Touring - Hybrids, a poor man's touring bike ?

If you are looking to spend $500 on bike to pull a bob trailer, hybrids with a few mods look like an attractive option. Can anyone comment on whether these are a viable short trip touring bike ?
The Iron Horse adventure LX looks great except for the sus fork, but it's cheap enough to swap out.
Not many hybrids with rigid front forks. Any other besides the Trek SU 2.0 ?

Hi, we have beenusing hybrids for all our tours without any problems. I have a used Gazelle Playa and my wife bought a Trek 7.2 FX. Check out our page for more details.

A hybrid is a good alternative to purchasing a purpose built touring bike. I converted a mid 90's Specialized CrossRoads into a touring bike. People I have toured with think it's a real touring bike. There shocked when I tell them it's an old hybrid I purchased in a thrift store for $5 and then upgraded it with touring equipment.
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r154/n4zou/crazyham.jpg

Before I got my LHT I did a good bit of touring (as long as 6 days) on my Trek Multitrack 700 ($300). Worked fine. See the attached picture.

I use a Trek 7200 with suspension fork as a touring bike. I did have to replace rear wheel after the rim cracked, but that was more due to my weight and riding it on gravel roads than anything to do with touring.

This started life as a 1992 Specialized Crossroads Trail LX:
http://a325.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/101/l_528a736d3f5152a0c45284e3c68675fc.jpg
It's quite comfortable and compliant, a joy to ride.

I'm digging around a bit today and ran across an '01 Bianchi Advantage. All steel back then, with mtb gearing and 36 hole rims. Any thoughts ?

My Marin San Rafael has a locking front suspension. I only unlock it when I leave the road. If you find something like that, a front suspension might not be as much as a downside. I haven't taken it touring, so I can't speak to how it holds up over time, but it seems to do the job commuting, and I've taken some longer day-trips on it.

One thing I've noticed with mine, that you may want to watch out for in other hybrids, is heel strike with panniers. If you're using a trailer, that may not be an issue, or if you're using low-profile panniers. I haven't tried touring-size panniers. The fold out panniers on my trunk bag are fine, but my "grocery bag" style panniers can be a pain. Livable, but a pain, none-the-less.

Also I find that I put a lot of strain on my rear tire. A lot of this I can attribute to my weight and riding style, and the fact that my front rack holds very little weight, so when I am carrying anything, it's usually on the rear rack, but I wonder, too, if part of it is because of the hybrid geometry which forces my rack load and much of my own weight to rest on the rear tire.

That's not to discourage you from using a hybrid, and some, or maybe all of these issues would be mitigated by using a trailer rather than a rear rack, but it's something to consider when selecting a bike.

You can use almost anything for a short trip, IMO, as long as the gearing is decent.

Hybrids are fine, they usually come with fairly low gearing and wide tires. Definitely use bar-ends or swap out for butterfly / trekking bars.

If you're already looking to spend $500, why not spend a little more and get a real touring bike like a Novara Randonee? Sometimes these go on sale for $750. You also might be able to find a used Trek 520.

Hybrids can be great touring bikes. I know a couple of people who bought two hybrids with front suspension and toured all over the world. They were so happy when they got back about the front suspension, they did lots of rough roads and cobblestones. They were much more comfortable than the others wih out the suspension. It's slower and heavier, but some don't mind.

Hybrids can be great touring bikes. I know a couple of people who bought two hybrids with front suspension and toured all over the world. They were so happy when they got back about the front suspension, they did lots of rough roads and cobblestones. They were much more comfortable than the others wih out the suspension. It's slower and heavier, but some don't mind.
You wouldn't happen to know what kind of shocks, would you ?

If you are looking to spend $500 on bike to pull a bob trailer, hybrids with a few mods look like an attractive option. Can anyone comment on whether these are a viable short trip touring bike ?

Almost anything except perhaps for a road bike is adequate for touring. Comfort is what is the most important in choosing a bike, more than gearing and any other technical issue you can think of.

I spend about $125 on my Walmart bicycle. Never had one fail me yet.

