Anyone ever built up a 'Dale SM400 as gravel bike?
08-26-20, 04:14 PM
#1
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Anyone ever built up a 'Dale SM400 as gravel bike?
Have an opportunity for a reasonable, not cheap 1989 SM400 that I think has potential for a gravel bike. Wheels that are present are likely throwaways, and not sure if I'd stay with flat bars or road bars. Frame is in great shape...
My questions:
1. Does it have clearance to do 700c wheels and larger (28-32) tires?
2. What longer reach cantis would I have to procure to reach the increased rim and different angle (thinner rim).
My questions:
1. Does it have clearance to do 700c wheels and larger (28-32) tires?
2. What longer reach cantis would I have to procure to reach the increased rim and different angle (thinner rim).
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1987 Crest Cannondale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin Performance EL, 1990ish Van Tuyl, 1985 Trek 670, 1982 AD SLE, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Competition, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981 Faggin, 1996 Cannondale M500, 1984 Mercian, 1982 AD SuperLeicht, 1985 Massi (model unknown), 1988 Daccordi Griffe , 1989 Fauxsin MTB, 1981 Ciocc Mockba, 1992 Bianchi Giro, 1977 Colnago Super
1987 Crest Cannondale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin Performance EL, 1990ish Van Tuyl, 1985 Trek 670, 1982 AD SLE, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Competition, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981 Faggin, 1996 Cannondale M500, 1984 Mercian, 1982 AD SuperLeicht, 1985 Massi (model unknown), 1988 Daccordi Griffe , 1989 Fauxsin MTB, 1981 Ciocc Mockba, 1992 Bianchi Giro, 1977 Colnago Super
08-26-20, 04:34 PM
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I'm curious why you want to get away from 26 inch wheels? You can fit a fatter tire if you stick to 26 inch. If all you want is a 28-32c tire, there are plenty of road bikes that can handle that.
08-26-20, 06:32 PM
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I was just curious if anyone had built a rough and ready commuter type bike out of an SM model.
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1987 Crest Cannondale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin Performance EL, 1990ish Van Tuyl, 1985 Trek 670, 1982 AD SLE, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Competition, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981 Faggin, 1996 Cannondale M500, 1984 Mercian, 1982 AD SuperLeicht, 1985 Massi (model unknown), 1988 Daccordi Griffe , 1989 Fauxsin MTB, 1981 Ciocc Mockba, 1992 Bianchi Giro, 1977 Colnago Super
1987 Crest Cannondale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin Performance EL, 1990ish Van Tuyl, 1985 Trek 670, 1982 AD SLE, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Competition, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981 Faggin, 1996 Cannondale M500, 1984 Mercian, 1982 AD SuperLeicht, 1985 Massi (model unknown), 1988 Daccordi Griffe , 1989 Fauxsin MTB, 1981 Ciocc Mockba, 1992 Bianchi Giro, 1977 Colnago Super
08-26-20, 06:42 PM
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Have an opportunity for a reasonable, not cheap 1989 SM400 that I think has potential for a gravel bike. Wheels that are present are likely throwaways, and not sure if I'd stay with flat bars or road bars. Frame is in great shape...
My questions:
1. Does it have clearance to do 700c wheels and larger (28-32) tires?
2. What longer reach cantis would I have to procure to reach the increased rim and different angle (thinner rim).
My questions:
1. Does it have clearance to do 700c wheels and larger (28-32) tires?
2. What longer reach cantis would I have to procure to reach the increased rim and different angle (thinner rim).
08-26-20, 06:46 PM
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No to 700's, the SM's are born rough and ready gravel bikes.
edit...My SM500 has a U brake that precludes a 700c wheel.
edit...My SM500 has a U brake that precludes a 700c wheel.
08-26-20, 06:54 PM
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Many bikes back then had holes for fenders that can be used to mount road calipers. I used a long reach road caliper up front and a medium reach road caliper in back (needs may vary by frame and fork). I drilled out the back of my fork for the recessed nut of the front brake, but used a "nutted" brake in the rear, so no drilling needed. I found it super fun for commuting. Kinda meh for gravel. For lots of gravel, I'd prefer keeping 26er wheels, using the best gravel 26er tires you can get.
08-27-20, 08:59 AM
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Thanks for the feedback all! I passed on it as afer consideration, I thought it a bit pricey for $100 plus the work and parts.
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1987 Crest Cannondale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin Performance EL, 1990ish Van Tuyl, 1985 Trek 670, 1982 AD SLE, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Competition, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981 Faggin, 1996 Cannondale M500, 1984 Mercian, 1982 AD SuperLeicht, 1985 Massi (model unknown), 1988 Daccordi Griffe , 1989 Fauxsin MTB, 1981 Ciocc Mockba, 1992 Bianchi Giro, 1977 Colnago Super
1987 Crest Cannondale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin Performance EL, 1990ish Van Tuyl, 1985 Trek 670, 1982 AD SLE, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Competition, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981 Faggin, 1996 Cannondale M500, 1984 Mercian, 1982 AD SuperLeicht, 1985 Massi (model unknown), 1988 Daccordi Griffe , 1989 Fauxsin MTB, 1981 Ciocc Mockba, 1992 Bianchi Giro, 1977 Colnago Super
