At what point does this look not ok?
05-08-24, 04:50 AM
#26
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Maybe a 650b conversion?
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05-08-24, 08:01 AM
#27
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Apparently, despite the huge range of handlebar styles which have been and still are used on bicycles worldwide, a certain vocal minority has decided that "real" bikes have drop bars.
Let's not laugh at them. They cannot help it, and maybe in time their minds might open enough to see a bit more of the world.
Pedal on, however it works for you.
Let's not laugh at them. They cannot help it, and maybe in time their minds might open enough to see a bit more of the world.
Pedal on, however it works for you.
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05-08-24, 08:14 AM
#28
Sr Member on Sr bikes
Be bold. Be innovative. Do what you wanna do. How do you think mountain bikes, gravel bikes, and other non-road/street bikes came about to begin with?
https://www.bicycle-and-bikes.com/hi...mountain-bike/
Dan
https://www.bicycle-and-bikes.com/hi...mountain-bike/
Dan
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05-08-24, 08:45 AM
#29
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Before jumping into 'gravel' with a dedicated bike, I decided to try to 'convert' an older (2005) Spec Roubaix. The 'convert' was essentially CX tires and a freewheel that would work with the current setup. 2x9 50-34, so a 30 fit (Mid RD...)
Turned out the widest I could put on the rear was a 30mm CX tire ... Tried it for a few weeks and although quite fun, The ride was a bit 'harsh', at 145 lbs I had to run the tires at 65 frt 70 rr psi...
The 34-30 was ok, until I hit deep,loose uphills (very deep and Loose). So I had to stay on tracks which were basically fireroads, no light single track...
The Los Padres back country is much used by Horse traffic, which just chew up uphills into bumpy sand pits....
You can get some inexpensive CX tires, once you measure your 'tight spots on the frame (chainstays, fork width AND space under the crown, ACH ).
Since it's rim brake another consideration is the spread on the calipers - if you go with new wheels and/or wider tires, will you be able to get the needed width for whatever wheel/tire combo you decide? Turns out I would have had to deflate a 32mm CX tire to get it past the brake calipers and the BB/downtube area... sure, could have worked... and then inflate again when wheel is set into the dropouts...
... it's complicated... but some like doing it and enjoy riding their old gaspipe (or lawnchair)...
as for gearing, that's another big consideration...
Ride On
Yuri
Turned out the widest I could put on the rear was a 30mm CX tire ... Tried it for a few weeks and although quite fun, The ride was a bit 'harsh', at 145 lbs I had to run the tires at 65 frt 70 rr psi...
The 34-30 was ok, until I hit deep,loose uphills (very deep and Loose). So I had to stay on tracks which were basically fireroads, no light single track...
The Los Padres back country is much used by Horse traffic, which just chew up uphills into bumpy sand pits....
You can get some inexpensive CX tires, once you measure your 'tight spots on the frame (chainstays, fork width AND space under the crown, ACH ).
Since it's rim brake another consideration is the spread on the calipers - if you go with new wheels and/or wider tires, will you be able to get the needed width for whatever wheel/tire combo you decide? Turns out I would have had to deflate a 32mm CX tire to get it past the brake calipers and the BB/downtube area... sure, could have worked... and then inflate again when wheel is set into the dropouts...
... it's complicated... but some like doing it and enjoy riding their old gaspipe (or lawnchair)...
as for gearing, that's another big consideration...
Ride On
Yuri
Last edited by cyclezen; 05-08-24 at 08:48 AM.
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05-08-24, 09:10 AM
#32
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As others have said, tire clearance could be an issue. Not mentioned yet is frame geometry. If the bike has aggressive twitchy handling, gravel and cyclocross riding could be very challenging. My gravel bike has much stabler handling than my road bike
05-08-24, 09:13 AM
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Build your Gravel Bike slowly. Its more fun. Often building a Gravel Bike out of a favored steel frame is just a matter of tires. After checking your clearance and brake set you change out your tires. Then, AFTER RIDING, you consider your next step and adjustments like raising your bars up a bit and maybe your seat down a little. You might decide to change out the type of shoes you wear and the pedals. And then of course your drive train too. Long Cage Derailleur, Bail Out Cog, Different Crank, maybe even a seat!
The joy of doing all this is that it is, your bike, your ride, and a good looking steel frame thats close to your heart. Everyone should have their own non-ready made, non-store bought, gravel beater...
The joy of doing all this is that it is, your bike, your ride, and a good looking steel frame thats close to your heart. Everyone should have their own non-ready made, non-store bought, gravel beater...
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No matter where you're at... There you are... Δf:=f(1/2)-f(-1/2)
No matter where you're at... There you are... Δf:=f(1/2)-f(-1/2)Last edited by zandoval; 05-08-24 at 09:18 AM.
05-08-24, 09:31 AM
#34
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I am a real promoter of Continental Ride Tour style tires. But I have a set of Kenda 184s on my old Peugeot P6 with 27x1¼ rims and they have been great. If you have the clearance they certainly would be worth a try on your old wheel set. And they wont break the bank. I dont know how they fair on 700c though.
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No matter where you're at... There you are... Δf:=f(1/2)-f(-1/2)
No matter where you're at... There you are... Δf:=f(1/2)-f(-1/2)Last edited by zandoval; 05-08-24 at 09:34 AM.
05-08-24, 11:12 AM
#35
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got the makings of a great signature line quote
05-08-24, 05:17 PM
#36
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Hey, I know just where that was taken. Stonebrook Drive in Los Altos Hills. I took a photo there this year, too:
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Ride, Rest, Repeat. ROUVY: terrymorse
Ride, Rest, Repeat. ROUVY: terrymorse
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05-08-24, 07:46 PM
#37
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Aren't you worried about getting mugged when stopping to take a photo in a region plagued with such grinding poverty?
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05-09-24, 05:25 AM
#38
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They've already mugged him, just stealthy and more or less legal.
05-09-24, 05:51 PM
#39
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Ride, Rest, Repeat. ROUVY: terrymorse
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05-09-24, 07:38 PM
#40
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There is no accounting for taste.
