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Show Your Vintage MTB Drop Bar Conversions

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Show Your Vintage MTB Drop Bar Conversions

Old 01-28-13, 12:59 PM
  #851  
frantik
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Originally Posted by wrk101
I used to use one of those $5 ebay hanging scales, they work great as well
can you recommend one that is good for bikes? i see a ton but on ebay but they look like tiny hand held units


I got it down to 25.94 pounds, by swapping wheels from the Univega Alpina Pro, and putting on a light weight saddle. I could save another half pound or so by installing light weight pedals. Bike still has much of its original parts: seat post, stem, derailleurs, crankset. A stock Cimmaron starts at 29 pounds (many of those catalog weights are without saddle or pedals).

Getting it under 25 would take replacement of a lot of parts. There's only so much you can shave off when you start with a relatively heavy frame.
25-26 lbs is pretty respectable for a vintage MTB... my SS drop bar conversion weighs more
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Old 01-28-13, 01:01 PM
  #852  
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I used one just like this one for years. Lots of people selling them.

Here you go, BIN, shipped, $3.08. Seller is in Hong Kong. More and more of the stuff I buy on ebay comes from there. Just bought brass nipples from a seller in China, got them in less than 2 weeks.

I just used a nylon strap off the hook to hang the bike. Very easy to tare out the weight of the strap.


https://www.ebay.com/itm/20g-40Kg-Dig...item256347cc08


Here's the Cimmaron in weight weenie form, 25.92 pounds. As mentioned, it still has the heavy bear trap pedals, lighter pedals would knock it down another half pound or so.




On the weight front, I just picked up a Paramount Series 70 MTB frameset, for my next project. As built stock, it weighed in at just 24.5 pounds (Tange Prestige frameset helps). We'll have to see where that build ends up. Colors on that Series 70 look pretty similar to the 1992 series 7 road bike I have in the project queue. Could make an interesting pair!

Last edited by wrk101; 01-28-13 at 07:43 PM.
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Old 01-28-13, 02:04 PM
  #853  
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Whoo, beautiful day Sat! I rode around for several hours in shorts, half of that with jacket unzipped and no gloves
I was doing an extended test ride to dial in my "new" Rockhopper. My daily rider is a drop bar Schwinn Impact that`s a little too big for me, so I have to live with a bit longer reach than I prefer. On the RH, I was able to get the bars in closer, which feels great. The ride is comparable to my Schwinn, but the handling is quicker. Offhand, I have to say it`s TOO quick for me since I prefer to be able to hold a straight line without paying attention and I often cruise with my forearms resting on the bars- can`t do that with the RH. And I`ve had teh Schwinn up to over 50 MPH on a handful of occasions with no ill efects. I got the Specialized into the mid 30s on a few grades and it made me nervous. I don`t know enough about geometry to guess as to what exactly the difference is, but I hope I get used to it. Gonna give it more time and see how it goes.

I did my first freehub body transplant after the ride. Very simple really, but I have to toot my horn over it a little. I hadn`t realized that the bearing cone would be further out with the 7-10s HG shell, but was able to keep the OLD at 130 and no redishing required by moving one thin spacer from the drive side to the non drive and removing one thicker spacer from that side. The chain cleared with with the 11-28 cassette that I plan to keep, but I tried it with a 12t small sprocket just for fun and that was a No-Go. Will have to play with the spacers again and redish if I ever feel the need to throw a 12-26 or something on there.

Originally Posted by frantik
25-26 lbs is pretty respectable for a vintage MTB...
+1. I`d love to see weight in that neighborhood. Actually, I think I stand a decent chance with my current project as soon as I get rid of the adjustable stem.
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Old 02-01-13, 11:43 AM
  #854  
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Again, my favorite thread on the forum. Like most of you, I have road bikes with much more C&V cache' and worth many times what these old clunkers go for. But, I have so much more fun tearing them apart and reconfiguring.

Here are a few not very good photos of the 1986 High Sierra at dawn. It is still a work in progress.

