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Vintage MTB To Upright Bar / Urban Bike Conversions

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Vintage MTB To Upright Bar / Urban Bike Conversions

Old 09-09-18, 07:25 AM
  #126  
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Originally Posted by simmonsgc
Cool build. Are those Soma Oxford bars, or Albatrosses? I always liked those fade/smoke paint jobs on the DBs.
Sorry I missed your question. Albatross bars. Thanks!
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Old 09-14-18, 03:49 PM
  #127  
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Originally Posted by swen0171
A recent project for a friend.


DB by Brynnar Swenson

That is a sharp looking Diamondback.
I like the blue/white fade.

It's great you were able to do this for a friend!
I expect they will love it.
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Old 10-12-18, 07:03 PM
  #128  
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This is still in progress, I’m trying to pin down exactly what size and shape of quill stem I need, but this 1992 Wellstone Northfield is finally rideable. It’d been damaged in an accident so I swapped lots of parts in. Weirdly someone had made it look like a Trek 730 Multitrack. It rides really well and it’s definitely scratching an itch I’d had for a more robust bike for running errands on, or dragging on camping trips.



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Old 10-14-18, 07:16 PM
  #129  
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Looks good. Kinda up tilt to the bars, tho. Maybe a taller stem?
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Old 10-14-18, 07:28 PM
  #130  
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I crashed my previous Kuwahara into a curb, and then was hit by a car a couple days later. Getting hit was sort of good, cause it meant I had a bit of insurance money for the replacement. Tracked down this '88 Cascade: basically identical to my last but quad-butted (vs triple) and 135 spacing in the rear. And no mid fork eyelets .

But I'm super happy it worked out, I wouldn't have been happy with anything other than another Kuwa. I even tracked down a replacement rear wheel that matched the undamaged front! First pic is pre-fender install, second pic is on the shakedown tour.


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Old 10-14-18, 07:54 PM
  #131  
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Lots of great pics. I guess I need to learn how to post pics, guessing thru a hosting site?

I started doing g this to all my bikes a number of years back. Stems, bars, riser extensions which then led to cables because they are all so darn short for the mtb purpose. Cables needed 6"-10" added. Makes all the difference. I get funny looks but hey, it is way more comfortable. I have the adjustable stem on some bikes, like the look with the bars down but it seems they always get changed during the trip to be upright. Usually when I turn around d to go home, all down wind too. Favorite bars have been the voodoo scorchers. Can't find them anymore. Nice wide curve, all flat.

also like some carrying capacity, front racks mostly but seat post as well. Finally after many years of looking for a decent basket, Walds just didn't do it for me sorry, I came across yeti cooler tray baskets. REI had them for $10 for a 10"-10", or $12 for a 12"×12". Rubber coated steel, I bit heavier but low profile only 3 inches high but the lines look great as the rubber coated steel are the same diameter as the cables. As a bonus these days there are many of those over engineered coolers on the market all with just a bit different looking basket / tray. Smaller sizes perfect for a lock, coffee cup holder and a newspaper!

Cheers all. Thanks for the great reading thread. Now to figure out how to show off my rides....
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Old 10-14-18, 08:15 PM
  #132  
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Originally Posted by gorillimo
Looks good. Kinda up tilt to the bars, tho. Maybe a taller stem?
Thanks! I’m still trying to dial in where I want the bars exactly. Out and up a bit is what I’m thinking. I’d like to get an older style quill stem.
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Old 10-14-18, 08:26 PM
  #133  
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Originally Posted by Mogens


Thanks! I’m still trying to dial in where I want the bars exactly. Out and up a bit is what I’m thinking. I’d like to get an older style quill stem.
Here’s what I’m currently running...
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Old 10-14-18, 10:47 PM
  #134  
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Giant Sedona with bmx bars
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Old 10-15-18, 08:45 PM
  #135  
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GT avalanche
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Old 10-15-18, 08:56 PM
  #136  
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All i know is its a collina of which ive never heard of. Picked it up on a cl gamble and absolutely love it. Blast to ride.
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Old 10-16-18, 03:47 AM
  #137  
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Interesting trailer, I like the width of it.
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Old 10-16-18, 08:20 PM
  #138  
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Originally Posted by Mogens
Interesting trailer, I like the width of it.
it's a bob ibex. You've never seen one? Yes, they are narrow. A bit less than you and your bike.
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Old 10-23-18, 06:04 PM
  #139  
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Trek 950

Well, I finally have my Trek 950 set up like I like it for now. With me it's all subject to tweaks.

I mentioned the 950 earlier in this thread but just got some decent pics today after changing a few parts.

I do like this machine.
I think it has to be my fav rigid vintage mt. bike conversion to date.

This one came in a bright electric blue like color but it was pretty scratched up so I had it powder-powder-coated.

In the sunlight new new color has a mint green tinge to it.

Fun Puzzle.
Those are Boussole Ratière tires.
https://en.bab.la/dictionary/french-english/rati%C3%A8re

https://en.bab.la/dictionary/french-english/boussole

The bars are Sunlite North Road alloy.

The thumbshifters are Sunrace , 8 speed right, and friction on the left.

The derailers are Shimano, a mix of modern and vintage.

The canti brakes are Tektro 720's with Koolstop pads.




