Fifty Plus (50+) - Looking for a new hybrid

I'm planning to replace my hybrid .... bless it's heart, it got me going again in this crazy sport ... because it is (hate to say it, but Tom B. was right) too big. I barely clear the top tube; dismounting is a little difficult because of its height so I lost my balance twice last year and slipped off the seat and landed on the tube.:eek:

So, I'm beginning to shop for a replacement. I believe there is a place in my life for a hybrid... for trails and paths and places we want to take our bikes on a non-cycling vacation.

But this time around, the search will be different. I don't need front or seat suspension. I want to be able to lift it into the back of the truck by myself. I don't need to sit so upright (like I thought I'd need to do for my neck and wrist :rolleyes:). It can have flat bars, or hybrid bars w/adjustable stem. The sole purpose is to be able to ride on road or dirt trails or casual recreational rides with friends/family who also ride hybrids -- on a bike that fits. Upright comfort is not the name of the game this time.

Given this criteria, I'm looking for recommendations. I'll also check out Craig's List, maybe wait for end-of-the-year clearance sales. I'm just starting to look and I'm wondering what the top choices are in this class right now.

Depends on whether it fits your riding style- but the Specialised Sirrus is one of the better hybrids out there. But the list is endless.

I would suggest a Cyclocross Bike. Bikes direct has a very nice one for a great price.
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/fantom_cross_cx.htm
At home on pavement and dirt roads. Rack mounts front and rear when you want to do an overnight tour or haul grocery's.
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/images/fantomcx_yellow_600.jpg

Specialized had a new line for 2009, the Vienna, that might fit the bill. I really like the Vienna 4 (http://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/BikeSpecs.aspx?Year=2009&Brand=Specialized&Model=Vienna+4+Women's&Type=bike) with 8 speed internal gearing.

http://www.bike-alog.com/bikepedia/Helpers/thumb2.aspx?w=400&h=400&filename=9296-35_Wms_GLB4str_Vienna_Bone.jpg

I've been very happy with the position on my new Motobecane Century Pro; more upright than my old Fuji Roubaix and the carbon frame seems to kill bumps and vibration. Motobecane has the Cafe Noir if you prefer flat bars; I don't. Went to 700x25c Schwalbe Marathon Plus tires (directional touring tire) because weight did not matter as much to me as stability and ride.

Thanks everyone.

I should have mentioned that I already have a road bike so I am not looking for another one. I also still have the hybrid that I bought early last year, but it is too big. However, a hybrid still has a place in my life for certain types of rides so I am looking for one that fits.

There's also a Jamis Coda to look at, but I'd like to find a bike a shop very close to home. The Jamis shops are further out.

If you are willing to spend around $1000, the Trek 7.6 WSD is a very nice bike. Light, smooth ride, good components. If any of the trails are dirt/gravel, then it will yield a smoother ride than the Specialized Sirrus (I know because I tried each of them 3 times on gravel trails).

http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/2008/bike_path/fx/76fxwsd/

The 7.3 FX WSD is nice for the money. Not as smooth (no carbon parts), components are decent but not as good as the 7.6.

The Giant FCR2 or FCR1 are worth a look. I don't recommend the FCR3.

The Specialized Globe series is a bit heavier but very comfortable.

The Cannondale Road Warrior series is nice too. Despite having the term "road" in the series name, this is really a fitness hybrid and can handle bike paths. Their Adventure series has suspension, but it is their Headshock suspension fork, which is lighter than most.

The Fuji Absolute 1.0 is worth a ride, if you find one.

Tom, have you considered being a professional bike researcher/tester? :) Thanks for the additional suggestions.

One more requirement: Any color other than black. Both my bikes are black.... nothing against it, black bikes are beautiful... I'd just like to add a little color to the corral. :)

Of course, the ultimate solution would be to get a good frame, like a Surly Cross-Check, and build it up just the way you want it. I have seen many nice looking Cross-Checks built up with flat or riser bars.

Of course, the ultimate solution would be to get a good frame, like a Surly Cross-Check, and build it up just the way you want it. I have seen many nice looking Cross-Checks built up with flat or riser bars.

Oh wow, now that would be a challenge. I have a good mechanical aptitude but I wouldn't know where to begin. Are there cookbook-type instructions/manuals out there that one can follow from start to finish, for someone without a clue where to begin?

Tom, have you considered being a professional bike researcher/tester? :) Thanks for the additional suggestions.

One more requirement: Any color other than black. Both my bikes are black.... nothing against it, black bikes are beautiful... I'd just like to add a little color to the corral. :)

May I suggest white? White's a good color for a bike. I'm not sure if I've ever mentioned that before.

May I suggest white? White's a good color for a bike. I'm not sure if I've ever mentioned that before.

