Conference noted::bicycle

    First we'll have to define what is meant by "hybrid".

    What was called a hybrid last year is different from what
    is sold as a hybrid this year.

    I had a mt bike, and a road racing bike, and had a desire to have a
    bike which I could also tour on.  I decided that two bikes was enough
    for one person (don't have the room for more) so started to look at my
    options.  I first thought of putting drop bars on my mt bike.  I've
    always had a bias for fast 700c tires on the road, so adapting the mt
    bike for road use didn't seem adequate.  At the same time, I still
    wanted the ability to do fairly rigorous off-road riding (my on-road to
    off-road ratio is about 70% : 30%).  I sold my mt bike and did the
    following:
    
    This year I dug deep into my pockets and bought a Bruce Gordon Rock 'n
    Road hybrid.  Many times bike reviews have a way of over glorifying a
    particular frame builder or bike.  In this case the reviews were right
    on the money.  Its everything I wanted out of a hybrid.  Off road, it
    has been extremely capable, and I've had no trouble keeping up with
    friends on mt bikes.  It is the only hybrid which is designed to accept
    an agressive off-road 700c tire (which Gordon had to have custom
    fabricated). For the sake of saving a $12 import duty (bikes which can
    accept tires of a certain width are classified as mt bikes, and are
    subject to extra import duties), almost all other manufacturers design
    their hybrids so they cannot accept adequate rubber for off-road use. 
    On road, it is a very comfortable touring-like bike (I've built a
    second set of wheels with appropriate road tires).  With panniers, and
    some weight it is still well behaved.  Its not as fast or quick as a
    road racing bike, but is hardly a dog and it offers a tremendous amount
    of comfort and versatility.  Latter this season I'm going to do some
    long day rides, and at this point can't decide whether to use my "road
    bike" or the hybrid.  Right now, it is set up with drop-flared
    handlebars.
    
    The frame is very strong, relatively light (lighter than mt bikes),
    well finished with a fair amount of attention to details.  All cable
    braze-ons are slotted, and it has all the braze-ons to properly fit
    both rear and front racks.  He has a system worked out so you can
    quickly change between drop bars and flat bars in about 3 - 4 minutes.
    This year, Bruce is making the frames himself in California (last years
    models were sourced out to a frame builder in Japan).
    
    Gordon no longer deals with bike shops, so it can only be bought
    direct.  I had some initial set-up problems with the indexed shifting,
    but the Suntour XC-comp equipment is now working just fine (I would
    agree with others that Suntour offers a good amount of product
    upgradability and compatibility, but it doesn't shift quite as cleanly
    as Shimano, but its still very good).  In the future I hope to set up a
    second set of handlebars for off-road use. In total, its a very well
    thought out package.
    
    Hybrids are compromise bikes, but the Rock 'n Road has a set of
    compromises I hardly notice (I predict mt bikes will tend to become
    more like the Bruce Gordon in the coming years - note the Bianchi
    Project 7 limited production mt bike).  My only wish was that a
    similarly well thought-out package could have been bought from a
    mainstream manufacturer at a lower price, but it hasn't been done
    (yet).  Unfortunately, mainstream maker fall into two camps: (1) those
    who are serious like Bianchi, but are unwilling to fork over $12 to
    Uncle Sam to make their designs even better, and (2) those (like Fuji)
    who view hybrids as low-end entry level fitness bikes.  So far, I'm
    very impressed with the Rock 'n Road, and with every passing mile am
    more impressed with what Bruce Gordon created.

    In this context, it's interesting to read Tom Ritchey talk
    about light-weight (<24 pounds) mountain bikes in the May 1990
    Bicycle Guide.  He says he's done lots of off-road type things
    with actual road bikes, and says road-bike technology goes quite
    a long way off-road.  Some of the ATB's beefiness apparently isn't
    really needed.  That's why he's applying that (road) technology
    to his mountain bikes.  
    
    But he wasn't talking about hybrids.  I wonder what he'd say...
    that you might as well use a road bike?  I don't know.
    
    -john

    I bought a Specialized Rock Combo last season and love it!

