obrentharris 

@clubman that bike is inspirational! Really nicely thought out... um, except for those big pedals, which look like they have a large appetite for small furry animals.
Brent

cooperryder

I look at my local CL fairly often and this High Plains popped up not too far away from me.
The price was low, I guess because of the rust in several spots.

I already sold the wheels, cockpit and derailers cheaply and recouped the low cost for the bike.

Most of the time I have decent parts to build up a half dozen bikes and often rotate those parts from one frame
to another.

If I see stuff on sale I might need for a future build I may buy it in advance.
One example is the silver braided cable housing I used.

I think the only thing I had to purchase was a $20 seat post as it came to me with a strait shaft post on it.
I had all the rest in my parts containers.
Also the $30 North Road bar for it is on the way to me.
So overall not too much outlay of dollars on this particular project.

Sometimes I will ride a bike a few months with lesser parts just to see if it's a keeper or not b4 I decide to upgrade any parts.

Those are Tektro 720 canti's on it that I have used on 3 or 4 bikes.
They work well for me and are pretty economical.

dweenk 

I've gone both ways.

Raleigh Olympian drop bar to northroad uprights and a Univega Alpina Trail from straight bars to drops.IMG_0548.JPG

smoothness

I posted it in the "fenders" thread, but I think this is better suited.

mr,grumpy 

Here's my Trek 820. I have swapped back to a MTB bar for the time being but the north roads are going back on soon. Probably tomorrow actually.

wesmamyke

Is that a Wald basket rigged up with some other hardware? If so I'd love to see some closer pictures, have been meaning to do something like that. Currently have one zip tied to a mini front rack, works but that's so much cleaner.

clubman 

That's really well done, mauve/green hi-lites, nice rubber, aftermarket fork? Pretty. (jury out on spoke reflectors )

smoothness

@ wesmamyke: I used the smallest hose clamps (I think 1.125"); they distort when you tighten them, but it's like a super permanent zip tie. you could also use stainless steel bailing wire if you have the right tools.

@ clubman: they're monkey lights, not spoke reflectors! also, the colors are period correct anodized purple, turquoise/celeste, and hot pink. the monkey lights are also programmed to shine neon pink and turquoise chevrons.

stanman13

My Univega Range Rover and my son's Giant Iguana.

JReade

I liked the spoiler!

cooperryder

You guys are posting some great looking bikes.
These bikes are so versatile.
It's fun to see what you all have come up with to customize yours.

I guess they are bit like a blank canvass to re-imagine into a bike that will work for your purposes and riding preferences.

Here's an early 90's Diamond Back Ascent a friend and I built up for him.

cooperryder

Also this is a mid 80's Peugeot mtb I built up and rode for about a year and then passed on to my son.

simmonsgc

Ha! Yeah, sharp eyes there. Somehow it must've seemed easier to them to just start drilling holes in the rack, for the sole purpose of mounting it backwards. Since I turned it around, downforce at very high speeds is marginally reduced. Bummer.

beicster 

This old Mongoose was one of my favorite bikes. It got stolen in 2016. I am still sad about that.

Looking at this thread and my old Mongoose has me thinking I need to convert my Diamond Back.

tiredhands 

I've done a number of these, calling them "Bawlmer Bombers," for friends commuting in Baltimore. Wald cruiser bars and Schwalbe Fat Franks make any old MTB an indestructible cruiser. I've got a set of components to put together one last Bomber, all I need is a frame.

Happy Feet

My old Maruishi Mt-5



84 Diamond Back converted to 1x5

bear_a_bug 

Lots of great conversions here!

This is an '85 Cimarron that was repainted by @fender1 a few years ago. Paint is starting to chip, so I'm considering a powdercoat or maybe that spray.bike stuff I see from time to time.



I swapped it out to drop bars a month ago, but that didn't last a day. The upright "cruiser" mode was just too much fun and comfortable for bumming around the neighborhood or running errands. Dynamo lighting and fenders makes this bike an option any time, day or night. I really feel like a 10 year old every time I hop on.

Squeeze

I'm working on a conversion similar to these for an inexpensive MTB I bought from craigslist to keep in my office for lunch rides in the city.

I thought this would be as good a place as any to ask this question: What upright bars will accept bar-end shifters and 22.2 mountain bike brake levers without modification? I understand some smaller-diameter bars can be reamed out to take the bar-end shifters, but I don't have the equipment, knowledge, time, or desire to pursue that. I'm looking for something that works out of the box, if possible.

So far I'm aware of the Velo Orange Porteur Bar (which I already own) and the Surly Open Bar. Are there any others?

Thanks.

Here's a sneak peek at my project while I was test-fitting some parts I already own.

Grand Bois

Nitto Albatross-both aluminum and steel versions.

52telecaster

great thread. wonderful to re-purpose these bikes. i had a trek 930 i did this too for a friend years ago. unfortunately i dont have the pics.

eom 

[QUOTE=Squeeze;20017877] What upright bars will accept bar-end shifters and 22.2 mountain bike brake levers without modification?

So far I'm aware of the Velo Orange Porteur Bar (which I already own) and the Surly Open Bar. Are there any others?

Thanks.

Nitto Bosco

Squeeze

Thanks guys. The only problem is Nitto bars cost more than I paid for the whole bike!

Of course, I realize the other side of that, and I know most C&V forum regulars can relate: an extra-cheap bike = more money to spend on customization!

simmonsgc

Soma Sparrow (in all 3 widths) takes bar ends, also Soma Oxford (a pretty much exact Nitto Albatross shape knock off) takes bar ends. This not just from reading, I've installed bar ends on both these bars. Good luck in your search!

I had a friend who once said..."If you don't have more in components than you have in the frame....you're not doing it right!"

wesmamyke

Can confirm on the Soma Sparrow bars, ends are reamed out for bar end shifters.

Murray Missile 

Here's one I did for my Daughter-In-Law, 1989 Schwinn Probe.

Before:


After: