Horochar

I mostly ride vintage performance bikes (Bianchi, Trek, Schwinn Paramount). My wife is a non-biker. Last spring I got her the "hers" Cross-Fit in mint condition for $80. She hadn't biked since she was a kid, and is just getting the hang of it. Yesterday I picked up the "his" version for all of $7.50 at a thrift store. It cleaned up pretty good. Just needs handlebar grips and truing. It's really, really lame to ride "his and hers" bikes, right? Are these bikes considered junky? Hi-Ten steel frame, made in Taiwan. My sense is there's a resurgence of interest in hybrid bikes, but I'm assuming this is hardly classic. Can't test out on the roads until the ice and snow melts.

The Golden Boy 

There are much worse bikes out there.

It'll be a fun, easy to ride bike for somebody.

SkyDog75

They're obviously not high end bikes like your Paramount, but they're not junk, either. They're perfectly functional, comfortable bikes.

Honestly, I doubt most people would even notice that your "his & hers" bikes are the same model. And who cares what they'd think, anyway?

cb400bill

Mrs cb400 rode a Crossfit for a couple of years until she moved up to a C&V road bike. They're fine.

ramzilla

The biggest difference between my really cheap beater bikes (like the ones we ride on the beach) and, my super duper road bikes is more time is spent cleaning, fixing, & adjusting the cheap ones. Otherwise, they're all equally fun to ride. And really, who gives a crap what other people think. Hmmmm........ (They're only concerned about themselves anyway).

Cyclist0108

About 10 years ago I bought myself a mountain bike (Trek Fuel EX 7). My wife kept riding it so I decided to get her one too. In one of the most unselfish acts of my entire life, I got her a slightly better version (the EX 8), so pretty much his and hers, except hers was a different color and slightly better wheels and shocks. No one ever noticed they were basically the same bike (and she claimed not to notice the improved components). Lose/lose.

Lascauxcaveman 

Knowing you're a good husband who works at being a good husband is reward enough, I guess. I'd buy my wife any bike she wants if she'd consent to ride with me (or even by herself). But she's busy and not interested and more than a little eye-rolling-exasperated by my recent mania for bikes. She's seen it before, with my earlier mania for guitar collecting, and eventually, guitar building.

His-and-hers bikes are cute. Nothing wrong with being a cute couple. Matching Raleigh Tourists with matching tweed suits would be awesome.

sarahbruce

First of all, I totally want matching bikes for my wife and I! Second, that is a heck of a deal! There is nothing wrong with these kind of bikes, and they are generally nice riding all around/commuters/utility/recreational/touring bikes. My wife's bike, right now, is a similar vintage Specialized Crossroads, which is basically the same bike with Specialized name on it! She use it to commute and for recreational rides. I have even used it a few times when my bike was down. It is a nice ride! If I found one that matched, and was the next size up, for me, I would be all over it!
Bruce

mstateglfr 

I wouldnt call what you have to be a match.
Hers is a 93 and yours is a 91. Plus, they arent the same color.

I sold a pair of matching refurbished Univega hybrids to a couple earlier this year because they wanted to get into riding on the paths all over the metro. They didnt think twice about having actual matching bikes, so I wouldnt think non-matching same model bikes would be anything to think about.

If someone sees you riding the same model bike as your wife and they think less of you for it...wait 10 seconds and they will be out of your life. It just isnt a big deal. And if you are too insecure to ride an entry level Schwinn, ride that Paramount when you guys ride together.

Horochar

Yeh, we are in the same boat. Can't get my wife to bike with me hardly ever and I'm obsessed with (and own far too many) bikes. LOL. Truth told I don't really care what others think, but it's good to get that affirmation here.

Horochar

Helpful comments, all. I feel much better now, and can justify holding onto the bike. It will be a single purpose bike - for riding with my long-suffering wife on the rare occasions I can get her to take a spin around the lakes or the neighborhood. I already have a winter beater (5-speed Frankenbike - lighter with better components) so will keep the road salt and snow off this one, and will continue to use my fast bikes for commuting and riding solo or with buddies.

OTS 

This is a kissin' cousin of your bikes.

Put some fenders on that baby and keep riding this winter.

This is my winter commuter.

Horochar

Love it. "Criss-cross." Very 1980s. (Remember Kris Kross?). Trade for a pair of his & her Cross-Fits? (Joking, of course).

9volt 

Schwinn had at least 3 hybrids in those years - Cross Fit, Criss Cross and Cross Cut, from least to most expensive. I've had a Fit and a Criss Cross and they are both perfectly decent bikes for under $100. The higher end models just have lighter steel and more expensive components.

ramzilla

I love it when my wife rides with me. I just have to remember to always let her lead the way. We don't have exact matching bikes. But, we do have exact matching nylon riding jackets.

secret agent11

I believe there were four of these cross hybids. The most expensive was the cross point. I have a cross cut and love it.

Dylansbob 

I had a '92? lugged Cross Point a while back. As I recall, it was a massively stiff frame. Kinda like an LHT. Would have been a better loaded up bike than unloaded.

tkamd73 

If we could get two of those in our size for $87.50, I’d be thrilled. Pretty economical bullet proof rides for the crappy roads in SE Wisconsin.
Tim

scarlson 

Next step: a tandem.

retroshifter

I recall that some of the Schwinn early hybrids frames may have been made in Mississippi. It would be cool to have a US made Schwinn that wasn't a 40 lb Varsity.