Show Your Vintage MTB Drop Bar Conversions
#6176
Junior Member
I've got a casette, and I'd like indexed shifting. 6-7-8 speed are compatible afaik, but 9 and above aren't. I've found some 8 speed Ultegra available, but not sure I wanna spend 70 quid on something when my whole bike didn't cost that much. I'll probably stick to my thumbies.
#6179
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Looking great VictorKnox.
I relate on this 950.
I picked up the same 1989 model in a 22" in same color. Is yours a 22" or 23"?
However paint was rough on it so I had it powdercoated.
Also I like the ride a lot and have been choosing it to ride often lately.
I did go with upright bars on mine.
I have those Maxxis DTH on another bike and think they ride nicely. The 950 sports Rat Traps I have had 2 years or so moving from bike to bike.
Enjoy.
I relate on this 950.
I picked up the same 1989 model in a 22" in same color. Is yours a 22" or 23"?
However paint was rough on it so I had it powdercoated.
Also I like the ride a lot and have been choosing it to ride often lately.
I did go with upright bars on mine.
I have those Maxxis DTH on another bike and think they ride nicely. The 950 sports Rat Traps I have had 2 years or so moving from bike to bike.
Enjoy.
Have you posted pictures of your 950 anywhere?
I've been thinking about trying a set of Rat Trap Pass tires. Do you think there is a significant enough difference between them and the Maxxis DTH to make them worth the extra price? I know that's a real broad/subjective question, but I'd be interested in your opinions since you have both.
#6180
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Thanks! It's a 22".
Have you posted pictures of your 950 anywhere?
I've been thinking about trying a set of Rat Trap Pass tires. Do you think there is a significant enough difference between them and the Maxxis DTH to make them worth the extra price? I know that's a real broad/subjective question, but I'd be interested in your opinions since you have both.
Have you posted pictures of your 950 anywhere?
I've been thinking about trying a set of Rat Trap Pass tires. Do you think there is a significant enough difference between them and the Maxxis DTH to make them worth the extra price? I know that's a real broad/subjective question, but I'd be interested in your opinions since you have both.
(Vintage MTB to Upright Bar / Urban Bike Conversions) . I hope to do that in a day or two.
As to the tires, from my perspective the Rat Traps do surpass the Maxxis DTH tires.
The Rat Traps roll really well for me and I think the extra dollars buy a higher quality tire.
There is just an extra something, something about them. Someone more articulate can add a better description.
Mine are the standard not the extra light.
Even at that they are about 100 grams lighter than the DTH tires, around 450 g's vs around 550g's.
A tire more comparable to the DTH's are the Tioga Power Blocks. They both come in at about 550 g's.
From my perspective the DTH and Powerblocks are a toss up and seem pretty equal for my riding.
Both are folding and decent quality tires and roll well in my view. I like them both but still have to give the edge to the Rat Traps.
That said at my slow riding speeds I am not too fast on any of them but I have fun on all my bikes.
I do find I have to pay more attention to the Rat Trap's air pressure.
I am glad to have the options in good tires as I cannot justify the cost of Rat Traps on all my bikes.
I usually have at least 3 vintage mtb's rolling and sometimes 4.
I think the vintage no suspension mt bikes are
terrific and so versatile to build up at a modest cost a variety of ways. The fat street tires one can fit on them
really cushion it for my old bones.
I've lost a complete count but I must have been through a couple dozen of them counting the ones I built up for friends and family.
Over the next month I hope to get another one built up from bare frame and fork.
Enough rambling, hope some of that helps.
It's pretty subjective and really just my 2 cents worth.
#6181
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Hello VP1337 - I can`t send a pm (or a link!) due to low post count, but you may be lucky with a pair of Suntour bar end shifters here:
Go to Retrobike.co.uk & search for Large selection of vintage bike components He has some for £10 a pair.
Good luck with it, Regards, Julian
Go to Retrobike.co.uk & search for Large selection of vintage bike components He has some for £10 a pair.
Good luck with it, Regards, Julian
#6182
Junior Member
I was in the same situation and decided that the current line of shimano bar end shifters are too posh for my tastes so i am using the thumbies. Also i am not connvinced that i will like the position of the bar end shifters.
#6183
Junior Member
Hello VP1337 - I can`t send a pm (or a link!) due to low post count, but you may be lucky with a pair of Suntour bar end shifters here:
Go to Retrobike.co.uk & search for Large selection of vintage bike components He has some for £10 a pair.
Good luck with it, Regards, Julian
Go to Retrobike.co.uk & search for Large selection of vintage bike components He has some for £10 a pair.
Good luck with it, Regards, Julian
#6184
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OK you people, you got me. I only had to read back through a couple of years of this stuff to be sufficiently intrigued. I've had this 1995 Trek 850 for quite a while and I enjoy the ride and really like the paint scheme. But I have another Trek mtn bike and have been wondering what to do with this one. So I've done the deed. Quickly found an old randoneur HB what fit my stem nicely - only had to open the stem a wee bit to fish the HB through it. Its a steel stem so no worries. With this stem and these bars (much like I'm already used to) the ergonomics are identical to those on all my road bikes - all day comfortable. This bike even has the same saddle as my others.
