Show Your Vintage MTB Drop Bar Conversions
#2452
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I appreciate that frantik, thanks man! You know I've always enjoyed your builds but I can't see where I mount thumb shifters on those Soma Sparrow bars... where would you mount them? I know I can mount bar end shifters, the bars are machined to fit them but I'm not a big fan of bar end shifters. I'm pretty sure I have another set of DKG Shift-Ease shifter pod mounts like I ran on my poor man's Yeti Ultimate tribute (the one you inspired my daughter to paint with the black spider web spray paint on your tandem).
So, I have a couple options if the brifters don't last, but I can't see thumbies wold go unless I got a new bar. That would be a bummer since I spent some time making the shims to mount the brifters on the Sparrow bar, I'm not ready to scrap anything too quickly as it took quite a bit of effort to put the bar set up together.
#2453
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you coudl put the thumbies near the stem.. but the brifters might be better from a functional standpoint honestly. sometimes i kinda wish i had them on my univega cause the shifters are so far from the drops
#2454
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Location: St. Cloud, MN
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Bikes: '76 Raleigh Grand Prix,' 75 Raleigh Sports, '69 - '73 Raleigh Drop Bar 3-speed, '59 Parliament, '52? Raleigh Sports, '75 Raleigh Super Course, Surly Cross Check, Bridgestone RB-1
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I have been meaning to post here for a while but I had not taken any pictures. Finally took some pics so here goes. The Marin has been around for a few years, fun bike to ride but I need a different stem (less reach and more rise) and I am cheap and waiting to find one for a great price. The Fuji, while not a true drop bar, seems to fit the intent of the thread. I just finished this one about a month ago, it was $30 at a local pawn shop and I needed the Nitto bars for another MTB build I am working on. I decided to play around with some different setups, both drop and mustache bars and settled on the mustache bars.
#2455
Thrifty Bill
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Nice work on both of them!! Also a great example on sizing: one small frame with a very long stem and lots of seat post, and another large frame with a much shorter stem and very little seat post.
How do they feel when you ride them?
How do they feel when you ride them?
#2456
Still learning
I have been meaning to post here for a while but I had not taken any pictures. Finally took some pics so here goes. The Marin has been around for a few years, fun bike to ride but I need a different stem (less reach and more rise) and I am cheap and waiting to find one for a great price.
https://www.amazon.com/Sunlite-Alloy-.../dp/B007BWR602
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...a#post15940083
#2457
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I did this just this weekend, It is a tad small with the seat post and stem fully extended but will work for now. It is intended to be my commuter so that I don't wear out my Olmo. A friend of mine gave me the seat and the saddle bag. He says he rode from Chicago to Huntsville Alabama and back in the sixties on this saddle. The handlebars came from my Bianchi and the brake levers came from my Raleigh Grand Prix, both deceased. The wheels came were the original wheels on my Trek Y-3, donated to a local kid at the co-op and the cranks were originally on my Redline Monocog. I traded and old LX derailleur for the pedals, bottle cages and rack. The handle bar is wrapped in old road tubes.
I hope to eventually swap the frame out with a size or to larger but it should get me through a fall and winter of commuting. I have never used panniers before, always carrying everything in a back-pack. I am in the process of sewing together a pannier so that I can get the weight off my back.
I hope to eventually swap the frame out with a size or to larger but it should get me through a fall and winter of commuting. I have never used panniers before, always carrying everything in a back-pack. I am in the process of sewing together a pannier so that I can get the weight off my back.
#2458
Thrifty Bill
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I hope to eventually swap the frame out with a size or to larger but it should get me through a fall and winter of commuting. I have never used panniers before, always carrying everything in a back-pack. I am in the process of sewing together a pannier so that I can get the weight off my back.
