1x10 vintage bike gravel conversion
#26
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& 1976 means its a frame that has to be spread out to fit a 135 wide axles (over-locknut width) hub..
to fit a wheel with a hub, that is capable of fitting a 10 cog cassette..
to fit a wheel with a hub, that is capable of fitting a 10 cog cassette..
#27
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I converted an 80's Nishiki road bike (CrMo frame and 27" wheels) to 700c wheels and brifters. I used Tektro mid length brakes and 700x32 tires. I also used an old MTB crank set (42/32/22) and removed the 22 chainring to allow the original front derailleur to work and not have to buy a longer crank spindle and the gearing was very good. Whatever cranks you choose, for a gravel bike you will probably need lower gearing than the typical vintage cranks (often 52/42 or 52/39) unless you live somewhere very flat.
I also recommend using brifters as when riding gravel you are often confronted with rough terrain requiring two hands on the bars and the simultaneous need to change gears quickly but this is difficult with downtube shifters. Note also that for downtube 10spd, only Durace shifters are available and they are rare and expensive so it's probably cheaper to get an olld set of 105 shifters off ebay. Friction shifting is going to be even more of a hassle when the going gets rough.
I also recommend using brifters as when riding gravel you are often confronted with rough terrain requiring two hands on the bars and the simultaneous need to change gears quickly but this is difficult with downtube shifters. Note also that for downtube 10spd, only Durace shifters are available and they are rare and expensive so it's probably cheaper to get an olld set of 105 shifters off ebay. Friction shifting is going to be even more of a hassle when the going gets rough.
+1 Or maybe bar end shifters.
#28
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That's what I use. Microshift makes a 10 speed bar end shifter that has the proper cable pull for a 10 speed mountain bike. This allows you to use a Shadow + type of deraileur.
I use an SLX 10 speed but currently, a lot of 11 speed derailleurs are cheaper because of the introduction of 12. Online searching confirms that a 10 speed mountain shifter will index fine with 10 or 11 speed derailleurs, I haven't tried it.
Sunrace makes affordable and light 11-42 cassettes.
The OP has a Campy crank. He needs a 135 BCD chainring and those aren't as available.
I use an SLX 10 speed but currently, a lot of 11 speed derailleurs are cheaper because of the introduction of 12. Online searching confirms that a 10 speed mountain shifter will index fine with 10 or 11 speed derailleurs, I haven't tried it.
Sunrace makes affordable and light 11-42 cassettes.
The OP has a Campy crank. He needs a 135 BCD chainring and those aren't as available.
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Finished build
Hey all,
it’s been a while, but I finally finished up this build. I haven’t put gravel tires on yet, and I’m still deciding which ones to go with, but the rest of the bike build is complete. It’s a 1x10 with an ultegra 6700 GS rear derailleur and shimano 6600 shifters. Rides like a dream. Thanks for all the advice
it’s been a while, but I finally finished up this build. I haven’t put gravel tires on yet, and I’m still deciding which ones to go with, but the rest of the bike build is complete. It’s a 1x10 with an ultegra 6700 GS rear derailleur and shimano 6600 shifters. Rides like a dream. Thanks for all the advice
Likes For Alexashley52:
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Looks good! Are you still planning for 32s?
#32
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Bikes: Modified 26 inch frame Schwinn Varsity with 700c wheels and 10 speed cassette hub. Ryan Vanguard recumbent. 67cm 27"x1 1/4" Schwinn Sports Tourer from the 1980's. 1980's 68cm Nishiki Sebring with 700c aero wheels, 30 speeds, flat bar bicycle.
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Great looking project. These types of conversions always end up going all sorts of unexpected places sometimes. These old 27" wheel bikes can make a fine gravel bike conversion. Why change away from 27"x1 1/4" wheels? CR-18 27"
aluminum rims are available and build into very strong wheels. 1 1/4" = 32mm so the width is fine. I converted a Taiwan made Schwinn Sports Tourer from 1980 into a gravel bike and kept the 27" wheels. This wheel size is even better off road than the equivalent 700C x 32mm IMO. I've tried both sizes of wheel. I cold set the frame for a modern 10 speed cassette. I used a Deore Shadow MTB rear derailluer shifted by ancient but awesome Suntour MTB friction shift levers. Brakes are the original Dia Comp center pulls. I am still using the Suntour original front derailleur shifting two sprockets on 175mm cranks. I'm using a BMX stem and S and M Cruiser handlebar instead of drops. This bike is really good on dirt and gravel roads. Of course I don't go real fast nor do I pound bumpy sections of road too hard. This is a road bike originally so it can't take severe off road pounding. But for the 10 to 12mph I average off road it is perfect. This bike is a 67cm frame which fits my 6' 5" frame very well. Good to see old bikes getting new life and purpose.
aluminum rims are available and build into very strong wheels. 1 1/4" = 32mm so the width is fine. I converted a Taiwan made Schwinn Sports Tourer from 1980 into a gravel bike and kept the 27" wheels. This wheel size is even better off road than the equivalent 700C x 32mm IMO. I've tried both sizes of wheel. I cold set the frame for a modern 10 speed cassette. I used a Deore Shadow MTB rear derailluer shifted by ancient but awesome Suntour MTB friction shift levers. Brakes are the original Dia Comp center pulls. I am still using the Suntour original front derailleur shifting two sprockets on 175mm cranks. I'm using a BMX stem and S and M Cruiser handlebar instead of drops. This bike is really good on dirt and gravel roads. Of course I don't go real fast nor do I pound bumpy sections of road too hard. This is a road bike originally so it can't take severe off road pounding. But for the 10 to 12mph I average off road it is perfect. This bike is a 67cm frame which fits my 6' 5" frame very well. Good to see old bikes getting new life and purpose.