squirtdad

central park i am thinking..... I once got a ticket there for doing luge training on wheeled sleds (technically for parking, but was approved to do so)

3speedslow

A 1985 Raleigh Marathon converted to a SS upright grocery/putter/ coffee bike.

ascherer 

And why the hell not? People do crazier every day.
I live on Central Park West. If you look closely you can see exactly where I was on my Garmin.

gaucho777 

Before (as received)



After

OTS 

My Townie.urban rider.
Inspired by 52telecaster and his hybrid gearing, I built up this Raleigh International frame as such.
Early on, years ago, I searched for about 18 months before I found a Raleigh International, I was so excited I failed to realize it had a replacement fork.






Oh well, it works.
Dialing in the 3 speed was a bit fiddly, but that was on me and my inexperience.
Shakedown ride this am was FUN!
I changed rear cog from 18T to 21T. I may revert back to the 18T or find some middle ground.
It's incredibly flat here.
Fenders, rear rack, saddle bag or rear rack bag is next.

cooperryder

Some great looking conversions here...

If you like this type of conversion this thread also has some terrific ones.


https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...rsions-37.html

jdogg111

eww

jdogg111

eww
what is involved in changing wheels from 27 to 700?

Soody

many gorgeous and sensible bikes in here
this dumb setup lasted for about a week

delbiker1 

My 2006 Schwinn SS DBX I have owned since new in 2006. It has been an excellent multi-use bike. I very much like riding it with the porteur bars and the 9 speed Tiagra STI's. Front now is a 46-38, rear is 11-32.

I like riding it.

goodwrench84

My flat bar conversion of a Fuji touring series III and some future updates of racks / fenders on the horizon. . With 27" tires, fenders are a question mark on proper fit as most are for 700 tires.

Velo Mule

I have a number of bikes that went from dropped bars to upright. First up is a Schwinn Continental that was repainted.



These are Wald chrome plated steel handlebars. I wanted them to be close to or the same as the Schwinn 7881 bars. Many people say that Wald made the handlebars for Schwinn, however, I am not sure about that. The Schwinn handlebars seem better formed and seemed to have better looking chrome. But these Wald bars have better chrome than they used to, so they will stay for now. In fact, I bought them thinking that I would use them as a stand in and get more expensive bars based on how I liked them.

For the fenders, they are Velo Orange Stainless Steel. I've had them on the bike for about four months and they are sturdy. No problems when I am riding on trails. I'm not too worried about weight on this bike.

Velo Mule

Next is a Lambert. This is a interesting company that made bikes in England. They eventually evolved into Viscount bicycles.


This bike has a hybrid drive that gets 6 evenly spaced gears and index shifting before that was a thing.



I worked in a bike shop in 1980 to about 1983 on an off. These handlebars were laying around as used take-offs and they were supposedly the stroker's bars from a French tandem. With a diameter of 23.5mm that was a possibility. Or maybe they were just upright bars from a French bike. We weren't able to sell or use them so they just hung around. I liked their shape and made a deal for them with the owner of the shop. They are aluminum and have no markings.

I bought the bike for the parts, but ended liking the frame. I particularly like the upside-down seat stays. The thick end of the tube is up near the seat cluster. This is an earlier version of the Lambert/Viscount bike since it is fully lugged and has an English threaded bottom bracket. It also has the Tange chrome plated fork that was the replacement for the original aluminum fork of death.

I ride the trail to the left. It is a bridal and multi-use trail. I rarely encounter horses, but I know they have been on the trail from the hoof prints (divots) and droppings.

goodwrench84

Nice looking bike and I really like the fenders. I am still on the fence with fender material and color with this build and I really like how the chrome looks on the vintage Schwinn's. I have a 1972 super sport I need to get painted and put back together as another project and your Continental gave me inspiration and idea's, plus I have many 7881's laying around.

streetsurfer

One I did this summer.

A $50 find - ‘71 after cleaned and serviced, Paselas and tubes, bar tape, brake blocks.



With:
Nitto bar, C-17, V-O fenders and city levers, period rack, mtb toe clips modified to half clips, lighting and new cables and housings, subbed in a suntour r/d with new chain.