#2459
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Bikes: '76 Raleigh Grand Prix,' 75 Raleigh Sports, '69 - '73 Raleigh Drop Bar 3-speed, '59 Parliament, '52? Raleigh Sports, '75 Raleigh Super Course, Surly Cross Check, Bridgestone RB-1
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$18 for the two bolt stem I used on my Miyata TR. Any cheaper it would have to fall out of a tree!
https://www.amazon.com/Sunlite-Alloy-.../dp/B007BWR602
https://www.amazon.com/Sunlite-Alloy-.../dp/B007BWR602
#2460
Spin Forest! Spin!
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I went canal trailing through the desert yesterday. I took the Hardrock and it proved the right choice to take on the rough conditions. I was dodging river rock the size of melons. After 45 miles, I was sore, but the bike held up. Felt like Paris-Roubaix.
Although this 18" frame was able to be fitted to me, with the bars and saddle level, there is merit to go one size up when going drop bar. Note the length of seat post. I think the higher BB height is to blame.
The Hardrock beater will be retired and a 20" Giant Sedona ATX frame will take its place for such romps through the desert.
Arizona Canal-029 by WNG555, on Flickr
Arizona Canal-008 by WNG555, on Flickr
Although this 18" frame was able to be fitted to me, with the bars and saddle level, there is merit to go one size up when going drop bar. Note the length of seat post. I think the higher BB height is to blame.
The Hardrock beater will be retired and a 20" Giant Sedona ATX frame will take its place for such romps through the desert.
Arizona Canal-029 by WNG555, on Flickr
Arizona Canal-008 by WNG555, on Flickr
#2461
Jack of all trades
^You can tell right away that the 18" frame is too small for you. Have you considered converting to 700c wheels?
#2462
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I will probably donate the Hardrock to a coop, once the 20" Giant is completed. I still think there are conditions a 26" wheeled, wider tired bike is better suited out here.
#2463
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Location: Granite Bay, Ca
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Bikes: '84 Bianchi Professional, '94 Mongoose Rockadile(Dirt drop conversion), '10 Jamis Eclipse, '71 Peugeot UE8, '17 New Albion Privateer(Rando build), '96 Specialized Crossroads Cruz(Cross build) '72 Peugeot AE8(Porteur Conversion), 2010 Guru Magis
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Newbie to the Forum
Newbie who just stumbled across this forum and joined up. Nice to see a group of like minded Frankenbike riders who know how the oddest, ugliest, or oldest bike in the stable can be the #1 favorite to ride. Didn't know there were some many others out there.
Rain, frost, dirt, gravel, potholes.... It just doesn't matter. Riding my drop bar MTB conversion just make me smile! I'll post pictures of mine shortly.
Old School, Drop Bar Cool!
Rain, frost, dirt, gravel, potholes.... It just doesn't matter. Riding my drop bar MTB conversion just make me smile! I'll post pictures of mine shortly.
Old School, Drop Bar Cool!
#2464
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Bikes: '84 Bianchi Professional, '94 Mongoose Rockadile(Dirt drop conversion), '10 Jamis Eclipse, '71 Peugeot UE8, '17 New Albion Privateer(Rando build), '96 Specialized Crossroads Cruz(Cross build) '72 Peugeot AE8(Porteur Conversion), 2010 Guru Magis
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'94 Mongoose Rockadile Drop Bar Conversion
New to the forum and enjoying the MTB drop bar pix. I've been enjoying mine for about four years now. Originally a Mongoose Rockadile (1994) I've had since about 1996. Did most of the conversion about four years ago, with a few tweaks since. Great commuter, trail bike, touring, gravel, whatever. Some pix attached. Thanks!
Build
Original Stock Shimano STX Drivetrain
Original Vetta Saddle (re-covered in brown Oct 2013 to match new h-bar wrap)
Soma June Bug bars
RaceFace Stem
Surly 1x1 Fork (replaced an old aftermarket Rock Shox Judy) - BEEFY!
Shimano Bar Ends (Sweet!)
