Show Your Vintage MTB Drop Bar Conversions
#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
#6927
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Join Date: Oct 2011
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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#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.
#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





Last edited by 10speedterror; 11-19-20 at 03:40 PM.
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#6930
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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
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,
#6931
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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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#6932
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Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Tucson, AZ
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Bikes: 80 Raleigh Competition, 83 Freschi Supreme, 84 Miyata 610, 86 Miyata 1000, 87 Schwinn Voyageur, 89 Marin Pine Mountain, 93 Specialized Stumpjumper, Soma Smoothie, Surly Cross Check
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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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#6933
Senior Member
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
#6934
Mentally Derailleured
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Brilliant! I never would have thought to do this.
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Cargo Bike Build: https://www.bikeforums.net/utility-c...l#post22024218
Cargo Bike Build: https://www.bikeforums.net/utility-c...l#post22024218
#6935
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Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Tucson, AZ
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Bikes: 80 Raleigh Competition, 83 Freschi Supreme, 84 Miyata 610, 86 Miyata 1000, 87 Schwinn Voyageur, 89 Marin Pine Mountain, 93 Specialized Stumpjumper, Soma Smoothie, Surly Cross Check
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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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#6937
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Join Date: Nov 2005
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Por que no los dos? You could build one of each and see which one works better for your area. The rails-to-trails are all paved around me, so I usually ride my road bike, but I know they are not like that everywhere.
#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.
#6939
Senior Member
And don't assume the same thing for Ultra 7 freewheels, which are evenly spaced. Now, about those Campy cassettes...
#6940
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#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.



#6943
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Join Date: Mar 2020
Location: California
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Bikes: 2020 Lynskey GR300, 2001 GT Palomar, 1994 Specialized Stumpjumper FSR, 1987 Specialized Hardrock, 1987 Cannondale SM800, 1989 Specialized Rockhopper Comp, 1989 Specialized Stumpjumper Team
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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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#6944
You gonna eat that?
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)

#6945
Happy banana slug
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The nice thing about mountain bikes is they have room for big squishy tires that can eat pea gravel for breakfast.
#6946
You gonna eat that?
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#6947
Recovering Bikeaholic
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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.
#6950
Mr. Anachronism