Show Your Vintage MTB Drop Bar Conversions
06-19-20, 02:01 PM
#6751
Senior Member
That looks great!
Does anyone know if those late '80s Specialized MTB have a wide enough frame to take a modern 8/9/10-speed rear wheel? I saw a twin of that one (same size and color) on craigslist recently that tempted me but it had a 6-speed rear wheel and I figured I just wouldn't bother with it for that reason alone.
Does anyone know if those late '80s Specialized MTB have a wide enough frame to take a modern 8/9/10-speed rear wheel? I saw a twin of that one (same size and color) on craigslist recently that tempted me but it had a 6-speed rear wheel and I figured I just wouldn't bother with it for that reason alone.
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06-19-20, 08:02 PM
#6753
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Well I finally get to make a post on this thread after drooling for a few years. Picked up this Peugeot Europe Express today and honestly don't really need to change much at all. It looks 100% original and barely ridden. I will be putting on some rando or mustache bars but I'm considering just replacing the full cockpit so I don't mess with the original one in case I want to bring it back. Will probably do the same with the tires, they're also original and look like they've barely been ridden out of the shop. Reynolds 531 frame, Rigida wheels, Deore XT, and a Brooks Conquest All Terrain saddle that literally still has little plastic covers on the springs. Any suggestions on what to do? Plan is to get some racks on here and use it for touring / bikepacking.
Last edited by bieterman; 06-19-20 at 08:11 PM.
06-19-20, 09:36 PM
#6754
Bikes are okay, I guess.
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Well I finally get to make a post on this thread after drooling for a few years. Picked up this Peugeot Europe Express today and honestly don't really need to change much at all. It looks 100% original and barely ridden. I will be putting on some rando or mustache bars but I'm considering just replacing the full cockpit so I don't mess with the original one in case I want to bring it back. Will probably do the same with the tires, they're also original and look like they've barely been ridden out of the shop. Reynolds 531 frame, Rigida wheels, Deore XT, and a Brooks Conquest All Terrain saddle that literally still has little plastic covers on the springs. Any suggestions on what to do? Plan is to get some racks on here and use it for touring / bikepacking.
06-19-20, 10:07 PM
#6755
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Nice! They do not lace up - they are just plastic strips with a little "cereal box" clasp - one for each spring. I can't imagine they're meant to stay on there.
06-20-20, 05:32 AM
#6756
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We had a child seat way back when that had similar covers to go over the seat springs. They were not laced, just a "put tab A in slot B" arrangement. I have seen new Brooks saddles in the box, and they did not have any sort of cover on the springs.
06-20-20, 07:53 AM
#6757
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I’m going to post an honorary pic since it was a drop bar conversion for most of the last three years until I switched to swept bars so I can ride slower when I ride with my kids.
Otto
Last edited by ofajen; 06-20-20 at 07:57 AM.
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06-20-20, 11:02 AM
#6758
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'95 StumpJumper gravel bike
Stumbled on a '95 SJ M2 frameset (with headset) for cheap. Already had many of the parts--Deore crankset, Deore pedals, Soma Highway One bars, FSA CX brakes, Fizik Aliante saddle, Vittoria Randonneur Pro tires and tubes, bar stem,. cables and housing. Picked up an LX Parallax wheelset for $50, a set of barely used 3x8 Microshift brifters for $30, new Microshift FD ($10) and RD ($15), Tange Seiki 73x127 bb ($15), chain. The only "splurge" was a set of silver bb bolts with the red dustcaps for $10. I'm surprised how light the finished product is. Very quick and nimble. I like an aggressive set up, so the saddle/bar differential works for me.
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Don't complain about the weather and cower in fear. It's all good weather. Just different.
Don't complain about the weather and cower in fear. It's all good weather. Just different.
06-20-20, 03:07 PM
#6759
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That must be what these are. Interesting! That makes me feel better about taking them off. No babies here, just bikes.
06-20-20, 03:53 PM
#6760
Happy banana slug
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Stumbled on a '95 SJ M2 frameset (with headset) for cheap. Already had many of the parts--Deore crankset, Deore pedals, Soma Highway One bars, FSA CX brakes, Fizik Aliante saddle, Vittoria Randonneur Pro tires and tubes, bar stem,. cables and housing. Picked up an LX Parallax wheelset for $50, a set of barely used 3x8 Microshift brifters for $30, new Microshift FD ($10) and RD ($15), Tange Seiki 73x127 bb ($15), chain. The only "splurge" was a set of silver bb bolts with the red dustcaps for $10. I'm surprised how light the finished product is. Very quick and nimble. I like an aggressive set up, so the saddle/bar differential works for me.
06-22-20, 08:09 AM
#6761
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Yeah, they are great frames. This is my fourth. Back in the 80s I built up a Stumpjumper Sport that served as my tourer/commuter/car till I retired in in the mid 90s to buy an A1 (Aluminum) Rockhopper. Toured with that one as well. My elder son's present bike is a '91 Stumpjumper that I built for him (townie bars, Shimano dynohub, mix of shimano and Suntour components) and had powder coated a light blue. And now this '95 Very Red that I think I'll keep around for a bit. The stable is now nearly complete, as I'm toying with looking for a $250-$300 MTB. I've seen immaculate Rocky Mountain Elements, Scott Pros, etc. going in that price range.
v
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Don't complain about the weather and cower in fear. It's all good weather. Just different.
Don't complain about the weather and cower in fear. It's all good weather. Just different.
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06-22-20, 09:35 AM
#6762
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*Twin Cities MN must be heaven.