Tektro CR720 Cantis (old Shimano cantis had too much flex)
Cane Creek levers and Headset
Axiom Journey Rear Rack
Racktime front rack
Vuelta Zerolite Wheelset (Nashbar special - replaced original Arayas lent to brother-in-law) -Helluva a good set of inexpensive wheels.
Maxxis Overdrive Kevlar 26 x 1.75 tires (559-47)
Ahrens WiseCracker (the most important addition)
Build
Original Stock Shimano STX Drivetrain
Original Vetta Saddle (re-covered in brown Oct 2013 to match new h-bar wrap)
Soma June Bug bars
RaceFace Stem
Surly 1x1 Fork (replaced an old aftermarket Rock Shox Judy) - BEEFY!
Shimano Bar Ends (Sweet!)
Tektro CR720 Cantis (old Shimano cantis had too much flex)
Cane Creek levers and Headset
Axiom Journey Rear Rack
Racktime front rack
Vuelta Zerolite Wheelset (Nashbar special - replaced original Arayas lent to brother-in-law) -Helluva a good set of inexpensive wheels.
Maxxis Overdrive Kevlar 26 x 1.75 tires (559-47)
Ahrens WiseCracker (the most important addition)
Last edited by Goosecheck; 10-29-13 at 02:06 AM.
#2465
Full Member
Impressive way to say "hi"! Welcome!
#2466
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Welcome Goosecheck.................... great looking ride. How do you like your front rack, I almost bought one the other day but was not sold on the "new" look. After seeing it on your bike, it doesn't look bad.
#2468
High Plains Luddite
Wow. Nice bikes posted here recently. I love this thread, and you guys are making me feel really sad to have a straight bar on my vintage MTB...for now.
#2470
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It works great. The size and placement lets me run my rack trunk up front where its more accessible, and still mount small panniers if desired. The P-clamps weren't an issue for me. All that mattered was that it's sturdy (it is). It includes a mounting bracket for a dynamo light and otherwise provides a mounting spot for a secondary rechargeable. In one pic i think you can see where I affixed a short piece of 3/4 PVC pipe to one of the light bracke holes up front. I have a second Cygolite mounted there which I can still reach while riding. The PVC isn't as asthetic clean as a Problem Solver mount, but it was cheaper.
#2471
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Bikes: '84 Bianchi Professional, '94 Mongoose Rockadile(Dirt drop conversion), '10 Jamis Eclipse, '71 Peugeot UE8, '17 New Albion Privateer(Rando build), '96 Specialized Crossroads Cruz(Cross build) '72 Peugeot AE8(Porteur Conversion), 2010 Guru Magis
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BTW, Thanks all for the "props" and the warm welcome
#2472
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Goosecheck - thanks for the info, I may have to go back and pick it up.
#2473
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This has become my favorite thread. Here is my first drop bar MTB project. So far I have a Brooks saddle, Shimano RX canty's, derailleurs and recently order Origin8 Gary Bars 2's and NOS Gen 1 Dura Ace bar end shifters. I'm worried that the bar ends wont be compatible?? More to come shortly.
#2474
Bicycle Repair Man !!!
Newbie who just stumbled across this forum and joined up. Nice to see a group of like minded Frankenbike riders who know how the oddest, ugliest, or oldest bike in the stable can be the #1 favorite to ride. Didn't know there were some many others out there.
Rain, frost, dirt, gravel, potholes.... It just doesn't matter. Riding my drop bar MTB conversion just make me smile! I'll post pictures of mine shortly.
Old School, Drop Bar Cool!
Rain, frost, dirt, gravel, potholes.... It just doesn't matter. Riding my drop bar MTB conversion just make me smile! I'll post pictures of mine shortly.
Old School, Drop Bar Cool!
#2475
Chainstay Brake Mafia
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This has become my favorite thread. Here is my first drop bar MTB project. So far I have a Brooks saddle, Shimano RX canty's, derailleurs and recently order Origin8 Gary Bars 2's and NOS Gen 1 Dura Ace bar end shifters. I'm worried that the bar ends wont be compatible?? More to come shortly.