Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Classic & Vintage
Reload this Page >

Show Your Vintage MTB Drop Bar Conversions

Notices
Classic & Vintage This forum is to discuss the many aspects of classic and vintage bicycles, including musclebikes, lightweights, middleweights, hi-wheelers, bone-shakers, safety bikes and much more.

Show Your Vintage MTB Drop Bar Conversions

Old 10-28-12, 05:58 PM
  #276  
frantik
Chainstay Brake Mafia
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: California
Posts: 6,026
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 16 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 11 Times in 10 Posts
my stem has a cable stop on it and my rear brake is a u brake under the chainstay, so i'm looking for either the "inline" kind or preferably something that goes into a cable stop
frantik is offline  
Old 10-28-12, 06:07 PM
  #277  
blilrat
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: RTP Area, NC
Posts: 401

Bikes: Somebody stole them all... I walk now.

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
I wonder if these would work. Cheap enough that even if they don't work, you haven't thrown away a fortune.

https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Produc...28_-1___202419
blilrat is offline  
Old 10-28-12, 06:13 PM
  #278  
frantik
Chainstay Brake Mafia
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: California
Posts: 6,026
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 16 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 11 Times in 10 Posts
yeah i'd prefer something that goes into the cable stop itself, kinda like this

https://www.ebay.com/itm/TEAMSSX-New-...item4608b2a20a


these inline ones look pretty nice though
https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Jagwire-...item1e73a5ae06


they're all cheap but if anyone has a specific brand/model and recommend them i'd love to hear it

Last edited by frantik; 10-28-12 at 06:35 PM.
frantik is offline  
Old 10-28-12, 07:13 PM
  #279  
illwafer
)) <> ((
 
illwafer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 2,411
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts
Originally Posted by yarper3
I am really liking the Tektro RL340's which I have on 2 of my bikes.

At first I was skeptical as the Tektro R200A's had been my 'go to' levers.

After trying the RL340's I now prefer them by a large margin.
They just fit my hands better and feel 'right' for me. YMMV.


this. exactly. except not by a large margin, but by some.
illwafer is offline  
Old 10-28-12, 10:00 PM
  #280  
Sprayman
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Santa Fe, NM
Posts: 184

Bikes: Trek tandem, Specialized road bike, Specialized cyclocross, Schwinn Varsity, Schwinn Jaguar, Schwinn Frankenbike Commuter,Fixie of unknown origin

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by yarper3
I decided to look for a bit lighter vintage mtb frame and switch the parts over from the Univega mtb I built up this week.
(See earlier post)

I picked up a prob 1989 or 90 Specialized Hardrock & it is considerably lighter.

Totally dissembled the 23" Hardrock weighs:
6.2 lbs for frame & 1.8 for fork for 8.0 lbs total, a full
2 lbs lighter than Uni weighing in at 7.4 for frame & 2.6 for fork.

I know the Hardrock was not one of their higher end frames and the sticker indicates this one was
made in Taiwan & designed in the USA but the construction appears to be well done
and the welds are very neatly done.


As to the tubing on the Hardrock the stickers show 'custom grade CroMo'
so I do not know if it is butted or not but I expect it is being so much lighter than the Uni which the tubing sticker shows 3 main tubes as CroMo but does not say butted.

Makes me wonder how much lighter some of the higher end mtbs might be.


I plan on transferring the parts over to the Hardrock.
I really do not care for the magenta, white & purple
'Miami Vice' style colors on it so I might have it powder coated or just rattle can it.




You'll need to get a white blazer to ride this bike, and make sure you haven't shaved in about three days.
Sprayman is offline  
Old 10-28-12, 10:37 PM
  #281  
frantik
Chainstay Brake Mafia
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: California
Posts: 6,026
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 16 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 11 Times in 10 Posts
Originally Posted by Sprayman
You'll need to get a white blazer to ride this bike, and make sure you haven't shaved in about three days.
frantik is offline  
Old 10-29-12, 06:38 AM
  #282  
cooperryder
Senior Member
 
cooperryder's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Dallas / Ft Worth
Posts: 1,151
Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 211 Post(s)
Liked 1,400 Times in 398 Posts
Originally Posted by frantik

Do you guys run barrel adjusters for the brakes somewhere or just adjust the brakes as needed when the time comes? Any recommendations for cheap brake cable barrel adjusters?