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Old 10-24-18, 04:16 PM
  #140  
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Originally Posted by cooperryder
Well, I finally have my Trek 950 set up like I like it for now. With me it's all subject to tweaks.
Nice! When you have a moment, I'd much appreciate a run-down on that threadless conversion -- the parts you used and the 'logic' of it. No hurry, and thanks! Looks like a really comfortable and useful bike. Bet it's like riding on a cloud!
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Old 10-24-18, 04:40 PM
  #141  
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@cooperryder, that is one sweet 950. Can you tell me what the difference was between the 950 and 850? A friend of mine has an 850 for sale, but if the 950 is significantly better, I'll hold out for that.

Here's my latest MTB build: A 1984 Peugeot Canyon Express. That was their top-of-the-line MTB back in the day.



I don't know if it qualifies for this thread, with the stock Bullmoose handlebar still on there. What say you all?



I'm using it as a city bike right now. It's going to get an "upright" alloy handlebar eventually. I just haven't found the right one yet.

.
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Old 10-24-18, 08:15 PM
  #142  
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Originally Posted by simmonsgc
Nice! When you have a moment, I'd much appreciate a run-down on that threadless conversion -- the parts you used and the 'logic' of it. No hurry, and thanks! Looks like a really comfortable and useful bike. Bet it's like riding on a cloud!

Back up in post 120 of this thread is a link to the
stem and stem adapter.

https://www.bikeforums.net/20519832-post120.html

As I've gotten older I needed my bars up higher and this combo works well for me.
All my bikes have 1" threaded forks and this fairly tall adapter fits them and allows me to get the bars up higher but use use a threadless stem which I like.

The threadless stem allows me to switch out and try various handlebars pretty easily.

Some prefer a one piece quill stem.

The Nitto Technomic and Nitto Dirt Drop stems
are great for getting the bars up higher as well in a traditional type stem. I like both those Nitto's but drifted to this two piece set up and continue to use them because they work well for me.

I'm not too sure about the logic other than personal preference and I have several on hand and don't have to go buy another stem.

It is a very comfortable bike for me and the more I ride it the more I think it's a keeper.

Those tires are super.

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Old 10-24-18, 08:39 PM
  #143  
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Originally Posted by DQRider
@cooperryder, that is one sweet 950. Can you tell me what the difference was between the 950 and 850? A friend of mine has an 850 for sale, but if the 950 is significantly better, I'll hold out for that.
Thanks DQRider.

I really like your Peugeot.

I had a down the line Orient Express and really liked the ride.
My son has it now.

I have a tig welded 1990 850 as well.
It shows to also have double butted tubing.
My 950 is a 1989.

My 850 rode nice as well but I just prefer the lugs on the 950 plus it was about a half pound lighter for frame and fork. I know some 850s also were lugged.

I think the online Trek catalogs show some of the geometry so you might check them for comparison.
From memory I think my 850 and 950 geometry are about the same.

The 950 of course would have come with a bit higher up the line parts.

Good luck with your choice.
I don't think you could go wrong with either.
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Old 10-24-18, 09:59 PM
  #144  
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Originally Posted by cooperryder
Back up in post 120 of this thread is a link to the
stem and stem adapter.

https://www.bikeforums.net/20519832-post120.html
Thanks for those links. I think I'll go this way on a bike I'm working on for my wife. Much appreciated! Wishing you many happy miles on your Trek.
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Old 10-25-18, 06:30 AM
  #145  
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Originally Posted by cooperryder
Thanks DQRider.

I really like your Peugeot.

I had a down the line Orient Express and really liked the ride.
My son has it now.

I have a tig welded 1990 850 as well.
It shows to also have double butted tubing.
My 950 is a 1989.

My 850 rode nice as well but I just prefer the lugs on the 950 plus it was about a half pound lighter for frame and fork. I know some 850s also were lugged.

I think the online Trek catalogs show some of the geometry so you might check them for comparison.
From memory I think my 850 and 950 geometry are about the same.

The 950 of course would have come with a bit higher up the line parts.

Good luck with your choice.
I don't think you could go wrong with either.
Yeah, I definitely want a lugged frame, and now that I look more closely I see that both my buddy's 850s are tig-welded. So I'm leaning towards the 950, unless a lugged mid-`80s 850 in black/red becomes available. I'm thinking the Treks are probably lighter weight than the Peugeots. My Canyon Express weighs 29.9lbs, according to the brochure. That's why I built it as a city bike. For offroad I want something lighter.

.
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Old 10-25-18, 07:38 AM
  #146  
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1998/99 Voodoo Hoodoo.
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Old 10-25-18, 08:37 AM
  #147  
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I like what you've done with the cables!
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Old 10-25-18, 11:11 AM
  #148  
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Originally Posted by DQRider
Yeah, I definitely want a lugged frame, and now that I look more closely I see that both my buddy's 850s are tig-welded. So I'm leaning towards the 950, unless a lugged mid-`80s 850 in black/red becomes available. I'm thinking the Treks are probably lighter weight than the Peugeots. My Canyon Express weighs 29.9lbs, according to the brochure. That's why I built it as a city bike. For offroad I want something lighter.

.
Weren’t some of the 930’s lugged as well? I seem to recall them being quite similar to the 950’s but lower tier components. Maybe another model to add to your search.
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Old 10-25-18, 11:27 AM
  #149  
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I blame bike forums bike..


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Old 10-25-18, 02:42 PM
  #150  
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Sold this last week. Time to set it free.
Bottom of the lineup, but I liked it. Kept it around for a couple of years and enjoyed it.

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