New Hybrid or rebuild old MTB?
#1
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New Hybrid or rebuild old MTB?
Hi Y'all,
I guess 60 years on this planet qualify me to post here...
Like a lot of you, 20 years ago I was into Mountain bikes and shredding dirt roads & single track. Life got in the way and now I find myself having not ridden in 10 years or so...30lbs. overweight with bad knees & bad back.
Basically I'd like to get back into riding for some exercise, but obviously not as intense as I used to do.
I find myself now in a much more urban environment with a few parks with groomed gravel and paved trails that I think would be good riding to get started again. I figure 90% of the riding convenient to me will be paved or hard groomed gravel with a little non technical dirt just to keep it interesting, so I figure a hybrid will suit me better that a full on mountain bike.
I'm not particularly interested in a skinny wheeled road bike.
So here's my question...
I still have my mid 90's vintage Marin Eldridge Grade bike. Would it be worth it to dump a few hundred bucks into having it overhauled and put some hybrid style tires on it or clean it up a bit and trade it in for a new hybrid like the Marin Muirwoods (Good deal at LBS) or something similar?
I've been reading up to see how the technology has changed...Lots to absorb for an old phart...
Thanks,
Tom aka Caver
I guess 60 years on this planet qualify me to post here...
Like a lot of you, 20 years ago I was into Mountain bikes and shredding dirt roads & single track. Life got in the way and now I find myself having not ridden in 10 years or so...30lbs. overweight with bad knees & bad back.
Basically I'd like to get back into riding for some exercise, but obviously not as intense as I used to do.
I find myself now in a much more urban environment with a few parks with groomed gravel and paved trails that I think would be good riding to get started again. I figure 90% of the riding convenient to me will be paved or hard groomed gravel with a little non technical dirt just to keep it interesting, so I figure a hybrid will suit me better that a full on mountain bike.
I'm not particularly interested in a skinny wheeled road bike.
So here's my question...
I still have my mid 90's vintage Marin Eldridge Grade bike. Would it be worth it to dump a few hundred bucks into having it overhauled and put some hybrid style tires on it or clean it up a bit and trade it in for a new hybrid like the Marin Muirwoods (Good deal at LBS) or something similar?
I've been reading up to see how the technology has changed...Lots to absorb for an old phart...
Thanks,
Tom aka Caver
#2
The Recumbent Quant
Throw some good slick tires on your bike and go from there. I'd recommend riding and seeing how you feel about it. Either you'll like it, or you'll get a better idea of what you want next (and it may or may not be a hybrid).
#3
feros ferio
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Concur. My utilitarian, comfort, hybrid, beach cruiser is my Schwinn mountain bike.
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Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
#4
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I'm a fan of Performance Metro K 26 x 1.25" tires on my recumbent with Velocity MTB rims. The tread is very minimal and the price is right.
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#5
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When I got back into riding (overweight, gout, gallstones, high cholesterol, high bp, borderline pre diabetic, lots of meds) I blew the dust off my old mountain bike (Bridgestone MB-0), took it to the bike shop for an overhaul, put on road tires, and started bike commuting. That was my only ride for the next 3 years and it took 35 lb and all the conditions and all the meds off of me.
Your MTB will do just fine. It is probably a better quality bike than anything you could get new for <$750. The low gearing will bail you out until you get your legs back. Retro cool too.
Your MTB will do just fine. It is probably a better quality bike than anything you could get new for <$750. The low gearing will bail you out until you get your legs back. Retro cool too.
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The Marin will do fine.
I used to love my old Marin Muirwoods, used it for everything.
My son had a Pallisades Trail, we both toured around France on them, clicking up a hundred miles a day. All we did was change the tyres.
I'd definitely use it.
Beic
I used to love my old Marin Muirwoods, used it for everything.
My son had a Pallisades Trail, we both toured around France on them, clicking up a hundred miles a day. All we did was change the tyres.
I'd definitely use it.
Beic
#7
Beicwyr Hapus
I had a 93 Eldridge Grade rigid bike which I stupidly sold a few years back. Great, versatile bikes which make a great ride on the sort of territory you're talking about.
Fix it up and ride it, lots of fun and much better value for money than you'll get by buying new.
Fix it up and ride it, lots of fun and much better value for money than you'll get by buying new.
#8
just keep riding
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I like this approach. For me, the biggest question would be whether the 26" wheels worked for me or if I wanted to move to something with 700c rims.
#9
The Recumbent Quant
(Offroad, having bigger tires helps going over bigger obstacles, but that's not what we're talking about here.)
#10
Senior Member
I'll have to go against the flow here, a bike with 700c tires vs. 26" is vastly different. IMHO the 700 is better suited for bike paths. Also look at your current condition, with you be comfortable on an old bike with s different body? I'd suggest going to a few shows and trying on a few for size and fit. You may enjoy a more upright posture, an if you enjoy riding you'll do it. If you don't enjoy it, you won't.
Good Luck.
Good Luck.
