Show Your Vintage MTB Drop Bar Conversions
01-28-15, 09:37 PM
#3751
Thrifty Bill
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88 Rockhopper Comp in that condition for $60 is a very nice find. That era Deore is quite nice too.
Turned out great.
Turned out great.
01-29-15, 02:16 AM
#3752
Senior Member
Thanks! It's got the 6 speed Uniglide on the rear. I've learned that the cogs can be flipped when one side wears down. Thought that was sort of interesting. I like the Soma "Portola" handlebars that I have on my Trek 820 better than the "Midges". The Midges are only 1" wider, but shaped slightly differently. Only challenge is that the Portola bars require a 26" clamp and the only quill stems that I find that are the dirt drop style are Nitto by Rivendell. Kalloy and others are 25.4 clamp sizes. I guess I could try for a quill with a face plate, but haven't found one I love.
01-29-15, 09:38 AM
#3753
Senior Member
Thanks! It's got the 6 speed Uniglide on the rear. I've learned that the cogs can be flipped when one side wears down. Thought that was sort of interesting. I like the Soma "Portola" handlebars that I have on my Trek 820 better than the "Midges". The Midges are only 1" wider, but shaped slightly differently. Only challenge is that the Portola bars require a 26" clamp and the only quill stems that I find that are the dirt drop style are Nitto by Rivendell. Kalloy and others are 25.4 clamp sizes. I guess I could try for a quill with a face plate, but haven't found one I love.
01-29-15, 09:46 AM
#3754
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Awesome. I'm putting this one in the inspiration pile.
01-29-15, 12:32 PM
#3755
Senior Member
V.V. - how do you like the bar cons on the midge bars? I got my midge bars to better accomodate 9 spd STI levers and the angle of the bars makes shifting much easier than on standard drop bars for me. That being said I am partial to bar cons and have them on my other touring bikes. Just curious if you find the extra width of the midge bars make them less handy.
Great looking bike BTW!
Great looking bike BTW!
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Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride - JFK
Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride - JFK
01-29-15, 12:41 PM
#3756
Senior Member
V.V. - how do you like the bar cons on the midge bars? I got my midge bars to better accomodate 9 spd STI levers and the angle of the bars makes shifting much easier than on standard drop bars for me. That being said I am partial to bar cons and have them on my other touring bikes. Just curious if you find the extra width of the midge bars make them less handy.
Great looking bike BTW!
Great looking bike BTW!
I have a pair of SunTour 7 speed Indexed "Bar-Cons" (the black ones) which I would love to put on a SunTour drivetrain bike. Just waiting for the right one.
01-30-15, 07:02 AM
#3758
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Thanks for the comment also.
01-30-15, 08:31 AM
#3759
Full Member
I'm very happy to finally have something to offer in this thread. It's been slow going, with life getting in the way of playing with bikes!
Got a mock-up done, finally, and the fit on this cold-set 1988 MB-2 with drops works great for me. I may not even need a dirt drop to get the bars where I want them. A 60mm SR road quill gets them pretty close, but we'll see. Probably won't run the Vueltas-- just put them on for mock-up since they are the only 26's I have right now with rubber on them. This one came to me from a friend as a bare frame and mismatched fork. Nice that the fork is lugged, but the keyway needs to be milled a bit, and then cut to length. I had to chase the threads further down the steer tube. I think it must've come from a much bigger frame. It's stupid long, which is better than being too short! I think I like the looks better than the original unicrown. My great LBS guy sold me a wheel's worth of Dia Compe 986's, so I just need to find some cantis for the rear. Plan is to build it up, ride and work out the kinks, then tear it down for PC. Paint is a hot mess.
This is one of the more inspiring threads in C&V, and I've really enjoyed all the creativity and cool builds here. Notice my Park CS-1 cold set tool leaning against the wall. Snagged it off eBay.