Oh yeh, I forgot.... any color other than black, white, or any combination of the two. :p

I really like my Specialized Crosstrail, a real do it all bike. But, it only comes in Black. Low enuf gearing to ride straight up a wall, and high enough to do 35 MPH without killing yourself. Or, you could cut loose with more $ to get a silver one.

I leave my grocery panniers, and tail bag on all the time, so they are handy.

I have a Gary Fisher Monona that I am enjoying. A really nice hybrid, and I tried several brands before settling on it. If the Trek 7.6 had been available though, I might have went that direction.

What about picking up an old MTB and fitting it out the way you want it.

Oh wow, now that would be a challenge. I have a good mechanical aptitude but I wouldn't know where to begin. Are there cookbook-type instructions/manuals out there that one can follow from start to finish, for someone without a clue where to begin?

I don't know of such a manual. I think MaddMaxx posted a list of things to consider sometime back.

This is something you should only consider if you really want to do it. If there are bikes on the market that suit your wants to a T, you'll come out cheaper by buying it than by trying to build it. But if anything you buy would need a fair amount of customization to suit yiour needs, building your own is a good option.

There are several regulars on this board who have built their own bikes. We could offer you lots of good and bad advice as you progress though your build if you choose to go that route. Once you build one it gets in your blood and it is hard to stop. :twitchy:

Consider an entry-level (or a bit better) mtn bike instead of a hybrid.

A hybrid is a cross between a mtn bike and a road bike. You have a road bike. Now get the opposite, rather than a near miss.

Consider an entry-level (or a bit better) mtn bike instead of a hybrid.

A hybrid is a cross between a mtn bike and a road bike. You have a road bike. Now get the opposite, rather than a near miss.

If she is going to ride rugged trails or courses, I concur.

Otherwise you are spending money on heavy-duty shocks which have little to no value for riding on a bike path. And you are getting very low gears that you don't need. And very wide tires that you don't need.

Hybrids are popular because there are some uses for them which fit some riders much better than either a road or a mountain bike. The very reason why hybrids exist is that the modifications made to their basic mountain bike origin make them a better bike for many riders.

I do agree that she should evaluate her intended use and her riding needs, then pick the type of bike that matches it best.

Now that said, if you did start with a mountain bike or touring frame, you could build up a nice flatbar/ riserbar bike. You could throw on things like 11-32 rear cassette, Sugino 46/36/26 crankset, Deore LX derailleurs & shifters, a cro-moly fork, wheels based on a Shimano hub, a pair of 700x32 tires. It would be a nice bike.

It would also be considered a hybrid if a company was selling one just like it.

Tom's back! How was your trip? Missed your posts while you were gone. Welcome back.

Specialized had a new line for 2009, the Vienna, that might fit the bill. I really like the Vienna 4 (http://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/BikeSpecs.aspx?Year=2009&Brand=Specialized&Model=Vienna+4+Women's&Type=bike) with 8 speed internal gearing.

http://www.bike-alog.com/bikepedia/Helpers/thumb2.aspx?w=400&h=400&filename=9296-35_Wms_GLB4str_Vienna_Bone.jpg
I really like the looks of this one! Kind of rugged retro without the cutesy. (Yen will know what I mean even if you guys may not. :p )

Yep, I'm back. Trip went well. Even got to take a really nice little 10 mile ride with daughter #3 down a bike path along a river while in West Virginia.

Didn't take a bike with me because we had 4 people and a ton of stuff in the van. I would have liked to try out some of the Ohio trails. I saw the one that went through Millersburg.

Now I have to come out of my mild depression of having left my daughters behind, not knowing how long it will be until I see either of them again.

Yep, I'm back. Trip went well. Even got to take a really nice little 10 mile ride with daughter #3 down a bike path along a river while in West Virginia.

Didn't take a bike with me because we had 4 people and a ton of stuff in the van. I would have liked to try out some of the Ohio trails. I saw the one that went through Millersburg.

Now I have to come out of my mild depression of having left my daughters behind, not knowing how long it will be until I see either of them again.

Where are they off to, Tom? How many daughters are still at home now? Let yourself feel sad. Nothing unusual about that. It's OK. I feel sad just thinking about how you and your wife must feel right now. :(

The Specialized Vienna series does look nice. Between it, the Vienna Deluxe, and those wild new San Francisco-series, Specialized is releasing a lot of new bikes.

Where are they off to, Tom? How many daughters are still at home now? Let yourself feel sad. Nothing unusual about that. It's OK. I feel sad just thinking about how you and your wife must feel right now. :(

Thread Hijack Alert!

One daughter is in North Canton, Ohio. One is in grad school in Chapel Hill, NC - she came up to Wisconsin and then went with us to Ohio and WV - which brought back memories of going on vacation with her. One is at home right now but will be in Vancouver, BC in 3-4 weeks. One lives 10 miles from us in Madison, WI. The other is still in high school.

