Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Classic & Vintage
Reload this Page >

Show Your Vintage MTB Drop Bar Conversions

Notices
Classic & Vintage This forum is to discuss the many aspects of classic and vintage bicycles, including musclebikes, lightweights, middleweights, hi-wheelers, bone-shakers, safety bikes and much more.

Show Your Vintage MTB Drop Bar Conversions

Old 01-10-14, 08:18 PM
  #2676  
i'll probably break it
 
91MF's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,669
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
damn this thread. i have absolutely no reason to own a vintage drop bar MTB. *retreats to basement*
91MF is offline  
Old 01-10-14, 08:56 PM
  #2677  
Jack of all trades
 
anixi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Spokane, WA
Posts: 2,359

Bikes: Schwinn Peloton Ventana El Saltamontes Spec Stumpjumper Conversion Gravel

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8 Post(s)
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Originally Posted by 91MF
damn this thread. i have absolutely no reason to own a vintage drop bar MTB. *retreats to basement*
Resistance is futile, prepare to be assimilated...
anixi is offline  
Old 01-10-14, 09:43 PM
  #2678  
Fuzzy
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Colorado
Posts: 85

Bikes: Specialized Roubaix, a number of 80's steel bikes

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
1991 Bridgestone MB2. Picked up the bike (no wheels) for $50. Paint was shot - so powder coated it.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg
IMG_0044.jpg (103.2 KB, 1317 views)

Last edited by Fuzzy2964; 01-10-14 at 10:08 PM. Reason: Add Pic
Fuzzy2964 is offline  
Old 01-10-14, 10:26 PM
  #2679  
Senior Member
 
Vonruden's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Ocean County, NJ
Posts: 3,041

Bikes: Looking for a Baylis or Wizard in 59-62cm range

Mentioned: 64 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 373 Post(s)
Liked 325 Times in 112 Posts
Sweeet!!!
Vonruden is offline  
Old 01-10-14, 11:30 PM
  #2680  
Senior Member
 
Paramount1973's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: The First State.
Posts: 1,168

Bikes: Schwinn Continental, Schwinn Paramount, Schwinn High Plains, Schwinn World Sport, Trek 420, Trek 930,Trek 660, Novara X-R, Giant Iguana. Fuji Sagres mixte.

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 35 Post(s)
Liked 22 Times in 10 Posts
Originally Posted by Fuzzy2964
1991 Bridgestone MB2. Picked up the bike (no wheels) for $50. Paint was shot - so powder coated it.
I love that color. That's a very attractive bike.
Paramount1973 is offline  
Old 01-11-14, 10:20 AM
  #2681  
Fuzzy
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Colorado
Posts: 85

Bikes: Specialized Roubaix, a number of 80's steel bikes

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Thanks - I liked how it turned out. Here is the “before” pic. I really like the original paint, but it was a mess. Decals were in bad shape. Considering I was going to rebuild it - powder coat seemed the way to go.

Attached Images
File Type: jpg
touch Dec 9 2012 027.jpg (103.0 KB, 644 views)
Fuzzy2964 is offline  
Old 01-11-14, 11:20 AM
  #2682  
WNG
Spin Forest! Spin!
 
WNG's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Arrid Zone-a
Posts: 5,964

Bikes: I used to have many. And I Will again.

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 10 Times in 9 Posts
Originally Posted by Fuzzy2964
1991 Bridgestone MB2. Picked up the bike (no wheels) for $50. Paint was shot - so powder coated it.