Another thing I like about the Top Mount Cross Levers is they have a nice barrel adjuster.
With one also on the cable hanger I have 2 places for adjustment.
cooperryder is offline  
Old 11-01-12, 04:59 AM
  #283  
frantik
Chainstay Brake Mafia
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: California
Posts: 6,026
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 16 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 11 Times in 10 Posts
saw this one with stem shifters over in the commuter forum.


https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...0#post14902000
frantik is offline  
Old 11-01-12, 08:04 AM
  #284  
due ruote 
Senior Member
 
due ruote's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,707
Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 903 Post(s)
Liked 524 Times in 318 Posts
Cable adjusters - I used a front hanger with an adjuster on it. For the rear (I also have a u-brake) I just stuck a cheap barrel adjuster in the downtube housing stop. It's a bit snug but it works.
due ruote is offline  
Old 11-01-12, 08:11 AM
  #285  
frantik
Chainstay Brake Mafia
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: California
Posts: 6,026
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 16 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 11 Times in 10 Posts
^ thanks, i ordered the Jagwire "mickey" barrel adjusters that go in the cable stop yesterday
frantik is offline  
Old 11-02-12, 06:14 AM
  #286  
peazweag
Senior Member
 
peazweag's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: albany,oregon
Posts: 350

Bikes: 1973 RALEIGH SUPER COURSE,85 FUI ALLEGRO

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
88 hardrock
Attached Images
File Type: jpg
hardrock.jpg (36.6 KB, 1955 views)
peazweag is offline  
Old 11-02-12, 07:05 PM
  #287  
frantik
Chainstay Brake Mafia
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: California
Posts: 6,026
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 16 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 11 Times in 10 Posts
i finally got all my parts in today.. but when i went to put the drop bar in the quill stem, i found I can't get past the curve at the tops i'm not sure how much i can even spread this stem.. might have to find one with a removable faceplate to finish this off

anybody recommend a "dirt drop" style stem with a 25.6 clamp diameter with removable faceplate?

Last edited by frantik; 11-02-12 at 07:19 PM.
frantik is offline  
Old 11-02-12, 07:33 PM
  #288  
striknein
Goes to 11.
 
striknein's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Wichita, KS, USA
Posts: 2,547

Bikes: 2015 Soma Double Cross

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Profile Boa is cheap and gets the job done.
striknein is offline  
Old 11-02-12, 08:50 PM
  #289  
due ruote 
Senior Member
 
due ruote's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,707
Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 903 Post(s)
Liked 524 Times in 318 Posts
cheaper yet
https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...2_174788_-1___
due ruote is offline  
Old 11-02-12, 10:47 PM
  #290  
frantik
Chainstay Brake Mafia
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: California
Posts: 6,026
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 16 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 11 Times in 10 Posts
thanks.. that one is as ugly as it is cheap i wish i could use the nice Nitto stem i have but even after spreading the clamp i get to a point where the stem hits the flared drop and can't go any further. at least one person has trimmed the bar to solve this problem, but i'm gonna look for a suitable stem first...
frantik is offline  
Old 11-03-12, 04:52 AM
  #291  
mtbikerjohn 
Full Member
 
mtbikerjohn's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: near Detroit
Posts: 319

Bikes: a few..

Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 82 Post(s)
Liked 134 Times in 92 Posts
There was someone on Ebay selling Salsa 26.0 stems with a 2 bolt faceplate.These aren't the "recall" stems, so you're safe. I have one that is about 100mm I use for my flat bars, but it doesn't have much rise. One option is to use a quill adapter and a threadless stem. I ended up going with a set of Nitto bars that don't have as much flare as the Woodchippers...an added plus is that they are similar to what came on MB-1s in 1987, so I got the right look down by using that particular bar/stem combo. I'm using a Nitto Dirt Drop stem...
Originally Posted by frantik
thanks.. that one is as ugly as it is cheap i wish i could use the nice Nitto stem i have but even after spreading the clamp i get to a point where the stem hits the flared drop and can't go any further. at least one person has trimmed the bar to solve this problem, but i'm gonna look for a suitable stem first...
mtbikerjohn is online now  
Old 11-04-12, 04:41 AM
  #292  
frantik
Chainstay Brake Mafia
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: California
Posts: 6,026
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 16 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 11 Times in 10 Posts
thanks.. i think i'm going to go with the origin 8 "sport classique" stem (see thread, unless i can source something locally. i have a buddy who says he has a bunch of stems so i'm hoping he's got something at his shop

and it turns out the Cane Creek levers i got are pretty much the same thing as the Tektro R200A levers.. there is even R200 stamped into the lever on the cane creek LOL. i could have probably saved myself $10 and gone with the tektros..oh well
frantik is offline  
Old 11-04-12, 09:27 AM
  #293  
mtbikerjohn 
Full Member
 
mtbikerjohn's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: near Detroit
Posts: 319

Bikes: a few..

Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 82 Post(s)
Liked 134 Times in 92 Posts
Cane Creeks are made by Tektro...Where I'm at, I find it easier to find Cane Creeks than Tektros...Have you tried lubing the bars before threading them thru the stem? Just a light layer of lube that can be cleaned off later before you wrap the bars.I thought I read somewhere about making a wedge out of wood to hold open the stem clamp without damaging it...better than prying with a screwdriver...less chance of marring a nice Nitto stem...:-)
mtbikerjohn is online now  
Old 11-04-12, 09:46 AM
  #294  
frantik
Chainstay Brake Mafia
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: California
Posts: 6,026
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 16 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 11 Times in 10 Posts
i made a mistake, it's a sakae stem.. still nice though. it did get a tiny bit gashed up but it's not really noticeable. i don't think i need to spread it any farther to get it on. it's the way the woodchipper is shaped; if it were a "normal" drop bar, it would fit fine. the stem needs to be turned a certain way to go around a curve. but i can't turn it that way because the bar hits them end of the stem. i've tried putting grease on the bar and the stem but it didn't help.

I don't want to thrash the bar trying to get the stem on. it's already looking a lot less new. bar tape will fix that but still...

as far as cane creek vs tekro, i just ordered them online so i could have gone with the tektro/origin8 ones and saved $10. too late now though
frantik is offline  
Old 11-04-12, 06:52 PM
  #295  
mtbikerjohn 
Full Member
 
mtbikerjohn's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: near Detroit
Posts: 319

Bikes: a few..

Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 82 Post(s)
Liked 134 Times in 92 Posts
Ya that what I did too...You are right in looking toward getting a stem with a removable faceplate.I have to figure out a way of posting a picture of my MB-1... :-)
Originally Posted by frantik
i made a mistake, it's a sakae stem.. still nice though. it did get a tiny bit gashed up but it's not really noticeable. i don't think i need to spread it any farther to get it on. it's the way the woodchipper is shaped; if it were a "normal" drop bar, it would fit fine. the stem needs to be turned a certain way to go around a curve. but i can't turn it that way because the bar hits them end of the stem. i've tried putting grease on the bar and the stem but it didn't help.

I don't want to thrash the bar trying to get the stem on. it's already looking a lot less new. bar tape will fix that but still...

as far as cane creek vs tekro, i just ordered them online so i could have gone with the tektro/origin8 ones and saved $10. too late now though
mtbikerjohn is online now  
Old 11-05-12, 11:00 AM
  #296  
Chris Chicago
Senior Member
 
Chris Chicago's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: near north side
Posts: 1,348
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 83 Post(s)
Liked 31 Times in 20 Posts
Originally Posted by frantik
as far as cane creek vs tekro, i just ordered them online so i could have gone with the tektro/origin8 ones and saved $10. too late now though
there are also xlc levers that you can find for a few bucks, maybe 5 less than tektros, but they are tektros. i have the 340 version
Chris Chicago is offline  
Old 11-08-12, 04:11 PM
  #297  
that_guy_zach
Senior Member
 
that_guy_zach's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: omicron persei 8
Posts: 808
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts
I want to pick up more of these. They are 7 speed rear, friction front. Used the only set I had on a hybrid drop bar conversion.

that_guy_zach is offline  
Old 11-08-12, 05:00 PM
  #298  
ThermionicScott 
working on my sandal tan
 
ThermionicScott's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: CID
Posts: 22,625

Bikes: 1991 Bianchi Eros, 1964 Armstrong, 1988 Diamondback Ascent, 1988 Bianchi Premio, 1987 Bianchi Sport SX, 1980s Raleigh mixte (hers), All-City Space Horse (hers)

Mentioned: 98 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3868 Post(s)
Liked 2,560 Times in 1,574 Posts
Those shifters may not be the prettiest, but they work well.
__________________
Originally Posted by chandltp
There's no such thing as too far.. just lack of time
Originally Posted by noglider
People in this forum are not typical.
RUSA #7498
ThermionicScott is offline  
Old 11-08-12, 09:42 PM
  #299  
justfitme
Riding Heaven's Highways: In Memoriam
 
justfitme's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: It is North.. of Florida
Posts: 678
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
here it is.
Got it for $100 in very stange form with mustache handlebars ... changed gearing, canti brakes to V, bar, 2 sets of levers, wheels to Tioga w/Deore, fork and headset to threadless , saddle....
Lots of fun on single track.



justfitme is offline  
Old 11-09-12, 05:28 AM
  #300  
cs1
Senior Member
 
cs1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Clev Oh
Posts: 7,091

Bikes: Specialized, Schwinn

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 225 Post(s)
Liked 24 Times in 22 Posts
Originally Posted by justfitme
here it is.
Got it for $100 in very stange form with mustache handlebars ... changed gearing, canti brakes to V, bar, 2 sets of levers, wheels to Tioga w/Deore, fork and headset to threadless , saddle....
Lots of fun on single track.



I really love those Eighties 2 tone paint jobs Specialized used. Gaudy is good! BTW, nice bike.
cs1 is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.