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Show Your Vintage MTB Drop Bar Conversions

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Show Your Vintage MTB Drop Bar Conversions

Old 07-04-12, 10:01 AM
  #101  
degan
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Originally Posted by leftthread
Technomic stem OK for a conversion?

Its been great for me because I have a pretty tall frame and I don't need any additional height like some smaller mtb frames need.
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Old 07-04-12, 10:47 AM
  #102  
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Here is another thread for inspiration:

https://forums.mtbr.com/vintage-retro...st7417672.html

And my 89 Fisher Procaliber SS. I had torn it down, but now may build up again.

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Old 07-04-12, 10:51 AM
  #103  
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Nice! Those early Fishers were just *so* sweet.
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Old 07-04-12, 11:48 AM
  #104  
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Originally Posted by leftthread
Technomic stem OK for a conversion?
I don't see why not, but check around your local co-op or bike library for angled quill stems (like you see on mine or some of the others in this thread) -- they help "cover up" the amount of rise that you may need to make the whole thing work.
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Old 07-04-12, 01:34 PM
  #105  
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Hay, there's a totally sweet Raleigh Elkhorn up on eBay right now. One of you guys should buy it. If it were my size, I know I would.
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Old 07-04-12, 01:59 PM
  #106  
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Originally Posted by ColonelJLloyd
Paul, that is one of the ugliest bikes I've ever seen. I love it.
yeah, ugly as sin, but functional. or at least it was.

ugliness is nice because I can be hard on it and test out whether or not it's truly bombproof.
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Old 07-04-12, 02:23 PM
  #107  
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Originally Posted by ThermionicScott
I don't see why not, but check around your local co-op or bike library for angled quill stems (like you see on mine or some of the others in this thread) -- they help "cover up" the amount of rise that you may need to make the whole thing work.
My Moulden came with an extremely long custom made stem and flat bar... had a few of those black Nitto riser stems and like the higher bar position and cross levers for steep descents where you do not want to be stretched out over the bars and want to un-weight the front wheel.

They are also nice when you want to sit up in traffic and still have brakes at your fingertips.
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Old 07-04-12, 03:25 PM
  #108  
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Velognome, that's an excellent utility bike. How's the ride?

as my winter ride & in it's working gear

The ride is great, would not hesitate to go anywhere any distance on it. The front rack an pannier create a little tendency for wheel flop but it will haul 6 or 8 of those plastic grocery bags worth of stuff so I'm happy with it.
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Old 07-04-12, 05:49 PM
  #109  
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This was my stepson's conversion, a ~91 Trek 800 Antelope. He repainted it bright yellow, and I outfitted it with NOS Shimano mtb components, a Specialized CrMo stem, SR bars, Dia Compe conventional brake levers, Suntour stem shifter, and MKS quill pedals.
It turned out well and rode well. But it recently got ran over by his classmate's mother's SUV. Kids these days!


Trek 800 road conversion by WNG555, on Flickr
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Old 07-04-12, 06:34 PM
  #110  
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But it recently got ran over by his classmate's mother's SUV. Kids these days!
Mothers these days!
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Old 07-04-12, 08:22 PM
  #111  
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Old 07-04-12, 08:40 PM
  #112  
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Originally Posted by illwafer
Very nice. What is it?
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Old 07-04-12, 09:18 PM
  #113  
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Originally Posted by RFC
Very nice. What is it?
83 stumpjumper.
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Old 07-04-12, 09:39 PM
  #114  
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I was wondering when that one would show up. Whatabike!
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Old 07-04-12, 10:25 PM
  #115  
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Originally Posted by illwafer
Shouldn't be allowed to post that here...

far too nice...
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Old 07-04-12, 11:42 PM
  #116  
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Originally Posted by Iowegian
I was wondering when that one would show up. Whatabike!
thanks to you!
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Old 07-05-12, 02:06 AM
  #117  
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I almost feel bad posting this one here after seeing all these amazing bikes! I tried to stay as cheap as I could on this build since I had no idea it would turn out to be such a fun bike to ride. It's a Raleigh Glacier...I have no idea what year it is, and have really not been able to find anything about it online. If anyone knows anything about it, please let me know



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Old 07-05-12, 02:41 AM
  #118  
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Originally Posted by leftthread
Do you think a drop bar conversion would also work well with a flat-bar hybrid frame, 700c/35 wheels?
My Trek 7500... an awesome bike in every respect that now lives with my friend... who also thought it was awesome.