    For those of you who don't know who Bruce Gordon is, he is a master 
    craftsman in the art of frame building.  His custom work is a true work
    of art with very intelligent design.  My wife is owns one of his
    touring bikes, the workmanship is flawless.  I hope Bruce does well
    in creating a market for this new breed of bike, Bruce has slaved over
    a torch for a long time, he deserves to break it big time.
      
    steve
    (Who would love to ride one of his titanium creations)

    I've been looking for a hybrid in the $500 range for about a month now.
    It's been tough.  Alot of the NH shops are either out of my size (
    17"- 18" ) or haven't received any of that particular bike yet.  The
    only two I've tried that I liked are the Bianchi Backstreet and the
    Offroad Climber ( both around $600, the climber a little over ).  I
    found these two at Belmont Wheelworks, but I'm still unwilling to pay
    the sales tax ( especially since I originally wanted to stay around
    $500, and I live 1 1/4 hours away ).  The Backstreet has Shimano Deore LX,
    and the Climber booklet says Shimano Deore LX ( but I could have sworn
    the shifters were of a slightly higher quality ( DX? ) when I rode it.
    
    Anyway, my question is:  Does anyone know of any bike shops in NH that
    currently carry these?  I've tried Naults, Goodales, S+W, Waites,
    Haggets, Wilderness Outfitters, and The Bike Barn - which I can special
    order the Backstreet from, I think.
    
    Another one I'd like to ride, and haven't seen yet is the Specialized
    Crossroads Sport.
    
    Here are some I've tried and haven't been quite as impressed with the
    shifting:  Giant Innova, Univega Via Montega, Univega Via Carisma,
    Miyatta Triple Cross, Miyatta Quick Cross, Bianchi Volpe ( drop bar -
    Suntour components attached to the brake that I just couldn't get used
    to ).  Most of these had Shimano 300LX-500LX components.  Part of the
    problem could be that they're not adjusted quite right, but the bike shops
    shouldn't let this happen!
    
    
    Those are my 2 cents.  Any more comments/suggestions?
    
    
    -Cheryl

    
    Try Ultra Sport in Manchester on Elm St. Its a small shop but Walt the
    owner seems quite knowledgeable.
    
    
    Joe	
    

    Buchika's on rt.28 in Salem has the Bridgestone Hybrids.  I was
    impressed with these bikes, they are definitely worth a try. The
    dealer will also custom size the bike to you with a machine for
    free.  The price is within your range.  Good Luck!
    
    							Don

    There's a small bike shop, Spoke & Slope, in Peterboro, NH that carries
    Trek, Specialized and Bianchi, among others. The last time that I was
    there (mid-April), I didn't see any hybrid bikes, but I wasn't looking
    for any. Give them a call (603-924-9961), the owner's name is Bruce
    Harrington. He mentioned that the shop would be moving to a new
    location in Peterboro, so ask for the address and directions if you
    plan to go there.
    

   Does anyone have any input re: the Schwinn Crosscut.  I've found
    1990 left-overs for approx $400.

    I've seen a "hybrid" advertised by LL Bean.  Any comments on
    these offerings ?
    
    
    Scot

     Boy, L.L. BEAN is really hot these days... Clothes yes, Bikes NO!
    
       IMHO... 

    Well, now hold on Chip.  Last time I strolled through the Freeport
    store I thought the LL Bean bikes looked like mighty similar to 
    Cannondale's (in LL Bean forest green clothing).  If that's true, I 
    would think it might be allright to buy a bike from Bean's.  Just check
    to see what the Cannondale price would be versus the LL Bean bike and
    make your choice.  Of course the local shop won't offer LL Bean green, 
    which could be good enough reason to by it at Beans!
    
    Chip does make good sense about bike fit, repair, and quality of set up
    most likely being better at your local store.  It's a heck of a lot
    more convenient to drive the local bike shop than Freeport Maine.
    
    Dave  

     Dave, your point is well taken... It never pays to look (doesn't
    cost anything either - except a gas and time), but....
    
     I'm jsut the kinda guy that goes to the dentist when I have a
    toothache...
    
      :-)  Chip

    
    FYI, hand-lettered sign in Peter Hare's shop in Twyford (Berks, UK):
    
    	      "Not for �1000 will I work on a mail-order bike."
    
    -john

    Any comment on the Miyata Alumicross?  Palo Alto (California) Bicycles
    is closing out 1991 models for $550, which is about $300 less than the
    1991 price.  It has a semi-fat aluminum frame, mostly Shimano Deore DX
    components, lightweight 700C wheels with 38mm tires, and dropped
    handlebars with bar-end shifters.  Thanks.
    
    Ken