Powdercoat came out real nice. Cool blue. And a well done build. What kind of brakes are those?
WNG is offline  
Old 01-11-14, 11:43 AM
  #2683  
Fuzzy
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Colorado
Posts: 85

Bikes: Specialized Roubaix, a number of 80's steel bikes

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by WNG


Powdercoat came out real nice. Cool blue. And a well done build. What kind of brakes are those?
DiaCompe 986. Believe those are original to the bike. Work just fine with road brake levers.
Fuzzy2964 is offline  
Old 01-25-14, 06:57 AM
  #2684  
Senior Member
 
simmonsgc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: NC High Country
Posts: 657
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 83 Post(s)
Liked 14 Times in 8 Posts
What a great job! A friend of mine just gave me a 1988 MB/2 Comp frame. I'm just at the beginning of the project, so your build is 1) inspiring and 2) well-timed! If you are inclined to make some more detailed pics and post 'em up, I, for one, would really appreciate seeing them. What cable stop are you using for the rear brake at the seatpost?
simmonsgc is offline  
Old 01-25-14, 08:17 AM
  #2685  
Thrifty Bill
Thread Starter
 
wrk101's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Mountains of Western NC
Posts: 23,561

Bikes: 86 Katakura Silk, 87 Prologue X2, 88 Cimarron LE, 1975 Sekai 4000 Professional, 73 Paramount, plus more

Mentioned: 96 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1233 Post(s)
Liked 948 Times in 620 Posts
Originally Posted by anixi
Resistance is futile, prepare to be assimilated...

+100 Once you build one, you will be back for more!
wrk101 is offline  
Old 01-25-14, 01:21 PM
  #2686  
Senior Member
 
bconneraz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: So Cal
Posts: 707

Bikes: Cimarrons 1835, 0836, 1767, 3517, 0768, 3408, a LHT, and a couple others

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 11 Times in 8 Posts
On my way home from work this week- while I've posted her here before, I just like spreading the drop bar conversion love.
bconneraz is offline  
Old 01-25-14, 06:57 PM
  #2687  
Senior Member
 
Lamplight's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Bellingham, WA
Posts: 2,769
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Liked 13 Times in 12 Posts
Finally got the Rocky Mountain more or less sorted out. I ended up removing the decals because they were in pretty rough shape, and the frame looked so nice and shiny underneath. I did leave one small one in place at the base of the seat tube so the bike still has an identifying marker. The bike is pretty twitchy, I think partially due to the suspension corrected fork (which isn't actually appropriate for this bike). But overall it rides pretty nicely and is quite a rocket!

Attached Images
File Type: jpg
DSCF8472.jpg (103.3 KB, 763 views)
File Type: jpg
DSCF8481.jpg (104.2 KB, 619 views)
Lamplight is offline  
Old 01-25-14, 07:10 PM
  #2688  
Senior Member
 
bconneraz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: So Cal
Posts: 707

Bikes: Cimarrons 1835, 0836, 1767, 3517, 0768, 3408, a LHT, and a couple others

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 11 Times in 8 Posts
^^I like the Swift on there, and that's a heck of a nice job on the fender fit; can you share a couple close ups of how you did the front? It looks awesome.
bconneraz is offline  
Old 01-26-14, 10:19 AM
  #2689  
Senior Member
 
neo_pop_71's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: SoCal
Posts: 836
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 9 Times in 9 Posts
Originally Posted by bconneraz
On my way home from work this week- while I've posted her here before, I just like spreading the drop bar conversion love.
bconneraz, it's always nice to see your stylized Cimarron! Between yours an Thrifty Bill's (wrk101), I'm always inspired to keep customizing mine!
neo_pop_71 is offline  
Old 01-26-14, 10:55 AM
  #2690  
Senior Member
 
neo_pop_71's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: SoCal
Posts: 836
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 9 Times in 9 Posts
Originally Posted by Lamplight
Finally got the Rocky Mountain more or less sorted out. I ended up removing the decals because they were in pretty rough shape, and the frame looked so nice and shiny underneath. I did leave one small one in place at the base of the seat tube so the bike still has an identifying marker. The bike is pretty twitchy, I think partially due to the suspension corrected fork (which isn't actually appropriate for this bike). But overall it rides pretty nicely and is quite a rocket!



Really nice build Lamplight, it's obvious you spent your time as the bike came out great!

