Oldairhead 

So I still have my first MTB, a 1986 Specialized Rock Hopper. It is completely torn down but I still have most of the original parts. I am going to do something with it to get it back into service but I am torn between three options. Should I rebuild it as:

• Original and stock
• A drop bar gravel demon
• A retro mod MTB, with some newer stuff to improve ride-ability

I am trying to decide which direction to go with it. A little input would be helpful. Thanks!

ofgit

Got pics? I had a yellow one that I traded in my red '85 on. Got an '87 StumpJumper out of storage and back to rolling recently. Only changes were the bar, saddle and tires. Also had an '88 pink/green StumpJumper. Found another red '85 RockHopper in good stock shape, a few years ago, that I need to get out of storage and cleaned up. These are nice old bikes.

bikemig 

Vintage mtbs are great platforms because you can mod them in lots of different ways. Plus they're not really collectible so there's no reason not to do what you want. The question is what you do plan on doing with your bike? I have two specialized mtbs: one I put drops and turned it into a commuter (a 1988 stumpjumper comp); the other I used trekking bars and turned it into a gravel riding machine (a 1991 team stumpjumper).

Jeff Wills

Straight bars, stock components, slick 1.5" tires. You'll be amazed at how good a "road" bike it is.

bikemig 

Agreed. Trekking bars make a good alternative to straight bars as well. It's a "cheap" upgrade since the old levers and shifters will work. And you can some really useful hand positions.

Oldairhead 

That is a good question! I have a LOT of bikes, easily one or more for almost every category. I do not have a drop bar MTB so I am thinking that may be a way to go. But I have a "thing" for period correct stuff. Whatever I do will be ridden, but not as often as my "A bikes". This may be a B or a C bike, but still it should be cool.

Maybe tomorrow I'll post a "before" pic of the frame and we'll see if that changes the input.

Also, the frame has it's original paint but it has a well earned patina. I tend to like original paint in almost any condition. It is only original once!

wrk101

+10 Big patina fan as well.

Have fun with it. I am thinking my next mtb build will be a grocery getter. Maybe I'll use trekking bars on that one.

Since you don't have a drop bar mtb yet, let me recommend you try it. I really, really, like mine.

[IMG]IMG_2718 by wrk101, on Flickr[/IMG]

The Golden Boy 

I'm really intrigued by Trekking bars. All the hand positions, stretching out position, braking in a really ergonomic position, shifting at your fingertips... I need to get a set of these.

wesmamyke

Speaking of trekking bars on old mountain bikes, I put some on my Mongoose IBOC and they seem to be working out well.

Curious though if anyone knows of a source besides ebay for more euro style flat trekking bars? The slightly narrower ones with no rise or drop to them?

Also has anyone ever tried brake lever extensions or the brake levers with built in extensions to make the extra hand positions even more useful? If so is there a happy medium between the super cheap brake lever extensions and the vintage and impossible to find Paul's components ones?

I think I need to start a vintage mountain bike converted with trekking bars thread titled: Sometimes the odd ways are best.