Jeff Neese

Interestingly enough, the '89 Trek 970 doesn't fit big tires, like the '93 930 or the Rockhopper do. The Maxxis Ikons (2.2) that I have on my 930 won't fit on the 970, for example. MTB geometry evolved from the late eighties into the early nineties and not all of the early ones will fit fat tires. Just be aware.

If you mean similar handlebars to my Soma Oxfords, I really like them more than I thought I would. That 970 of mine has had a lot of different handlebar configurations - flat bars, butterfly bars, drop bars, and now these which I think I'm going to stick with on this bike. Here's a view of the cockpit. I like that I can ride upright and relaxed (almost like a cruiser), but then drop into a more weight-forward position if the road starts getting dicey. With your hands right there where the brake levers are, you have great control - sort of like dirt drops. I like friction shifting so that makes a lot of these handlebar swaps a lot easier. I think you could use your current MTB controls on these. If I wanted indexed shifting I could just throw on a set of trigger shifters instead of the bar-ends.

m.c. 

I think Id like those.

I don't know what frame to get. I've wanted a stumpjumper for years but the prices on the frames have gotten higher than I want to pay. I want wide tires so I'll have to check the clearances.

Jeff Neese

Instead of a Stumpjumper, look for a Rockhopper. Those are also full DB chromoly frames and forks, and are a very nice riding frame. Also the early to mid Trek Singletracks are superb. Both of those come up quite often on Craigslist or FB Marketplace, and don't command outrageous prices. There are others of course.

frogman

Jeff,

Great job on the 970. I like the flexibility you have in riding position with those bars.

m.c. 

Ok, Thanks. I'll keep those in mind.

ofajen

Here’s an example of a late 80’s RockHopper. Note that the seat is moved forward to match the BB setback of my road bike.

The picture is updated to show the 120mm stem I installed. This frame has no trouble clearing 26x2.2” tires.




Otto

av1

There is plenty of good info re. 90s mtb bike conversion here on the forum. If you have the parts or know exactly what you are looking for the cost may be lower than a new bike and the converted bike is quite versatile fun bike to ride either from a skinny 1.1 road tires to a 2'' mtb tires and everything in between. Here are my both 94s mid range Scott and Specialized bikes. A new bike? Maybe if i run out of decent parts ,tires etc.

rydabent

Or you cold save a lot of money if you just painted the words "gravel grinder" on the top tube of your mountain bike.

big john

It all depends on what you want the bike to do and your skill level. Peter Stetina has won big gravel races on a stock Madone, but for mortals a more purpose built machine is probably a better choice.
To me, the purpose of a "gravel bike" is to allow reasonable speed on the road along with reasonable capability in the dirt. If I was staying in the dirt I would just stick with a mountain bike, unless it was just smooth dirt roads. In the case if dirt roads and mild trails, literally anything will work, especially if you don't care about speed.

I've been on a number of rides with people on nice gravel bikes while I was on my mtb. Unless it's really rough or sandy they easily drop me. A lightweight XC bike would be close in off road performance but flat bars suck on the road, IMHO.

Here is my friend's Rocky Mountain gravel bike with 27.5 wheels.

Here I am trying to stay with a friend who is on a cf gravel bike. He accelerated away from me on the little climb.

ridethecliche

I want to build a franken-gravel-bike using a 90's/00's trek mountain or hybrid as a starting point. The multitracks are great and have some rad paint jobs.

I don't want to do it because it would be better than a store bought gravel bike... I want to do it because I think they're badass. It would likely see use as a commuter more than anything else for me.

Camilo

Not only weight, but the big thing I notice when riding "gravel" rides with MTB'ers is the frontal area from the wide handlebars and hand position. That said, they don't generally have any trouble keeping up with me!

big john

That's why I said flat bars suck on the road. If there's a road section the drop bar bikes have an advantage and it's a huge advantage if they're hammering or it's a headwind.
Modern XC bikes are available below 25 pounds, even around 21 pounds for a hardtail, if you have the $$$.

big john

The steel frames are better than the aluminum ones. I had a Trek 7000 something aluminum rigid mtb. I rode it for a few years and it would rattle your teeth loose on rough ground. It was truly awful on washboard, etc. I eventually put a short travel suspension fork on it which helped but I was very happy to get rid of it. It would have been fine on the street, of course. It was about 28 pounds fully rigid with fairly light 2.3 tires.

t2p

early / mid 90's Gary Fisher bikes / steel frames are another option

early 90's Schwinn Paramounts also ... TIG'd and lugged ... the lugged steel frames were especially sweet

t2p

Are 7 spd 'brifters' available ?

( Tourney 3x7 ? )

bargainguy

Yup, you can get Shimano Tourney today in a 3x7 brifter. Microshift has made a 3x7 brifter set for at least a few years.

Back in the day, if you wanted a 3x7 brifter, your options were pretty much to limited to Sora & RSX in the Shimano line. More options now.

m.c. 

Ive seen the paramount mountain bikes but recently came across something called a Paramountain

I wouldn't mind finding a red white and blue paramount mountain bike frame, I've got the road frame.

m.c. 

There are some on amazon right now, Shimano, I forgot the line, I almost bought them. I think they may be a 3 initial name.

edit: they are tourney. I think I’ve looked at so many parts lately they’ve all run together in my head.

big john

Paramount Design Group. A real Paramount mtb would be pretty sweet.
I wanted a Hoo Koo E Koo back in the day.

UniChris

I was going to convert a 90's MTB to a "gravel bike" but finally just ended up buying a proper one.

Problem is, I'm not willing to lock up my "nice" "new" bike at the store, and having a properly fit bike made me realize how painfully unfit my comfort-frame bargain-find utility bike is.

So now I'm back to looking for a 90's MTB for utility and winter use, only unsure if I'm going to actually put drops on it, or just use it around town - probably initially the first.

Definitely looking for one of the minority of 700c ones though, as I want tire interchangeability with my main bike - especially if I ever buy some studded winter tires. Mostly I think I'd only use them on the "bad" bike because that's what I'd be willing to ride on salted roads, but if I'm going to spend that kind of money I'd want them in a size that in theory I could use on my good bike for some sort of adventure.

t2p

you're a big guy - and that flat handlebar still looks super wide

the drop bars with the funky angled drops on the gravel bike don't appear to be comfortable - ? - but I've never tried them ... maybe they are (?)

t2p

back in the day - John Tomac (father of pro motocross racer Eli Tomac) - raced off road with drop bars

big john

Yeah, not big like I once was. The bar on that bike is 780mm wide which has been pretty common for trail and enduro bikes the last several years. Mountain bike geometry changed a lot starting around 2017-2018. Part of the change was wide bars with short stems, reduced offset forks, slacker head angles, and longer reach.

The handle bar on the gravel bike is actually a cyclo-cross design. I think it started with Bell Lap bars. The idea is your wrists/forearms don't get banged against the bar when you're on the drops and bouncing around. I borrowed a bike with a bar that was flared but not quite as much as the one in the picture. It was fine for the little time I spent on the bike.

big john

So did Jaquie Phelan aka Alice B Toeclips.

OmenGregg

The gravel bike will be more efficient, less rolling resistance, closer gear ratios, lighter.

The XC MTB will be a softer ride, more stable in rough/slippery conditions.

Either will be capable, basically what do you prefer: speed or stability?