Arrowana

I've been looking at getting a hybrid or road bike. I've been mostly looking at new bikes because I haven't had much luck finding a used bike I really like. The 3 bikes I've been looking at are the Specialized Sirrus, Fuji Absolute 3.0 and the Redline Conquest Sport. I just found a used bike that might be what I'm looking for though. One LBS has a 1993 Schwinn CrissCross for $100. It needs a new chain, freewheel, and probably a new bottom bracket and tires. I think it might be a little small, but raising the seat and switching to the H-Bars I have might be enough to make it a good fit. Looking around I have heard nice things about it, except it is a bit heavy. I figure since I'd be saving quite a bit over a new bike, I'd have room for upgrades. Any idea how something like this would compare to a new hybrid? Any idea how much weight I could shave off by spending $300-$400 on stuff for it?

EjustE

I think that you can get a much better bike with your $400-500 budget. Also, I would avoid that bike store. Any bike store selling used bikes that are not ready to ride, it's not worth using.

Arrowana

They weren't exactly offering it for sale yet, I just saw it and asked how much they wanted for it.

I didn't get an exact weight of anything, but this doesn't seem much heavier than the more expensive bikes I've been looking at. I figure it might be possible to do some upgrades and have a bike just as good for less money.

wrk101

It is not possible. It would be like trying to turn my old GMC truck into a classic Corvette. Just can't get there. I've owned several Criss Crosses, including a 1992 and a 1993. And I currently own several really good vintage and classic bikes. For your budget, you can buy an outstanding, close to world class, vintage road bike.

Been thinking about getting a road bike or a hybrid? That's kind of an odd mix. If you want a go fast bike, get the road bike. If you want a recreational bike, then just get a hyrid or a rigid frame MTB.

Arrowana

I've been mostly looking at performance hybrids, or ones that are a bit more like road bikes than mountain bikes. Pretty much, I want to go fast, but I want my H-Bars instead of drop bars, and I want fenders and a rack.

EjustE

I love hybrids If I were you, I would look for a triple butted or duble butted CroMo frame hybrid. Those are about 25-26 lbs. Alternative (because of you budget): get a touring bike and put any kind of bars you want on it.

Here is my hybrid:




One word of advice if you are shopping for a vintage hybrid: They are not sized like road bikes. If you know your MTB size and your road bike size, the hybrid should be right about the middle. They have really high bottom brackets, which adds another inch or so to the size, compared to road bike sizing. This one is a 21 inch (53.some cm, ST C-C). My sweet spot is at 56cm for a road bike (depending on the bike)

Kobe 

I like the way you have the Univega set up E. I have been thinking of doing something similar because touring bikes have become so expensive. Sort of a poor mans touring bike that will never go on a real tour.

Is that an Activa? How do you like it?

EjustE

That's an '89 Via Carisma. Bought new in '89. Used it as a commuter for 5-6 years (when I lived in places where bike commuting was an option), have done 4 loaded tours with it, a ton of trail riding and several centuries. I love it. The differences from a touring bike are: higher bottom bracket, only 2 water cage bosses, and a 48 instead of a 52/53 big ring (but you can rarely use a 52 when fully loaded). Other than that, it has cantis, several braze ones, including low rider attachements on the fork and can take up to a 700x40 with fenders. As far as the bars go, about half of the serious touring rigs feature aerobars these days and about a third of them come with flat bars of one favor or another. I love this bike but it really has some mileage on it, so I am looking to get another (but they are hard to find around here) and keep this one just for leasure purposes.

Arrowana

Thanks for the advice. I just found a Schwinn Traveler that interests me. Aside from the weight and being too big for me I loved my '81 Traveler, this is lighter and the right size. Price seems to be a bit high though:
https://madison.craigslist.org/bik/1788896921.html

EjustE

Not lighter That's about 32lbs... and cutoff handlebar job. And overpriced.

Arrowana

Ad says Cro-Moly frame, so it should be 26 lbs. It does have a very similar paint job to my '81 though, which did weigh 32 lbs. Handlebars I'm not worried about, I already have Titec H-Bars I want to put on whatever bike I get.

Darn, guess someone else was interested, guy says he sold it 30 min after listing it... Why can't I have that good of luck when selling a bike?

EjustE

No worries... that was an early 80s late 70s high ten Traveller. No Cromoly there (only in the ad maybe)

Arrowana

Ok, just found a Motobecane Grand Jubilee for the same price, going to look tomorrow. Can't wait to see it!

EjustE

Now we're talking