Post pictures of your Hybrid
01-28-12, 09:30 PM
#3401
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Very cool!
FYI, the standard way to set drop bars and brake levers is so the tips of the brake levers are even with the bottom of the flats. And the bar is usually set so the flats are level or slightly above (like 10 degrees or so). This allows comfortable use of the flats and drops, and the bar top and brake hoods remain at approximately the same place. See the pic to better understand what I am talking about. Of course these are just guidelines and you can vary your setup however you like, but your setup is so far from the typical I can't help but think you might find a slightly better setup if you fiddle with it a bit. Also you get to wrap and unwrap your bar for practice!!!!11
FYI, the standard way to set drop bars and brake levers is so the tips of the brake levers are even with the bottom of the flats. And the bar is usually set so the flats are level or slightly above (like 10 degrees or so). This allows comfortable use of the flats and drops, and the bar top and brake hoods remain at approximately the same place. See the pic to better understand what I am talking about. Of course these are just guidelines and you can vary your setup however you like, but your setup is so far from the typical I can't help but think you might find a slightly better setup if you fiddle with it a bit. Also you get to wrap and unwrap your bar for practice!!!!11
Nice job.
Levers look like they could be moved up a little... ends should typically be in a line with the bottom of the hooks but if you are comfy and they are not bottoming out, no worries.
If you find that you are getting sore or fatigued wrists it may be an issue with how your brake levers are set up... the flat part of the lever hood should line up pretty closely with the flat on the top of the bar and will keep your hands from sliding... different bars have different bends and depths so it can be a matter of getting the optimal positioning.
Drop bar mountain bikes are awesome... I can dress mine with slicks and ride centuries or throw on the 2 inch knobbies and hit the trails.
Levers look like they could be moved up a little... ends should typically be in a line with the bottom of the hooks but if you are comfy and they are not bottoming out, no worries.
If you find that you are getting sore or fatigued wrists it may be an issue with how your brake levers are set up... the flat part of the lever hood should line up pretty closely with the flat on the top of the bar and will keep your hands from sliding... different bars have different bends and depths so it can be a matter of getting the optimal positioning.
Drop bar mountain bikes are awesome... I can dress mine with slicks and ride centuries or throw on the 2 inch knobbies and hit the trails.
01-29-12, 01:25 AM
#3402
Bicycle Repair Man !!!
When I set up drop bars for myself I ride them naked and by that I mean, with the bars unwrapped, to see how the set up works and to make it easier to tweak things.
01-29-12, 02:07 AM
#3403
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Good find out in the streets. It sure is a HYBRID, that we can't miss.
01-29-12, 10:02 AM
#3404
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Missed Lardasse's post about lever set up... if you still have braking issues after a little adjustment it might have more to do with the set up at the brake.
When I set up drop bars for myself I ride them naked and by that I mean, with the bars unwrapped, to see how the set up works and to make it easier to tweak things.
When I set up drop bars for myself I ride them naked and by that I mean, with the bars unwrapped, to see how the set up works and to make it easier to tweak things.
THere are, however, still improvements to be made with the setup. To nrowensby: Read this article on brake setup: SHELDON BROWN'S CANTILEVER BRAKE ADJUSTMENT ARTICLE.
01-29-12, 10:05 AM
#3405
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Not my hybrid, rather one I saw at the library. And it's not a hybrid, it's a Hybrid! GT Hybrid that is. It's a BMX/MTB hybrid instead of road/MTB hybrid (which were often called cross bikes back in the day when this was made.)
GT Hybrid by Lester Of Puppets, on Flickr
GT Hybrid by Lester Of Puppets, on Flickr
GT Hybrid by Lester Of Puppets, on Flickr
GT Hybrid by Lester Of Puppets, on Flickr
I wonder how it behaves catching air with rack and fully loaded panniers!?
01-30-12, 05:50 PM
#3406
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New seatpost came today. White bits include barend tape, cables, bottle cage, seattube clamp, seatpost, and tires.
Not trying to be a weight weenie, but this new seatpost took off nearly a pound from my bike.
Not trying to be a weight weenie, but this new seatpost took off nearly a pound from my bike.
Last edited by AlphaDogg; 01-30-12 at 06:45 PM.
01-31-12, 12:37 AM
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This is my 2011 KHS Urban Xtreme.
I added Bontrager Racelight Hardcase Slicks, a Cateye Strada computer, Forte seat, flat bar (narrowed), and clamp-on grips, toe clip/straps, bottle cages, head/tail LEDs, and some stubby bar ends I've been going back and forth on.
Work is 9 miles each way, and a typical Sunday ride is about 40 miles, give or take.
Future plans include shortening the cables.
I added Bontrager Racelight Hardcase Slicks, a Cateye Strada computer, Forte seat, flat bar (narrowed), and clamp-on grips, toe clip/straps, bottle cages, head/tail LEDs, and some stubby bar ends I've been going back and forth on.
Work is 9 miles each way, and a typical Sunday ride is about 40 miles, give or take.
Future plans include shortening the cables.
01-31-12, 12:39 AM
#3408
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01-31-12, 12:41 AM
#3409
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01-31-12, 12:58 AM
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02-01-12, 12:59 PM
#3411
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Adjusted the bars based on the suggestions here and made a huge difference... not only in braking, but also in comfort from the hoods. 
I'm going to ride a little while and make sure everything is where I want it before re-wrapping the bars. Might order some red/black tape while I'm waiting.
I'm going to ride a little while and make sure everything is where I want it before re-wrapping the bars. Might order some red/black tape while I'm waiting.