You will be totally fine riding a hybrid on a tour.

If you're already looking to spend $500, why not spend a little more and get a real touring bike like a Novara Randonee? Sometimes these go on sale for $750. You also might be able to find a used Trek 520.
Well, that's a good question. There are a couple of reasons.
1)Can't find a stock "touring bike" with quality rims and low enough gearing under 1k.
Low enough gearing for me is MTB gearing.
2)Touring is a very small percentage of my total annual bike riding (1-2 weeks), so it's hard to justify putting alot of $ into it. I already shot my wad on a new road bike and MTB during the last 2 years.

Mine served me well and will do so into the future I imagine. I had spoke problems due to inadequate wheels, but I got a quality wheel and hub on the back now. Go for a great saddle, an alternate hand position (I prefer aero bars to bar ends), and if you can, get rid of the suspension shock and go rigid steel and you are good to go. My wife also pulls a trailer on her once a year tour on her hybrid/comfort bike. She is good for 50-60 miles a day.

Here is a link to my Oregon coast journal from last summer and the evolution of my low cost hybrid to tour ready beast.

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/page/?o=3Tzut&page_id=56401&v=2K

You wouldn't happen to know what kind of shocks, would you ?

I can find out, I can't remember. They were mid to entry level hybrids with the factory suspension. The two people first came looking for touring bikes, the only thing at that location was the Fuji touring bike, a good bike. But they did not want to spend that much. I sold them to them last year when I was minding the store at my friends bike shop. He will remember, since they came back later for tune ups and were so happy. I'll ask him. There are many bikes similar that would do the job nicely.

I can find out, I can't remember. They were mid to entry level hybrids with the factory suspension.
Thanks, I'd also be interested if they had a lockout.

OK, I won't see him until Thursday or Friday. He will remember more details about the trip too.

Mine served me well and will do so into the future I imagine. I had spoke problems due to inadequate wheels, but I got a quality wheel and hub on the back now.

Here is a link to my Oregon coast journal from last summer and the evolution of my low cost hybrid to tour ready beast.

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/page/?o=3Tzut&page_id=56401&v=2K

Nice trip. Definitely on my short list of places to tour.
What kind of wheel and hub did you go with ?

Nice trip. Definitely on my short list of places to tour.
What kind of wheel and hub did you go with ?


Well, I went with what I could find on tour. In a bike shop in Florence Oregon, after 3 broken spokes they only had a few choices of wheels as it was late in the season, so I got a Bontrager rear wheel (not sure which one) and a Shimano hub. But this wheel is double wall construction with eyelets. Don't go with anything less. This wheel also only has 32 spokes, and I would prefer 36 but had to go with what I could find. It has served me for almost 1000 miles since, some of that with loads. When my wife goes with me on her first self contained tour, she is getting a hand built rear wheel before we go.

If you're already looking to spend $500, why not spend a little more and get a real touring bike like a Novara Randonee? Sometimes these go on sale for $750. You also might be able to find a used Trek 520.

+1 - the Novara Safari (http://www.rei.com/product/730480) MSRP $849 is only $679 with the 20% coupons that come out a few times each year. It comes with touring gearing, trekking bars and a rear rack.

I think the biggest Safari is 20". My current MTB that I use for touring is 20" and way too small.

Thanks, I'd also be interested if they had a lockout.

Here's what we remember.

Bad news first- they have a blog or a website that tells all about this and we can't remember it, or the names. Sorry! A guy and a girl in their early 20's.

They both had entry level Diamondback Hybrids 2005 model year. Equal to about the new Raleigh Detour 3.0. They probably had sr suntour hybrid forks. No lockout. They finally sold the bikes when they had about 30,000 miles on them. They had steel frames. I think they had to bend back a derailleur hanger along the way.
They toured Japan, rode from Mexico down to Brazil, From Washington up to Alaska, and toured India.
They were headed for Tibet The last we heard. That's all we know. As I said before they were thrilled to have a little suspension, not a lot, just enough. They did a lot of rough roads.
I think the guy rode across the country on something a like an old gaspipe steel Schwinn 10 speed, a few years earlier.

