Show Your Vintage MTB Drop Bar Conversions
#6926
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Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 303
Bikes: Raleigh Competition GS, Freschi Supreme, Miyata 1000, Trek 520, Marin Pine Mountain, Specialized RockCombo, Soma Smoothie, Surly Cross-Check
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Here’s my 1989 Marin Pine Mountain drop bar conversion. Bought as complete bike that I believe was 100% original with full Shimano Deore XT components. It was in fairly rough/neglected shape so I did a full teardown and rebuild. Had to replace the headset and seat post (large crack), but everything else turned out great.
Conversion Parts Include:
- Velo Orange Quill Stem w/ Removable Faceplate (90mm)
- Dimension Flat Top Shallow Bar (44cm)
- Tektro RL340 Brake Levers
- Suntour 7 Speed Barcons
- Specialized Touring Pedals
I’ve read other posts were people had no problems running Suntour Barcons with Shimano cassettes, but I just couldn’t get it dialed in enough to work consistently. SO I swapped the last three (low gear) 7 speed spacers with 8 speed spacers and it works perfectly now!
1989 Marin Pine Mountain
Conversion Parts Include:
- Velo Orange Quill Stem w/ Removable Faceplate (90mm)
- Dimension Flat Top Shallow Bar (44cm)
- Tektro RL340 Brake Levers
- Suntour 7 Speed Barcons
- Specialized Touring Pedals
I’ve read other posts were people had no problems running Suntour Barcons with Shimano cassettes, but I just couldn’t get it dialed in enough to work consistently. SO I swapped the last three (low gear) 7 speed spacers with 8 speed spacers and it works perfectly now!
1989 Marin Pine Mountain
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#6927
Junior Member
Here’s my 1989 Marin Pine Mountain drop bar conversion. Bought as complete bike that I believe was 100% original with full Shimano Deore XT components. It was in fairly rough/neglected shape so I did a full teardown and rebuild. Had to replace the headset and seat post (large crack), but everything else turned out great.
Conversion Parts Include:
- Velo Orange Quill Stem w/ Removable Faceplate (90mm)
- Dimension Flat Top Shallow Bar (44cm)
- Tektro RL340 Brake Levers
- Suntour 7 Speed Barcons
- Specialized Touring Pedals
I’ve read other posts were people had no problems running Suntour Barcons with Shimano cassettes, but I just couldn’t get it dialed in enough to work consistently. SO I swapped the last three (low gear) 7 speed spacers with 8 speed spacers and it works perfectly now!
1989 Marin Pine Mountain
Conversion Parts Include:
- Velo Orange Quill Stem w/ Removable Faceplate (90mm)
- Dimension Flat Top Shallow Bar (44cm)
- Tektro RL340 Brake Levers
- Suntour 7 Speed Barcons
- Specialized Touring Pedals
I’ve read other posts were people had no problems running Suntour Barcons with Shimano cassettes, but I just couldn’t get it dialed in enough to work consistently. SO I swapped the last three (low gear) 7 speed spacers with 8 speed spacers and it works perfectly now!
1989 Marin Pine Mountain
#6929
Full Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 303
Bikes: Raleigh Competition GS, Freschi Supreme, Miyata 1000, Trek 520, Marin Pine Mountain, Specialized RockCombo, Soma Smoothie, Surly Cross-Check
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Thanks vp1337 and J.Higgins
For anyone who's interested in the science of how accurate indexing works between 7 speed Suntour Barcons and Shimano Cassettes...
Shimano HG 7 speed cogs are 1.85mm thick with 3.15mm spacers to equal 5.0mm center to center spacing. 8 speed spacers are 3.0mm.
Suntour Accushift 7 speed cogs are 2.0mm thick with 2.8mm spacers for the last three (low gear) for 4.8mm center to center spacing.
Sooooo Shimano 7 speed cog (1.85) plus 8 speed spacer (3.0) equals 4.85 center to center spacing and close enough for everything to work without fuss.
