nolan; 01-05-21 at 06:11 PM.
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ohhh yeaaahh!!!
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There are lots of 700 x 45mm tires out there; there’re just called 29” x 1.95!
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#21
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The original Surly Cross Checks used Reynolds 653. They also had a 1" head tube.
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Miyata Alumicross circa 1990 was aluminum, assuming you’re not strictly interested in steel. It was near their top cross/hybrid and came with the Deore DX group (MT-62), ultegra bar end shifters, Nitto dirt-drop bars, etc.
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Clang nlerner mstateglfr
thanks, gentlemen. i know... there's lots of options these days. the fire cross have been one of my fav's for years. and, right now, i have some vee rubbers in 45 with a cross country type tread. the smokes are a classic, though. i've ran two sets in 26 over the years. and with that tan wall, the smokes just look excellent. to me, some of the tan walls these days are a bit over done with the big ars brand label on the side
thanks, gentlemen. i know... there's lots of options these days. the fire cross have been one of my fav's for years. and, right now, i have some vee rubbers in 45 with a cross country type tread. the smokes are a classic, though. i've ran two sets in 26 over the years. and with that tan wall, the smokes just look excellent. to me, some of the tan walls these days are a bit over done with the big ars brand label on the side
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well, that kinda sucked for them, didn't it? i didn't even know they existed...lol. all i even had at that time was a 26" GT backwoods. i don't even think i had a road bike