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New Commuter here. Can I get a hybrid with drop bars?

Old 05-31-10, 07:22 PM
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New Commuter here. Can I get a hybrid with drop bars?

I'm a newbie to biking and I'm going to start commuting. It's in a big city (Boston), I was thinking about getting a standard road bike but I didn't know if they would be sturdy enough for city streets, sidewalks, potholes etc. So then I found hybrids. So my question is, are there hybrids with drop bars? Or do I have to customize one? If there are, can you name some? Thanks for any tips and info ahead of time.
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Old 05-31-10, 07:35 PM
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Customized 1990 steel lugged Trek 750.
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Old 05-31-10, 07:41 PM
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Originally Posted by kaliayev
Customized 1990 steel lugged Trek 750.
That doesn't answer any of my questions. So do I need to just customize one?
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Old 05-31-10, 07:46 PM
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I think Jamis sells a drop bar hybrid. Might want to check their website.
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Old 05-31-10, 07:48 PM
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Sounds like you may be looking for a Cyclo-cross (for example the Surley Cross Check) or touring bike (Bianchi Volpe, Surley Long Haul Trucker, Windsor Tourist, etc, etc.).

You could get a hybrid and change out the bars. However, you might also have to change out the brake levers and the shifters, since hybrid bars and road bars are usually different diameters.

You also need to watch out for the fact that many hybrid bicycles have low-end components. Usually not what you want for commuting, although it would work for a while in a pinch.
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Old 05-31-10, 07:52 PM
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There is no need to customize a hybrid but you can if you want to or find one that you love. If you like road bikes than find one (preferably steel as it is more flexible) that can accept fat tires. A road bike that can take 32 tires with fenders would be a great choice for commuting.

I know Jamis makes a few models that fit that mold.

https://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/thebik...roraelite.html

Otherwise it is not hard to change out bars on another bike however it might also entail changing the brake levers and shifters.
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Old 05-31-10, 07:55 PM
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Okay, this is tarting to make more sense. So I can just find a road bike and put fatter tires on it? I was looking at a 700c Men's Schwinn Varsity Road Bike. How would I know if I can put different tires on it?
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Old 05-31-10, 08:04 PM
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I couldn't find specs online anywhere for that bike (past 700C) so I am not sure what size tires it will take. It looks like it is a Carbon Fiber bike which means it is probably more race oriented and it might not have the space to go with a fatter tire. Also it looks like it is not set up to take fenders easily which is a good thing for a commuting bike to have.

I would say ask the store associate but WalMart does not have the most knswledgable people. There are lots of great options in the used market via Craigslist if you know what to look for.
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Old 05-31-10, 08:15 PM
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Originally Posted by spence89
I was thinking about getting a standard road bike but I didn't know if they would be sturdy enough for city streets, sidewalks, potholes etc.
they are
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Old 05-31-10, 08:18 PM
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Originally Posted by hairnet
they are
What about the Schwinn I mentioned?
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Old 05-31-10, 08:24 PM
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Originally Posted by spence89
Okay, this is tarting to make more sense. So I can just find a road bike and put fatter tires on it? I was looking at a 700c Men's Schwinn Varsity Road Bike. How would I know if I can put different tires on it?
First, I would suggest that you look at the Marin Lombard. They may have a dealer near you, some REI stores are able to carry them too. It might be very close to what you want.

Putting wider tires on depends on two things, the rim width and the frame width (and sometimes other frame clearance dimensions). Sheldon Brown has a rim width compatibility chart towards the bottom of this page that gives some guidelines on which tire widths fit which rim widths. He notes that you can exceed the recommendations somewhat. My Fuji came with 14 mm rims (conveniently not on his chart) and 28 mm tires. I am currently running 32 mm tires on it which seem to work fine and may try 37/38 mm tires. You might have to get a new set of wheels with wider rims or rebuild the wheels you have with wider rims if your rims are narrow and you want to put very wide tires on them.