I shimmed a 25mm seat post just for bench testing and need to find a 26mm. Stem/bar/brake lever combination came from another project and I wanted to keep it in tact. The roller cams are a mofo to set up and the rear needs further tweaking.

Do you like the drive train?

Now I need to figure out which way to go. Radrod, Steampunk or both? It definitely needs leather. And I may throw on a 7-speed cassette and a single bar end.

So why do I like these boat anchors? Because it's pure fun and the C&V Aunt Nancys stay out of it.

Oh, I also included a photo of my Radrod Haro Extreme.

Have a great weekend, all.

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Old 02-01-13, 11:50 AM
  #855  
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That... is a lot of seat post. Cool bike though.
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Old 02-01-13, 11:54 AM
  #856  
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Originally Posted by striknein
That... is a lot of seat post. Cool bike though.

Thanks. Enhanced legs make it difficult to fit these conversions.
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Old 02-01-13, 12:04 PM
  #857  
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Originally Posted by cobrabyte
Took my Rockhopper out for a ride today before I set it up for my tour next month. Here's some pics of the current setup:
oh man this is so so great good work!
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Old 02-01-13, 12:43 PM
  #858  
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Originally Posted by RFC
Do you like the drive train?
Pretty much perfect as it is now. Awesome bike. Some serious chainring too, must be great for the workout!
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Old 02-01-13, 12:50 PM
  #859  
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Originally Posted by Italuminium
Pretty much perfect as it is now. Awesome bike. Some serious chainring too, must be great for the workout!
Thanks. LOL. 56 x 20, which is about 71 gear inches with these tires. I've had the 56t around for a while and, given the massive, sort of Mad Max nature of the roller cams, thought it was complementary. My road SS bikes are 71-74 gear inches. However, this maybe a bit steep for a MTB SS. We'll see. I could go to 21t or smaller tires and that would be about right.
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Old 02-01-13, 12:51 PM
  #860  
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Originally Posted by Creme Brulee
oh man this is so so great good work!
Thanks! It's bitter sweet changing it, but having it feel like a new bike is a nice prospect too. I should have it completed this weekend
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Old 02-01-13, 01:37 PM
  #861  
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Originally Posted by RFC
Thanks. LOL. 56 x 20, which is about 71 gear inches with these tires. I've had the 56t around for a while and, given the massive, sort of Mad Max nature of the roller cams, thought it was complementary. My road SS bikes are 71-74 gear inches. However, this maybe a bit steep for a MTB SS. We'll see. I could go to 21t or smaller tires and that would be about right.

that is an awesome chainring. set up without a rd, that chainstay protector you made should stay purty
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Old 02-01-13, 09:13 PM
  #862  
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I was thinking of converting this Maruishi Discovery. lugged with Tange 1000 d.b. frame ( '85-'89 though not sure of exact year ) I recently bought to drop bars then changed my mind but after checking out all of the nice bikes here and how much more practical it makes them I think I should do it. Just have to find some good deals on everything. Any ideas on bar cons? I was thinking of the dia compe - the rear derailleur is a Shimano with a 5 speed freewheel ( 14 - 32 ). A before and after, well, tires anyway.





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Old 02-01-13, 10:00 PM
  #863  
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Originally Posted by VintageRide
I was thinking of converting this Maruishi Discovery.
Cool! I didn`t know Maruishi had made any mtbs. Looks like it still has nice paint on it, too!

Not so nice paint on my Specialized, but the weather sure was fine. Furlough day, so we took our first lap together on my half-day road loop today. Getting used to the handling now, so that`s good. It now has bar tape, indexed Shimano 8, Pasela 1.25s, and TWO brakes! Borrowed a rack from the tandem so I could carry some "just in case" clothes and any clothes I ended up removing along the way. Tubing for a nicer stem is on order, should arrive next week. I also ordered some low profile cantis (my heels hit the rear calipers from time to time) and another example of my butt`s favorite saddle. I think I`ll rob the BMX pedals from my folder, too.
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Old 02-01-13, 10:11 PM
  #864  
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Nice pictures by the way - I wonder if it was more of a purpose built touring bike given all the braze ons - including the mid fork ones. Maruishi was known for their touring models so I have my suspicions especially with a name like DIscovery. The real problem is a lack of information on this make.
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Old 02-01-13, 10:14 PM
  #865  
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Great looking Maruishi. Looks showroom clean.

