Vintage MTB To Upright Bar / Urban Bike Conversions
#76
Senior Member
Sadly, that is a 'best side' picture. The original paint was rusted/scratched/bubbling on the other side. It's hard to see from that shot, but the fork is not original to the frame, either--it came from a black one.
#77
Senior Member
Ah, sounds like you made the right call. The repaint does look good.
#79
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Bikes: Cannondale Super V carbon, RockHopper Comp. Klein Quantum
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Here’s my Rockhopper Comp conversion. North Road bars, spd/flat pedals, etc. Really enjoying it. Picked up a rear rack and trunk to add to it...
Last edited by gorillimo; 03-01-18 at 10:05 PM.
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Hi,
I hope it's OK to ask a question in this thread with that many great conversions. I own a 1995 MTB with a 12cm (or even 14cm?) flat stem and a flat handle bar. I also have twist shifters and although I never liked them when I was young I'm now quite happy with them.
If I'm going to replace my current handle bar with one with a back sweep (15-30°) can I keep my twist shifters you do I need thumb or trigger shifters?
I hope it's OK to ask a question in this thread with that many great conversions. I own a 1995 MTB with a 12cm (or even 14cm?) flat stem and a flat handle bar. I also have twist shifters and although I never liked them when I was young I'm now quite happy with them.
If I'm going to replace my current handle bar with one with a back sweep (15-30°) can I keep my twist shifters you do I need thumb or trigger shifters?
#82
Not racing.
Hi,
I hope it's OK to ask a question in this thread with that many great conversions. I own a 1995 MTB with a 12cm (or even 14cm?) flat stem and a flat handle bar. I also have twist shifters and although I never liked them when I was young I'm now quite happy with them.
If I'm going to replace my current handle bar with one with a back sweep (15-30°) can I keep my twist shifters you do I need thumb or trigger shifters?
I hope it's OK to ask a question in this thread with that many great conversions. I own a 1995 MTB with a 12cm (or even 14cm?) flat stem and a flat handle bar. I also have twist shifters and although I never liked them when I was young I'm now quite happy with them.
If I'm going to replace my current handle bar with one with a back sweep (15-30°) can I keep my twist shifters you do I need thumb or trigger shifters?
#83
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Hi,
I hope it's OK to ask a question in this thread with that many great conversions. I own a 1995 MTB with a 12cm (or even 14cm?) flat stem and a flat handle bar. I also have twist shifters and although I never liked them when I was young I'm now quite happy with them.
If I'm going to replace my current handle bar with one with a back sweep (15-30°) can I keep my twist shifters you do I need thumb or trigger shifters?
I hope it's OK to ask a question in this thread with that many great conversions. I own a 1995 MTB with a 12cm (or even 14cm?) flat stem and a flat handle bar. I also have twist shifters and although I never liked them when I was young I'm now quite happy with them.
If I'm going to replace my current handle bar with one with a back sweep (15-30°) can I keep my twist shifters you do I need thumb or trigger shifters?
Works fine if the bars have enough room for grips, shifters, brake levers.
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#84
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I've just found this thread, and I'm really enjoying it.
@cooperryder - we have the same idea with the same model bike. Here's my Pug Orient Express in its current configuration:

The tires are Kenda Kiniptions, and very comfy to ride on.
Rack and basket are Portland Design Works; they turn this into a nice utility bike.
The trunk bag is an Ironweed Dolliver, and it is very handy indeed.
Here's a shot of the drivetrain:
Shimano Deore with the old-style thumb shifters.
I can ride this bike all day long. It's not fast, but it will climb any hill I've come across and smooth out the bumps along the way.
@cooperryder - we have the same idea with the same model bike. Here's my Pug Orient Express in its current configuration:

The tires are Kenda Kiniptions, and very comfy to ride on.
Rack and basket are Portland Design Works; they turn this into a nice utility bike.
The trunk bag is an Ironweed Dolliver, and it is very handy indeed.
Here's a shot of the drivetrain:
Shimano Deore with the old-style thumb shifters.
I can ride this bike all day long. It's not fast, but it will climb any hill I've come across and smooth out the bumps along the way.
What a cool chain guard!
The year b4 I turned mine over to my son I put more miles on it than my other bikes because
it was just so dang comfortable I just kept picking it to ride.
#85
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I've just found this thread, and I'm really enjoying it.
@cooperryder - we have the same idea with the same model bike. Here's my Pug Orient Express in its current configuration:
Here's a shot of the drivetrain:

Shimano Deore with the old-style thumb shifters.
I can ride this bike all day long. It's not fast, but it will climb any hill I've come across and smooth out the bumps along the way.
@cooperryder - we have the same idea with the same model bike. Here's my Pug Orient Express in its current configuration:
Here's a shot of the drivetrain:

Shimano Deore with the old-style thumb shifters.
I can ride this bike all day long. It's not fast, but it will climb any hill I've come across and smooth out the bumps along the way.
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#87
Junior Member
Urban commuter.

