Odin99

wrk101

OK, is this the first STI conversion? Wow! Got me thinking on that one. I know I have some 7 speed STI around here somewhere....

WNG

You betcha! Some convert better than others, higher models, more sporting and lighter, are more desired.
I mounted 35mm Kendas on mine, Ultegra bar-ends, SPDs, and 13x21 cassette. One of my favorite rides.


2012-05-04 -001 by WNG555, on Flickr

thirdgenbird

i was thinking about a flat bar cross bike for commuting, but this looks fun too.

RFC

Yes, the higher end hybrids are perfect. Essentially, X Bikes in sheep clothing.

Velognome 

^^ man...feed them tires, they're sooo skinny!

KonAaron Snake 

I'm really surprised a company out there isn't marketing a drop bar MTB...we all know trends and marketing are everything, and a drop bar MTB seems like it would have real potential. When I thought mine might be among the departed I was already thinking about the next one - that's how much I love this thing. They're versatile, comfortable over distance and with a tire change are ready for whatever you need. Heck, combine trends and give it 650bs, or 700cs and call it a drop 9r.

If I had it to do over again, I'd have used STI rather than the Commands.

cooperryder

I decided to look for a bit lighter vintage mtb frame and switch the parts over from the Univega mtb I built up this week.
(See earlier post)

I picked up a prob 1989 or 90 Specialized Hardrock & it is considerably lighter.

Totally dissembled the 23" Hardrock weighs:
6.2 lbs for frame & 1.8 for fork for 8.0 lbs total, a full
2 lbs lighter than Uni weighing in at 7.4 for frame & 2.6 for fork.

I know the Hardrock was not one of their higher end frames and the sticker indicates this one was
made in Taiwan & designed in the USA but the construction appears to be well done
and the welds are very neatly done.

As to the tubing on the Hardrock the stickers show 'custom grade CroMo'
so I do not know if it is butted or not but I expect it is being so much lighter than the Uni which the tubing sticker shows 3 main tubes as CroMo but does not say butted.

Makes me wonder how much lighter some of the higher end mtbs might be.


I plan on transferring the parts over to the Hardrock.
I really do not care for the magenta, white & purple
'Miami Vice' style colors on it so I might have it powder coated or just rattle can it.

Velognome 

Just stop by a Thrift Store & pick up a white cotton Blazer to wear when your riding....It'll be fine and less work than painting

Never really thought about Frame wt. on my Iguana....but with 4 panniers full groceries, I think frame wt. is the least of my worries....Brake pads yes...frame wt...ehh??

If we had some trails or gravel roads nearby then I'd love to do another, this time maybe a fixed gear MTB drop bar conversion....could hang with 2 groups with that bad boy!

due ruote 

Yarper, you might just try living with it for a while. My SJ (post 13) has definitely grown on me over time. Just play some '80s big hair rock while you tinker with the bike and it will all start to make sense.

Oddly, I don't see a Hard Rock Comp on this list. Maybe it's not comprehensive. https://www.mombat.org/Specialized_Specs.htm

due ruote 

Has anyone here tried bending their own bars? I've read a bit that in the old days that's how it was done. I think I'd have liked my setup better if the drops had been shallower and splayed out dirt drop style.

I have some old bars to tinker with and might give it a try. I'm wondering if the bar should be filled with sand or something first to discourage it from flattening when I make the bend.

frantik

blasphemy!

due ruote 

Well, I was trying to be more delicate with my post, but essentially, yes.

cooperryder

[/QUOTE]due ruote
Yarper, you might just try living with it for a while. My SJ (post 13) has definitely grown on me over time. Just play some '80s big hair rock while you tinker with the bike and it will all start to make sense.[/QUOTE]

Wow, you guys cracked me up. I needed that humor.
I am very tempted to look for a white cotton blazer to wear while riding it.

Real men eat quiche and ride magenta & white mtb bikes with purple highlights wearing white blazers...right...heck yeah!

due ruote 

OK, maybe not in Dallas. But things were different in those days. Word to your mother.

that_guy_zach

Nice! I think that is the almost the same frame as my Rock Combo but with a little but slacker head tube angle. It rides real smooth with 650B Fatty Rumpkins

frantik

all the more reason to preserve the era the late 80s/early 90s was a wild time for bike paint

ThermionicScott 

Shouldn't be a problem with steel, but I'm not sure I'd trust aluminum bars that had been bent a couple times.

oldskoolwrench

Hardrock Comp's of that era were full Cro-Mo, but straight gauge tubing. It wasn't until you got to the Rockhopper and up
where butted tubes were used in the main triangle. When you got to the Stumpjumper, the tubes were custom gauge Cro-Mo
and then you started to see Prestige used in the main triangle.

The Hardrock Comp frame will be a little more aggressive than the Univega (71/73° ST/HT<) and therefore a tad more responsive.
It should make for a great drop bar conversion!

cooperryder

Thanks oldskoolwrench for the helpful info.

Interesting that my HardRock tubing sticker list it as custom gauge Cromo the same term you mention on the Stumpjumpers.

Anyone weigh their Stumpjumper frame? Wouldn't think it would even be a full pound lighter.
Of course with this type of build a little more weight is not a huge deal to me.

The 5 times I have ridden the Univega Rover now it seems to ride much lighter than it is. Does that sound crazy?

At any rate I enjoy the discovery process of working on, changing up, dialing in & most of all riding my vintage bikes.

The MAX

Enough chit chat more picturessssssssssssss! lol

Here is my fairly recent 1992 Schwinn Woodlands build.



Not a real nice frame, but I really like it. Reynolds 500. 19.5" ST c-c and 23.5" TT c-c, perfect for my stubby legs and long arms. Everything has been replaced except the headset. Sealed BB, 8speed SIS Deore XT, Exage 300LX FD and crank, Tektro cantis and levers, shimano barends in friction, wheels are off a donor bike (as with rack and stem), and tires are 1.95" Tioga City Slickers from MEC. Also a new Brooks Flyer.

I love it.

Bikedued

My 84? Sierra. I have since ditched the fenders, and I am thinking modern knobby tires. It looks decidedly more masculine without the fenders, hehe. I used mostly modern parts. 8 speed wheels from a Hard Rock, Grey Deore LX RD, Tektro 720 Canti's. It hasn't been offroad since I built it, and has seen little miles at all. Maybe I can remedy that soon.,,,,BD

WOW, I got photobucket to work without freezing my computer. Must be a good day!

realestvin7

Looking good, Billy Ray!

ThermionicScott 

I sure like the 26"x1.75" Paselas on mine. They're smooth-running on pavement, but have enough "texture" to the tread that they rarely slip off-road.

cooperryder

That's a sharp looking Sierra.