Show Your Vintage MTB Drop Bar Conversions
#2677
Jack of all trades
#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.
Last edited by Fuzzy2964; 01-10-14 at 10:08 PM. Reason: Add Pic
#2680
Senior Member
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
#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.
#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
#2684
Senior Member
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?
#2685
Thrifty Bill
Thread Starter
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
#2686
Senior Member
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.
#2687
Senior Member
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!
#2688
Senior Member
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.
#2689
Senior Member
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
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!
#2690
Senior Member
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
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!
#2692
Spin Forest! Spin!
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
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
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.
#2693
Senior Member
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
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
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
#2696
Senior Member
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.
#2698
Senior Member
#2699
Senior Member
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
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.
#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
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.
__________________
Don't complain about the weather and cower in fear. It's all good weather. Just different.
Don't complain about the weather and cower in fear. It's all good weather. Just different.