If I saw a photo of them on the internet I would remember them. The girl anyway ! :)

Those old crossroads look great for touring. They look nothing like the new ones.
I'm intrigued by the new globe. Looks more like a touring bike than some touring bikes...if you swap out the handlebars.

This started life as a 1992 Specialized Crossroads Trail LX:
http://a325.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/101/l_528a736d3f5152a0c45284e3c68675fc.jpg
It's quite comfortable and compliant, a joy to ride.


Whoa. What kind of shifters are those?

One Track, I'm sorry I wasn't able to give you a more detailed response to your PM about the Globe. I was in a hurry when I responded. I'll respond here so that all may benefit.

I have an 07 Globe City. I changed the seat out to a Specialized comfort seat and changed the curved bars out to riser bars with bull horn bar ends with padding. The bike comes with what appears to be a pretty stout rear rack. I put a Nashbar front rack on it and bought Nashbar waterproof panniers. I also added some Crank Brothers Acid pedals. I have yet to tour on it, but it is a supremely comfortable bike on 30 mile jaunts. The stock rims are 32 spoke, but for the light touring I'll do, I think they'll be fine. Here's how it looks decked out.

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g157/PaulBarnard/DSC00450.jpg

I wish I could give you a more informed opinion on how it tours, but until the weather gets better, that will have to wait.

Paul

Thanks, Paul. I was able to see one in the flesh last weekend, but not in my size. The salesperson felt like the City version was definitely the way to go. Nice looking bike.
Specialized has been the big sleeper in my touring bike research. They have an incredibly strong following with the Expedition, and the globe could well be the answer to the old Crossroads LX which people rave about.
I'd like to see a comparison between;
Specialized Globe city
Specialized Crosstrail
Trek Sport Urban 2
Cannondale Bad Boy
I think you could tour with any of these, although they are all over the original target price of $500.

I was within an inch of buying a Bad Boy, but the deal killer was that there is not enough frame clearance for a larger 700c tire. I should have mentioned in my earlier post that the Globe, with its aluminum frame and fork, has a pleasantly compliant ride.

hi, ive been looking for a bike for touring and commuting lately and ive been interested in the Jamis Coda $500 and the Jamis Coda Sport $600. maybe these will interest you ttp://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/bikes/08_bikes/08codasport.html (http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/bikes/08_bikes/08codasport.html)

There a nice 92 trek 760 on CL - FRAME ONLY $60 - what size are ou looking for

I've got around 4k-5k miles of touring on my hybrid, and about 16,450 miles on it total since I got it used in june of 2004. It's a cannondale H500. I originally paid one hundred and something off ebay for it, but it got stolen in baja and I bought it from a pawn shop kinda place later on for $500, and I have put a lot of money into replacing tires, brakes, broken fenders, and getting it tuned up also, so I probably could've bought an actual touring bike for what I've put into it. It doesn't fit me that great, and I plan on getting a dedicated touring bike if I can ever get the money for one, but mine's been rock solid through every thing I've put it through.

here's some pics of it from california and mexico for those of you who enjoy bike porn:
http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/3739/cactusxf4.th.jpg (http://img252.imageshack.us/my.php?image=cactusxf4.jpg)

http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/9071/coastno9.th.jpg (http://img252.imageshack.us/my.php?image=coastno9.jpg)

http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/2936/coronahn5.th.jpg (http://img220.imageshack.us/my.php?image=coronahn5.jpg)

http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/6096/snakeps0.th.jpg (http://img249.imageshack.us/my.php?image=snakeps0.jpg)

http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/8579/southparkwd7.th.jpg (http://img249.imageshack.us/my.php?image=southparkwd7.jpg)

I'm digging around a bit today and ran across an '01 Bianchi Advantage. All steel back then, with mtb gearing and 36 hole rims. Any thoughts ?