Got a mock-up done, finally, and the fit on this cold-set 1988 MB-2 with drops works great for me. I may not even need a dirt drop to get the bars where I want them. A 60mm SR road quill gets them pretty close, but we'll see. Probably won't run the Vueltas-- just put them on for mock-up since they are the only 26's I have right now with rubber on them. This one came to me from a friend as a bare frame and mismatched fork. Nice that the fork is lugged, but the keyway needs to be milled a bit, and then cut to length. I had to chase the threads further down the steer tube. I think it must've come from a much bigger frame. It's stupid long, which is better than being too short! I think I like the looks better than the original unicrown. My great LBS guy sold me a wheel's worth of Dia Compe 986's, so I just need to find some cantis for the rear. Plan is to build it up, ride and work out the kinks, then tear it down for PC. Paint is a hot mess.
This is one of the more inspiring threads in C&V, and I've really enjoyed all the creativity and cool builds here. Notice my Park CS-1 cold set tool leaning against the wall. Snagged it off eBay.
01-30-15, 11:39 AM
#3760
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I'm very happy to finally have something to offer in this thread. It's been slow going, with life getting in the way of playing with bikes!
Got a mock-up done, finally, and the fit on this cold-set 1988 MB-2 with drops works great for me. I may not even need a dirt drop to get the bars where I want them. A 60mm SR road quill gets them pretty close, but we'll see. Probably won't run the Vueltas-- just put them on for mock-up since they are the only 26's I have right now with rubber on them. This one came to me from a friend as a bare frame and mismatched fork. Nice that the fork is lugged, but the keyway needs to be milled a bit, and then cut to length. I had to chase the threads further down the steer tube. I think it must've come from a much bigger frame. It's stupid long, which is better than being too short! I think I like the looks better than the original unicrown. My great LBS guy sold me a wheel's worth of Dia Compe 986's, so I just need to find some cantis for the rear. Plan is to build it up, ride and work out the kinks, then tear it down for PC. Paint is a hot mess.
This is one of the more inspiring threads in C&V, and I've really enjoyed all the creativity and cool builds here. Notice my Park CS-1 cold set tool leaning against the wall. Snagged it off eBay.
Got a mock-up done, finally, and the fit on this cold-set 1988 MB-2 with drops works great for me. I may not even need a dirt drop to get the bars where I want them. A 60mm SR road quill gets them pretty close, but we'll see. Probably won't run the Vueltas-- just put them on for mock-up since they are the only 26's I have right now with rubber on them. This one came to me from a friend as a bare frame and mismatched fork. Nice that the fork is lugged, but the keyway needs to be milled a bit, and then cut to length. I had to chase the threads further down the steer tube. I think it must've come from a much bigger frame. It's stupid long, which is better than being too short! I think I like the looks better than the original unicrown. My great LBS guy sold me a wheel's worth of Dia Compe 986's, so I just need to find some cantis for the rear. Plan is to build it up, ride and work out the kinks, then tear it down for PC. Paint is a hot mess.
This is one of the more inspiring threads in C&V, and I've really enjoyed all the creativity and cool builds here. Notice my Park CS-1 cold set tool leaning against the wall. Snagged it off eBay.
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1 Super Record bike, 1 Nuovo Record bike, 1 Pista, 1 Road, 1 Cyclocross/Allrounder, 1 MTB, 1 Touring, 1 Fixed gear
1 Super Record bike, 1 Nuovo Record bike, 1 Pista, 1 Road, 1 Cyclocross/Allrounder, 1 MTB, 1 Touring, 1 Fixed gear
01-30-15, 01:26 PM
#3761
tantum vehi
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I am attempting to procure an MB-1 from a colleague who doesn't want to ride it, perfect candidate for a drop conversion...
01-30-15, 05:00 PM
#3762
Senior Member
very nice, I have ab 89 Rockhopper Comp. I bought it new for a lot more than $60, more like $599 retail in 1989.
01-30-15, 07:26 PM
#3763
Senior Member
I spent some time researching last night and this seems to be the common theme for MTB drop conversions given the different frame geometry. Just need to take some measurements before swapping and try to find close approximations for drops, swap stem if needed, then begin the process of refining position.
I am attempting to procure an MB-1 from a colleague who doesn't want to ride it, perfect candidate for a drop conversion...
I am attempting to procure an MB-1 from a colleague who doesn't want to ride it, perfect candidate for a drop conversion...
