Fahrenheit531 

I'm looking for a hybrid bike for my wife's cousin, and I'm unsure what I'm looking at with this H400. It matches the 1993 catalog in terms of color and graphics, but there's no mention of a "Delta V" frame option, plus the Deore (actually, Defore) components mentioned by the seller aren't supposed to be on there, though they came on the H600 and 800.

So would this have been someone's special-order bike? And is that a bunch of pink anodized stuff? That's gotta be worth a zillon dollars alone, right?
I'm thinking if she gets it for under $200 as a rider we're in pretty good shape. Stem and saddle I can probably pull out of the shed (or the co-op), so tires may be the only real expense. But I definitely could use a second opinion.




On a side note... stem!

DMC707

purple anodized parts were extremely popular in 92 and 93 -- 20 years of sun fade may have them taking on a pinkish hue.

Deore was not a stand alone group for some time ---- i have old mountain bike parts labelled "Deore LX" and "Deore XT" -- even some earlier stuff labelled "Deore DX" --- the seller may have a variation of a Deore group (Defore actually) but just doesnt know the separate code names or their significance --- prior to XTR, Deore XT was top of the line - XTR came out in 91 though , so has been out a looong time

Interesting looking bike with the V configuration frame on a hybrid

Fahrenheit531 

I definitely agree that it's "interesting looking." Certainly nothing I'd put my butt on, but it could be a solid bike for the light rides and commutes she's talking about. I'll take her to check it out and we'll go from there. Who knows? Maybe it's an ugly diamond in the faded purple anodized rough.

oddjob2

PASS! Looks like the AMC Pacer of bikes.

Sorry, but if you won't ride it because it is fugly, what makes you think your in-law would want to ride a fugly bike? With most women, it is all about the eye candy. Find a mixte or step through and you will be miles and smiles ahead.





Schwinn Road Bike
Cannondale Quick 2009 Mountain Bike 28" alloy Wheels 17" Frame
Vintage 1975 Miyata Mixte - Rides Great

Fahrenheit531 

Wow. Never seen you so enthusiastically opposed to anything. You have given me pause.
She definitely wants a hybrid. No mixte or old-school Schwinn 3/5 speeds, so those are out. And while you and I think the bike is a horrifying mutant, my wife thought it was pretty cool-looking. So I dunno. I've been conflicted on this one since I first noticed it, which is why I wanted to hear from the BFers.

Thing is, it's probably a quality (if odd) ride. Looking at that stem I am just about positive it hasn't been ridden hard; I mean, that's as upright as you can get (I never imagined a stem like that even existed).

...And I'm still trying to figure out how and why this even exists. Would the frame have been a special-order?

Lastly... the '09 Cannondale you linked... $200 a fair price?

oddjob2

Lastly... the '09 Cannondale you linked... $200 a fair price?


Probably older than a 2009, but at least $500 + new. The seller will easily collect $200 for it. Sure it is low end Shimano shifters, but that is easily remedied.

Trek 950 in Purple - FMV at about $150-$175
https://tucson.craigslist.org/bik/4807978068.html

Fahrenheit531 

Update: In an e-response, she said she didn't mind the "color-hell." Mind it or not, if "color-hell" is a term that comes up the bike is off the list. (Good call, oddjob2.)
Tonight we're gonna look at the Bianchi Project 3 I posted a little while back. I expect it's going to be a little too big, but it's worth a look and I've been surprised before.

I was wondering about that, but wasn't sure due to the "quirky" (good word!) frame. At 5'9 she's not petite.

DMC707

I can't tell if its a compact frame or not with the V configuration --- I used to love those Killer Vee hardtails in the early 90's --- too cool

MY wife would love the purple scheme - its her favorite color , -- so i guess it depends on the rider's personality

I remember seeing high end builds like the bead blasted matte grey Dean titaniums outfitted with the purple bits n pieces and thought it couldnt get any tricker than that
Or polished aluminum with the anodized blue trinkets ---- there used to be a big market for trick aftermarket wheel skewers that seemed to go away
Come to think of it, havent seen anything new from Control Tech, Ringle', Kore - etc. for quite some time

DMC707

that would explain the riser stem , if a taller rider was trying to get it to fit

Fahrenheit531 

Indeed.

The other part that has me size-confused is the head tube. It is really tall relative to the rest of the frame, which would(?) position a smaller rider nearly upright.

oddjob2

Bargain of the day, worth the trek to Nogales (tell your SO its for her friend, but buy it for yourself)

BIKE CANNONDALE SILK ROAD 1000

Not C & V, but the right size and price

https://tucson.craigslist.org/bik/4830551460.html

Put some Northroads on this C-Dale

https://tucson.craigslist.org/bik/4835158498.html

Fahrenheit531 

Awww too late, as a buy was made last night. But all is not lost, as it turns out the Bianchi Project 3 I was eyeballing before was still unsold, and it turned out to be a pretty sweet bike. She fell in love with it immediately. At 53cm it's at the tall end of fit, but the top tube isn't as long as I expected so she isn't stretched out at all. Excellent condition too. I suppose I'll post the rest about that one in its own thread, which means I'm all over the place.

Thanks as always for the help. The Silk Road will have to wait for another buyer... I can't make the run down there any time soon. Of course, in Nogales it may sit for a little while, so who knows?