I consider myself lucky for being able to visit with them occasionally. Back in pioneer times, your children might have gone west, or if in Europe then migrated to the USA, never to be seen again.

Thanks for sharing. Hope you're feeling better soon. Remember, you've still got us! :lol: :50:

The 2009 Specialized Vita Comp is another nice bike. Carbon fork & seat stays (like the Trek 7.6). Don't see pricing on it as yet ... but wouldn't be surprised if it were up around $1200-$1300.

http://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/BikeSpecs.aspx?Year=2009&Brand=Specialized&Model=Vita+Comp&Type=bike

What about picking up an old MTB and fitting it out the way you want it.

+1 on a used ride... retail prices on bikes are getting insane, and i could not afford the bikes i have now if i had to replace any!

i do see the utility in a good hybrid (assuming it's the 700C size that appeals more than 26"; haven't seen any used 29r's around these parts)...

Another vote for the Trek 7.X series of bikes

If she is going to ride rugged trails or courses, I concur.

Otherwise you are spending money on heavy-duty shocks which have little to no value for riding on a bike path. And you are getting very low gears that you don't need. And very wide tires that you don't need.



I know I am way behind the times, but my mtn bike has NO suspension. Aren't there some entry-level mtn bikes without all of the suspension, or at least just a litttle? - (Dating myself)

I have a Jamis Coda Sport that I use for commuting...when I get off my fat butt and commute....and think it is great all around bike.

It has flat bars and will accommodate relatively wide tires, that would allow it to be used on trails and paths that you mentioned.

My only reservation is that mine had road gearing up front (30-39-50), but I got it at such a good price that I couldn't complain.

http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/bikes/08_bikes/08codasport.html

Good luck.

I know I am way behind the times, but my mtn bike has NO suspension. Aren't there some entry-level mtn bikes without all of the suspension, or at least just a litttle? - (Dating myself)

It is difficult to find mountain bikes without suspensions, at least without a suspension fork. I guess customers don't have much interest in them anymore.

Low end mountain bikes tend to have low-end suspension forks, low end wheel sets, and low end components.

Low end mountain bikes tend to have low-end suspension forks, low end wheel sets, and low end components.

OK, but my $300 Specialized Hardrock is still going strong 10 years later and many thousands of miles carrying my not-so-light bod around, and even jumping (most of the time) curbs. Just a few new chains, bottom bracket change, and a couple of chainrings along the way.

But, no suspension forks to break!

Now that said, if you did start with a mountain bike or touring frame, you could build up a nice flatbar/ riserbar bike. You could throw on things like 11-32 rear cassette, Sugino 46/36/26 crankset, Deore LX derailleurs & shifters, a cro-moly fork, wheels based on a Shimano hub, a pair of 700x32 tires. It would be a nice bike.

It would also be considered a hybrid if a company was selling one just like it.
Tom - thats exactly what I was getting at. Even if it has a shock set on the fork that can be swapped out. This is effectively what I plan to do to my Gary Fischer.

OK, but my $300 Specialized Hardrock is still going strong 10 years later and many thousands of miles carrying my not-so-light bod around, and even jumping (most of the time) curbs. Just a few new chains, bottom bracket change, and a couple of chainrings along the way.

But, no suspension forks to break!

Some of the 90's Hardrocks are nice bikes. Likewise for the 90's Trek 820's, and some other lower-end MTBs. They don't make them like that anymore.

They don't make them like that anymore.
Exactly! - Find one and rescue it!

Wouldn't a mountain bike have more rolling resistance on roads? Most of the rides would be on streets with friends/family who ride a hybrid in the neighborhood or in town. We don't plan a lot of mountain trails at this time but I'd like the bike to handle any type of trail we'd encounter, while still having easy rolling resistance on streets -- hence the hybrid.

The 2009 Specialized Vita Comp is another nice bike. Carbon fork & seat stays (like the Trek 7.6). Don't see pricing on it as yet ... but wouldn't be surprised if it were up around $1200-$1300.

http://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/BikeSpecs.aspx?Year=2009&Brand=Specialized&Model=Vita+Comp&Type=bike

I like that, Tom.... in spite of being frighteningly close to white. :eek: It is over my budget for this bike but I'll keep my options open.

I have a Jamis Coda Sport that I use for commuting...when I get off my fat butt and commute....and think it is great all around bike.

It has flat bars and will accommodate relatively wide tires, that would allow it to be used on trails and paths that you mentioned.

My only reservation is that mine had road gearing up front (30-39-50), but I got it at such a good price that I couldn't complain.

http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/bikes/08_bikes/08codasport.html

Good luck.