And to reiterate, you only need to use 8 speed spacers on the last 3 (low gears) of the Shimano cassette, since Suntour indexing has split spacing of 3 x 3.0 mm(H) and 3 x 2.8 mm(L).
For anyone who's interested in the science of how accurate indexing works between 7 speed Suntour Barcons and Shimano Cassettes...
Shimano HG 7 speed cogs are 1.85mm thick with 3.15mm spacers to equal 5.0mm center to center spacing. 8 speed spacers are 3.0mm.
Suntour Accushift 7 speed cogs are 2.0mm thick with 2.8mm spacers for the last three (low gear) for 4.8mm center to center spacing.
Sooooo Shimano 7 speed cog (1.85) plus 8 speed spacer (3.0) equals 4.85 center to center spacing and close enough for everything to work without fuss.
And to reiterate, you only need to use 8 speed spacers on the last 3 (low gears) of the Shimano cassette, since Suntour indexing has split spacing of 3 x 3.0 mm(H) and 3 x 2.8 mm(L).
Last edited by squarenoise; 11-22-20 at 06:51 PM.
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#6931
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: NW Ohio
Posts: 3,419
Bikes: 1984 Miyata 310, 1986 Schwinn Sierra, 2011 Jamis Quest, 1980 Peugeot TH8 Tandem, 1992 Performance Parabola, 1987 Ross Mt. Hood, 1988 Schwinn LeTour, 1988 Trek 400T, 1981 Fuji S12-S LTD, 197? FW Evans
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Por que no los dos? You could build one of each and see which one works better for your area. The rails-to-trails are all paved around me, so I usually ride my road bike, but I know they are not like that everywhere.
#6932
Junior Member
I like your thinking. They are dangerous thoughts though...it leads to having more bicycles. I do have a Kuwahara (Apollo) Shasta that I could try to put drop bars on...🤔
Edited to add that the trails I would be riding have a pea gravel top.
Edited to add that the trails I would be riding have a pea gravel top.
#6933
Senior Member
And don't assume the same thing for Ultra 7 freewheels, which are evenly spaced. Now, about those Campy cassettes...
#6934
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Oakland, CA
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#6935
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Not sure how vintage this is. I am not even sure what it is I was told diamond back?
anyway stripped paint quick polish and putting back together for a winter commuter. need a seatpost and rest of parts will be coming off my rock hopper.
anyway stripped paint quick polish and putting back together for a winter commuter. need a seatpost and rest of parts will be coming off my rock hopper.
#6937
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Join Date: Mar 2020
Location: California
Posts: 211
Bikes: 2020 Lynskey GR300, 1987 Diamondback Ascent, 1991 Skykomish Marble Point, 1994 Specialized Stumpjumper FSR, 1996 Specialized Stumpjumper M2 FS, 1992 GT Karakoram
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Hoping to convert this newly acquired 1994 Specialized Rockhopper FSR. Fairly mechanically sound except for some light rusting. Challenge is to address a seized seatpost and converting steerer starnut to threadless stem adapter since the cockpit is super slammed. Looking out for silver or chrome riser gravel drop bars if someone here has a source I’d appreciate it.
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#6938
You gonna eat that?
