wrk101

Given that much seat post, I'd consider a stem with more angle (up). You can get short stems with quite a bit of angle. As always, you will know a lot more about what is comfortable for you than I do. So YMMV.

Cheseldine

I recently got an old Jamis Diablo I'm in the process of converting - for the stem/bars is my only option to use a converter, or are there quill stems that will fit in my threaded fork that will take standard dirt drop diameter bars? I'm seeing lots of dirt drop quill stems that will work, but not finding any dirt drop bars in a 25.4 clamp diameter.

Thanks!

thehammerdog

The 1994 Rockadile


smooth graveler

Manu431

Update on my scott project. I could complete the frame painting this week end.
It is now ready for the assembly. As a lot of part as old, It should take me some time to do, just because I should clean / polish them before mounting them !

vp1337

It has an enormous headtube and a rather funky angle, so anything with a rise would be rather comfortable. Tried it though.

Cheseldine

Have any of you used the Nitto MT-10 stem and RM-013-HT bars to avoid an adapter? I'm looking for the simplest quality way to change to dirt drop bars.

Thanks!

due ruote 

Using both but not together. My Stumpjumper shown a few posts back has that stem with Midge bars. I have the Nitto bars on a tandem and find them quite comfortable.

Manu431

I managed to mount the stem, brake and speed shifters on the bar.
(work in progress. Some adjustment will be made)

For any reason, I had a lot of difficulties to mount the stem on the bar, even if the diameter are in theory identical.

I also had difficulties to purschase adapted shifters to the project (7 speed, bicycle is a mountain bike , not too expensive, wish of my wife to have shifters on the upper part of the bar, ...).
I would have prefered aluminium shifter with Paul mount type, but it was out of budget.

I finally opted for a pair of tourney TX50 7 speed. I was afraid they will be too big, but at the end I feel pretty happy with the result.
at least I could mount them without much problem.
they should do the job.

vp1337

Looks comfy! 22.2 or 23.8 bars? If the latter, did the Tourneys go on easily? Thanks in advance!

vp1337

The Marin Redwood 1993 in a nearly-finished state. Looks super wonky because of the stubby stem, but hey, you gotta compensate the geometry somehow.

BCATC

Not sure if this has been posted, but another option besides finding a 22.2mm drop bar or swapping around MTB shifters would be to use a Minoura handlebar accessory mount. They have widths that can fit standard roadbars while the accessory mount area is 22.2mm for grip or trigger shifters. Haven't done this myself yet but it'll probably be my first choice if I do the conversion.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/339-3240-01...oAAOSww7pdFpen

Manu431

Well, I should check that precisely !
I just can say that the drop bar is officially a 25.4 mm , as the stem.
I mean, in the stem zone itself (the central zone is slightly bigger as the rest of the drop bar )

The bar is a little smaller in diameter, I will measure it for you.

I could mount the Tourney TX50 without much problem, but I can not go closer to the stem as on the picture.
I also had to change the clamp screw for a slightly longer one, but at the end the clamp fit well the bar.
No problem.

The shifters look and feel indeed very comfortable.
Easy to use , like on this video

I was afraid the shifters would be too big, but it is not the case.
As I already said, my challenge was to find something not too expensive, which can be mounted on the top of a drop bar, that could work with some old part I had already at disposal (7 speeds cassette)
It works easily and without any problem (well, I only can use the small and middle crank at the moment, but it is just a question of setting).
It is a pretty cheap solution, but a least from shimano.
Exist in 6 or 7 speeds.

The left shifter is something between friction and index command.
It is close to the friction logic, but it has about 12 index positions between - and + (small to biggest plateau)
All 7 speeds are working well and are with index. Possible to change up to 6 speed at once (theory)

The bike is about ready to ride , except some final setting and the bar tape.
My wife have made the first test ride the during the week end, and she is already very happy . So am I !!