My nephew just graduated from Western at the end of this winter quarter with a degree in Geology. He's from the Seattle area but loves B'ham. Good thing too, he'll be sticking around because he was offered a teaching position in the grad program and he was retained by the state to do a geo study for the state highway division.

If you're into art and/or photography you gotta check out Positive Negative Photo Studio and Gallery. It's not far from the bike path and The Hub bike co-op. My good buddy Jason moved up to B'ham from SoCal, he's an amazing photographer! He and I along with a handful of other artists started an art collective back in 2002, we had a great run showing in his space and by the end we'd have a 1,000 people through the gallery on a Saturday night opening with live local bands and DJs. Also, like my nephew, Jason is a bike guy, he has a customized long bike that he commutes on daily. You should swing by, I'm sure he'd enjoy seeing your beautiful commuter!

Attached Images
File Type: jpeg
PositiveNegative.jpeg (8.4 KB, 537 views)
neo_pop_71 is offline  
Old 01-26-14, 12:06 PM
  #2691  
Senior Member
 
Lamplight's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Bellingham, WA
Posts: 2,769
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Liked 13 Times in 12 Posts
Thanks neo! I know exactly where that is, but I've never been inside. I'll have to check it out!
Lamplight is offline  
Old 01-26-14, 01:47 PM
  #2692  
WNG
Spin Forest! Spin!
 
WNG's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Arrid Zone-a
Posts: 5,964

Bikes: I used to have many. And I Will again.

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 10 Times in 9 Posts
Originally Posted by anixi
Resistance is futile, prepare to be assimilated...
Originally Posted by wrk101
+100 Once you build one, you will be back for more!
So true! It's not about needing one. You eventually want one, then two! They are so versatile and fun.
I've been putting my Giant Smurf through its paces and it soldiered all of it. A wonderful gravel grinder! Even some serious single tracking.

Sorry to those who gave me high praise for my efforts on my recent build, and not replying promptly. I got sick, and then sidetracked with work.
I was hoping to have a photographer friend take some better macros of the build details. But we couldn't hook up.
This is my last bike in a series of 2013 builds with special meaning. It replaces my lamented Schwinn Crosscut, which I've discovered has been twisted and ruined.

Here's a pic of it taking on conditions better suited for a full-suspension mtb...

Ridge Trail -031 by WNG555, on Flickr

It survived some very difficult trails and terrain. Who said these bikes are obsolete don't know what they are talking about.
More about my misadventures with it are posted here:
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...1#post16411094
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...1#post16421851
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...1#post16442022

Last edited by WNG; 01-26-14 at 08:20 PM.
WNG is offline  
Old 01-26-14, 01:52 PM
  #2693  
RFC
Senior Member
 
RFC's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Posts: 4,466

Bikes: many

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 16 Times in 13 Posts
Originally Posted by WNG
So true! It's not about needing one. You eventually want one, then two! They are so versatile and fun.
I've been putting my Giant Smurf through its paces and it soldiered all of it. A wonderful gravel grinder! Even some serious single tracking.

Sorry to those who gave me high praise for my efforts on my recent build. I got sick, and then sidetracked with work.
I was hoping to have a photographer friend take some better macros of the build details. But we couldn't hook up.
This is my last bike in a series of 2013 builds with special meaning. It replaces my lamented Schwinn Crosscut, which I've discovered has been twisted and ruined.

Here's a pic of me taking it on conditions better suited for a full-suspension mtb...

Ridge Trail -031 by WNG555, on Flickr

It survived some very difficult trails and terrain. Who said these bikes are obsolete don't know what they are talking about.
More about my misadventures with it are posted here:
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...1#post16411094
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...1#post16421851
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...1#post16442022
Very nice. Red Mountain of the canal trail?
RFC is offline  
Old 01-26-14, 01:56 PM
  #2694  
WNG
Spin Forest! Spin!
 
WNG's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Arrid Zone-a
Posts: 5,964

Bikes: I used to have many. And I Will again.

