Hybrid Bicycles - Mods for spring?

Well, this winter has been more rough in some locations than others. Here in NYC, the bitter cold has kept me off my bike for the past few months with the exception of a quick 4-mile ride I did about a week ago...

Having said that, in preparation for the Spring, I have been thinking about making some mods to my bike... I'm thinking newer (skinnier) tires, maybe change the handle bars to soemthing a little narrower.... that's about it really... I've just been thinking about it... haven't bought any parts yet...

So are you also looking forward to the weather getting better? Have you done any mods to your bike this winter? are you planning on changing any parts out for this new riding season coming up?
- sh00k

I actually have several plans to bring my hybrid into a more personal level of use. My bicycle is getting further away from the original bicycle I bought 3 years ago. This off season I have made changes in bars, adding a front rack & relocating many of my existing components. I think my next move will be bicycle specific shoes and flat/clip in peddles. I have yet to do much research on the subject of peddles. My next immediate modification will be a camera mount for the front rack close to the forks. I have several cameras but the one I like the best is also the largest. It is a steady cam but I want to make a stable base for it to rest on with easy access from the riding position.

Been a nasty winter in my area as well,only put on 60 miles from last November till now.i have since swapped a planet bike protege 8 in place of a cheap but worked well cyclemeter,a set of ergon gp1 grips was also installed,and a pair of toe clips with leather straps which i will install soon,waiting patiently for the nicer weather.

My mods for spring are already in effect - Alex Adventurer rims laced with a 105 hub in the rear and an SRAM i-Light dynohub in the front. Got tired of always having to charge batteries.

Probably doesn't count as a hybrid yet, but once I make my planned changes it will be. I have a Trek 8000 hardtail MTB, and for the winter I've put on studded tires, a Titec H-Bar, friction thumb shifters, front fender and a rear rack with folding baskets. Future plans are making a rear fender, skinnier tires, road crankset, rigid fork, Ergon Grips, and maybe a new saddle.

Hey sh00k if I recall correctly you're not using clipless pedals on the 7.7 -- that'd be the first thing I'd change. After that I'd suggest 700cX23 tires, since you are a speed demon. If you want to change the handlebars you can do that too, I put an Easton EC90 XC carbon flat bar on my 7.5FX. It cost $90 and the improvement was purely pshchological and to enhance the look of the bike. Cheers, Matt.

its been cold here in ct yes, but the roads have been clear, so i have logged around 50 miles a week since nov. those winter winds are brutal. the old puch now has a triple up front and i finished a trek 800 hybridization, only the frame, wheels, tires and rd are the same. still looking to get a vbrake on the front of the puch.

Hey sh00k if I recall correctly you're not using clipless pedals on the 7.7 -- that'd be the first thing I'd change. After that I'd suggest 700cX23 tires, since you are a speed demon. If you want to change the handlebars you can do that too, I put an Easton EC90 XC carbon flat bar on my 7.5FX. It cost $90 and the improvement was purely pshchological and to enhance the look of the bike. Cheers, Matt.

LOL - I'm not looking to break land speed records but since I got my 7.7, I have become addicted to the feeling like im riding on glass... it's such a smoooooooooooooth ride at 18-20mph - I can't feel any imperfections in the road. I just want to glide on glass a little quicker, that's all :D

My 7.7 came with wellgo pedals that I can use with cycling shoes but, for the time being (since i didn't want to spend more $ at the time), I installed toe clips. that did make a huge difference when riding and i've been using them since. I am able to go faster while sitting down and peddling plus it works out my quads like crazy! i get a better workout as a result. I know they're a little dangerous to ride with which is why I plan on getting cycling shoes sometime this spring.

For the time being, i am riding them now very loosely - meaning my foot can slide in and out of them pretty effortlessly - so it's been a good solution for the time being.

[QUOTE=sh00k;10390132] I installed toe clips. that did make a huge difference when riding and i've been using them since. I am able to go faster while sitting down and peddling plus it works out my quads like crazy!
QUOTE]


Hi Shook, i have just installed a set of toe clip with straps,does your toe clip bend when your on the up stroke ? mine is bendable and doesn't it have an effect wihtout the straps? I guess only your toes are really making the most contact with the toe clip so it doesn't matter?

my toe clips are almost identical to this :

http://www.bikepedaling.com/images/toeclips.jpg


although I ride with them fairly loose, it's still not loose enough to bend on the up stroke... it's almost like a horizontal oval shape if that makes any sense - just like it is in the picture....

on the up stroke, the part of my foot that propels my peddling motion is the area before my toes and after my ankle. i use my toes a little but the motion that i use on the upstroke is like walking up stairs - i am literally lifting my entire leg (and foot) up with my quads.