The Dia Compe levers fit nicely and they operate the cantis beautifully. It feels like I could do a stoppie with the front brake. I swapped out the rack and bottle cages for units that, at least, looked lighter. I changed the rear bridge cable to a longer one with the Weinnman type cable yoke so it all cleared the rack central strut. It too provides very good braking in the rear. Of course the last question what what to do about shifting. I'd had these Deore 7 Spd indexed thumbies in the stash for a few years, "just in case". I tried several mounting choices and settled on the rather odd one you see here. As I really like the Suntour bar cons on my Crescent, I decided to try something similar and they've worked out great. Besides, for me the cable flows bring to mind that great classic Italian faring from a Ducatti 900ss. I can dream eh?
I've ridden about 35miles so far on this, half road and have well packed rail trail. It really suits me and feels so much different than when it was a mountain bike. With the width of the randoneur drops, I have good control if the going gets rocky though I don't do much of that anymore and I also have the other mtn bike for that single track, forest running stuff.
Before
After, as is today
Wierd thumbies
https://www.bikeforums.net/attachmen...1&d=1537209633
Photo from motorcycle classics.com, no credit provided
The Dia Compe levers fit nicely and they operate the cantis beautifully. It feels like I could do a stoppie with the front brake. I swapped out the rack and bottle cages for units that, at least, looked lighter. I changed the rear bridge cable to a longer one with the Weinnman type cable yoke so it all cleared the rack central strut. It too provides very good braking in the rear. Of course the last question what what to do about shifting. I'd had these Deore 7 Spd indexed thumbies in the stash for a few years, "just in case". I tried several mounting choices and settled on the rather odd one you see here. As I really like the Suntour bar cons on my Crescent, I decided to try something similar and they've worked out great. Besides, for me the cable flows bring to mind that great classic Italian faring from a Ducatti 900ss. I can dream eh?
I've ridden about 35miles so far on this, half road and have well packed rail trail. It really suits me and feels so much different than when it was a mountain bike. With the width of the randoneur drops, I have good control if the going gets rocky though I don't do much of that anymore and I also have the other mtn bike for that single track, forest running stuff.
Before
After, as is today
Wierd thumbies
https://www.bikeforums.net/attachmen...1&d=1537209633
Photo from motorcycle classics.com, no credit provided
#6185
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Here's mine. A 1990 Trimble mountain bike converted to drop bars and 700c wheels.
Trimble 700c, 35mm Paselas
Trimble 700c, 35mm Paselas
#6186
Pedal to the medal
#6187
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https://www.paulcomp.com/shop/components/motolite/
#6189
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#6190
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Not showing off my bike, did that a while ago...but I got some NOS 26 x 1.95 WTB Riddlers and *wow*, they corner and grip well, and seem to roll fast on pavement, dirt, and crushed limestone. Haven't tried other surfaces yet....
#6191
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I've been thinking about trying a set of Rat Trap Pass tires. Do you think there is a significant enough difference between them and the Maxxis DTH to make them worth the extra price? I know that's a real broad/subjective question, but I'd be interested in your opinions since you have both.
In short, while the DTH is very light and supple for a mountain bike tire (which is why Maxxis says it is suitable for road commuting), it is not as light and supple as the RTP.
#6192
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I used the Paul Moto Lite brakes in the back and put a 700c fork on the front (with conventional cantilevers). The Moto Lites allow you to slide the pad holders to fit 26", 650b or 700c wheels. They are really nice brakes- very adjustable. Toe in, spring tension and so on.
https://www.paulcomp.com/shop/components/motolite/
https://www.paulcomp.com/shop/components/motolite/
Is that an old Deore XT seatpost? Steel with an alloy clamp? I believe they were made by Nitto. Is it crushed on the bottom or are my eyes playing tricks on me?
The frame is pretty interesting. I just looked up Trimble after seeing your picture. Neat to learn new stuff.
#6193
Senior Member
At any rate, the RTP EL has probably the most satisfying acoustics of any tire I've used.
#6194
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Hello Everybody,
I've been following this thread for a long time. I finished my build around March but haven't had the chance to post anything. So here i start to be able to put up some pics soon.
Love a lot of conversions here. thanks!
I've been following this thread for a long time. I finished my build around March but haven't had the chance to post anything. So here i start to be able to put up some pics soon.
Love a lot of conversions here. thanks!
#6195
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Very cool. You don't see a lot of bikes using the Motolites for wheel conversions even though they were designed with that in mind.
Is that an old Deore XT seatpost? Steel with an alloy clamp? I believe they were made by Nitto. Is it crushed on the bottom or are my eyes playing tricks on me?