02-01-12, 09:07 PM
#3412
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I picked up this bike the other day, trying to improve my average speed on those long rural road rides. Had to install a new chain, new Kendra 700 x 28c tires, CATEYE 800 Headlamp, install the cell phone holder, (using the GPS) or listen to music etc, adjust ever thing. I really am loving it from the very first ride !! It seems so much faster, comfortable, just can't believe it. Looking forward to taking it on a nice long road ride ASAP. I have never really used bar ends much before, and that was how they were when I got the bike. Are they adjusted like they should be ? Richard : )
(bike had fell over before pictures, front reflector had to be straightened)
Last edited by xoxoxoxoLive; 02-02-12 at 04:45 AM. Reason: front reflector
02-01-12, 09:10 PM
#3413
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This is my 2011 KHS Urban Xtreme.
I added Bontrager Racelight Hardcase Slicks, a Cateye Strada computer, Forte seat, flat bar (narrowed), and clamp-on grips, toe clip/straps, bottle cages, head/tail LEDs, and some stubby bar ends I've been going back and forth on.
Work is 9 miles each way, and a typical Sunday ride is about 40 miles, give or take.
Future plans include shortening the cables.
I added Bontrager Racelight Hardcase Slicks, a Cateye Strada computer, Forte seat, flat bar (narrowed), and clamp-on grips, toe clip/straps, bottle cages, head/tail LEDs, and some stubby bar ends I've been going back and forth on.
Work is 9 miles each way, and a typical Sunday ride is about 40 miles, give or take.
Future plans include shortening the cables.
02-01-12, 11:10 PM
#3414
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Thanks! I've put almost 900 miles on it (Cateye Strada) in a little over 3 months. I wanted to get something nicer than my old Schwinn townie, but didn't want a full on road bike as my only ride. This is perfect, and I've kinda slowed down my road bike search for now.
I think I've got about $600 into it, lights and all, everything bought new. The tires & tubes were a big chunk, heh.
*edit*. Ironically, I ended up with a (28c) flat bar "road" bike, lol. It's even got a TruVativ 172.5 "road" crank (52/42/30). It's pretty multi-purpose though. I can ride it to a bar as easy as taking it on a charity ride, which is cool, because now I can go full bore on a less practical 23c purpose build.
I think this'll get more use overall though.
I think I've got about $600 into it, lights and all, everything bought new. The tires & tubes were a big chunk, heh.
*edit*. Ironically, I ended up with a (28c) flat bar "road" bike, lol. It's even got a TruVativ 172.5 "road" crank (52/42/30). It's pretty multi-purpose though. I can ride it to a bar as easy as taking it on a charity ride, which is cool, because now I can go full bore on a less practical 23c purpose build.
I think this'll get more use overall though.
Last edited by atat; 02-02-12 at 12:53 AM.
02-02-12, 04:36 AM
#3415
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Thanks! I've put almost 900 miles on it (Cateye Strada) in a little over 3 months. I wanted to get something nicer than my old Schwinn townie, but didn't want a full on road bike as my only ride. This is perfect, and I've kinda slowed down my road bike search for now.
I think I've got about $600 into it, lights and all, everything bought new. The tires & tubes were a big chunk, heh.
*edit*. Ironically, I ended up with a (28c) flat bar "road" bike, lol. It's even got a TruVativ 172.5 "road" crank (52/42/30). It's pretty multi-purpose though. I can ride it to a bar as easy as taking it on a charity ride, which is cool, because now I can go full bore on a less practical 23c purpose build.
I think this'll get more use overall though.
I think I've got about $600 into it, lights and all, everything bought new. The tires & tubes were a big chunk, heh.
*edit*. Ironically, I ended up with a (28c) flat bar "road" bike, lol. It's even got a TruVativ 172.5 "road" crank (52/42/30). It's pretty multi-purpose though. I can ride it to a bar as easy as taking it on a charity ride, which is cool, because now I can go full bore on a less practical 23c purpose build.
I think this'll get more use overall though.
(Laughing) called a Hybrid I think... Richard : )
02-02-12, 08:12 AM
#3416
Ha ha ha ha ha
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...
I picked up this bike the other day, trying to improve my average speed on those long rural road rides. Had to install a new chain, new Kendra 700 x 28c tires, CATEYE 800 Headlamp, install the cell phone holder, (using the GPS) or listen to music etc, adjust ever thing. I really am loving it from the very first ride !! It seems so much faster, comfortable, just can't believe it. Looking forward to taking it on a nice long road ride ASAP. I have never really used bar ends much before, and that was how they were when I got the bike. Are they adjusted like they should be ? Richard : )
(bike had fell over before pictures, front reflector had to be straightened)
I picked up this bike the other day, trying to improve my average speed on those long rural road rides. Had to install a new chain, new Kendra 700 x 28c tires, CATEYE 800 Headlamp, install the cell phone holder, (using the GPS) or listen to music etc, adjust ever thing. I really am loving it from the very first ride !! It seems so much faster, comfortable, just can't believe it. Looking forward to taking it on a nice long road ride ASAP. I have never really used bar ends much before, and that was how they were when I got the bike. Are they adjusted like they should be ? Richard : )
(bike had fell over before pictures, front reflector had to be straightened)
edit, I have to say I like the back ground. For some reason I love sticky-beaking at rural US towns.
Last edited by giantcfr1; 02-02-12 at 08:15 AM.
02-02-12, 09:27 PM
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Adjusted the bars based on the suggestions here and made a huge difference... not only in braking, but also in comfort from the hoods. I'm going to ride a little while and make sure everything is where I want it before re-wrapping the bars. Might order some red/black tape while I'm waiting.
I'm going to ride a little while and make sure everything is where I want it before re-wrapping the bars. Might order some red/black tape while I'm waiting.
02-02-12, 09:37 PM
#3421
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02-03-12, 08:02 AM
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Although, the picture angle makes it look a little off, the flats are now in line with the top bar of the frame.
02-03-12, 05:35 PM
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