HarborEastGuy

I'm looking to get back into biking after not having one for 10 years.
Long ago I had a DiamondBack and before that a Trek 840. Both
were Chromoly.

I test road a Trek 7.3 FX a few days ago and the ride was too jittery.
Aluminum is not my friend. I live downtown in a city where the roads
are brutal. This would strictly be a city bike and never see dirt.

I want to buy new and prefer to spend between $500-$700. Rigid
fork only.

I also test drove a Kona Dew Plus which seemed a lot less jittery
than the Trek FX 7.3 but it still has an Aluminum frame and
Aluminum fork.

https://www.konaworld.com/bike.cfm?content=dew_plus

The ride quality of the Kona was worlds better then the Trek but I am
wondering if I could do better. For the price, the Kona is spec'ed out
perfect for me except it does not have a Chromoly frame/fork.

Which manufacturers still build Chromoly Frame/Fork Hybrid Bikes ??

Thanks all..

bikemig 

Check out the novara safari which is on sale now for $764: https://www.rei.com/product/807245/no...fari-bike-2013

no1mad 

Sub $700 hybrid with a steel frame? Jamis Coda comes to mind, as does some of Marin's 'Street/Urban' models, Giant Via line, KHS Urban line is chock full of 4130 and 520 steel... you kinda get the idea.

The best thing for you to do is just go to your LBS and ask them what they got in steel for your budget.

pierce

I'd suggest surly's, but they'd probably end up somewhere north of $1000 properly kitted out.

https://surlybikes.com/bikes/ogre

https://surlybikes.com/bikes/long_haul_trucker



btw, fatter tires will do more to smooth the ride out than anything else short of quality full suspension..

hir0

i know this is the hybrid section, but here's a place that sells some chromoly fixies for a bit over $400

https://revolcycles.com/collections/c...ate-bicycle-co

pierce

if I wanted a classic steel frame ride, I do believe I'd find a classic steel frame, maybe something euro, or one of the nice miyata made-in-japan cro-mo and manganese frames from the 80s that were sold with so many brand names, and I'd outfit it the way I wanted, rather than shopping mid range (thats what $700 is nowdays) new imports.

dr1445

1979 puch 10 speed, now 24 speed and 1992 bianchi advantage 21 speed now 27. it takes some work but you learn alot of bicycle stuff.

treadtread

Novara Buzz at REI (not Big Buzz or any bike with qualifiers before the word Buzz)
https://www.rei.com/product/837487/no...a-001b2166becc

If you're willing to order online (understand fit and are comfortable with assembling it yourself partially):
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/.../cafe_noir.htm

martinus

I second, the jamis coda comp : https://www.myjamis.com/SSP%20Applica...cat_grp=strt_2

"Reynolds 520 double-butted chromoly steel."

erg79

Another happy Jamis owner here. Definitely check them out.

pierce

never seen a frame pump installed like that, heh. I always put those parallel to the seat tube, with the head against the BB and the top nesteled against the top tube. I'm guessing you had to do that because it was the wrong size pump, but I can't say that looks very secure.

dr1445

no matter where i put the pump it would fly off over bumps. finally i wired it in place no more issues.

bikemig 

Looks like it is designed to strengthen the frame. I kinda like it in a rad kind of way.

martinus

https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q...MKugyAH30YHgDA

HarborEastGuy

Thanks to everyone for all the info..

I rode the Jamis Coda Comp. It had a smooth ride.
Marin's only non-suspension 24speed model was a Muirwoods 29er (no local dealers so fail)
Novara Safari was not stocked by the REI location near me. Order only. The color was beyond stupid anyway (fail)
Giant's Via line were 1 speeds. The 24 speeds were Aluminum so I did not test ride them. (fail)
I really disliked the chattery rides of the aluminum frame Trek 7.3 and Cannondale Quick 4 (fail and fail)

I couldn't find any other lbs with Chromoly framed bikes and I did not bother trying any of the other
aluminum frame bikes like Specialized/Fuji/etc.

Looks like the Jamis Coda Comp wins by default as I can find no local dealers selling Chromoly frame
24sp no suspension (except the Jamis) in the Baltimore area. I will probably get the Jamis Coda Comp.