You can't go wrong with Suntour barcons.
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Old 02-01-13, 10:27 PM
  #866  
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i like the color of that maruishi
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Old 02-01-13, 10:33 PM
  #867  
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chainring's kinda small

the C&V Aunt Nancys stay out of it.

Last edited by frantik; 02-02-13 at 01:08 AM.
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Old 02-02-13, 11:08 AM
  #868  
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+1 On barcons, the old Suntour ones are the standard, they are on a lot of bikes on this thread. You can find them at a reasonable cost if you are patient. In a hurry, they can cost $50 or even more.

I still occasionally find them on ebay at a reasonable cost, picked up another set about 3 weeks ago (they are on ebay pretty much continuously, several every day, but the prices are too strong for me).
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Old 02-02-13, 12:16 PM
  #869  
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a lil teaser.....

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Old 02-02-13, 05:36 PM
  #870  
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Originally Posted by frantik


chainring's kinda small



Nice looking ride!! Is that a 53/18?,,,,BD

EDIT: NM, saw the tooth counts now. Dayum!
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Old 02-02-13, 05:55 PM
  #871  
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Hello all-

I hope everyone is enjoying the weekend, the day before the Superbowl, a few of us are riding the canyon during the pre-game and first half (gotta get back before the drunks hit the roads)... the roads should be pretty clear.

I came across this little gem and since I'm painting my frame and fork, chrome is no good for my build, so I'll pass it along to one of you. I hope someone on here can use a brand new chromed Schwinn Tange fork with mid-leg braze-ons and double eyelets! There are 7 more days, opening bid of $29.99 with $16.00 s/h (ouch!!!), time enough to measure your headtube and decide. Here is the link:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/290853803803...84.m1423.l2649



Mods- please forgive me for posting this in this forum but it seems to be an ideal fork our drop bar conversions, I'm just trying to help out.
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Old 02-02-13, 06:23 PM
  #872  
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Ummmm, is it allowed to post links to your ebay auctions anywhere on the forum?,,,,BD

Just curious...
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Old 02-02-13, 06:28 PM
  #873  
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Originally Posted by Bikedued
Ummmm, is it allowed to post links to your ebay auctions anywhere on the forum?,,,,BD

Just curious...
i'm not sure but the item is located in Pittsburgh and neo_pop is in california...
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Old 02-02-13, 06:30 PM
  #874  
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Oh I get it, it's not his then, he just found it, and is passing the info along. Got it. Carry on.,,,,BD
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Old 02-02-13, 08:13 PM
  #875  
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Originally Posted by Bikedued
Oh I get it, it's not his then, he just found it, and is passing the info along. Got it. Carry on.,,,,BD



Almost completely new drive train on the Univega.. haven't put it thru it's paces yet. Unfortunately a few teeth on the 13t cog are rubbing on the chainstay just a tiny bit.. this wasn't happening with my other HG cassette with a 13t small cog. i might swap that cog on or see what I can do about getting a touch more clearance. [edit: i swapped on the cog from the other cassette and it's got a little bit more clearance. strange but hey, whatever, bettter than having to redish the wheel]

13-21t 7 speed HG cassette (replaced 13-30t HG cassette)
48t Sakae "roundtech" ring/39t Salsa ring (both aluminum) (just replaced 52t salsa ring)
Shimano 600 tricolor RD (replaced long cage Deore XT RD)
Suntour x-1 FD (i replaced the Deore FD which was fine but this one was TWO WHOLE GRAMS lighter, plus it looks cooler and the cage design looks to be more functional as well)






Sakae ring and Suntour FD taken from the infamous BOX OF CRAP!

Last edited by frantik; 02-02-13 at 10:46 PM.
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