Show Your Vintage MTB Drop Bar Conversions
#4801
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Ok...no more second guessing. I am going to keep the RH. After the tax prep, I will start the build on it
Thanks everyone for your input
#4802
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'91 Schwinn High Plains winter project pics
Hi All,
So here are a few pics of my winter project, built up from east coast bike swaps of the last 6 months, plus CL, a few new bits, and a magic find at the local bike co-op, wtb dirt drop bars that got the whole project rolling. Gear inches from 18.9 to 111, 50-34-24, 12-34 7 speed cassette, friction shifting on thumbies, and quad brake levers. Super fun to ride so far and so fast!
So here are a few pics of my winter project, built up from east coast bike swaps of the last 6 months, plus CL, a few new bits, and a magic find at the local bike co-op, wtb dirt drop bars that got the whole project rolling. Gear inches from 18.9 to 111, 50-34-24, 12-34 7 speed cassette, friction shifting on thumbies, and quad brake levers. Super fun to ride so far and so fast!
#4803
Abuse Magnet
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Bikes: '91 Mtn Tek Vertical, '74 Raleigh Sports, '72 Raleigh Twenty, '84 Univega Gran Turismo, '09 Surly Karate Monkey, '92 Burley Rock-n-Roll, '86 Miyata 310, '76 Raleigh Shopper
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What's up with those front spokes?
Hi All,
So here are a few pics of my winter project, built up from east coast bike swaps of the last 6 months, plus CL, a few new bits, and a magic find at the local bike co-op, wtb dirt drop bars that got the whole project rolling. Gear inches from 18.9 to 111, 50-34-24, 12-34 7 speed cassette, friction shifting on thumbies, and quad brake levers. Super fun to ride so far and so fast!
So here are a few pics of my winter project, built up from east coast bike swaps of the last 6 months, plus CL, a few new bits, and a magic find at the local bike co-op, wtb dirt drop bars that got the whole project rolling. Gear inches from 18.9 to 111, 50-34-24, 12-34 7 speed cassette, friction shifting on thumbies, and quad brake levers. Super fun to ride so far and so fast!
#4805
Senior Member
Hi All,
So here are a few pics of my winter project, built up from east coast bike swaps of the last 6 months, plus CL, a few new bits, and a magic find at the local bike co-op, wtb dirt drop bars that got the whole project rolling. Gear inches from 18.9 to 111, 50-34-24, 12-34 7 speed cassette, friction shifting on thumbies, and quad brake levers. Super fun to ride so far and so fast!
So here are a few pics of my winter project, built up from east coast bike swaps of the last 6 months, plus CL, a few new bits, and a magic find at the local bike co-op, wtb dirt drop bars that got the whole project rolling. Gear inches from 18.9 to 111, 50-34-24, 12-34 7 speed cassette, friction shifting on thumbies, and quad brake levers. Super fun to ride so far and so fast!
I have aver actually changed it around at times for different uses. It's that versatile.
#4806
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The drop bar conversion of Schwinn Cimarron is still in progress. The CX tires finally arrived, so I got them on. Just riding around the block, they ride pretty nice. Hoping I can finish the build shortly so I can take it out for a real test ride. The left RSX brifter (front) just won't shift to the big ring using the Shimano XT FD-M730 no matter how much adjusting I do. So I went and ordered a bar end shifter for the front, and I am waiting for it to arrive. I think the final build will be at 24 lbs...currently at 23.7 lbs as shown.
#4807
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Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Kansas City
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Bikes: Nishiki International fixie, Regina Sport fixie, '85 Univega Rover Sport drop-bar conversion, '14 Raleigh Tokul 3, '94 Kona Lava Dome 1x10,, Nashbar CX 1x10
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Hey everyone
I just finished my second drop bar conversion, this Univega Rover Sport. I found the bike for $30 and have had it built as SS and 1x10 mtb. It's a great ride, so it of course was my first choice for a drop bar mtb. I believe this is an '85, and I have never seen this paint scheme before. Anyonr have any facts on this model?
Anyways, here it is.
Specs:
Specialized Stout 26" wheels
WTB tires
Ritchey Bio-Max bars
Thomson +/-12 110mm road stem
Kalloy 26.4mm seatpost
Prologo Kappa Evo saddle
Original Shimano brakes
Shimano Tiagra 10 speed STIs
Shimano Ultegra Octalink crankset
Wolftooth 40t chainring
Shimano Ultegra 10 speed chain
Shimano Deore 10 speed cassette (11-34t)
Shimano Ultegra long cage 10 speed rear derailleur
Stock headset and Octalink bb
Ordered a RoadLink but I doubt I will need it now
I have plans for 1.5" tires and Paul brakes.. So more to come
Whatcha think?
I just finished my second drop bar conversion, this Univega Rover Sport. I found the bike for $30 and have had it built as SS and 1x10 mtb. It's a great ride, so it of course was my first choice for a drop bar mtb. I believe this is an '85, and I have never seen this paint scheme before. Anyonr have any facts on this model?
