Vintage MTB To Upright Bar / Urban Bike Conversions
#1176
Happy banana slug
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Arcata, California, U.S., North America, Earth, Saggitarius Arm, Milky Way
Posts: 3,940
Bikes: 1984 Araya MB 261, 1992 Specialized Rockhopper Sport, 1993 Hard Rock Ultra, 1994 Trek Multitrack 750, 1995 Trek Singletrack 930
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I like how it rides and how the raw finish looks.
It's the 3rd time I've built up a bike with a raw finish.
I found you can minimize rust by spraying the frame and fork thoroughly with wd-40 every 6 weeks or so.
If I decide I really want to keep it I might have it powdercoated but then again that raw finish is it's cool I think.
It's the 3rd time I've built up a bike with a raw finish.
I found you can minimize rust by spraying the frame and fork thoroughly with wd-40 every 6 weeks or so.
If I decide I really want to keep it I might have it powdercoated but then again that raw finish is it's cool I think.
#1177
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Enjoyed one last ride on my Schwinn Cimarron I rebuilt a couple months ago before the frigid temps hit for 4 or more days.
Of course our North Central Texas temps will not be as cold as many of you folks from more northern climes.
I pray safety and warmth for all.
Last edited by cooperryder; 01-13-24 at 03:40 PM.
#1178
Senior Member
Thread Starter
I did it again.
Well,
I may need to search for don't acquire any more bikes 12 step program if there is such a thing.
About 10 days ago I saw this vintage Bridgestone for sale about 2 miles from me.
Best I can tell it's either a 1971 or a 1981 model going by the serial number format shown in the Bridgestone thread on this forum and the 1 on my serial number is evidently the year of manufacture.
The model name is Diamond.
Evidently it was an overseas model, probably Japanese.
It has no braze-ons for bottle cages, DT cable stops, bottom bracket cable guides, or a chainstay cable stop so all that is remedied by clamp on bosses, stops and guides.
The pale yellow paint was in very rough shape so I did the paint strip thing again and now have a second bike with no paint.
Anyone recognize those lugs?
It's another nice riding bike not too different from the previously posted Schwinn LeTour with bare paint.
Now which one to keep?
I've not seen a Bridgestone head badge like this before.
Side by side before and after.
Quite a change!
I'll be ordering some TT cable guides and taking off the zip ties.
Fortunately I had everything in my parts bins to build it up.
More before pics in next post.
I may need to search for don't acquire any more bikes 12 step program if there is such a thing.
About 10 days ago I saw this vintage Bridgestone for sale about 2 miles from me.
Best I can tell it's either a 1971 or a 1981 model going by the serial number format shown in the Bridgestone thread on this forum and the 1 on my serial number is evidently the year of manufacture.
The model name is Diamond.
Evidently it was an overseas model, probably Japanese.
It has no braze-ons for bottle cages, DT cable stops, bottom bracket cable guides, or a chainstay cable stop so all that is remedied by clamp on bosses, stops and guides.
The pale yellow paint was in very rough shape so I did the paint strip thing again and now have a second bike with no paint.
Anyone recognize those lugs?
It's another nice riding bike not too different from the previously posted Schwinn LeTour with bare paint.
Now which one to keep?
I've not seen a Bridgestone head badge like this before.
Side by side before and after.
Quite a change!
I'll be ordering some TT cable guides and taking off the zip ties.
Fortunately I had everything in my parts bins to build it up.
More before pics in next post.
Last edited by cooperryder; 02-07-24 at 02:05 PM.
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#1180
Happy banana slug
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Arcata, California, U.S., North America, Earth, Saggitarius Arm, Milky Way
Posts: 3,940
Bikes: 1984 Araya MB 261, 1992 Specialized Rockhopper Sport, 1993 Hard Rock Ultra, 1994 Trek Multitrack 750, 1995 Trek Singletrack 930
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1,030 Posts
[MENTION=70993]cooperryder[/MENTION], you might have better luck in the "drop bar to upright bar" thread or the Bridgestone thread. That doesn't look like a mtb. Very cool, though; love that headbadge.