Before:
Original configuration as the bike came to me in 2008, still with the store price tags from 1994 (on the handlebars)
Early commuting setup
Current setup
The handlebar setup
The mods
Drop bar mods
. Quill Stem Adapter (bought new at LBS)
. Handlebar Stem (closeout at LBS)
. Drop Bars & Tektro Brake Levers (bought together at a swap meet)
. Suntour Barcon Shifters (bought at a swap meet)
Lighting mods
. Wheelset with Schmidt SON 28 dynohub in front wheel (bought used)
. Busch & Müller Lumotec IQ Fly Senso Plus headlight with standlight
. Busch & Müller Toplight Line Plus taillight with standlight
Comfort:
. Brooks B17 Saddle
. Cinelli cork handlebar tape (shellacked)
Original configuration as the bike came to me in 2008, still with the store price tags from 1994 (on the handlebars)
Early commuting setup
Current setup
The handlebar setup
The mods
Drop bar mods
. Quill Stem Adapter (bought new at LBS)
. Handlebar Stem (closeout at LBS)
. Drop Bars & Tektro Brake Levers (bought together at a swap meet)
. Suntour Barcon Shifters (bought at a swap meet)
Lighting mods
. Wheelset with Schmidt SON 28 dynohub in front wheel (bought used)
. Busch & Müller Lumotec IQ Fly Senso Plus headlight with standlight
. Busch & Müller Toplight Line Plus taillight with standlight
Comfort:
. Brooks B17 Saddle
. Cinelli cork handlebar tape (shellacked)
#6939
Happy banana slug
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Arcata, California, U.S., North America, Earth, Saggitarius Arm, Milky Way
Posts: 3,695
Bikes: 1984 Araya MB 261, 1992 Specialized Rockhopper Sport, 1993 Hard Rock Ultra, 1994 Trek Multitrack 750, 1995 Trek Singletrack 930
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The nice thing about mountain bikes is they have room for big squishy tires that can eat pea gravel for breakfast.
#6940
You gonna eat that?
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#6941
Recovering Bikeaholic
'85 Specialized "RoadHopper"
What? They DIDN'T make a RoadHopper? Well they should have, as this beast proves. Converted this 85 RockHopper
for my hipster nephew as a commuter/all-rounder. Says he gets lots of compliments.
for my hipster nephew as a commuter/all-rounder. Says he gets lots of compliments.
#6945
Recovering Bikeaholic
#6946
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I don't think there was a different hybrid in the "Rock" family. When MTB's took off, Specialized (and, notably, Bridgestone) thought that the intermediate bike people would want was basically an MTB with a wide drop bar. Thus the RockCombo and Bridgestone XO series. But the popular hybrid turned out to be opposite - a road-ish bike with 700c wheels and flat handlebars. So between 1989 and 1990 Specialized killed the RockCombo and came out with the CrossRoads family.
Sadly not mine. Just a pic stolen off the internet.
Sadly not mine. Just a pic stolen off the internet.
#6947
Recovering Bikeaholic
Speaking of XO...
I picked up this NOS Handsome XOXO frame, which was designed as a virtual knockoff of the 1993 (canti) version of the Bridgestone XO-1.
Admittedly I found the whole "knock-off" thing kinda hokey, and was expecting a lackluster ho-hum ride... So I built it up and took an obligatory ride, convinced I would immediately conclude that I would sell it. Well... I was pleasantly surprised (and impressed) by this bike. Rides like a fast, nimble mointain bike that somehow feels perfectly at home on pavement and dirt roads. Handsome did a really nice job!!👍
Admittedly I found the whole "knock-off" thing kinda hokey, and was expecting a lackluster ho-hum ride... So I built it up and took an obligatory ride, convinced I would immediately conclude that I would sell it. Well... I was pleasantly surprised (and impressed) by this bike. Rides like a fast, nimble mointain bike that somehow feels perfectly at home on pavement and dirt roads. Handsome did a really nice job!!👍
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#6948
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I don't think there was a different hybrid in the "Rock" family. When MTB's took off, Specialized (and, notably, Bridgestone) thought that the intermediate bike people would want was basically an MTB with a wide drop bar. Thus the RockCombo and Bridgestone XO series. But the popular hybrid turned out to be opposite - a road-ish bike with 700c wheels and flat handlebars. So between 1989 and 1990 Specialized killed the RockCombo and came out with the CrossRoads family.
Sadly not mine. Just a pic stolen off the internet.
Sadly not mine. Just a pic stolen off the internet.
#6949
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I don't think there was a different hybrid in the "Rock" family. When MTB's took off, Specialized (and, notably, Bridgestone) thought that the intermediate bike people would want was basically an MTB with a wide drop bar. Thus the RockCombo and Bridgestone XO series. But the popular hybrid turned out to be opposite - a road-ish bike with 700c wheels and flat handlebars. So between 1989 and 1990 Specialized killed the RockCombo and came out with the CrossRoads family.