Show Your Vintage MTB Drop Bar Conversions
11-15-20, 10:52 AM
#6926
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Love all the builds, inspired me to build a conversion. Will post soon. List of bikes I will be doing conversions on:
Diamond Back Topanga (completed)
Scott Tampico
Head 610
GT Tequesta
Montague/BMW folding mtb
Diamond Back Topanga (completed)
Scott Tampico
Head 610
GT Tequesta
Montague/BMW folding mtb
11-15-20, 12:58 PM
#6927
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Location: Normal, Illinois
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Bikes: Trek 600 ,1980Raleigh Competition G.S., 1986 Schwinn Passage, Facet Biotour 2000, Falcon San Remo 531,Schwinn Sierra, Sun Seeker tricycle recumbent,1985 Bianchi Squadra
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Panasonic MC2500 that I made into a 26"tourer to replace my Trek 950 I donated to the local co-op.
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11-15-20, 01:01 PM
#6928
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I have yet to add racks and fenders, BTW.. I wait until i have all the gears and accessories working well, and I'm still doing some shakedown cruises.
11-19-20, 03:17 PM
#6929
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greetings from Philadelphia!
here’s the current iteration of my commuter/all ‘rounder/do it all machine
started out as just a nashbar 3000x frame (straight gauge tank weight tubing) i got off craigslist, caniblized the fork from my cannondale alpine series. fenders off a cheap beach cruiser at the dump (custom road side couch “leather” mud flap), mismatched wheels and tires as my front got stolen at one point, girvin-esque “flex stem” with a single thumbie mounted on it (1x7), good size crane brass bell, origin8 gary bars with vintage mafac levers (mafac whenever possible) most other bits aren’t anything special and came out of the parts bin at the co op
75E3B3A7-6B3F-491F-BA61-6EA5B8FF66A3 by kyle cotter, on Flickr
here’s the current iteration of my commuter/all ‘rounder/do it all machine
started out as just a nashbar 3000x frame (straight gauge tank weight tubing) i got off craigslist, caniblized the fork from my cannondale alpine series. fenders off a cheap beach cruiser at the dump (custom road side couch “leather” mud flap), mismatched wheels and tires as my front got stolen at one point, girvin-esque “flex stem” with a single thumbie mounted on it (1x7), good size crane brass bell, origin8 gary bars with vintage mafac levers (mafac whenever possible) most other bits aren’t anything special and came out of the parts bin at the co op
75E3B3A7-6B3F-491F-BA61-6EA5B8FF66A3 by kyle cotter, on Flickr
Last edited by 10speedterror; 11-19-20 at 03:40 PM.
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11-20-20, 02:02 PM
#6930
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Originally Posted by 10speedterror
greetings from Philadelphia!
here’s the current iteration of my commuter/all ‘rounder/do it all machine
started out as just a nashbar 3000x frame (straight gauge tank weight tubing) i got off craigslist, caniblized the fork from my cannondale alpine series. fenders off a cheap beach cruiser at the dump (custom road side couch “leather” mud flap), mismatched wheels and tires as my front got stolen at one point, girvin-esque “flex stem” with a single thumbie mounted on it (1x7), good size crane brass bell, origin8 gary bars with vintage mafac levers (mafac whenever possible) most other bits aren’t anything special and came out of the parts bin at the co op
75E3B3A7-6B3F-491F-BA61-6EA5B8FF66A3 by kyle cotter, on Flickr
here’s the current iteration of my commuter/all ‘rounder/do it all machine
started out as just a nashbar 3000x frame (straight gauge tank weight tubing) i got off craigslist, caniblized the fork from my cannondale alpine series. fenders off a cheap beach cruiser at the dump (custom road side couch “leather” mud flap), mismatched wheels and tires as my front got stolen at one point, girvin-esque “flex stem” with a single thumbie mounted on it (1x7), good size crane brass bell, origin8 gary bars with vintage mafac levers (mafac whenever possible) most other bits aren’t anything special and came out of the parts bin at the co op
75E3B3A7-6B3F-491F-BA61-6EA5B8FF66A3 by kyle cotter, on Flickr
How does that 1x7 work out for you with this being a commuter and something you would possibly load up heavy? I have no idea what the terrain is like in Philly,
11-20-20, 04:12 PM
#6931
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Originally Posted by tricky
Love this workhorse build. I am geeking out on that flex stem and now I want one. Another thing to add to the "look out for at the co-op" list.
How does that 1x7 work out for you with this being a commuter and something you would possibly load up heavy? I have no idea what the terrain is like in Philly,
How does that 1x7 work out for you with this being a commuter and something you would possibly load up heavy? I have no idea what the terrain is like in Philly,
the 1x7 is great for me! i’m not trying to get anywhere too fast, it’s a 42 upfront and a fairly standard freewheel in the back. For whatever reason i feel the need to bring about 40 pounds of stuff with me to work and have no issues pushing it all up the hills on my commute
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11-22-20, 12:41 PM
#6932
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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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11-22-20, 01:33 PM
#6933
Senior Member
Originally Posted by squarenoise
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
11-22-20, 04:20 PM
#6934
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Originally Posted by squarenoise
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
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11-22-20, 06:45 PM
#6935
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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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11-29-20, 11:09 AM
#6937
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Originally Posted by Dudley789
I was thinking of using a vintage road bike as a rail to trail runner next summer but this thread has me questioning everything. 😁
11-29-20, 03:24 PM
#6938
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.
11-29-20, 07:03 PM
#6939
Senior Member
Originally Posted by squarenoise
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).
11-29-20, 07:46 PM
#6940
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Originally Posted by lneves
11-30-20, 07:25 AM
#6941
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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.
11-30-20, 10:39 AM
#6943
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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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12-03-20, 10:55 PM
#6944
You gonna eat that?
Originally Posted by Doohickie
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)
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I stop for people / whose right of way I honor / but not for no one.
Originally Posted by bragi 
"However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
I stop for people / whose right of way I honor / but not for no one.
Originally Posted by bragi "However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
12-04-20, 02:41 PM
#6945
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Originally Posted by Dudley789
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.
12-06-20, 10:37 PM
#6946
You gonna eat that?
45 miles today on my conversion. 35mm tires give it a smooth ride.
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I stop for people / whose right of way I honor / but not for no one.
Originally Posted by bragi "However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
I stop for people / whose right of way I honor / but not for no one.
Originally Posted by bragi "However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
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12-14-20, 10:41 AM
#6947
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'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.
12-14-20, 10:45 AM
#6948
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Originally Posted by montclairbobbyb
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.
12-14-20, 10:51 AM
#6949
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Originally Posted by AeroGut
That's pretty much the bike they sold under the name "RockCombo": I like "Roadhopper" better.
12-14-20, 10:59 AM
#6950
Mr. Anachronism
Originally Posted by AeroGut
That's pretty much the bike they sold under the name "RockCombo"
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