I don't use mine for touring, but I adore it. I switched out the bars and stem to a road quill and cut down flats. One day it'll get drops and bar end shifters. Buy it.

Edit:
PS I haven't toured it but I intend to tow a trailer when I do. It behaves well off road and at high speeds.

I'm digging around a bit today and ran across an '01 Bianchi Advantage. All steel back then, with mtb gearing and 36 hole rims. Any thoughts ?

Hey 1-track-mind. Last summer, I bought a 2007 Bianchi Bay City fitness/hybrid bike. I bought the entry level model with intentions of buying time, as I would eventually upgrade the components. I purchased it to be used as a commuter, along with weekend get-a-way rides. But then I started to consider doing some light-medium touring as well. Soon after buying it, I did a search and found this guy who converted his 2005 Bianchi Avenue to a touring bike. Click here (http://www.ifp.uiuc.edu/~smallik/cycling/avenueDrops.html) for the link.

Whoa. What kind of shifters are those?

Shimano downtube-style shifters mounted on Kelly Take-Off's. (http://www.kellybike.com/2nd_xtra_takeoff.html)

I was within an inch of buying a Bad Boy, but the deal killer was that there is not enough frame clearance for a larger 700c tire. I should have mentioned in my earlier post that the Globe, with its aluminum frame and fork, has a pleasantly compliant ride.

Really? Is that the case with the newer ones? When I bought mine back in 02 it was branded as a bike that could take both wheel sets. Perhaps I was conned :D. Never tried it, but as I just bought a Trek 520 I was going to upgrade to 700c for commuting useage with a internal geared hub.

But back on topic. Certainly, converted my above mentioned BadBoy into a tourer that I have used for all my trips up until my recent touring bike purchase. I found with a hybrid, my biggest peeve was hand positions, even with barends I would get major issues with that nerve that runs along the side of your hand causing numb fingers. Answer was a butterfly bar. Worked out great in the end. Only other issue was the heal clearance for panniers but a proper rack and mounting sorted that out also.

Well, my "new" "touring" bike should arrive in a few days.
It is a 1992 Bridgestone XO-2 hybrid and I was able to stay well under $500.
It's coming with mustache bars, but I have butterflys on the way.
I'll also spring for some new tires and a new saddle.
The big unknown is how the 32h rims will hold up under a load.
Since they are 26" wheels, I might be able to get by with them.
I'm also looking for advice one the best way to change the gearing.
It's coming with a 50x40x30 crankset and 13-28 rear 7 speed cassette.
Should I just switch to a MTB crankset since I'll be using it mostly in the mountains ?
I was told that going to 32 in the rear would require a different rear derailluer.
I'd rather not get into all that if I don't need to.

Get a 22 tooth granny gear up front if youre going to climb alot.

I've toured on a hybrid before. My old hybrid toured Scotland (2,200km) and New Zealand (3,300km) quite successfully, as well as several weekend tours locally and a couple of double-centuries. Low-gearing is important, as is adding either some drop bars or some bar ends to the handlebars for comfort. Apart from that, a decent hybrid is fine for touring.

They can take both wheel sets, but they won't fit a 700c of much larger width (and the accompanying height) than the one that comes with it.


Really? Is that the case with the newer ones? When I bought mine back in 02 it was branded as a bike that could take both wheel sets. Perhaps I was conned :D. Never tried it, but as I just bought a Trek 520 I was going to upgrade to 700c for commuting useage with a internal geared hub.

But back on topic. Certainly, converted my above mentioned BadBoy into a tourer that I have used for all my trips up until my recent touring bike purchase. I found with a hybrid, my biggest peeve was hand positions, even with barends I would get major issues with that nerve that runs along the side of your hand causing numb fingers. Answer was a butterfly bar. Worked out great in the end. Only other issue was the heal clearance for panniers but a proper rack and mounting sorted that out also.

Start by updating the front chainring, get the triple as low as it can go. 48-36-24 may be possible without requiring much more than new rings. I doubt you'd have to swap the entire crankset.

IMO 32 spoke wheels should be fine -- IF they are in good shape. I.e. make sure all the spokes are true.

Maybe if you weight 225+ lbs, carry 50+ lbs of gear, and plan to do some offroad, you'd need more spokes. :P

Well, the XO-2 arrived today and I'm just amazed by the condition. Pristine.
Looks like it never got out of the garage.
The wheels (Ritchey Vantage Sport) look stout and the original tires (Ritchey Tom Slick 1.4s) still have those protruding hairs on the sides.
I wouldn't hesitate to load it up and tour on this thing tommorrow as is, if I didn't have to do alot of climbing.
Wow, this is exciting !

A hybrid is a good alternative to purchasing a purpose built touring bike. I converted a mid 90's Specialized CrossRoads into a touring bike. People I have toured with think it's a real touring bike. There shocked when I tell them it's an old hybrid I purchased in a thrift store for $5 and then upgraded it with touring equipment.
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r154/n4zou/crazyham.jpg

That looks like an interesting arrangement on your back pannier for holding a rucksack. Your design?

Well, the XO-2 arrived today and I'm just amazed by the condition. Pristine.
Looks like it never got out of the garage.
The wheels (Ritchey Vantage Sport) look stout and the original tires (Ritchey Tom Slick 1.4s) still have those protruding hairs on the sides.
I wouldn't hesitate to load it up and tour on this thing tommorrow as is, if I didn't have to do alot of climbing.
Wow, this is exciting !

Congratulations! You must be the proud new owner of that great looking green XO-2 that was just on ebay! I was watching that beauty and almost bid on it. I'm glad you got it. BTW, you stole it from that poor guy! Nice bike. I have a mint condition 1990 Bridgestone CB-0 with 26" wheels (36 spokes) (very similar to the XO-2), and I'm building it up for dirt/fire road and international touring.

Anyway, yours is going to be a great touring rig. I would get a Sugino XD or similar crank with 46-36-24 rings from ebay (you'll pay $35-40). HERE is an example. (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=120225657506&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=002) Then, get some new cogs with 32 or 34 tooth low for the rear. BTW, if I'm not mistaken, your LX rear derailleur should handle the changes just fine. And decent 26" wheels with 32 spokes are not as much of a concern as 32 hole 700c wheels. Just have the spokes tensioned properly and you should be fine. If you're nervous about the wheels, there's always ebay!

Show us some pics when you've completed the build.

All the best,

Congratulations! You must be the proud new owner of that great looking green XO-2 that was just on ebay! I was watching that beauty and almost bid on it. I'm glad you got it. BTW, you stole it from that poor guy! Nice bike. I have a mint condition 1990 Bridgestone CB-0 with 26" wheels (36 spokes) (very similar to the XO-2), and I'm building it up for dirt/fire road and international touring.

Anyway, yours is going to be a great touring rig. I would get a Sugino XD or similar crank with 46-36-24 rings from ebay (you'll pay $35-40). HERE is an example. (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=120225657506&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=002) Then, get some new cogs with 32 or 34 tooth low for the rear. BTW, if I'm not mistaken, your LX rear derailleur should handle the changes just fine. And decent 26" wheels with 32 spokes are not as much of a concern as 32 hole 700c wheels. Just have the spokes tensioned properly and you should be fine. If you're nervous about the wheels, there's always ebay!

Show us some pics when you've completed the build.

All the best,
Yes, you have me pegged. I definitely got lucky. Everything was perfect, even the wheels were true .
I wish I had a nickel for every bike I've watched over the last couple of years on ebay, but couldn't pull the trigger. For whatever reason, I knew this was the one, and was prepared to spend another $100.00 to get it.

I already switched out the crankset for a MTB setup and took it out for a 20 miler.
It rides great! Smooth and stable. I'm not sure about the mustache bars for all day touring, but I've got some butterflys on the way. The only other things I really need are;
a longer sus seatpost,
racks,
rear panniers
and tires.

When I get all that stuff, my Giant ATX will be relegated to beater status.
The XO-2 rides circles around the ATX on and off-road !