I dont ride in winter. They salt the living bejesus out of the roads here, and, honestly, I work my butt off to afford anything I buy, so I keep the bikes inside. My Sirrus is going to get some Ergon grips, otherwise nothing major, unless I can find a Deore rear derailleur cheap...

Gonna get some Michelin Country Rock tires for my MTB, to make it more versatile for what I really use it for: Canal path riding. I will not subject my sirrus to that abrasive dust from the trail, so my mtb is gonna get converted :D

And, I have to fix up the old Schwinn breeze single speed coaster brake my mom's bf picked up for her free. Frame is real nice shape, most chrome is fine I just gotta get her some Kenda S-5 tires, clean and re-pack all the bearings, replace chain, and true up the wheels. I hope my Park PCS-9 is up to the duty of holding the old steel beast so I can work on it easier :)

Oh, and gotta tear the girlfriends bike down, clean up good, wax, repack wheel bearings and true wheels.

With all the bearings I gotta repack, good thing I bought a 1lb tub of Park grease :)

I dont ride in winter. They salt the living bejesus out of the roads here, and, honestly, I work my butt off to afford anything I buy, so I keep the bikes inside. My Sirrus is going to get some Ergon grips, otherwise nothing major, unless I can find a Deore rear derailleur cheap...



How about tricking it out with an Ultegra RD - rather than a Deore? Can't afford it? Try this:

http://www.cambriabike.com/shopexd.asp?id=68265&page=SHIMANO+ULTEGRA+RD-6500+REAR+DERAILLEUR

How about tricking it out with an Ultegra RD - rather than a Deore? Can't afford it? Try this:

http://www.cambriabike.com/shopexd.asp?id=68265&page=SHIMANO+ULTEGRA+RD-6500+REAR+DERAILLEUR

Because my Sirrus has a 30T cassette. Need an MTB derailleur. Not changing cassette, I need it for uphills sometimes :-p

An Ultegra might still work fine. I've seen these on 30T with no problems. 32T is a coin-toss though. But if you want a mtn. RD like the Deore, go for it!

Yea, rear derailleur isnt high on my list. The altus that is on there works...not crisp or clean shifting but it does the job for now. The ultegra DOES look nice, but, well...someday :)

i would like to change the tires on my snow bike, trek 800 with 26x2 knobby tires to street tires now that the snow will depart. i plan to use the trek as a backup bike during the warmer months. i am thinking innova swifter 26x1.5 tires and bikeparts.com as vendor, anyone have experience with either?

It sure would be nice if that Ultegra would take a 32-34 tooth cassette...... Darn!

All I want is to get rid of snowstorms, -27 celsius, snow blocking everything in sight! Hard enough to believe in spring, but the hybrid has been running a few miles now and then despite the weather terror so I say it again; the bike has been above all my expectations since purchase in -02. All it needs is some caring and minor adjustments. The v-brakes and Acera group functions in any conditions so I dont know what would top things off - a new bar perhaps...

Gonna get some Michelin Country Rock tires for my MTB, to make it more versatile for what I really use it for: Canal path riding. I will not subject my sirrus to that abrasive dust from the trail, so my mtb is gonna get converted

I installed the Michelin Country Rock tires on my C-Dale late last fall to replace the original IRCs which were beginning to crack. I really like them. They ride so much faster! I'm certain you will be happy with them.

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p71/pastorbobnlnh/Cannondale/Nov252009Comf600FrontSide.jpg

BTW, I have a member of my church originally from Sodus. She loves to talk to people who are from that part of the state.

I installed the Michelin Country Rock tires on my C-Dale late last fall to replace the original IRCs which were beginning to crack. I really like them. They ride so much faster! I'm certain you will be happy with them.


BTW, I have a member of my church originally from Sodus. She loves to talk to people who are from that part of the state.

Glad to hear more feedback on the Michelin's. the reviews on mtbr.com seem to be good for them as well. Jensonusa has them for $16 a tire I think it was, have to order some kenda tires to fit my moms schwinn s-5 rims anyway...Kenda are the only ones that seem to be made for that size anymore...

Hmm, never know I could know the person from sodus...or their relatives. Though it is a big small town... That is kinda neat though!

The family is the Olneys and the Datthyns. I don't believe they have any family living there any longer. Although they do have a son buried there. He died as a teenager from cancer.

I might be trying a new saddle

The family is the Olneys and the Datthyns. I don't believe they have any family living there any longer. Although they do have a son buried there. He died as a teenager from cancer.

Hmm I knew a Datthyn way way back in intermediate school (5th grade?) Which was...oh, 15 years ago give or take.


I am closer to placing an order with JensonUSA for the stuff I need... Deciding exactly what I want, STILL!