I will post pictures when totally finished

Manu431

I don't know if it may help, but I found and purchased this drop bar for my own project.

https://www.ultimebike.com/route/per...cm-argent.html

25.4 clamp diameter (mounting zone of the stem)

mstateglfr 

Nice result!
Agreed on what you mentioned needing to do with the paint- compressing it softly about 20-30min after spraying helps to smooth out the paint and helps it harden well. It ends up looking much better that way. Ive used the product on a few frames and plan to use it for another this fall.

fordbailey

I saw some posts about stems, so I thought I'd add my experience selecting one. I've done several conversions, and I'm working on another one now. It has a 1" threaded fork. I decided that I would really like to have a removable face plate stem this time. That makes it easier to switch stems out with removing brake levers from the drop bars. I found two options that I liked:

One, from Velo-Orange is perfect: steel, simple, with a long quill, is relatively good looking and available in several finishes. It is designed for 31.8mm handlebars or others with shims, so any bar will fit. It is $80.

https://velo-orange.com/collections/...ceplate-31-8mm

The other is an Origin 8 aluminum stem with an upward angled extension. It looks OK, is for 31.8mm bar or any with shims. It is $28.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Here's a picture. The suspension fork stays for now, but will eventually be replaced. So will the triple crank. I'd rather have a 42/28 double or something similar.



I bought the cheaper stem: the only new component I've bought for this bike. Aside from the Rat Trap Pass tires...

I do happen to be using 31.8 mm bars. I have a 3T Ergonova on another conversion that I like a lot, so I've bought another one for this bike.

I will use SRAM Rival shifters on the bars.

jeffreythree

My '94 Trek 920 in its element, riding the roads to some local trails made by fishermen and orv's. Currently converted to single speed and sporting a Gary II bar, Tektro RL520 brake levers (I had already converted to mini v-brakes years ago), and a funky Specialized two position stem off a Hardrock . Future plans are a bar end shifters, putting the original stx derailleur back on with an 8 or 9 speed cassette, and switching from that crappy IXF crank to something vintage in my parts bin.

Manu431

My project has entered the final stages.

The bike is now ready to be used .
I will install fenders and a rack, but I already share some pictures with you .
I will make some others pictures outside and during the day with the bike totally finished

It has been a lot sometime complicated (because I have never done that in such extend before), it took me many many hours, but it has been very interesting and rewarding.
The result is not perfect, it is not a high end bike, but I have learned many things and I gave this bike a second life, and it is all that count after all .


(original bike on post #65289 for comparison)

Manu431

fordbailey

Getting a little further ...



1990 Trimble 140U

jlaw

You get the award for most unusual MTB conversion - fun to see something truly different. Thanks!

fordbailey

Thanks, but the credit is really due to Brent Trimble, who designed the frame.

thook

i have a late 80's alpinestars frame like your trimble(s). i think it originally had 1" steerer/fork, but it can be made 1 1/8 with an adapter. and, this frame is steel.

wonder if this was a tremble creation, too?

Manu431

Hi .

My Drop bar conversion based on a scott arapahoe is now finished.
Very nice and enjoying experience.
It took me a lot of time, but who will remember that ??
Regarding the budget, I purchased about 250€ of parts (including the paint, brake, dropbar, commands, new tyres, ...). Original scott have been bought for 20€. I wanted the project being contained at a reasonable cost , due to the base bike itself, but also in order to have any fear of the bike being stolen (it may happened in city area).
I am pretty happy with the result. My wife tried yesterday the bike for the first time, and she is happy with it.
I am personally happy to see an old bike ready for a second life.
Drop bar is new for her and she has of course to be used to it , but the position on the bike seems correct, from what i could have read about that aspect. (angle back/arms about 90°, not too extreme, pretty relax position).
This is not her main bike, but more one which will be used for holidays, when transport is needed in car / train , campers ... (ebike are not easy to handle in such situations).
It may eventually be used for small bike travels. A least it is robust enough.


)

RichSPK

It looks great!

Manu431

Thanks !!