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That would be my choice too. My beater is a 20+ year old Marin mountain bike with Continental Town & Country 1.9" tires. It'll go anyplace that I'm up to taking it. Ride your Eldridge Grade around like that for a while and you'll have a better handle on how badly you need a different bike.
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#12
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My rule of thumb, from my experience progressing through different bikes while taking the same journey that the OP is starting:
- MTB on 26" road tires is 2 mph faster than same bike on 26" knobbies.
- Road bike with drop bars is 2 mph faster than MTB on 26" road tires.
This is on pavement, and assumes MTB has a pretty aggressive fit (bar level with or below saddle height) and road bike is a moderate fit (bar top level with saddle). What I mean by "faster" is that using the same effort, the speed for a sustained cruise is that much faster. So on the road bike, the same effort has you cruising at 20 mph, while on the knobby tired MTB that effort would only have you crusing at 16 mph.
A friend and I, quite evenly matched in bike fitness, rode our MTBs around Lake Tahoe one day, which is a 75 mile loop. We had similar hardtail MTBs, but I had road tires and he had knobbies. My rule of thumb worked perfectly . . . heh heh.
- MTB on 26" road tires is 2 mph faster than same bike on 26" knobbies.
- Road bike with drop bars is 2 mph faster than MTB on 26" road tires.
This is on pavement, and assumes MTB has a pretty aggressive fit (bar level with or below saddle height) and road bike is a moderate fit (bar top level with saddle). What I mean by "faster" is that using the same effort, the speed for a sustained cruise is that much faster. So on the road bike, the same effort has you cruising at 20 mph, while on the knobby tired MTB that effort would only have you crusing at 16 mph.
A friend and I, quite evenly matched in bike fitness, rode our MTBs around Lake Tahoe one day, which is a 75 mile loop. We had similar hardtail MTBs, but I had road tires and he had knobbies. My rule of thumb worked perfectly . . . heh heh.
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#14
The Left Coast, USA
You can look at my bike list below. On a joy ride, I'll be on my 90s MTB, converted to a casual tourer. Semi slick 1.75 tires, trekking bar, rack on the back - all day ride.
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just keep riding
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For what it's worth, the biggest difference between 700c and 26" wheels are tire choices, and you've got good choices for both. A good rolling 26" tire will be significantly better than a bad rolling 700c tire (and vice versa).
(Offroad, having bigger tires helps going over bigger obstacles, but that's not what we're talking about here.)
(Offroad, having bigger tires helps going over bigger obstacles, but that's not what we're talking about here.)
#16
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Same boat... have had slicks for a while, they are a good thing and not expensive, though I think I'll get some softer / lighter ones when these wear out. The latest change is a taller crank to make up for the smaller total wheel diameter and lesser resistance. I have a 42-32-22 on it now and just received the 48-38-28. The chain suck on the small ring, lots of flex from no name crank, and stripped extractor threads were good excuses to do it.
#17
The Recumbent Quant
YMMV and apparently, on this, our experiences are different. Assuming similar tires are mounted, I find that the larger diameter wheels generally roll more smoothly over even small surface irregularities. They definitely track better on dirt roads. This is not to say the difference would be significant to the OP in the places he will ride.
#18
Beicwyr Hapus
As usual we're all full of good advice on best for the op to do - not always the same but that's life.
Has this helped at all Caver? Are you any closer to a decision?
Has this helped at all Caver? Are you any closer to a decision?
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I'll have to go against the flow here, a bike with 700c tires vs. 26" is vastly different. IMHO the 700 is better suited for bike paths. Also look at your current condition, with you be comfortable on an old bike with s different body? I'd suggest going to a few shows and trying on a few for size and fit. You may enjoy a more upright posture, an if you enjoy riding you'll do it. If you don't enjoy it, you won't.
Good Luck.
Good Luck.
#20
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Thanks all,
You're actually a great help.
I mainly wanted to verify that my old 90's vintage Marin had not been seriously eclipsed by new & cool tech. Looks like it stood up well from your comments and my reading.
I do believe I'll go with a "Mod the Marin" rather than trade it in on a new bike. First thing I need to do is put it on my stand and give it a good cleaning and check out. Then I'll put some more pavement worthy tires on it and go on some short test rides for a week or so.
Once I verify my back & knees can handle it, I'll take it in for an overhaul and restore it to tip top shape.
I'll stick with the 26" wheels. I'm not concerned about being 2mph behind other people. I just need something to get my butt off the couch a few hours a week!
Now I just need to find my old tools...chain cleaner...
You're actually a great help.
I mainly wanted to verify that my old 90's vintage Marin had not been seriously eclipsed by new & cool tech. Looks like it stood up well from your comments and my reading.
I do believe I'll go with a "Mod the Marin" rather than trade it in on a new bike. First thing I need to do is put it on my stand and give it a good cleaning and check out. Then I'll put some more pavement worthy tires on it and go on some short test rides for a week or so.
Once I verify my back & knees can handle it, I'll take it in for an overhaul and restore it to tip top shape.
I'll stick with the 26" wheels. I'm not concerned about being 2mph behind other people. I just need something to get my butt off the couch a few hours a week!
Now I just need to find my old tools...chain cleaner...
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