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#1181
Senior Member
Thread Starter
I did post it on the Bridgestone thread.
Even though I originally started this thread for vintage mt bikes somewhere around midway it was opened to other vintage upright bar conversions , mountain, hybrid , road or whatever.
I think it's terrific to take a vintage bike of whatever style and convert it to a bike that's super comfortable and fun to ride.
In my case a taller stem, upright bars and quality tires fit the bill.
So folks feel free to post your hybrid, Sport tourer, road or whatever vintage bike you've converted to upright bars , etc to make it comfortable and fun to ride again.
I love seeing these old bikes getting a new life and not going to the landfill.
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#1182
Junior Member
but bikes are good fun and exercise. some say easier on fuel but if your riding a lot then so does the hunger so more meals and snacks, but no need to preach to this peanut gallery. we've all been there. 😁
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#1183
Junior Member
Here's a rebuild from this summer. I wasn't sure if the threadless headset disqualified it from this thread; best I can tell it's a 2002 Marin Madrone Trail, 20" (seems like it was an overseas specific model that made its way back here). The brushed aluminum frame is what caught my attention when it popped up locally. Built as kind of an ATB rather than a super practical bike but I love the ride.
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#1184
Junior Member
great looking bike. I have a collina liberta lx that looks alot like this one. can't find much about it online. it was a bike from Spain sometime in the late 80's or 90's. works great, that's all that counts. curious what bars your build hbuilders are always of interest 😁
Another (inexpensive) bar that is very close to the Ortho (and Tosco) is the Wald 896. I mocked up my build using these and was very happy with them, though the price difference is apparent in the finish and weight.
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#1185
Happy banana slug
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Arcata, California, U.S., North America, Earth, Saggitarius Arm, Milky Way
Posts: 3,940
Bikes: 1984 Araya MB 261, 1992 Specialized Rockhopper Sport, 1993 Hard Rock Ultra, 1994 Trek Multitrack 750, 1995 Trek Singletrack 930
Liked 1,758 Times
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Handlebars are Ron's Ortho bars from Crust - unfortunately on perpetual back order with over a year between stock shipments. The Orthos are very similar to 65cm Rivendell Toscos - just a touch wider and with a bit more rise.
Another (inexpensive) bar that is very close to the Ortho (and Tosco) is the Wald 896. I mocked up my build using these and was very happy with them, though the price difference is apparent in the finish and weight.
Another (inexpensive) bar that is very close to the Ortho (and Tosco) is the Wald 896. I mocked up my build using these and was very happy with them, though the price difference is apparent in the finish and weight.
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#1186
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Handlebars are Ron's Ortho bars from Crust - unfortunately on perpetual back order with over a year between stock shipments. The Orthos are very similar to 65cm Rivendell Toscos - just a touch wider and with a bit more rise.
Another (inexpensive) bar that is very close to the Ortho (and Tosco) is the Wald 896. I mocked up my build using these and was very happy with them, though the price difference is apparent in the finish and weight.
Another (inexpensive) bar that is very close to the Ortho (and Tosco) is the Wald 896. I mocked up my build using these and was very happy with them, though the price difference is apparent in the finish and weight.
Bars I go to often for my builds are the Sunlite North road. They come in a steel version for $25 or so and an aluminum alloy version for around $45.
They are somewhat similar to a Nitto Albatross bar but with more rise which I personally like.
I like the Albatross too but with multiple bikes the more economical NorthRoad fits my budget builds.
I have a Velo Orange Tourist bar on one bike and it's very good as well. Last I looked on the VO site they were out of stock.
Sunlite Northroad Touring Aluminum Handlebar
- North road style
- Clamp Size: 25.4mm
- Width/Length: 21"
- Rise/Reach: 3.5"
- Color: Silver
- Finish: Polished
- Type: Touring
- Material :Aluminum
Sunlite B0010VZFJO
Color: Silver
Material: Aluminum
Bar Clamp Diameter: 25.4 mm
Bar Rise: 3.5 mm
Sunlite Northroad Touring Aluminum Handlebar
Last edited by cooperryder; 02-29-24 at 09:55 AM.
#1187
Newbie
One more alternative to the Ortho bars is the Moth bar by Magic components - lots of width and sweep. Also wanted to plug Whatbars.com as a really helpful summary resource
#1188
Senior Member
Thread Starter
How's it going upright bars riders?
I enjoyed a good ride yesterday on my refurbished 36 year old vintage Schwinn Cimarron.
I recommend these 26x2.20 Continental Contact Urban tires.
Roll great and great cush for bumpy streets.
I enjoyed a good ride yesterday on my refurbished 36 year old vintage Schwinn Cimarron.
I recommend these 26x2.20 Continental Contact Urban tires.
Roll great and great cush for bumpy streets.
Last edited by cooperryder; 04-10-24 at 04:29 PM.
#1191
Senior Member
Thread Starter
I was able to enjoy a 40 mile ride on my yellow sunshine bike, a vintage Schwinn Cimarron, powder coated and re-furbished.
It's a terrific riding bike with nice fat 26" Continental Urban Contact street tires.
(Previously shared on this thread.)
It's a terrific riding bike with nice fat 26" Continental Urban Contact street tires.
(Previously shared on this thread.)
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#1194
Senior Member
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#1196
Senior Member
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#1198
Senior Member
Thanks for the good and clear pics!
That part is the closest thing to getting a semi's fifth wheel and kingpin onto a bike.
That part is the closest thing to getting a semi's fifth wheel and kingpin onto a bike.
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#1199
Safari Master
I'm not sure I'd really call this a "conversion" as this is pretty much what a 1988 Schwinn Woodlands looked like right out of the catalog, just with a slighly different color to the paint and some decals (this bike was starting to rust pretty badly, I stepped in just in the nick of time).
Handlebar is a new Wald replacement in similar style to the stock one, may be a little higher than factory. Brakes are obviously newer, the rest is pretty much straight as it was, just cleaned up nicely. Tires are an urban somewhat BMX inspired tread, great for city paths and a touch of gravel.
It's a very good rider and extremely simple as it's just a 10 speed.
Handlebar is a new Wald replacement in similar style to the stock one, may be a little higher than factory. Brakes are obviously newer, the rest is pretty much straight as it was, just cleaned up nicely. Tires are an urban somewhat BMX inspired tread, great for city paths and a touch of gravel.
It's a very good rider and extremely simple as it's just a 10 speed.
This thing looks like a hoot! I really like those Wald bars, I might need to grab some for my next build.
#1200
Junior Member
Just finished building this electric conversion. 1992 Trek 950.
Soma Dream hi-rise bars with a Velo-Orange faceplate stem, Ergon grips, and Sylvan Gordito pedals. 1x8 drivetrain, currently indexed, but thinking of switching to a power-ratchet thumbie mounted inboard on the bars.
I had previously had these wheels and the electrical system on an early 90s KHS Escape frame with a Surly Pack-Rat fork and some riser mtb bars, but the frame was too small for me. This one fits fantastically. And I like the bathos of the contemporary style of resto-mod on a lugged ATB frame, but electrified
Soma Dream hi-rise bars with a Velo-Orange faceplate stem, Ergon grips, and Sylvan Gordito pedals. 1x8 drivetrain, currently indexed, but thinking of switching to a power-ratchet thumbie mounted inboard on the bars.
I had previously had these wheels and the electrical system on an early 90s KHS Escape frame with a Surly Pack-Rat fork and some riser mtb bars, but the frame was too small for me. This one fits fantastically. And I like the bathos of the contemporary style of resto-mod on a lugged ATB frame, but electrified
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