Ultimately the frame has to clear the tire width. You can judge that pretty well by looking at how much clearance you have with the present tires. Keep in mind that wider tires are also taller tires and in some cases you may not have enough clearance on frame crossbars, forks, etc with very much wider tires. Again you can judge this reasonably well by looking at the tires you have. The increase in height is approximately equal to the increase in width.

Ken
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Old 05-31-10, 08:40 PM
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For what it's worth, road bikes are sturdier than hybrids. If you need something sturdier than a road bike, then we're talking about cyclocross, touring bikes, or (on the hilarious end) downhill mtbs and similar.

That said, I think your best budget bet is to go to bikesnotbombs and find an old road bike that fits well.

Schwinn Varsity are usually old 30lb+ beasts that weren't very good even when new, so don't pay too much for one. If you want wider tires on it, you'll need to be concerned with a) max clearance of the brakes and b) max clearance of the frame where the tire passes. Either way I bet you can put 28mm tires on it, which is the standard "fat road-bike tire". There are wider tires of course that will fit on 700c (think mountain bike-style tires, for cyclocross) but you generally don't want to ride on them unless you're in mud, snow, etc.
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Old 05-31-10, 08:43 PM
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Find an '80's to '90's steel bike that has ample clearance and just build it. Be careful though - check to make sure what you're getting truly works. My '89 Fuji Palisade barely fits 27X32c wheels under fenders, while my Univega (which was a true hybrid that I converted to drops, then back to MTB bars), can fit 700X40 tires. Just go with something that is plenty wide. The Varsity would be good, but they're pretty heavy. You'll be wanting to upgrade quite a bit.

If you're wanting a NEW bike, check out cyclocross bikes, like the Surly Cross Check and the like. THey'll fit wide tires with fenders, and have mountings that allow racks and fenders.
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Old 05-31-10, 08:43 PM
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Originally Posted by Johnny Alien
I would say ask the store associate but WalMart does not have the most knswledgable people.
If he is looking at the current $230 Walmart bike they have aluminum frames and Walmart does not give enough information to tell if wider tires would fit. Schwinn does not list this model on their website so I assume it is a model they make for Walmart. The OP will have to inspect the bike himself to see if wider tires fit, I think you are right about Walmart associates though there could be exceptions. You can also ask this question on the Walmart web site. Good luck with that!

Of course if $230 is the approximate budget the OP won't find the Marin Lombard I suggested to be a viable option.

Ken
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Old 05-31-10, 09:45 PM
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Can't offer advice on the Schwinn, but here is a hybrid with drop bars- Kona Dew Drop

As far as the comment that road bikes are sturdier than hybrids goes, that's not entirely accurate.

The OP just needs to determine what features are critical in choosing the bike. If racks and fenders are important, then most road bikes are not equipped for such. Not saying it can't be done, that's just impractical.
If the OP values speed above all else, then the roadie may be the best choice.

Perhaps the OP should state a budget to let others help in the search (or was it already stated?).
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Old 05-31-10, 10:11 PM
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Originally Posted by no1mad
Can't offer advice on the Schwinn, but here is a hybrid with drop bars- Kona Dew Drop

As far as the comment that road bikes are sturdier than hybrids goes, that's not entirely accurate.

The OP just needs to determine what features are critical in choosing the bike. If racks and fenders are important, then most road bikes are not equipped for such. Not saying it can't be done, that's just impractical.
If the OP values speed above all else, then the roadie may be the best choice.

Perhaps the OP should state a budget to let others help in the search (or was it already stated?).
<$200.
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Old 05-31-10, 11:31 PM
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Originally Posted by fenny
For what it's worth, road bikes are sturdier than hybrids. If you need something sturdier than a road bike, then we're talking about cyclocross, touring bikes, or (on the hilarious end) downhill mtbs and similar.
That depends on the road bike and the hybrid. I have two aluminum road bikes, one made of Columbus 7005 and the other of Easton SC7000. There is no way they could take the beating of the 90 Trek 750 or 96 Speacialized Crossroads that I have.
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Old 05-31-10, 11:53 PM
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It's hard to find a quality new bike of any type for under $200 and road bikes tend to be on the more expensive side. Worse than that is that cross bikes are typically more expensive than an entry level road bike.

