Show Your Vintage MTB Drop Bar Conversions
08-15-17, 05:46 PM
#5677
Senior Member
I get the concept but would like to see the results and read how they affect the ride. I have no experience with these and have not seen any used before.
08-16-17, 10:15 AM
#5678
High Plains Luddite
I bought a pair of those Origin8 drop bar ends and installed them on a typical MTB riser bar for one long ride (2 hours or so) just before I did my drop bar conversion.
My opinions:
1. Too wide
2. Stock brakes and shifters were too far away from my hands
3. No "hoods" position with stock MTB brakes
4. They looked really strange with the riser bar
But...
5. They got me down in the drops when riding into a headwind and when I wanted a different hand position.
So they sold me on the concept of drop bars, but I wasn't happy with them alone. I went ahead and bought a new stem, drop bars, brake levers, and shifters.
I have no regrets about doing the full conversion, nor of buying these drop bar ends to make sure that's what I really wanted to do with my MTB before spending a couple hundred bucks.
For what it's worth, I had them for sale on the Denver craigslist for a month asking $10 cash with no inquiries. I guess these aren't in great demand, or my price was too high. I'll probably donate them to the bike co-op the next time I'm over that way.
My opinions:
1. Too wide
2. Stock brakes and shifters were too far away from my hands
3. No "hoods" position with stock MTB brakes
4. They looked really strange with the riser bar
But...
5. They got me down in the drops when riding into a headwind and when I wanted a different hand position.
So they sold me on the concept of drop bars, but I wasn't happy with them alone. I went ahead and bought a new stem, drop bars, brake levers, and shifters.
I have no regrets about doing the full conversion, nor of buying these drop bar ends to make sure that's what I really wanted to do with my MTB before spending a couple hundred bucks.
For what it's worth, I had them for sale on the Denver craigslist for a month asking $10 cash with no inquiries. I guess these aren't in great demand, or my price was too high. I'll probably donate them to the bike co-op the next time I'm over that way.
08-30-17, 07:29 PM
#5679
Thrifty Bill
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09-04-17, 09:33 AM
#5680
Touring Enthusiast
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I've posted this bike here before, but I'm posting it again because I've just got it back from the powdercoater (the finish was pretty rough when I purchased it from a forum member, and some hard use this past winter didn't do the finish any favors) and finished a few little tweaks to make it perfect. Frame is an '88 Trek 870, a one year model with the unusual combination of U-brakes and DT shifter bosses.
Great job on all the color matching, etc. Looks like a sizable investment, but also looks like a show-room ride!
09-08-17, 07:59 PM
#5681
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Is there a how-to/faq/rules of thumb for this?
I'm eyeing an old specialized hard rock with 26" tires and canti brakes for a monstercross gravel grinder type bike.
Also, how likely is a frame listed as 20.75" to fit a 6'3" person?
I'm eyeing an old specialized hard rock with 26" tires and canti brakes for a monstercross gravel grinder type bike.
Also, how likely is a frame listed as 20.75" to fit a 6'3" person?
09-08-17, 08:06 PM
#5682
Bikes are okay, I guess.
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If your bike is cheap enough it might be worth playing with, or you might rather hold out for something taller. They are out there. There's a 22" GT at our co-op and other brands made tall MTBs also.
09-08-17, 08:55 PM
#5684
Bikes are okay, I guess.
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Not specifically, but I'd advise you to measure it to get the standover height and the top tube length and compare those to your existing bike. If you think it's close enough for you to make it work, go for it. If not, keep looking. Pretty simple, but keep in mind that settling for something that might work could distract you from holding out for what will work.
09-08-17, 09:31 PM
#5685
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Not specifically, but I'd advise you to measure it to get the standover height and the top tube length and compare those to your existing bike. If you think it's close enough for you to make it work, go for it. If not, keep looking. Pretty simple, but keep in mind that settling for something that might work could distract you from holding out for what will work.
If it doesn't work I'll just stick to my original plan and get something new.
09-09-17, 10:37 AM
#5686
Le Garçon de Knoxville
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I've posted this bike here before, but I'm posting it again because I've just got it back from the powdercoater (the finish was pretty rough when I purchased it from a forum member, and some hard use this past winter didn't do the finish any favors) and finished a few little tweaks to make it perfect. Frame is an '88 Trek 870, a one year model with the unusual combination of U-brakes and DT shifter bosses.
09-11-17, 08:00 AM
#5687
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Built this up recently...mid to late 90's Cannondale MTB I picked up for $60. It was rough but cheap, so decided it would make a good drop bar conversion. Not as vintage-styled as some here but its a fun ride. Makes me want to throw my randonneur bars on my Steel GT commuter...
Still working on the riding position...I need to put a straight seatpost on it to move the seat closer to the bars. Also need to get some wider tires
Still working on the riding position...I need to put a straight seatpost on it to move the seat closer to the bars. Also need to get some wider tires
Last edited by sleutho; 09-11-17 at 03:29 PM.
09-11-17, 12:29 PM
#5689
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The other 2 have a notice from Photobucket to update your account to enable "3rd party hosting". ???
09-11-17, 03:30 PM
#5691
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09-15-17, 12:07 PM
#5692
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Here are a couple shots of my '97 Trek 830 with Midge bars. Still working out the kinks, getting cables installed, etc.
09-18-17, 03:08 AM
#5693
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Pure Cycles do a 25.4mm clamp / 22.2mm taper drop bar for those wishing to reuse MTB shifters in a drop bar setup:
https://www.purecycles.com/collections/parts-and-accessories/products/pure-fix-drop-bars?variant=352154423
https://www.purecycles.com/collections/parts-and-accessories/products/pure-fix-drop-bars?variant=352154423
09-18-17, 02:29 PM
#5695
Junior Member
Work in progress
Marin Bear Valley SE | Tange OS butted CrMo tubing (~18.5")
Marin Rockstar forks
Ritchey Logic threaded 1 1/8" headset
Shogun stem
Tektro levers
Marin Bear Valley SE | Tange OS butted CrMo tubing (~18.5")
Marin Rockstar forks
Ritchey Logic threaded 1 1/8" headset
Shogun stem
Tektro levers
09-19-17, 02:25 PM
#5697
Junior Member
Most of my parts are acquired already, I need a pair of tyres and some cables and it's ready to be assembled.
09-19-17, 04:13 PM
#5698
Senior Member
09-19-17, 04:28 PM
#5700
Junior Member