Shown here with 700:35 Schwalbe CX Compe tyres which were my favourite set up on this bike.



I have been told, more than a few times, that I have been responsible for more than my fair share of drop bar conversions on hybrids... and mountain bikes.

If I got another 7500 like my '99 I'd turn it into a drop bar 29'r as the frame has enough space to rock 50's...

Last edited by Sixty Fiver; 07-05-12 at 02:44 AM.
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Old 07-05-12, 06:02 AM
  #119  
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Originally Posted by RFC
Here is another thread for inspiration:

https://forums.mtbr.com/vintage-retro...st7417672.html

And my 89 Fisher Procaliber SS. I had torn it down, but now may build up again.

very nice...
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Old 07-05-12, 11:52 AM
  #120  
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You know, it occurs to me that all we've really done here is updated the 'path racer.'
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Old 07-05-12, 01:24 PM
  #121  
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I've been wanting to do something like this for a while, but I have a hard time finding a frame that fits. I have an old fuji that would be great, but it would probably turn out 2 sizes to small for me after I switched it. Some amazing looking bikes in this thread.
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Old 07-05-12, 01:47 PM
  #122  
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Originally Posted by not_jason
I've been wanting to do something like this for a while, but I have a hard time finding a frame that fits. I have an old fuji that would be great, but it would probably turn out 2 sizes to small for me after I switched it. Some amazing looking bikes in this thread.
One thing to keep in mind is that mtbs often have a longer top tube than a road bike so when you put on drop bars it extends the reach even more. A somewhat tall stem, lots of seatpost, and a frame that's a size or two small are what made it work for me.
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Old 07-05-12, 01:56 PM
  #123  
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Here is my StreetStomper, the light duty 26" "street version" of the Stumpjumper

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Old 07-05-12, 02:21 PM
  #124  
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Wow! What brilliant bikes - all of them! I haven't had time to start mine yet, but have most parts in hand now except for bar tape. I've never tried anything other than a road bike, tandem or MTB before - never this style, which I only thought of a few months ago and began gathering parts. A few questions for those who've already built theirs:

I've got shallow drop bars with cable grooves and Tektro aero levers. I could fit V-brakes or canti's - which would work best with those levers?

I already have NOS indexed 7 speed stem shifters and although I'd probably prefer barcons, this is a "zero-budget" build so to those who use stem shifters with this set-up, are they OK?

No photos yet, it's just a pile of bits and a frame that needs painting. The parts are as follows:

Saracen lightweight Tange OS tubed frame & forks. Handbuilt in the UK - lots of nice features, light but the paint's toast.
New 26" alloy rims on Chen Shin nutted hubs with stainless spokes and MTB tyres.
Shimano Deore LX drive train, Emelle clamp-on stem shifters, indexed for 7 speed.
Shimano double sided clipless MTB pedals.
Alhonga V brakes or Shimano Cantilever brakes
Shallow alloy drop bars with cable grooves.
A wide choice of stems and seat posts.
Rear rack with Large panniers.
Front alloy low rider pannier mounts with small panniers
A choice of saddles
Wide mudguards (fenders) on chromed mounts (originally on my 1985 tandem) - light and shiny silver plastic.

Hoping to use it for slow, steady cycle camping trips on all sorts of terrain. All suggestions welcome!
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Old 07-05-12, 02:35 PM
  #125  
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Originally Posted by Oldpeddaller

I've got shallow drop bars with cable grooves and Tektro aero levers. I could fit V-brakes or canti's - which would work best with those levers?
It depends on the tektro levers, but most likely it's going to be cantilevers. With most V-brakes you'll need a travel agent of some sort and you said this was to be a no budget build.
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