custom hybrid

[ka0use]

mine came about through necessity- neck injuries that put more strain on a head bent back when using drop or flat bars. i had bought a bianchi lynx mtb and gritted my teeth in extreme pain for 2 summers and was set to give up when i got sage advice and made the gender change.

upright bars, different stem, stem extensions (zoom brand with a lot of spacers), switched off road tires to kinda sorta commuter, rack and saddlebags, and different seat.

by grepthar's hammer, what a difference. (apologies to film galaxy quest)

judy continues, after 6 years, to be a joy to ride.

as for commercial hybrids, they look great!

[jbchybridrider]

Good job putting some thought into your bike and making it how want "need" it alot of us need to do it on some level but how about a pic of this beastly bianchi.
I wont show my custom build unless you do first it might look like I'm hijacking your thread.

[corwin1968]

I would also like to see a photo of your custom hybrid, preferably a "before-and-after" if you have a "before" picture. This is the route I've chosen to go as well. I'm currently riding a 1997 Trek 7.2 FX but recently began longing for the feel of steel so I'm going to get my old 1995 Trek 730 back from my dad and attempt to build it into my "perfect" bike.

[ka0use]

more pics in next post.

in order to get my spine and neck vertical so i could look straight ahead they
had to pile all this stuff up. i have heard this position called the 'sit up and beg', but
that is ok- i'm riding and it doesn't hurt. life is good.
the seat is my fourth one. no lower back pain (or butt pain). first was a brick- on- edge wilderness trail bike). next two were cloud 9 (brand name) and the second of those self-destructed in an exciting manner . exciting does not always mean good or fun. the present c-9 has lasted the longest. maybe too much weight?

[ka0use]

i maxed out the number of spacers.
something to consider is the weight on your forearms, wrists and palms. carpal tunnel syndrome and repetitive motion disorder can manifest themselves. gel pad gloves may help prevent these problems. elbow braces, too?

[corwin1968]

Very nice! Thanks for the updates. I'm still committed to going this route but I've discovered that the 1995 Trek 730 is a bit too small for my tastes so it's going back to my dad. I'm looking for an older cro-moly bike to use as a base or I'm just going to buy a Surly LHT or Cross Check frame and build it up, much as you've done with this bike. I'm fat and have degenerative disc disease so comfort is priority #1.

[jbchybridrider]

Really nice mtb, I'm always looking around for nice old bikes but I dont think I've ever seen Bianchi mtb in my country plenty on the net though but if I ever see one in good nick like yours I'd like to buy it.
The adjustments are pretty extreme from the original spec but if thats what you gota do then thats what you gota do.
Riding my bike with the current set up still good for my back in fact its the only thing I can do to help my back though the whole day but if I need an operation which looks likely then a setup like yours will be good for recovery and rehab.

[ka0use]

Really nice mtb, I'm always looking around for nice old bikes but I dont think I've ever seen Bianchi mtb in my country plenty on the net though but if I ever see one in good nick like yours I'd like to buy it.
The adjustments are pretty extreme from the original spec but if thats what you gota do then thats what you gota do.
Riding my bike with the current set up still good for my back in fact its the only thing I can do to help my back though the whole day but if I need an operation which looks likely then a setup like yours will be good for recovery and rehab.

well, guess what? i have yet to see another in THIS country! hmpf. maybe i should put it on ebay auction starting at us$10000!
to give bianchi credit they did put a nice 'mountain mix' on it, and the no flex aluminum frame doesn't (flex, that is).

i have the degenerative L-5 inherited from my dad's side (they alllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll have/had it. it is like having the royal tail stump of england).
i wanna kill all my ancestors. it doesn't bother me much.

the really sweet part of the bike is how few tools you need to do the basic stuff. 3,4,5,8mm allens and a screwturner + or -, your
choice (for the brake spring tensioners and derailleurs). the only specialised tools one might use are the bottom bracket tool, and the crank puller
(and even that is semi-specialised). very nice. they got that spot on. HOWEVER, i'm a tool junkie, so i got most of the ones that make tinkering
a bit easier. still lusting for a repair stand and a cable tool. and a pocket multi-tool (crank brothers multi-5. it has all the above tools except the 8mm, but that is for the crank and not, or shouldn't be, needed as long as i do my preventive maintenance). and... and...here we go...

if you have an operation send me an address so i can post you a get well card!

and hey, my sage advice came from my physical therapist who was a rider. ask around.

[ka0use]

Very nice! Thanks for the updates. I'm still committed to going this route but I've discovered that the 1995 Trek 730 is a bit too small for my tastes so it's going back to my dad. I'm looking for an older cro-moly bike to use as a base or I'm just going to buy a Surly LHT or Cross Check frame and build it up, much as you've done with this bike. I'm fat and have degenerative disc disease so comfort is priority #1.

see note to jbchybridrider above re degen. discs.
comfort=joy. what others think is irrelevant.
i'm fat, too, packing in 277 (not kilos, thank heaven!), BUT i stopped drinking sodas, regular AND diet, 2 months ago and i've dropped 11 pounds. i have noticed a change in my sleep
pattern, not better, just different. i awaken much earlier.

the two of you have my full moral support.

the tires are my winter tires. in summer i use semi-slicks which give less rolling resistance and still have traction for shallow mud.

[Easy Peasy]

I too have a bad neck, so craning my neck up in a drop down position would mean a great deal of discomfort. I also have a bad lower back so I can't sit straight up either! Fortunately my Trek 7300 has a marvelous adjustable handlebar stem, so I can lower it to a point where I can bend at the waist, but still keep my head up. I also got a much better saddle. Now I'm so comfortable and love riding this bike.

[ka0use]

easy peasy-

well, halleuja, brutha/sista! a good, comfy seat is half the battle.

any chance of before/after pics?- and welcome.

i think i have seen the adjustable stems on some schwinns. is it an aftermarket item?
sounds like a A-numba one winnah.

now, get out there an' testify! about this thread.

all three of you have my full moral support.

[ka0use]

easy peasy-

well, halleuja, brutha/sista! a good, comfy seat is half the battle.

any chance of before/after pics?- and welcome.

i think i have seen the adjustable stems on some schwinns. is it an aftermarket item?
sounds like a A-numba one winnah.

now, get out there an' testify! about this thread.

all three of you have my full moral support.

2 months ago my v.a. doc asked me to try losing 15 pounds by today. i lost 14. he got alllllllllllllll 'cited.
i attribute most of it to drinking no more soda pop (diet soda, if you think it matters). he said the problem
with soda is the high sodium levels. Na causes your body to retain water. i'm down to 274 from 292.
still not as svelte as dame edna, but i feel positive i can continue losing. he said a slow, long term weight loss stays off easier than a crash diet.

small successes DO matter by giving us hope and maybe some willpower to continue.

i also stopped ordering pommes frites with a meal. i sneak one or two off someone
else's plate and that satisfies.

i also eat one less slice of oat nut bread toast (down from 4). little bitty go longy-long!