wrk101

I've sized up. Just watch TT length, as there is some variation there.

Choke 

Thanks everyone.

Mountaindave - It's not NOS but it's pretty close. I don't think it was ridden much before I purchased it and I certainly haven't put many miles on it so far.

miliu

That's really really nice, Choke. I fall in love with it. Congrats.

09box

This is one of my favorite posts on BF!

Sixty Fiver

This thread just keeps on giving and giving... pondering on whether or not I will run some dirt drops on the new purple monster.

zs3889

Can anyone identify this Raleigh? The seller is asking for $75. Seeing that it's set up for commuting (slick tires, rear rack), I'm tempted to get it.

tk1971

I "needed" to build another one, so I picked up this 96 Litespeed Obed for my riding buddy (brother-in-law).

Got a Midge bar for it. Waiting to receive the fork, carbon seat post and Brooks C17 saddle.

Building it into a 1x9 (30t x 12-36t) with one single friction shifter (Suntour Power Thumb Shifter).

should be fun.

mountaindave 

The only thing I did recently was to swap stems for a longer one with a bit of rise (actually the original stem it came with) and throw on an 11-30 8s cassette to match the 8s brifters. Amazing what a small tweak can do to make a drastic change in comfort. This photo is 2/3 of the way into a 32 mile ride yesterday that included a mix of everything from paved trail to gravel to very rough logging roads. It was an epic ride!

Squeeze

Indeed. I don't comment on every photo and story but I enjoy them all.

Today I got out for the first long ride since installing drop bars. I'm am very happy with it. I brought a spare tube and patch kit as always but forgot to reattach my frame pump since taking it and the water bottle cages off for cleaning. Fortunately I didn't need it.







6280 feet above sea level.

mijome07

This doesn't qualify as "vintage", but it is a conversion nonetheless. Running SS for now. Soon to be a full out touring bike. The frame/fork geometry is similar to an ideal touring bike.

Reminds me of my old cyclo-cross bike.

simmonsgc

That's certainly a nice clean build! Paint or powdercoat? And yes, this is the thread that "keeps on giving." My favorite one here at C&V.

mijome07

Thanks. I had it powder coated. Most parts are new. Only thing stock are the QR skewers on the seatpost/wheels.

due ruote 

It would have been ironic had you gotten a snakebite flat.

CannedPakes

How much do you all pay for these drop bar conversions at the bike shop?

ksryder

$0

I think everyone here is DIY.

I think I spent about $125 on my project. Probably another $30 or so on parts that I screwed up or didn't need. You can spend much less or much more, depending on circumstances and luck. There's no guidebook on this so I'd just suggest reading as much of this thread as you can and then start wrenching until you figure it out.

mijome07

I wouldn't pay a bike shop to do a conversion (for me).

I did the conversion (posted above) on a tight budget. I already had the bike. But I paid to have it powder coated. Everything cost me $500 +/-. I installed/dialed-in everything myself.

And the SS setup is just temporary until I buy all the gearing components. That alone is another $300 +/-.

crank_addict

So who has one of the elusive Clark-Kent fs road bikes / ala LeMond?

tk1971

All DIY. $50 for a Midge bar. $27 for Tektro R520 levers.

And over $200 in a bunch of stems until I found the right one. That's an excuse for me to keep building these, so I can use up all my stems.

Squeeze

I figure I have $500 - $600 in mine, including the original purchase price from craigslist and some parts not related to the conversion, such as chain, cassette, one chainring, front and rear racks, tires, etc. I didn't have much of a "parts bin" to pull parts from, so I had to buy the handlebar, brake levers, shifters, cables, cable housing cutter/crimper tool, and even a Pletscher double-leg kickstand to use as a work stand. That was a great idea, and lots cheaper than even the least expensive used workstands for sale on craigslist.

However, it took me two years to spend all that money, and now I have a bike that has almost all new parts on it. I don't think it will need anything else for a good long while.

Here's a pic from yesterday afternoon at the local BMX track, if you guys aren't sick of seeing this bike yet. Drop bars and bar-end shifters are fun on the high, banked turns, and for those who wonder about hand positions on the Midge bars, let me say the drops are where you want to be when the bike gets fully airborne!



My only regret is when a guy about my age (old enough to be the original owner of a vintage MTB) rode up to a scenic overlook where I had stopped yesterday morning. He was riding a very 1990s-looking Trek in teal green, with matching teal bar ends, no less. I was hoping he’d say, “Hey, nice vintage drop bar conversion!”

cookandcycle

So my drop bar conversion is done (pictures soon) and I sent a picture to my sister who then showed her boyfriend. He immediately texted me asking how he can do that and its exactly what he wants. I have been looking for possible bikes for him and have come across a subject that confuses me. What is the deal with U brakes mounted under the chainstays? I understand they were put on some mid to late 80's mountain bikes as well as bmx bikes for a lot longer than that, but how are frames equipped with them suited for conversions? Are they hard to service? Dial in? Find parts for? Stay away? Be careful? So many questions! Help!

Bikedued

They were known for clogging up with mud on some trails, but that's the only thing I've heard bad about them. As in dial in difficulties, they're no worse than cantilevers or roller cams. if you've ever worked on either of those you should be fine? I am not 100% certain on cable pull compatibility, that may be fine too.,,,,BD

wrk101

First conversion on page one has an under stay U brake. Moved on to a new home, as it was just too small.

mountaindave 

Don't fear the U-brake (cue Blue Oyster Cult).

ayjaydee

I dont think I COULD get tired of lookin at this bike!!

GT90s

I am very glad that i am not the only person on this planet who is working on his old MTB.
Doing things which make no sense ( at least for my wife ) . Converting old stuff into...i don´t know...into older stuff maybe.

To make things short : 1990 GT Avalanche AL, Only the frame is from 1990, all other parts have been changed.

Main problem: how to use Rapidfire shifters on a drop bar. See my solution...works pretty fine.

The result was that i sold all my cyclocrossers and now i am in love again with my old GT.

Greetings from Vienna, Austria