Chukbacca

I'm a little curious how you all choose your handlebars (short of having a fleet of bikes to swap from ). I absolutely prefer a more upright ride; I slapped cheap beach cruiser bars on my beater Motive Duet tandem, which has done the job but is ugly as sin. I tried ordering a set of handlebars once and while they weren't horrible, they were not what I wanted. I'm a bigger guy, I think I'd prefer a wider bar that curled around just a bit. Does anyone feel like sharing their experience and of give me some insight?

Thanks a bunch!

cambiker71

I have the red one which I use far more than I thought I would, built the blue one for my daughter last year too!

belacqua

I like the steel Wald touring bars. Cheap, strong, long straight sections, and I feel like they damp road vibrations. I think they look good, and with 2.5" of rise, I like that the rise can be in the bars and not necessarily in the stem.

lacro

Thanks for posting the Wald bars. They look perfect for me, and they are cheap! I like the 2.5" rise so i may be able to lower the stem which looks dorky sticking up so far. Also, they are Made in USA. Wish they were alloy, but steel does have better dampening. Just ordered them from Amazon...

cooperryder 

Apologies for the delay in responding.
I have been on vacation.

There is a guy here locally in the North Central Texas area not far from Dallas that will powder coat a single color frame and fork for about 100 bucks.
Since the 950 has a quality frame I thought it was worth the investment.

He did a good job I think and I like the color.
It's called Comet Green but looks more like a deep metallic grey with a touch of green in the sunlight

I will take some pics the next day or two and post.

You really transformed the look of your GT.
It's fun to change these old mountain bikes over into a comfortable riding and rugged city or country bike capable of a variety of terrain depending on the tires one uses.

I'm glad you are enjoying yours.

Regarding handlebars with a good high rise, the Sunlite North Road bar has 3 1/2" of rise.

They sell a Chrome plated steel version for about 20 and a aluminum alloy version for about 30.

I like them for my purposes of getting the bars up higher and I have four of them now in the alloy version. I also have a Nitto Albatross on one bike and like it but these Sunlite bars are a better value for me as I try to do my build ups on a low budget.

cooperryder 

Is the pic of your repainted 950 in this thread or another thread?

Who did you use for replacement decals?

Thank you.

katsup

wschruba's repainted bike is the beige one: Post 72

cooperryder 

I'm confused.

The beige one has Univega decals.

The dark one is marked 950 so I was guessing that one got repainted.

Would be great to see a good pic when you get a chance.
wschruba.

Thanks.

katsup

Are we looking at the same photo? The 950 has lugs as does the beige one. It also has the upright bars vs drops. I do not see any Univega markings.

cooperryder 

I see.

Sorry, he posted two pics, I was looking at top pic that has a beige or tan bike hanging in garage.

It's a B4 and after.

Got it now.
Sorry for confusion.

Thank you for taking the time to clarify for me.

Perhaps I should consider a contrasting color for my 950

wschruba

Yes, it just happens that the person who owned the Univega has a thing for champagne paint jobs, ergo the re-paint color. I decided not to re-decal the bike, considering it was no longer being restored to original condition. If I remember correctly, the paint was Dupli-color, from an auto-parts supplier. 3 cans, one of each color and a self-etching primer were used to satisfactory results, as far as rattle-can jobs go. The most time-consuming part was masking around the lugs. If I were to do it again, I would probably paint the lugs first, mask them/cut around the lug for the mask, then paint everything else. I did it the other way, which was quite time consuming. I did the lining by hand with a 000 brush.

swen0171 

A recent project for a friend.


DB by Brynnar Swenson

balto charlie

Greetings, great topic! I loved how y'all adapted your old school mnt bikes. I use to ride this much harder and love the ride and it fit me well. I no longer ride the mnt trails with it and am converting it into a rails-to-trails/urban bike. I am currently looking to raise my bars so they are equal to my seat. What stems are you guys using. I will be swapping out my bar for either On-One MAry or the figure 8 trekking bars. I have both and will play with each to see what I like but first the stem. I would like it shorter and taller so any advice appreciated. New seat is in order as well. Eagerly awaiting your replies.



Trek 990, lugged steel frame, Phil Wood hubs

dweenk 

I like these. I think you can find them from Sunlite/Origin8/Kalloy for very little money.

DQRider 

Does that have the cable-stop for the center-pull/cantilever brakes?

.

balto charlie

Thanks, Iwill check them out.

Cable stops would be nice as the original stem has it. The stem picture does not appear that it has it

dweenk 

If you use this type of stem, you'll need to find a separate cable stop. I prefer the stops that mount at the bottom of the fork crown (if your fork is drilled).

balto charlie

Thanks, my fork is drilled so will have to go find one today. I will look for this type.
TEKTRO USA

cooperryder 

This is a more costly alternative stem plus adapter set up that has been my go to for my conversions of late. At current prices about $30 for stem and $15 for adapter which is a tall adapter which helps me get bars up high enough for my old back.

It's been working well for me along with a Sunlite North Road alloy upright handlebar with lots of rise.
3 1/2" of rise if I recall correctly.

Down side was around 2 week wait for shipping of adapter from Taiwan.
I ordered a couple so I'm ready for next project.


https://m.ebay.com/itm/SpeedPark-260mm-Stem-Insert-Conversion-Adaptor-for-22-2mm-Fork-to-28-6mm-Silver/112281777424?hash=item1a2483f510:g:iVcAAOSwnHZYiE0b

https://m.ebay.com/itm/Origin-8-Pro-Fit-Alloy-Ergo-Stem-Stem-Or8-Mt-rd-Aly-90x25-4-17d-Sl/362079107994?epid=1000130074&hash=item544d98bb9a:g:d-sAAOSwcj1aHCkr

2cam16

Built this today for my daughter before school starts next month. 1989 Hardrock:

IMG_5018 by 2cam16, on Flickr

vp1337

My 1992 Diamond Back Axis conversion:

cooperryder 

Speaking of cable hangers I use all 4 types here.

They all work well for me but the one used as a headset spacer with quick release attached
sure makes it easy to pop a front wheel out.

simmonsgc

Cool build. Are those Soma Oxford bars, or Albatrosses? I always liked those fade/smoke paint jobs on the DBs.

balto charlie

Thanks, looks really nice. 2 weeks does kinda suck.

balto charlie

thanks, lots to choose from