Looks good. And it's blue, my favorite color! :)

I really like the looks of this one! Kind of rugged retro without the cutesy. (Yen will know what I mean even if you guys may not. :p )

Si, comprendo. But too close to white. :p

Exactly! - Find one and rescue it!

Right. You won't find many no-suspension MTBs new, but there are tens of thousands of older ones out there and they can be had for next to nothing. I went high end on my Trek frame for $60. Search on "Lugnut" or Kemo Sabe" to get some ideas what can be done. Also there are hybrid frames from back when a hybrid really was a MTB/road hybrid. They can be updated and make great 700c-wheeled bikes.

Wouldn't a mountain bike have more rolling resistance on roads? Most of the rides would be on streets with friends/family who ride a hybrid in the neighborhood or in town. We don't plan a lot of mountain trails at this time but I'd like the bike to handle any type of trail we'd encounter, while still having easy rolling resistance on streets -- hence the hybrid.
Yen, If you put road tires on - it will have the same rolling resistance as a hybrid.

Yen, If you put road tires on - it will have the same rolling resistance as a hybrid.

Oh, yeh. :o

Then why not just get a fitness hybrid like the Trek or one of the others?

Si, comprendo. But too close to white. :p

The other models have regular derailleur drivetrains and come in other colors.

Then why not just get a fitness hybrid like the Trek or one of the others?
The only thing is the quality of the frame and the overall spend. A new bike will look better and be complete, an old MTB is liable to be a bit scared and need a few parts. My Gary Fischer has a lot of scratched in the paint but is a well built ruggid aluminum frame, with a light fork on it and some new components it will make a nice hybrid, I use it the way it is now to commute to work but I have lost the ability to shift easily out of the upper chain ring so that is where it stays, and since I don't have any real steep hills on my commute that is all I need.

Depending on your patience you may be better off with a new bike off the rack.

Oh, yeh. :o

Then why not just get a fitness hybrid like the Trek or one of the others?


Revamping an older mountain bike is not going to get you to something comparable to a new "fitness" type hybrid. The "fitness" hybrids are closer to a road bike than a standard hybrid. They tend to be lighter, witness that the higher end models have a fair amount of carbon fiber. They have more aggressive gearing. The wheels are lighter. Even the geometry is usually a bit more aggressive than a traditional mountain bike.

A revamped, older steel frame, rigid fork mountain bike can be made into a decent hybrid. Something with a smooth ride and comfortable riding position. It will be a few pounds heavier than a nice "fitness" hybrid. And you might end up replacing a lot of the parts ... which if you are handy with a wrench and have access to good prices on parts, can be half of the fun. But for others is a royal pain in the neck.

As as example of a good deal on a fitness-type hybrid, I offer up the deal that I got in March of this year.

Lightweight aluminum compact geometry frame.
Carbon fiber fork, seat stays, and seat post.
Road gearing with 52/39/30 crank and 12-27 10 speed cassette.
Shimano 105 front & rear derailleurs
Shimano 105 trigger shifters
Truvativ triple crank with external bearings (Giga X-Pipe)
700x32 Continental Contact tires

It is light (20 pounds), rides smoother than you would ever expect (almost feels like it has a suspension), fast, and had a mid-level riding position (definitely more aggressive than a standard hybrid). It rides fine on graveled bike trails. Most of the parts are the same or comparable to the Specialized Roubaix Triple (the entry level Roubaix).

I got it for $799 as it was a 2006 model closeout. It would be pretty darn hard to build up an older frame that could compete with it on both ride and parts quality at that price. Then throw in that I got a lifetime free adjustments deal and two free tune-ups from my LBS.

If I were going to buy a non-road non-MTB bike I would get the Electra Amsterdam series: http://www.electrabike.com/amsterdam/

They are so cuuuuuuuute! And I like the pants leg-protective shield.

If I were going to buy a non-road non-MTB bike I would get the Electra Amsterdam series: http://www.electrabike.com/amsterdam/

They are so cuuuuuuuute! And I like the pants leg-protective shield.

And blue!

http://blog.wired.com/gadgets/AMSTERDAM_CL3.jpg

Oh, yeh. :o

Then why not just get a fitness hybrid like the Trek or one of the others?

They're pretty much the same as a road bike with a flat bar. It that's what you're looking for it's the way to go. A used rigid mtb (I prefer steel) with smooth tires can be a lot of fun and it's a bit different than your road bike. You can hop curbs and such that you wouldn't want to do on a fitness bike. With the smooth tires it can be pretty quick on the road also. A used 90's mtb can be had cheap enough that if you replace everything except the frame you're still not going high budget. If you really want new, nothing wrong with that, the Nashbar 853 frame with a rigid fork would be a great start to a good build. Building up a bike can be a great learning experience.