#88
Full Member
This one is a favorite:

It's so much faster than my other two upright / urban conversions that I switched it to this and now use it for more spirited urban rides:

High Sierra on the way to drop off at the coop:

and here's today's commuter for good measure:

It's so much faster than my other two upright / urban conversions that I switched it to this and now use it for more spirited urban rides:

High Sierra on the way to drop off at the coop:

and here's today's commuter for good measure:

#89
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Here's my old "Curb-hopper" cargo bike build:

Traded it for a Ross Aristocrat a couple years ago because it was so ungainly to ride when you actually put a load in it. That 1x10 XT drivetrain was pretty cool though. Granny gear was ridiculous!

Traded it for a Ross Aristocrat a couple years ago because it was so ungainly to ride when you actually put a load in it. That 1x10 XT drivetrain was pretty cool though. Granny gear was ridiculous!
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#91
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There seems to be quite a few of the Specialized being used.
Other cool Schwinn's, Marin's, Mongoose's , Scott's and other brands on the thread are fun to see as well.
I think I am close to around 3000 miles on that blue Rockhopper I call my 'grocery getter'.
Thanks to all who have shared their rides.
belacqua's green Stumpjumper is one of my favorite colors and when and if I next have a frame powdercoated
I hope to try to get a similar green color for some future frame. There is a vintage Lotus road bike on the
Vintage Lotus site that is a similar color I admire a lot.
Wow! DQRider, your Rockhopper looks impressive. Love the fenders, racks, baskets and other nice details.
Great to see due ruote's Rockhopper also used as a 'hauler' similar to how I use mine.
I think I had around 30 lbs of grocer's strapped to the back of mine earlier this week.
Keep'em coming.
Last edited by cooperryder; 04-20-18 at 12:23 PM.
#92
Senior Member
Here's mine - 1984 (?) Stump Jumper Sport

Converted using -
8 speed Alfine internally geared hub
Brooks saddle
Brooks saddle bag now installed (the traditional black bag that hangs from rear of seat)
Schwalbe KOJAK tires
North Roads bars
Velo Orange fenders
Lights are on it for riding home in the dark after work

Converted using -
8 speed Alfine internally geared hub
Brooks saddle
Brooks saddle bag now installed (the traditional black bag that hangs from rear of seat)
Schwalbe KOJAK tires
North Roads bars
Velo Orange fenders
Lights are on it for riding home in the dark after work
Last edited by Bad Lag; 10-24-22 at 10:57 AM.
#93
Senior Member
very nice @Bad Lag
that is pretty much the perfect round about town bike. they pack 8 speeds into that hub? how much did that set you back?
I just picked up this beast tonight: a bit on the edge: too new to be vintage, too old to be modern. it was the best price of Free. its a bit ugly but has some nice components and the frame seems solid even if the paint is trashed. its not gonna cut it as a moutnain bike in this age so its gonna be a convert to street!
that is pretty much the perfect round about town bike. they pack 8 speeds into that hub? how much did that set you back?
I just picked up this beast tonight: a bit on the edge: too new to be vintage, too old to be modern. it was the best price of Free. its a bit ugly but has some nice components and the frame seems solid even if the paint is trashed. its not gonna cut it as a moutnain bike in this age so its gonna be a convert to street!