The frame is pretty interesting. I just looked up Trimble after seeing your picture. Neat to learn new stuff.
Is that an old Deore XT seatpost? Steel with an alloy clamp? I believe they were made by Nitto. Is it crushed on the bottom or are my eyes playing tricks on me?
The frame is pretty interesting. I just looked up Trimble after seeing your picture. Neat to learn new stuff.
#6196
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Not exactly, but not in the way you'd think. According to Heine, the Compass "Standard" casing uses a 120TPI fabric. The casing fabric for the "Extralight" tires uses the same threads as the 120TPI fabric, but in a 90TPI ply.
At any rate, the RTP EL has probably the most satisfying acoustics of any tire I've used.
At any rate, the RTP EL has probably the most satisfying acoustics of any tire I've used.
I haven't used the RTP but I had a set of Compass 700×38s on a bike and those had this satisfying hollow humming sound while riding that I really liked.
#6197
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I'm bored while I try to heal and treat my neck so it's time to try another drop bar conversion. The last was on a Trek 800 Antelope that is stupid heavy. Now I figured I'll try it with the 93 Trek 950. May need a Technomic stem or use a quill adapter to get the bars a little taller but will set it up first with a quill stem to see how it works. Think I'll go with the bar end shifters like last time.
How narrow a 26" wheel is possible? Wouldn't mind trying a 1.25" or 1.5" street tire. I have some 1.75" Forte tires on a set of wider rims but their pretty heavy.
How narrow a 26" wheel is possible? Wouldn't mind trying a 1.25" or 1.5" street tire. I have some 1.75" Forte tires on a set of wider rims but their pretty heavy.
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1984 Gitane Tour de France; 1968 Peugeot PL8; 1982 Nishiki Marina 12; 1984 Peugeot PSV; 1993 Trek 950 mtb; 1983 Vitus 979; Colnago Super, mid-80's Bianchi Veloce, 1984 or 85 Vitus 979
1984 Gitane Tour de France; 1968 Peugeot PL8; 1982 Nishiki Marina 12; 1984 Peugeot PSV; 1993 Trek 950 mtb; 1983 Vitus 979; Colnago Super, mid-80's Bianchi Veloce, 1984 or 85 Vitus 979
#6198
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I'm bored while I try to heal and treat my neck so it's time to try another drop bar conversion. The last was on a Trek 800 Antelope that is stupid heavy. Now I figured I'll try it with the 93 Trek 950. May need a Technomic stem or use a quill adapter to get the bars a little taller but will set it up first with a quill stem to see how it works. Think I'll go with the bar end shifters like last time.
I have a spare road bike stem to try later as my injuries heal. I'll need a separate cable hanger, lower on the stem or head tube to get the cable loop out of the way.
For now I'm using some cheap SunRace thumb shifters I already had. Eventually I'll switch to bar end shifters.
#6199
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Messing around this morning because I couldn't sleep. Guess I had assumed (since it's still an early 90's bike) the steerer tube would be 1" and take a 22.2 mm quill road stem. Nope - 1 1/8" steerer. I want to use a shorter stem and raise the height and seem to have two options - quill adapter and modern stem or find a 1 1/8" quill stem with a longer insertion length and 80-90 mm length.] Sunlite has a 80mm stem that is reportedly a little on the portly side. Personally, I like the look of a vintage quill stem on with drop bars. But, there's a lot of flexibility with the modern set up. Is it even possible to find nicer looking straight post adapter stems for a 1 1/8" steerer? All the quill adapters I see are for a 22.2 mm (1") steerer.
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1984 Gitane Tour de France; 1968 Peugeot PL8; 1982 Nishiki Marina 12; 1984 Peugeot PSV; 1993 Trek 950 mtb; 1983 Vitus 979; Colnago Super, mid-80's Bianchi Veloce, 1984 or 85 Vitus 979
1984 Gitane Tour de France; 1968 Peugeot PL8; 1982 Nishiki Marina 12; 1984 Peugeot PSV; 1993 Trek 950 mtb; 1983 Vitus 979; Colnago Super, mid-80's Bianchi Veloce, 1984 or 85 Vitus 979
Last edited by scozim; 09-30-18 at 07:14 AM.
#6200
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Messing around this morning because I couldn't sleep. Guess I had assumed (since it's still an early 90's bike) the steerer tube would be 1" and take a 22.2 mm quill road stem. Nope - 1 1/8" steerer. I want to use a shorter stem and raise the height and seem to have two options - quill adapter and modern stem or find a 1 1/8" quill stem with a longer insertion length and 80-90 mm length.] Sunlite has a 80mm stem that is reportedly a little on the portly side. Personally, I like the look of a vintage quill stem on with drop bars. But, there's a lot of flexibility with the modern set up. Is it even possible to find nicer looking straight post adapter stems for a 1 1/8" steerer? All the quill adapters I see are for a 22.2 mm (1") steerer.
Nitto?