Bikerider007

I am looking for opinions on a potential build. One, the other, or neither. Picked up some wheels due to them being vintagey (prob not a word) 92’ + and price was right. Was going to sell as I did not see myself using 26”, but Robbietunes made some comments that made me ponder a build.

What I am thinking is; dirt canals as much as the paved trails, the ability to explore a little more. Wheels may be an odd combo on a MTB but that is kinda my point, something different. They are aluminum with CF so they will hold up offroad. Just not sure the look will odd vs. different. Tires will be Cyclocross to give it a beefy look or gravel with some tread. This should also hopefully help fill the wheel well. Something like this;



As for questions;
1) Wheels are set up as 8 speed, if the Ross I would like to keep the Deerhead group & triple if possible. Is there a way to do this?
2) I have two sets of wheels, one is Clincher the other Tubular, which is better offroad?
3) If the Gianni, what is the best, and best looking way to extend the brakes. They will be Campy. Or do I need something new?
4) Will the crank hitting be an issue since wheels are smaller? I have a 170 for the Gianni. Shimano is 175.

Thoughts, comments, ideas are appreciated.

Ross










Gianni Motta



Whenever it is built (these wheels or originals I have), the Gianni will end up like this but not yellow, and main part of stays and forks will remain chrome. Will be Campy dressed.

USAZorro

1) Wheels are set up as 8 speed, if the Ross I would like to keep the Deerhead group & triple if possible. Is there a way to do this?

I don't see why not

2) I have two sets of wheels, one is Clincher the other Tubular, which is better offroad?

Clincher - hands down. That said, I'm not a fan of tires with aggressive tread on road surfaces or trail surfaces that are packed.

3) If the Gianni, what is the best, and best looking way to extend the brakes. They will be Campy. Or do I need something new?

If you're looking at functionality, and aren't married to them being "vintage", Tektro makes a wide assortment of brakes that are very functional, reasonably priced, and many of which don't look too out of place on vintage bicycles.

4) Will the crank hitting be an issue since wheels are smaller? I have a 170 for the Gianni. Shimano is 175.

That's usually only an issue if you pedal through tight turns, or have the wrong pedal down while coasting through a turn.

The Golden Boy 

Completely out of my wheelhouse, here...

Good luck!

And that chrome Ross rocks!

due ruote 

The Ross is good because it has room for a lunchbox between the seat tube and rear tire.

Bikerider007

Thanks for the info, I would prefer to keep it close in the era so we'll see. Its about a 1.25" difference. I would need to see if there are adapters for that distance, seems far so may not, but I have never looked into. Was hoping someone here knew :-)

Appreciate it and funny you say that, I heard a similar comment when I asked someone off the site what they look like. It's out of mine as well!

CF (notice I didn't use the full word in the post as to scare vintage peeps away, ) is new to me and trying to mix with an older bike is a challenge but fun.

I was leaning toward the Ross at first but I don't have any other vintage MTBs, so I might not take it that far. But that one would really just require tires and maybe some other small parts to make it come together. I have the wheels so I can always switch out. Part of the issue would be how much tread does fill the wheel well. It also looks long as it has such a relaxed geometry. Maybe a pump or something instead of a lunchbox would close some of the gap. Or maybe a toolbox like the old Schwinn tank bikes but behind the tire.

The only reason I am considering doing the Gianni like this is I am not big on repainting (understatement). But it will be repainted as it is boring and paint is bad. To me that turns it into custom as it will not be the same, so I have no limit or reason to stay within the box.