Anyways, here it is.
Specs:
Specialized Stout 26" wheels
WTB tires
Ritchey Bio-Max bars
Thomson +/-12 110mm road stem
Kalloy 26.4mm seatpost
Prologo Kappa Evo saddle
Original Shimano brakes
Shimano Tiagra 10 speed STIs
Shimano Ultegra Octalink crankset
Wolftooth 40t chainring
Shimano Ultegra 10 speed chain
Shimano Deore 10 speed cassette (11-34t)
Shimano Ultegra long cage 10 speed rear derailleur
Stock headset and Octalink bb
Ordered a RoadLink but I doubt I will need it now
I have plans for 1.5" tires and Paul brakes.. So more to come
Whatcha think?
#4808
Senior Member
It's good, I like the colour. If you like the WTB tires, try the 1.5 slicks. They are awesome for rotational weight loss and durability on the road.
#4810
...and SnowDog
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I posted this one a few weeks ago. Now with new wheels, seat post, and saddle it might be a pound or two lighter (still 30 lbs. though)...
#4811
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Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: South Brooklyn, NYC
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Bikes: '80 Trek 710, '81 Trek 613, '82 Trek 613, '86 Trek 500, '87 Bridgestone MB2, '87 Specialized Rockhopper, '87 Schwinn Circuit, '88 Miyata 712, '89 Trek 400, '97 Trek 6000, '11 Trek Utopia, '13 Specialized Allez Race, '15 All City Macho Man
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What would you guys think about converting my new to me Rockhopper Comp to drop bars. Already have two older Trek MTB's so I'm looking to do something a little different with this one. Also, would it be possible to find STI shifters that would work on a 6 speed?
#4812
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Location: Kansas City
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Bikes: Nishiki International fixie, Regina Sport fixie, '85 Univega Rover Sport drop-bar conversion, '14 Raleigh Tokul 3, '94 Kona Lava Dome 1x10,, Nashbar CX 1x10
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I would go with bar-end shifters. They make 7 speed STIs but any friction shifter would be better. There's also retroshift frictioners but that's big $$. Correct me if I'm wrong but I haven't seen any vintage 6spd STIs before.
#4813
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I mainly have the tires on because its what I had around. I'm on the lookout for a 1.75" but probably not slicks. Need a gravel/singletrack tire. Thanks for the advice tho, and yeah the paint is a big perk.
#4814
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Location: Kansas City
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I mainly have the tires on because its what I had around. I'm on the lookout for a 1.75" but probably not slicks. Need a gravel/singletrack tire. Thanks for the advice tho, and yeah the paint is a big perk.
#4815
Abuse Magnet
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Colorado
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Schwalbe Marathons are a good treaded 26x1.75 tire...I really liked mine, though some people say they feel kind of dead.
#4816
Jedi Master
Ought to be a great candidate for a conversion, larger frame which is nice. I'm not an expert, but the frame looks similar to the original Rock Combo. I'm a fan of bar-end shifters on dirt-drops so I can't help you with the brifter recommendation.
#4817
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#4818
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I don't have this bike anymore, but every time I see this thread it makes me want to post this pic.
It never occurred to me at the time that this '89 RockHopper was "vintage". I should have asked more for it when I sold it.
It never occurred to me at the time that this '89 RockHopper was "vintage". I should have asked more for it when I sold it.
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#4819
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I'll probably end up doing it with bar end shifters as I was just given a free set of Shimano 600 brake levers that I hope will work on it.
#4821
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Yeah, I got the brifters broken at a swap, stripped the guts and used them as brake levers. Ugly, but cheap and effective.
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#4822
The Rabbi
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You certainly have a nicely lugged Schwinn there! Don't believe it is a 91' though. Mine is a 90' built for the 91' sale year. Love to ride mine but don't find too many chances. As it is now.
I have aver actually changed it around at times for different uses. It's that versatile.
I have aver actually changed it around at times for different uses. It's that versatile.
#4823
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#4824
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Just picked up a used On One Midge bar from ebay. Once it gets here, I will finish up the build, now that all the necessary parts are in The Salsa Cowchipper bar is still backordered with no ETA though...I will deal with that when it comes.
The drop bar conversion of Schwinn Cimarron is still in progress. The CX tires finally arrived, so I got them on. Just riding around the block, they ride pretty nice. Hoping I can finish the build shortly so I can take it out for a real test ride. The left RSX brifter (front) just won't shift to the big ring using the Shimano XT FD-M730 no matter how much adjusting I do. So I went and ordered a bar end shifter for the front, and I am waiting for it to arrive. I think the final build will be at 24 lbs...currently at 23.7 lbs as shown.
#4825
Senior Member
They are hard to come by and I feel fortunate I was able to find one for my Panasonic build (#4600 in this thread). I think you'll like it and if I ever drop bar my Cimarron that is what I'd like to go with.
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Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride - JFK
Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride - JFK