06-22-20, 09:51 AM
#6763
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They don't show up often, but with everyone "needing" 650b, 29, etc., etc., 26" MTBs are occasionally treated as if they were boat anchors. The hardtail Scott Pro that I just missed sold for $250. I've seen two RM Elements, full squish, for under $300.
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Don't complain about the weather and cower in fear. It's all good weather. Just different.
Don't complain about the weather and cower in fear. It's all good weather. Just different.
06-22-20, 10:05 AM
#6764
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I should clarify I'm in Canada so with the current exchange rate would be closer to $340-$400. Here's an example of what's available here; https://vancouver.craigslist.org/van...144829077.html
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07-02-20, 08:06 PM
#6766
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Finally got mine done.
1986 Schwinn High Sierra.
Bought it via FB Marketplace for $30. And trust me, it wasn't in good shape. The frame was a little rusted, but no physical damage.
So stripped down. Powder coated, and then carbon drop bars, Microshift R7/R8 groupset, and Shimano 105 crankset. Wheels borrowed from my other MTB and Bontrager Connection Trail tires.
I have the "After" Pic first, then the "Before" below it.
After
Before
1986 Schwinn High Sierra.
Bought it via FB Marketplace for $30. And trust me, it wasn't in good shape. The frame was a little rusted, but no physical damage.
So stripped down. Powder coated, and then carbon drop bars, Microshift R7/R8 groupset, and Shimano 105 crankset. Wheels borrowed from my other MTB and Bontrager Connection Trail tires.
I have the "After" Pic first, then the "Before" below it.
After
Before
Last edited by friday1970; 07-03-20 at 04:53 AM.
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07-02-20, 09:33 PM
#6767
small ring
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Finally got mine done.
1986 Schwinn High Sierra.
Bought it via FB Marketplace for $30. And trust, it wasn't in good shape.
So stripped down. Powder coated, and then carbon drop bars, Microshift R7/R8 groupset, and Shimano 105 crankset. Wheels borrowed from my other MTB and Bontrager Connection Trail tires.
1986 Schwinn High Sierra.
Bought it via FB Marketplace for $30. And trust, it wasn't in good shape.
So stripped down. Powder coated, and then carbon drop bars, Microshift R7/R8 groupset, and Shimano 105 crankset. Wheels borrowed from my other MTB and Bontrager Connection Trail tires.
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59 Allegro Special -- 72 Bob Jackson -- 74 Motobecane Grand Jubile -- 74 Sekine SHS 271 -- 80 Nishiki International
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59 Allegro Special -- 72 Bob Jackson -- 74 Motobecane Grand Jubile -- 74 Sekine SHS 271 -- 80 Nishiki International
85 Shogun 800 -- 86 Tommasini Super Prestige -- 92 Specialized Rockhopper -- 17 Colnago Arabesque
07-03-20, 07:58 AM
#6768
Senior Member
I am messing around with an 88 Trek 800 and it looks like a great candidate for a conversion project. Digging through my pile of bars, I cannot find any drops that will work with this stem. It isn’t a matter of diameter, I can’t seem to get them situated properly to “make the corner”. The area where the pinch bolt is too wide to accommodate the bars, are some stems just not compatible with drop bars?
07-03-20, 09:13 AM
#6769
Bikes are okay, I guess.
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I am messing around with an 88 Trek 800 and it looks like a great candidate for a conversion project. Digging through my pile of bars, I cannot find any drops that will work with this stem. It isn’t a matter of diameter, I can’t seem to get them situated properly to “make the corner”. The area where the pinch bolt is too wide to accommodate the bars, are some stems just not compatible with drop bars?
07-03-20, 12:42 PM
#6770
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I am messing around with an 88 Trek 800 and it looks like a great candidate for a conversion project. Digging through my pile of bars, I cannot find any drops that will work with this stem. It isn’t a matter of diameter, I can’t seem to get them situated properly to “make the corner”. The area where the pinch bolt is too wide to accommodate the bars, are some stems just not compatible with drop bars?
Cheers
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07-04-20, 06:07 PM
#6771
Banned.
Not MY conversion but the one owner before me... I’m not sure I like it yet, I’ve got some fiddling to do with it to get it just right but always wanted a 90’s Stumpy, and I think this is a ‘90 or ‘91. I added a vintage Blackburn rack for a bag for the family, and I love those Sim Works/Panaracer Homage tires. Got it cheap too.... it also came with ALL the original components.
Voo
Voo
07-04-20, 06:08 PM
#6772
Banned.
Finally got mine done.
1986 Schwinn High Sierra.
Bought it via FB Marketplace for $30. And trust me, it wasn't in good shape. The frame was a little rusted, but no physical damage.
So stripped down. Powder coated, and then carbon drop bars, Microshift R7/R8 groupset, and Shimano 105 crankset. Wheels borrowed from my other MTB and Bontrager Connection Trail tires.
I have the "After" Pic first, then the "Before" below it.
1986 Schwinn High Sierra.
Bought it via FB Marketplace for $30. And trust me, it wasn't in good shape. The frame was a little rusted, but no physical damage.
So stripped down. Powder coated, and then carbon drop bars, Microshift R7/R8 groupset, and Shimano 105 crankset. Wheels borrowed from my other MTB and Bontrager Connection Trail tires.
I have the "After" Pic first, then the "Before" below it.
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07-04-20, 07:22 PM
#6773
Senior Member
Correct. When the stem's clamp area is viewed from the front a V shape is more likely to let you work the curve of the bar past the clamp while parallel vertical edges of the clamp will probably prevent that. I have filed/ground a clamp and successfully worked the bars past but would not do that on someone else's bike. I figure I can endanger myself as much as I dare.
07-06-20, 10:21 AM
#6774
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