The difference between a cross bike and a hybrid is that a cross bike is essentially a road bike beefed up for offroad use. The term "hybrid" is applied to a lot of different things. Often they're designed for a more upright riding style than a road bike and putting drop bars on one may not work very well in the end.

Some people have been happy with bikes like the new Varsity and the GMC Denali, but they are not high quality bikes just so you know. I also believe they come with 28 mm tires which might be wide enough for your roads. A pothole or two isn't going to kill a road bike, it's really more about comfort. Bad roads and narrow tires make for a jarring ride. Standard for road bikes is 23 mm so 28 mm may not be so bad depending on how rough your roads really are.
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Old 06-01-10, 07:21 AM
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I'm not sure about the earlier generalization that cyclocross bikes are sturdier than road bikes. The frames on road bikes are not going to be stronger, because they're not made to take impacts. They're made to be as light as possible and still do the job. Also, there are different degrees of hybrids. There are true hybrids, which are basically mountain bikes with slicker tires, and there are comfort hybrids, which give up some frame strength for some upright ergonomics. So be careful here.

Cyclocross is a good optin, and is what I went for. (Specialized TriCross Sport)

If you're looking for curb & pothole durability, don't consider anything with less than 32mm wide tires. You might also consider going down to 26" wheels. Where you're riding, the wheel and tire durability is going to matter MUCH more than the frame. Don't get anything with a low spoke count. Consider heavier duty tires too; something with puncture resistance. All this is going to cost you some weight & therefore speed, but a flat tire costs a lot of speed.
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Old 06-01-10, 08:23 AM
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Yes you can, the Kona Dew Drop https://www.konaworld.com/bike.cfm?content=dewdrop is a fantastic bike and a good deal. i rode one for 4 years
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Old 06-01-10, 12:04 PM
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Originally Posted by spence89
<$200.
Check craigslist. Good luck.
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Old 06-01-10, 12:11 PM
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Originally Posted by karrar
Yes you can, the Kona Dew Drop https://www.konaworld.com/bike.cfm?content=dewdrop is a fantastic bike and a good deal. i rode one for 4 years
I thought the first Kona Dew Drop debuted 2009?!
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Old 06-01-10, 12:17 PM
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Road frames are very strong... they have to handle impacts at much higher speed and are subject to some massive torque input at the crank and they simply have less tyre clearance than cross bikes.

If you are really going to be riding through pothole infested streets and doing a lot of curb hopping you need to focus on wheel quality and durability and for that I ride a converted steel framed mtb as the 0 dish 26 inch wheels (fixed drive) are hella strong.

My hybrid has hand built touring grade wheels and these have never needed to see a spoke wrench or be adjusted and they have been subjected to some decent abuse.

I also run a set of cross wheels with higher volume tyres on my hybrid and these have thousands of urban and off road miles on them and are still straight and free of dents / damage.
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Old 06-01-10, 01:23 PM
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Originally Posted by crazybikerchick
Check craigslist. Good luck.
I have to agree here. good luck with that price range.
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Old 06-01-10, 01:45 PM
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craigslist, or I have to believe that in Boston/Cambridge/Somerville there are a few bike co-ops or other shops that will either have used bikes, or be a good resource to rebuild and maintain one you buy on CL.

I think mickey85's advice is good, get an 80's or 90's sport-touring bike that has decent clearance, many of the Miyata/Panasonic/Bridgestone/Schwinn/Nishiki/Panasonic/etc bikes of that era can fit pretty fat tires with fenders.

About 12 seconds of craigslist searching found these, which both seem serviceable, and in your price range:

https://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/bik/1769877324.html
https://boston.craigslist.org/nwb/bik/1769636885.html
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