The Impossible Hybrid

[BiketoBasics]

Around these parts, finding an old hybrid bike is exceedingly difficult especially in an XL size. How about where you live?

From what I understand, hybrids were relatively short lived in terms of overall production years but yet 100's of thousands were produced and by most of the major manufacturers. Steel frame, non-suspension mountain bikes are still fairly common and in use. I ride one and see them on the road all the time. Hybrids? No way. Too bad because I want one. Where are they all?

 

[TreaderSteve]

Raleigh Geminis turn up with some frequency. Love them/ wife has one/ wouldn't mind a large one myself to replace my Bob Jackson that snapped its seat-tube towards the BB yesterday morning sob sob! A metallic twang and it was toast. I blame my thighs as we were pulling-away from a train crossing. Just not worth getting it fixed.

I now hover over your tag - Canada! No idea about over there sorry! I really wouldn't mind one of the Cannondale 90's hybrids - I think it was the H series. May be more of those over your way?

 

[SteelNipple]

I don't think they really made hybrids/ATBs with sloping top tubes in XL size. I have three 90s hybrids and all are the largest frame size that they made for that model (Raleigh 21", Scott 56cm, Marin 21.5"). Some 90s Nishiki hybrids/city bikes were made up to 67cm size. Did you get Marin/Scott/Nishiki/Mongoose bikes there in the 90s?

 

[BiketoBasics]

I've never seen a Raleigh Gemini before... Marin, Scott, Mongoose and Nishiki all had a presence in this part of Canada. I still see those brands kicking around in a mountain bike format, or even a road from time to time, but never a hybrid. Nishiki was probably the most common here for mountain and road styles. One hour's drive south of here, into the USA, and a whole world of selection opens up. I just never travel to the USA anymore and haven't been there for over 25 years. I like the USA, just not the a$$holes who man the borders, this side or theirs.

There are services which will harbour posted items to a point just the other side of the U.S. border, then couriers from this side cross over for pickup and bring it home. By the time all hands along the way are paid off it negates almost any savings one might achieve by finding a bike inexpensively.

Here in Canada we suffer immensely from lack of selection and crushing prices, while an hour away over an imaginary line drawn in geography the attitude is "we can same day ship, and how many did you want and in which colour?"

 

[LondonClassic]

This keeps burning a hole in my watch list:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/116316695815

But...I remember eschewing this kind of bike quite vehemently in the early 90s and insisting on a 26" MTB and then fitting slicks. To my early 20s self hybrids were fuddy duddy and just more trad, in my young+dumb head at least. I dont think the day of the hybrid bike came in the UK till the late 90s...but people like @bikeworkshop will know more about that than me.

I just see alu hybrids for sale round here (east Kent - UK). Boardman, Carerra, the odd Giant. I don't see a paucity of big sized ones, FWIW.

 

[bikeworkshop]

This keeps burning a hole in my watch list:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/116316695815

But...I remember eschewing this kind of bike quite vehemently in the early 90s and insisting on a 26" MTB and then fitting slicks. To my early 20s self hybrids were fuddy duddy and just more trad, in my young+dumb head at least. I dont think the day of the hybrid bike came in the UK till the late 90s...but people like @bikeworkshop will know more about that than me.

I just see alu hybrids for sale round here (east Kent - UK). Boardman, Carerra, the odd Giant. I don't see a paucity of big sized ones, FWIW.

Price is a bit strong for me
It's those piano key shifters as much as anything.
I'd expect it to be worth 260 max serviced and guaranteed, including 20%vat.

The trouble with a hybrid is that if you own a mtb and a tourer, you'd probably never use it.
A compromise by design.
But if you only had one bike (i know, really?) it may be a necessary compromise!

 

[LondonClassic]

I would be interested at a ton, but at double that...its been there for months. I'd only want to fit drops and brifters anyway and tell everbody it was retro gravel time.

 

[bikeworkshop]

Hybrids started off as touring geometry with room for fatter tyres, plenty of fittings.

In the 90s we used to convert tourers into flat bar hybrids, and now 30 years later we go the other way.

Pandering to demand.
Or
Matching Market expectations...
I.e. giving people what they want.

 

[LondonClassic]

I think Germany really embraced the hybrid (trekking bike) didn't they?

 

[bikeworkshop]

The German Trekking bike is usually heavy with a high handlebar and a million accessories.
Not Very British.
We prefer light and efficient.

At£100 it would square up nicely with old bike values