i still think that bmc alpenchallenge is the best looking hybrid.i test rode it once...only to dcide for fuji because same spec. diff. price..plus the fuji has a smaller fit suitable for me

Hi All, my first post on bike forums :thumb:

I've been reading up on this thread and there are some truly remarkable bikes on here. Just thought I'd share my current project: http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=396657

I've got all the components sorted apart from the crank arms and spider, which I'm currently working on. I'll post pictures when it's complete,

Ron

Are you building a flatbar road bike?

Essentially yes and no. The Sirrus line, above the Comp range have the same geometry as Specializeds' Roubaix; a full on roadie. I could build it with drop bars, but I want a hybrid. For now atleast. When I decide to venture out to road bike territory, it's a toss up between a Specialized Tarmac and/or a Van Nicholas Amazon Cross. Also, when upgrading standard components on a hybrid, you'll tend to find that most components are road specific (derailleurs, cranksets and so on) apart from shifters, brakes and levers etc.

I just realised I didn't actually state in my previous post that the bike in question is a Sirrus (my bad). I had the guys at Specialized strip it down after I purchased it so I can spec it the way I want.

No longer, effective 2015, thank goodness. Specialized has finally addressed that issue re. the full carbon Sirrus bikes.

Well when it's finished, and if you still think it's "The best looking hybrid you've seen" post it here.

Saw this today. Yeah it's an MTB but the frame is unique. I've seen a few different brands here like this. No chain slap. lol
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...psghb84yhj.jpg

They were called e-stay bikes (elevated chain stay) Many high end mtb builders did that through the 90's. If I saw that for sale near me I would snap it up quick.

On top of my list of regrets, is getting rid of my 92 Haro Extreme.

They did have a bit of chain slap, but nowhere close to conventional stays.

Some models, such as this Fisher and Alpinestars, had ultra short chainstays which made them climbing demons

Albeit a bit retro, I still think this is one of the most stylish Hybrids ever built. A Trek 750 Multitrack. I bought it new in '95 - still have it.

How come shorter chainstays help with climbing?

But I have to confess... I love my new 7.7 FX. This pic is off the Trek site. I've got a few mod's in mind, then I'll post my actual bike.
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=397698

More rider weight over rear wheel = better offroad traction
Shorter stays = less flex = more power

Thanks for the info. :)

This was parked at the hospital bike park, sadly not for sale. It's in spotless condition and still has the reflectors and dork disk on it.

Raced on the weekend and there were plenty of hybrids/flatbar road bikes there. Dropbars and flatbars can race together in the races I competed in (sorry used my road bike). There were also separate races for hybrids/flatbar road bikes too on the day.
Here are a couple of the many there...
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...psfbo6szot.jpg
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...psppbd3fbd.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...ps1n4swtlh.jpg

Hard to believe that anyone would actually race with flat bars like that, especially in the same race with drop bar bikes.

Yeah that yellow chain lock in that bottom pic isn't doing much. :P

Those are just road bikes with flat bars, not hybrid bikes imo.

It seems to me that most new hybrids are actually road bikes with flat bars. One example is the Specialized Sirrus, which is only differentiated from road bikes by the wider tires. The rest is all rigid components with a sports-touring geometry. This is in a stark contrast to the traditional hybrids with suspension forks, with some even having full suspensions, made in the late 90's and early 2000's.

Small numbers of hybrids are offered with a more relaxed geometry and some mountain bike features, allowing them to be ridden in areas that would be a little rough for most road bikes. Since the latter would, in my opinion, more accurately describe what a true hybrid is, I would opt for one of those and supplement my fleet with a true road bike. I would definitely agree that rigid forks, racing geometry, and flat bars are great for smooth pavement. However, I would prefer a dropped bar for better efficiency and positioning.

I wouldn't say "most", the Sirrus is more the exception than the rule being much racier than other hybrid offerings from Trek, Giant, Cannondale and Raleigh, among others.

The Sirrus straddles the line a bit too close to the point where i'd rather just have a true road bike at that stage. Not that the Sirrus isn't a great bike.

Here's my new baby, the 2014 Specialized Vita Comp. Just picked it up Friday and did a great 30 mile ride Saturday.
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=401747

Very nice bike. Im lookin for 2015 model for my wife

LOL What is with the "Flat Bar Road Bike"? Not so very long ago a "roadie" would not be caught dead on a bike with flat bars - only "hybrid" and mountain bikes had those, and the roadies looked WAY down on anyone who DARED ride one of THOSE "damn hybrid bikes" ... (we who had a hybrid were considered a couple steps below pond scum and worm sh*t by the roadies and hard core mountain biker's.) NOW, it seems drop bar road bikes are becoming a thing of the past; replaced by (horrors of horrors) a road bike with flat handlebars! Some even have the audacity of claiming to be "hybrid' bikes. (How the heck a full carbon racing frame with high end racing components like Duara Ace or Sram Red, carbon wheels, and 700-23 tires can be considered a hybrid ...)
Did enough roadies got passed by grandpa on a real hybrid (suspension fork and suspension seat post, platform pedals, wide tires, and 21 to 27 speeds) to decide that maybe a flat bar and more upright riding position was not a bad thing, after all?

A lot of people just can't stand drop bars and a hunched over riding position.

People ditched ten speeds when mountain bikes came out with flat bars and a comfortable upright riding position and hybrids and 29ers are far more suitable for mixed path use.

Its not a bad thing not to be a roadie if you're into casual fun rides.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=403067My Specialized sport disk. This is the first bike I every bought new. (Knowing nothing at all) I just had a TKR in Feb. and in March tore my quad completely off the bone. So I decided to ridea bike for rehab. I feel riding on the mountains here is too risky because I crashed a bunch in the 80's so I went the hybrid route I liked the idea of road and going on dirt. I find I am on the dirt more than road.(maybe I should have gotten a MTB. Go ahead and give me your feed back on the stuff on put on this bike.Thanks for this forum I am learning a lot from you people.