#94
Senior Member
very nice @Bad Lag
that is pretty much the perfect round about town bike. they pack 8 speeds into that hub? how much did that set you back?
that is pretty much the perfect round about town bike. they pack 8 speeds into that hub? how much did that set you back?
I don't recall the price for the Alfine hub. That is perfect proof that its price just does not matter in the long run.
I was inspired by this thread to ride that bike today. It is a NICE RIDE! The frame and tires are stiff enough for easy climbing yet the tires, even at 60 psi, give a cushy ride on the bumpy parts. The upright riding position makes stopping at lights and signs easy despite the clips and straps. The brakes are powerful and solid in case that little kid up ahead does the expectedly unexpected.
I rode about 12 miles today. It was easy, pleasant, enjoyable and completely different than riding my road bike.
Last edited by Bad Lag; 04-21-18 at 06:24 PM.
#95
Senior Member
I purchased a 1992 Stumpjumper recently and the current fit has me feeling like I'm way too stretched out, practically supporting myself through my arms. The top tube measurement is somewhere between 58-60cm when I normally ride a 56cm road bike, so I'm considering getting a different stem to decrease the reach. Do people here generally say to avoid those Sunlite adjustable quill stems? Amazon has it listed for $10 when a regular Sunlite quill stem is $20, just looking to spend as little as I can on the bike.
#96
Senior Member
I purchased a 1992 Stumpjumper recently and the current fit has me feeling like I'm way too stretched out, practically supporting myself through my arms. The top tube measurement is somewhere between 58-60cm when I normally ride a 56cm road bike, so I'm considering getting a different stem to decrease the reach. Do people here generally say to avoid those Sunlite adjustable quill stems? Amazon has it listed for $10 when a regular Sunlite quill stem is $20, just looking to spend as little as I can on the bike.
https://www.amazon.com/Sunlite-Alloy...quill+stem+mtb
#97
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I am stoked about completing a late 80s Trek 950 with a lugged frame.
Paint was bad so I went with a single color powder coat.
I need to order some decals.
Since the Sunlite North Road alloy bars have worked well for me in the past I am going with those along with a tall threaded stem adapter and threaded stem.
Tires will be Compass Rat Trap Pass with tan sidewalls.
Anyone else built up a vintage mountain bike with upright bars lately?
Paint was bad so I went with a single color powder coat.
I need to order some decals.
Since the Sunlite North Road alloy bars have worked well for me in the past I am going with those along with a tall threaded stem adapter and threaded stem.
Tires will be Compass Rat Trap Pass with tan sidewalls.
Anyone else built up a vintage mountain bike with upright bars lately?
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#99
Senior Member
I purchased a 1992 Stumpjumper recently and the current fit has me feeling like I'm way too stretched out, practically supporting myself through my arms. The top tube measurement is somewhere between 58-60cm when I normally ride a 56cm road bike, so I'm considering getting a different stem to decrease the reach. Do people here generally say to avoid those Sunlite adjustable quill stems? Amazon has it listed for $10 when a regular Sunlite quill stem is $20, just looking to spend as little as I can on the bike.
#100
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I am stoked about completing a late 80s Trek 950 with a lugged frame.
Paint was bad so I went with a single color powder coat.
I need to order some decals.
Since the Sunlite North Road alloy bars have worked well for me in the past I am going with those along with a tall threaded stem adapter and threaded stem.
Tires will be Compass Rat Trap Pass with tan sidewalls.
Anyone else built up a vintage mountain bike with upright bars lately?
Paint was bad so I went with a single color powder coat.
I need to order some decals.
Since the Sunlite North Road alloy bars have worked well for me in the past I am going with those along with a tall threaded stem adapter and threaded stem.
Tires will be Compass Rat Trap Pass with tan sidewalls.
Anyone else built up a vintage mountain bike with upright bars lately?
I used to have a Trek 970! What did it cost for the powder coating? I am looking for a better, more upright position myself for my GT Zaskar LE conversion. I am currently using a stem extender with my mtn bike short rise bars, but would like a little more rise, and back sweep. The stem extender I am using fits the 1-1/8" steerer which has a 1" (25.4) ID. The extender has a larger section that will internally take a 1" (24.4) road stem or I used the 1-1/8" OD of the larger section to install a Wake short mtn. stem that has a 31.8 bar clamp, but I made a pair of bushings so I could use it with my 1" bars. this set-up allows the use of many different stems, both road, and mtn. as well as clamp on stems. All handle bars regardless of there diameter. will work with this set-up. I am so glad I made the mtn/road conversion. I don't ride in the woods anymore, so the bike has been sitting in my basement for 20 years. After a total strip down, replacing suspension fork with rigid, putting on road tires, new cables, and cleaning polishing. This is one sweet ride. It's quick, nimble, and rolls great with the road tires at 90psi. Perfect for this old body pounding the pot holed roads around here.
Before Conversion:

After Conversion with original Syncros mtn. stem reach too long for me:

Shorter stem works great, but a little more rise and maybe a 15 degree back sweep would be perfect.
