ScruffyChimp

Thanks. I kept the original stem. The bars were North Road ones that I added to the frame when I got it, so the "before" picture isn't quite accurate.

vik 

Here is my fat tire tourer.https://www.flickr.com/photos/vikappr...7610461277546/

George

Karloman

Here is a dark green Rockhopper that I believe is from 1994 according to catalogs on a german site.
Having bought it off a bidding site, when I collected it I thought "Bugger it's too big". But as it felt so light to me I thought I would try and swap the stem for another with 80mm lenght and 35° rise.
And then, Bang, revelation. Suddenly I discovered that a slightly longer frame than what is usually advised for someone 172cm tall (59cm effective top tube) and a short reach stem were the ideal combination for me. I've always been looking for comfort and a light and lively steering on my bikes but never really getting what I wanted prior to this bike.
Apart from that, the frame of this mid level bike has awesome qualities. When I ride it I feel just like when I'm wearing my favourite shoes, you know like if it's a natural extension of my body.
I call it my off-road randonneuse. It takes me absolutely everywhere being as good on tarmac as on paths. Pure joy !
Modifications are :
-80mm lenght and 35° rise stem (ITM)
-600 mm and 25mm rise handlebar (noname)
-Kenda 1,75" fast rolling tires
-Zefal fenders (not as tough as SKS but lighter)

Weight is 13 kilos

Chriffer

Salsa El Mariachi with racks fenders and a handlebar bag that needs a bit of tweaking still.

delver

KHS Expedition. I found the frame in a pile of junk. The fenders are able to take some really big knoby tires, but I like these(serfas drifters). I can clear some fairly rough trails on this bike.
This is a lot like the first MTB I started on, a Peugeot Meteor mountain, back in the 90's, so its easy to ride on trail, and better on the road than my Gary Fisher.


My touring kit wieghs about 14 lbs, 18 to twenty with food and fuel. It all goes into two small drybags on top of the rear rack.

Made this bag thing for a trip I took last year. Things go into smaller drybags for protection and organization. Lots of hand positions here, and the aero bar actualy get used on pavement.



The rope is for my tarp settup, but it comes in handy sometimes in the ozark moutains. I started keeping it out after the ice storm that brought down a lot of trees and destroyed a lot of trails around here.



If anyone knows anything about the KHS Expedition please let me know.


pedals change depending on what I am doing. Generaly I ride in old teva sandals. A new BB and crank is in the works.

onnestabe

I like the aero bar net. Seems like a good place to put things that you want to keep close at hand - snacks, camera, etc.

delver

[ like the aero bar net. Seems like a good place to put things that you want to keep close at hand - snacks, camera, etc.[/QUOTE]

It may not be as good as a regular bag, but I really wanted a way to get down in a headwind. The wind gods hate me. Things that this bag has carried all at one time, sunscreen, bugspray, spoon, rainshell, camera, ice cream, chamios cream, asprin, lighter/matches, dry socks, cell phone, bandanas, bannana, cold weather gloves, batteries, tons of change, first aid kit, various wrenches and bungee cords found on roadside, maps, and gatorade mix. Oh and my wallet clipped to the mesh. To think that when I first made it I thought, hey cool, I can see the ground right in front of my tire

The ice cream did not last very long.

rainking63

Just out for a shakedown ride the other day, added a couple more bottle cages, and ready for my Memorial Day weekend trip.

rodar y rodar

Yeah, +1. Good idea. No shortage of hand positions on that puppy, eh?

rodar y rodar

Karloman, that`s a nice Rockhopper. How do you handle the luggage situation?

adaminlc

Vic,

How do you like the Pugsley for touring? I've been jonesing after one for a while. Does the weight shift around when you are on a hard surface with the low psi? How about the rolling resistance?

10 Wheels

Gordon P

Considering all the interest in Mtb trekking bikes, it would be great if this thread was made a sticky. I find all of the information presented here very informative and inspiring. Many of these bikes definitely fall into the “Franken Bike” category and I am assuming that a lot of thought and trial and error has gone into building them. Good job!

AsanaCycles

Hunter 29er

https://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.ph...67#post5168467

not really a "convert"
but actually intentional

DVC45

locky63red

Here is my GT Aggressor which I bought cheap to use as a hack to commute to work on.
After riding it for a while, I liked it .
Looking at the GT rear triangle with the overlaping triangles making it very strong I thought why not make it into my tourer.
Put some front racks on. I already had rear racks on for commuting.
I like Continental "Town and Country" tires good flotation on the rough stuff Pump them up for good speed on the bitumen.
Has been great tourer. I have just put a Brooks on it and have a four week tour planned for October.
I like going off the beaten track so the MTB conversion makes sense to me.
Jeff
Port Lincoln

fks

Here is my MTB Tourer that I used for a 5 week tour of the souhtern half of the South Island NZ

DukeArcher 

Sweet, a Rockhopper?

fks

Specialized Hardrock Comp 1999 Frame, Tange Forks
Shimano XTR 36 h hubs
Shimano XT Cranks and ES71 BB
Magura HS33 Brakes
Shimano XT R Der
Shimano LX F Der
Dura Ace Bar End Shifters with Paul Comp Thumbies
Tubus Racks: Cargo Rear, Tara Front
FSA Orbit XLII Headset (1 1/8 inch)
Profile Stem
Truvativ Bars
Profile Bar ends
Brooks Team Pro Saddle

Great Bike for rough roads and good on the Bitumen

mtnbiktn

10 Wheels slid a road bike in here. Looks good too.

MTBMaven

Not really converted I guess.

delver

Not really converted I guess.


Looks pretty cool to me, I like the no rack look. What kind of seat bag is that?

MTBMaven

It's from Carousel Design Works. It is the large saddle bag. There is a decent wait time but the craftsmanship is excellent. I use it frequently for long rides when I need to carry a lot of gear.

rodar y rodar

Maven, that second pic looks really familiar. Did you have it posted on bikepacking? I looked but if I ever saw it there I don`t see it tonight.