02-02-15, 01:06 PM
#3764
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After converting the Rockhopper with Midge bars, I'm hooked.
I recently got my Raleigh MTi 1000 down to 20.5 lbs, but it wasn't as fun of a ride as my Rockhopper. I bought another set of Midge bars and will try my hand at a lightweight Ti build with drop bars.
I'm using the Gevenalle (formerly Retroshift) CX shifters on my Rockhopper, but they don't allow shifting in the drops, which is my primary position. The Rockhopper also has cantilever brakes, which are adequate, but when I installed a set of light modern wheels, the Raleigh was converted to disc. I looked, but I can't seem to find a set of hydraulic road levers to replace the mountain levers, so I'm going to try out a set of TRP HD/RD calipers.
I've already installed a 1x10 drivetrain for the Raleigh, but I might not be able to use the XTR M980 shifter and possible the XT rear derailleur with the drop bar. For shifters, I have the following choices:
1) Right 10 spd STI with a 8 or 9 spd rear derailleur to go along with an XT 10 spd cassette (11-36)
2) Try to mount a single Suntour Thumb shifter near the brake lever and go friction (whichever derailleur)
3) Try to adapt and mount the 10 spd XTR M980 shifter on the drop bar, and have it usable in the drops
This past weekend, I tinkered around with a single Suntour Thumb shifter and an adjustable stem to see if I can dial in the handlebar height / position / angle. Here is the result:
I mounted the shifter above the brake lever and have been playing around with it to see if I can actually shift from the drops. I pretty much got it, so here are a few pictures of me shifting.
I recently got my Raleigh MTi 1000 down to 20.5 lbs, but it wasn't as fun of a ride as my Rockhopper. I bought another set of Midge bars and will try my hand at a lightweight Ti build with drop bars.
I'm using the Gevenalle (formerly Retroshift) CX shifters on my Rockhopper, but they don't allow shifting in the drops, which is my primary position. The Rockhopper also has cantilever brakes, which are adequate, but when I installed a set of light modern wheels, the Raleigh was converted to disc. I looked, but I can't seem to find a set of hydraulic road levers to replace the mountain levers, so I'm going to try out a set of TRP HD/RD calipers.
I've already installed a 1x10 drivetrain for the Raleigh, but I might not be able to use the XTR M980 shifter and possible the XT rear derailleur with the drop bar. For shifters, I have the following choices:
1) Right 10 spd STI with a 8 or 9 spd rear derailleur to go along with an XT 10 spd cassette (11-36)
2) Try to mount a single Suntour Thumb shifter near the brake lever and go friction (whichever derailleur)
3) Try to adapt and mount the 10 spd XTR M980 shifter on the drop bar, and have it usable in the drops
This past weekend, I tinkered around with a single Suntour Thumb shifter and an adjustable stem to see if I can dial in the handlebar height / position / angle. Here is the result:
I mounted the shifter above the brake lever and have been playing around with it to see if I can actually shift from the drops. I pretty much got it, so here are a few pictures of me shifting.
02-02-15, 01:25 PM
#3765
Senior Member
After converting the Rockhopper with Midge bars, I'm hooked.
I recently got my Raleigh MTi 1000 down to 20.5 lbs, but it wasn't as fun of a ride as my Rockhopper. I bought another set of Midge bars and will try my hand at a lightweight Ti build with drop bars.
I'm using the Gevenalle (formerly Retroshift) CX shifters on my Rockhopper, but they don't allow shifting in the drops, which is my primary position. The Rockhopper also has cantilever brakes, which are adequate, but when I installed a set of light modern wheels, the Raleigh was converted to disc. I looked, but I can't seem to find a set of hydraulic road levers to replace the mountain levers, so I'm going to try out a set of TRP HD/RD calipers.
