woody2926

Hello!

I have been lurking around this thread for awhile now and really love the idea of getting myself a hybrid! I recently purchased a Fuji Absolute 2.1 for my wife and now I am looking to get into the hybrid game as well! However I am not looking to spend much money doing it, I have seen many people on this thread who have taken older MTBs and Road bikes and turned them into a Hybrid.

I guess my question is, would it be better to convert an older road bike to a hybrid by switching out the handlebars, tires, saddle, etc. Or, would it be better to convert an older MTB to a hybrid?

I am leaning more towards to older road since they tend to be lighter, but any insight is much appreciated!

jsdavis

What's your definition of hybrid and how much are you looking to spend? Put some smooth tires on a mountain bike is like $50 and you're done. Change bars, levers, shifters and potentially that's $$$.

woody2926

Total I would like to spend ~$300, since I am just going to be riding on paved trails and through neighborhoods

Pendergast

I've done both. Keep in mind that you're probably going to be pretty limited in tire width if you convert a road bike unless you start with a frame(& brake calipers) designed for wider tires. Not really a problem if you're just going to be using it on pavement, but if you're planning to use it on gravel, you likely won't be able to fit tires wide enough to be good for that. A lot of people ride fairly skinny tires on gravel, but I like at least 35mm tires for gravel.

MRT2

It would be cheaper to buy a used hybrid and get it tuned up than it would be to hybridize a road bike.

himespau 

Cheapest, buy and fix up an old hybrid. Next, put new tires and tune up an old mtb (heavier, but much cheaper than the highest priced option). Most expensive by far, get new levers, shifters, bars, stem, etc. and put them on (and get tuned up) an old road bike.

MRT2

And destroy the value of the road bike in the process.

himespau 

Yeah, but I never do things with thought to eventual resale value as I plan to keep my things forever. Just decide whether the cost is worth it for my planned use.

fietsbob

Road ~ 700c / 27" skinnier rim , wheels ... MTB 26" wheels wider rims ..

Pendergast

I don't think it makes much sense to acquire a road bike to convert to hybrid. I only did that conversion because I already had an old road bike that wasn't getting much use and already had some of the parts needed to convert it.

Pendergast

If you don't need gears, here's another option:


https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...eetfighter.htm

kaliayev

If your intent on converting a road bike, I would look for a used sport/tourer. The geometry is more relaxed than a road race frame and will also take wider tires.

dynaryder

+1. Older MTB just needs tires,maybe new rings or crankset depending on how you want it geared. Road bike conversion will take alot more parts and money.

woody2926

Thanks for all of the insight! I've cut my decision down to either buying an older MTB from CL and replacing tires or going with a cheap SS from BD or something similar.

joelh

Some of those old steel frame mt bikes are really nice frames. A cheap set of wheels and tires and you are good to go. I particularly like those old specialzed mt bikes

woody2926

Yeah there have been a few pop up on my local CL, but they all seem to be too big for me. I will continue searching though!

fire

I'm currently in the process of stripping my old Trek 3700 to "hybridize". A set of tyres, crankset, new pedals and arms.. and a gear shifter. Sounds like it might be lot of money, but as I've already got the frame I don't really mind because I'll be getting what I want. The idea is to build something that can handle both paved and unpaved surfaces, so that I can take it when we go on vacation. Unlike my hybrid which hates anything softer than hard packed gravel, I'm hoping that even though it has a suspension fork and won't be so fast on the pavement, it will be a good blend of the two.. kind of a hybrid, hybrid.

hwycruiser

I think I have one of the best bikes for conversion. A steel Trek 800 Sport from the nineties. It was considered a MTB but has hybrid gearing and when you put 26 x 1.75 tires on it the wheel size is comparable to 700c. You should be able to find one for less than $150.

A Trek Multitrack is similar.

woody2926

I came across Retrospec bikes and they have a Urban Cruiser/Hybrid for $299, I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with this brand or model.

https://www.retrospecbicycles.com/sid...a-cruiser.html

MRT2

My son has been using a late 90s, or maybe early 2000s Trek 800 for 3 years now. The only thing we changed on it was the chain,cassette, rear derailleur (old one was toast, so upgraded to Acera RD), and most importantly, tires. Switched from stock knobbies to GEAX Street Runner 26 x 1.6. He has ridden many 25 and 30 mile loops with me over the last couple of years and for the most part, hasn't had any trouble keeping up with me, in addition to the usual kid type riding around. If he weren't on the cusp of outgrowing it, I might consider upgrading the wheels to something lighter, but in our case, it doesn't make sense as he is likely to grow into a medium sized adult frame by next season.

hwycruiser

The Trek 800 and 800 Sport are two different models. I do not know why Trek made the 800 Sport other than for its price. It does not have the same gearing as a MTB. It has the gearing you would find on a hybrid. The only difference between the 800 Sport and the 700 Multitrack was the size of the front fork and the 26" wheels. The 800 Sport should be available on the used market because they sold a lot of them.

dynaryder

Looks like one of the many meh hi-ten steel SS's out there. "A resilient nylon rim tape",srsly?

First off,that's not a hybrid,it's a hipster whip. It's a more comfortable track bike. No rack or fender mounts,doubt it will take wider than 28mm tires. Would make sure it can take a front brake,and pass if it won't.