jskita

I have a Miyata Triple Cross which is a hybrid bike, so it has cantis. It's lugged and triple butted. I believe it's from the early 90s I have it fendered with 32s . It should be able to handle 36 but no fender. I found by chance on CL for under $100 and it's my favorite bike.

Goofball

🙊

bikemig 

Cool bike. No easy thing to get a vintage bike converted to CX duty down to 21 lbs; starting with an 853 frame helps.

Classtime 

Most any bike can handle gravel just fine. If you want fat tires for a more plush ride and you won't be carrying the bike much, then get a vintage MTB. If you like how your Miyata handles, then I think you want an honest vintage CX bike. Have patience and hold out for a vintage CX bike like that Pinarello above.

jcb3

Because I could?

I was riding the 26 one day and got to thinking that it would handle better with a bigger wheel (to match the big guy riding it). Indeed it was better. I also did a drop conversion at the time as well (more hand positions)

And when I decided to throw it up on CL, it got snapped up pretty fast, so there was the uniqueness factor that so many people down here are looking for.

tiredhands 

Another vote for finding an old Japanese touring frame. I haven't weighed it, but it's probably not too heavy. It's an '85ish Univega Gran Turismo with cable routing modified to a CX style. This picture was taken after riding some rooty, muddy, pine straw strewn singletrack. Lots of fun! And fairly easy to "modernize."




It's fast, too. Swapping in some lightweight tubulars with 30mm Challenge Bianca Strada and it basically rides itself.

ddeand 

Just to be a bit more clear - I will not be doing any intense CX riding - maybe the occasional bunny-hop off a curb. The gravel riding will be on pretty decent graded roads and crushed limestone trails. My initial intent was to find a CX specific frame or bike (that Pinarello looks awesome), but if the Raleigh International frame will work well, I could try to build it up. As far as bastardizing a great vintage bike, I guess I never was going to restore the Raleigh - you can see that it needs almost everything. I've attached a shot of the frame, and I have a couple forks that will work for it. But . . . if a nice CX-style frame shows up on local listings, I might just jump on that. Thanks for all the opinions and pics! Really liking the bikes you all have!

curbtender

I have a Miyata 618GT that's getting that treatment. I like the logic on using the barends. When your out exploring you don't always have the luxury of knowing what's coming up. I'll add a picture when I get a chance.

Reynolds 531 

Good question. I have wondered this myself.

revcp 

A Via Montego is up for sale through Twin Cities Bicycle Trading Post on Facebook. Looks to be in good shape for $160.

ksryder

Because it's there.

Not just being tongue in cheek. Many of my bike projects aren't really necessary or practical. They're just something fun I'd like to try.

curbtender

Parted out a 90's Yeti with XTR components and was thinking they'd go good on this. Trying to use the Avid canti set that came with it also. Tires are 700/35 with lots of room to spare. 58cm frame

curbtender

You'd need a facilitator on this one...
https://hiltonhead.craigslist.org/bi...939939351.html

Bridgestone T500 Road Bike - $100 (Bluffton) hide this posting

jskita

Making a correction: just checked out my Triple Cross and it has 35s already with fenders a I can likely push 42s without. 700c seem pretty common on the early ninety bikes too.

zjrog

I've considered such a build on this nearly original 90 Trek 7000. But everytime I think about altering it, I lose sleep. Guess I need to find a different bike...

mechanicmatt

...but I would say you have three good choices:

1) Don't care about weight: early 90's hybrids and touring style frames have road like geometries and space for big tires, especially Trek's

2) Care about weight: mid 90's hybrids, from Trek, Mongoose, Cannondale, among others. Light frames, good tire clearances, but the geometry shifted to somewhere between road and Mountain bikes.

3) *Coolest option* - 80's, 90's European (mostly Italian branded) Cross bikes. Beautiful lugs and light weight, decent tire clearance, exact geometry. Ridley and Ritchey had/have options here too.

Bonus option, sort of different from above options is the Lemond Poprad. Reynolds 853, sold typically with poor Bontrager or Rolf wheels, Euro cross geometry, light, and undervalued greatly on the used market. Beautiful riding bike.

mechanicmatt

As well as any nice riding road bike converted to 650B. That is a good suggestion as well, kind of where the 650B conversion came up in the first place.

ksryder

Another option, Unobtanium edition: the GT Tachyon. No idea how heavy it was but it was oddball and unique and ahead of its time. They tried to introduce a new wheel standard, the 700d, but it didn't catch on and most of the Tachyons I've ever seen online have been converted to 650b. Also came with Suntour Command shifters.

No idea if it's a good bike of not but I am drawn to things for the oddball factor. Also, they're like hen's teeth.

ddeand 

Well . . . the project is on semi-hold for a couple reasons. First, I just picked up an early 2000s CX frame w/hardware that I thought would work for either my son, my grandson, or me. Turns out it’s my size, so I’ll be getting that bike up and running. Then, I just found out that my CAADX is being recalled for a fork replacement, so I have to deal with that. If the “new” CX bike works out, I’ll sell the CAADX and concentrate on the old steel build-up I originally envisioned. Kinda makes me wonder what I’ll eventually end up with.

big chainring 

Cyclocross legend Laurence Malone on an Alan.