Sactown_Albert 

My friend, Paul really wanted a city bike for commuting and errands so this is how I approached this restoration.

goodwrench84

Mule and Surfer, if your Continental's are still running 27" tire's, any issues with fitting of Velo Orange 700 fender's?

streetsurfer

Yes, 27x1-1/4”, and no problems at all once fitted. It was somewhat tedious with a couple removals of the wheel (needing to be deflated some for the wheel to clear the front and get into the dropouts). Most of it was getting the stays centered and evenly tensioned. The Darumel was used on the fork and the L bracket on the rear. A rubber plumbing washer was used at that L to isolate vibrations. Their included leather washers helped with holding things still during the fitment. Once close to home I was able to reach the nuts without removal which sped things up. A khiro skateboard bushing was used as a standoff and cushion at the kickstand mounted fender tab (and another to mount a rear reflector). This leaves the edge of the fender right at the break between the gumwall and the carbon black pretty evenly along each fender.

the fenders are solid and theres no rubbing, even though I hit rough enough trail so as to drop a chain. Dropping the bike on the floor from about six inches, I can’t tell the fenders are there, as for any extra noise or vibrations.

Velo Mule

Fenders for any bike can be a difficult decision. I've spent a lot of time trying to make a decison. I even went so far as make a spreadsheet of fenders.

I like Velo Orange when I want metal finders. I have a set of hammered aluminum on my wife's bike and between the Continental and her bike installation is pretty straightforward. I also like polycarbonate fenders. For those I usually go to Planet Bike. You may notice that I used a pair of their Cascadia fenders on my Lambert above. The polycarbonate fenders are lighter and can take a hit and bend back and they are lighter and quieter than metal fenders. I have also used SKS polycarbonate fenders and they are similar to Planet Bike with some subtle differences in mounting. Both install pretty straight forwarded.

By the way, if you check out Velo Orange's website, they have a bunch of different options for their fenders, with different textures, colors and profiles. I like the Zeppelin profile fenders.

I always loved the Schwinn 7881 handlebars. Good for you for saving them.

Velo Mule

Short Story: Yes, the Continental has 27" x 1-1/4" Kenda K35 tires and fit the 700C Planet bike fenders no problem.

Longer Story: You may notice that I have a tight fender line that I tried to keep uniform all the way around the tire. I did not dimple the fender under the fork. I mounted them as per instruction without modifications. My only problem, and it is not a big one, is that the fender mounting studs sometimes grazes the front tire, I did not put the leather washer between the fender and the stud so this would move the end of the stud away from the tire or I could just Dremel the end of the stud to get more clearance. I should find the leather washer and give that a try first. I could also push the fender away from the tire a little more by adjusting the fender strut but that would change the fender line. So, I have options. The fenders fit, I just need to fine tune.

goodwrench84

Good information, I am in the process of deciding on multiple types of fenders and my concern is I like and have the Kenda K161 Krosscyclo tire @ 27 1 3/8" and I am anticipating clearance issues. I really like these tires and have been using them for years and they are good on pavement and trail's. The two fenders I am leaning towards, is the Velo Orange Hammered alloy black at 45mm and the Planet bike Cascadia ALX 40mm but I am thinking the Planet Bike could be hard to sort out. Thanks for your insight and the pictures of your bikes.

Fredo76

Back when my old racing bike still had the thief's paint job, I rode it like this for awhile, with bullhorns and shock-absorbing stem and seatpost:



Bullhorns, Baby!

It looked kinda goofy, but it was a very comfortable ride.

tjfastback66

$70 Craig's Find and it had brand new tires (nothing special).

25" Frame and upright You are in the Clouds!

Barchettaman

2x9 Shimano parts bin drivetrain, but everything shifts as it should.
With 28mm tyres it’s great fun on the easier gravel and farm trails near me here in Frankfurt.

Kobe 

I turned 60 this year and I think the law requires me to have one of these. The Mercian came to me with really narrow drop bars and non-aero brakes which I now find annoying. 32c tires fit nicely and some room for fenders if I want to add the later.