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 10 Times in 9 Posts
Originally Posted by RFC
Very nice. Red Mountain of the canal trail?
Yes, that's Red Mountain, and the Granite Reef Dam is in the upper left corner.
Pic was taken on the Hawes Trail system in the Usery Mountain area.
WNG is offline  
Old 01-26-14, 02:03 PM
  #2695  
RFC
Senior Member
 
RFC's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Posts: 4,466

Bikes: many

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 16 Times in 13 Posts
OK, on the other side of the canal from the reservation.
Tanto Nat'l Forest?
RFC is offline  
Old 01-26-14, 02:08 PM
  #2696  
Senior Member
 
Lamplight's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Bellingham, WA
Posts: 2,769
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Liked 13 Times in 12 Posts
Originally Posted by bconneraz
^^I like the Swift on there, and that's a heck of a nice job on the fender fit; can you share a couple close ups of how you did the front? It looks awesome.
Sorry, I didn't see your comment before. But thanks! The front is a bit more crude looking up close, and I have a plan to tidy it up a little and make it more adjustable in the process. But it works well enough for now. The main reason I had to add the extra stay on the front is because my commute requires me to put my bike on a bus rack, and the arm that hooks over the front wheel is absolute murder on an unsupported fender (don't ask me how I know )



Where the stays mount to the fenders I just turned the standard Berthoud bolts backward and installed a stainless acorn nut on the outside. It adds a teeny bit of clearance underneath, but mostly I just thought it looked cool.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg
DSCF8497cropsmall.jpg (83.8 KB, 555 views)
File Type: jpg
DSCF8499croppsmall.jpg (42.9 KB, 536 views)
Lamplight is offline  
Old 01-26-14, 03:38 PM
  #2697  
Senior Member
 
Pistard's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Columbia county, NY
Posts: 572
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 13 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
you guys all install these bar end shifters? are they complicated to install?
Pistard is offline  
Old 01-26-14, 04:06 PM
  #2698  
Senior Member
 
Lamplight's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Bellingham, WA
Posts: 2,769
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Liked 13 Times in 12 Posts
Originally Posted by Pistard
you guys all install these bar end shifters? are they complicated to install?
They're not as simple as downtube shifters, but they're not too difficult.
Lamplight is offline  
Old 01-26-14, 04:36 PM
  #2699  
Senior Member
 
neo_pop_71's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: SoCal
Posts: 836
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 9 Times in 9 Posts
Originally Posted by Pistard
you guys all install these bar end shifters? are they complicated to install?
The newer ones are easier than the older styles (IMHO), the new Shimano shifters have a spring expander that you can access with an allen head wrench. Maybe a 5 minute job after you've disassembled the shift arm... position the shifter, tighten, and reassemble the shifter and you're set to go. You do need to make sure the bar you choose will fit the bar end shifters but most manufacturers give specifics on their websites.
neo_pop_71 is offline  
Old 01-26-14, 07:02 PM
  #2700  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Twin Cities, Minnesota, USA
Posts: 1,298

Bikes: 2017 Salsa Carbon Mukluk frame built with XT, 2018 Kona Rove NRB build with Sram Apex 1,2008 Salsa El Mariachi, 1986 Centurion Ironman

Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 286 Post(s)
Liked 100 Times in 65 Posts
Originally Posted by neo_pop_71
The newer ones are easier than the older styles (IMHO), the new Shimano shifters have a spring expander that you can access with an allen head wrench. Maybe a 5 minute job after you've disassembled the shift arm... position the shifter, tighten, and reassemble the shifter and you're set to go. You do need to make sure the bar you choose will fit the bar end shifters but most manufacturers give specifics on their websites.
Confused. The suntour Barrons I have from the 70s and 80s also have an expander bolt that tightens and loosens with an allen wrench. They also take just a few minutes to install: pop the pod in, tighten the expander, slide the shifter in, run the axel through, adjust the locking nut. How are the new shimanos simpler?
__________________
Don't complain about the weather and cower in fear. It's all good weather. Just different.
revcp is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.