I've already installed a 1x10 drivetrain for the Raleigh, but I might not be able to use the XTR M980 shifter and possible the XT rear derailleur with the drop bar. For shifters, I have the following choices:
1) Right 10 spd STI with a 8 or 9 spd rear derailleur to go along with an XT 10 spd cassette (11-36)
2) Try to mount a single Suntour Thumb shifter near the brake lever and go friction (whichever derailleur)
3) Try to adapt and mount the 10 spd XTR M980 shifter on the drop bar, and have it usable in the drops
This past weekend, I tinkered around with a single Suntour Thumb shifter and an adjustable stem to see if I can dial in the handlebar height / position / angle. Here is the result:
I mounted the shifter above the brake lever and have been playing around with it to see if I can actually shift from the drops. I pretty much got it, so here are a few pictures of me shifting.
I recently got my Raleigh MTi 1000 down to 20.5 lbs, but it wasn't as fun of a ride as my Rockhopper. I bought another set of Midge bars and will try my hand at a lightweight Ti build with drop bars.
I'm using the Gevenalle (formerly Retroshift) CX shifters on my Rockhopper, but they don't allow shifting in the drops, which is my primary position. The Rockhopper also has cantilever brakes, which are adequate, but when I installed a set of light modern wheels, the Raleigh was converted to disc. I looked, but I can't seem to find a set of hydraulic road levers to replace the mountain levers, so I'm going to try out a set of TRP HD/RD calipers.
I've already installed a 1x10 drivetrain for the Raleigh, but I might not be able to use the XTR M980 shifter and possible the XT rear derailleur with the drop bar. For shifters, I have the following choices:
1) Right 10 spd STI with a 8 or 9 spd rear derailleur to go along with an XT 10 spd cassette (11-36)
2) Try to mount a single Suntour Thumb shifter near the brake lever and go friction (whichever derailleur)
3) Try to adapt and mount the 10 spd XTR M980 shifter on the drop bar, and have it usable in the drops
This past weekend, I tinkered around with a single Suntour Thumb shifter and an adjustable stem to see if I can dial in the handlebar height / position / angle. Here is the result:
I mounted the shifter above the brake lever and have been playing around with it to see if I can actually shift from the drops. I pretty much got it, so here are a few pictures of me shifting.
02-02-15, 02:02 PM
#3766
Senior Member
02-02-15, 02:20 PM
#3767
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An update on my 91 Rockhopper:
I got far enough to mock-up the conversion. I'm using an adjustable stem to figure out postioning. I thought I was going to have to spring for a pair of modern, aero brake levers but then I remembered my single speed which hasn't been used in a longgggg time. I'm going to steal the brake levers and cable housing off that bike so I can move forward with this project!
I got far enough to mock-up the conversion. I'm using an adjustable stem to figure out postioning. I thought I was going to have to spring for a pair of modern, aero brake levers but then I remembered my single speed which hasn't been used in a longgggg time. I'm going to steal the brake levers and cable housing off that bike so I can move forward with this project!
Last edited by Crawford53; 02-02-15 at 02:22 PM. Reason: photo illiterate
02-03-15, 01:04 PM
#3768
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I like the Midge bars. This is my 2nd set. My first set is on my early 90's Rockhopper. Climbing feels so much better with drop bars. Coming down is actually fun, even on a full rigid steel bike.
02-03-15, 09:48 PM
#3769
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Totally jealous. 1988 was the year I bought my first bike, an '88 Hard Rock. I looked long and hard at the Rockhopper, but couldn't afford it in 8th grade. I specifically remember seeing the Rock Combo on the rack as well. These colors are the first bike colors seared into my brain - the first bikes I wanted. I was in and out of our LBS drooling over bikes. It's probably when the bug first started to bite.
02-03-15, 11:17 PM
#3770
Senior Member
@mountaindave - cool to hear about how you liked this model. I have a 93 Hard Rock Ultra with the "fade" paint, which I find I'm attracted to, but my understanding is that the Rockhopper frame was somehow better. This bike gets more fun to ride with each ride it seems, and it's a good size for me. I feel fortunate that the man sold it to me for so little, but must admit it had been neglected - it wouldn't shift & barely braked because the cables were stuck inside the housings. 
Anyway, thanks!
Anyway, thanks!
02-06-15, 04:34 AM
#3772
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That is a beautiful bike. The name seems to fit.
Please tell us about the build and how you use it.
Thanks
Please tell us about the build and how you use it.
Thanks
