victorm

Changed from flat bar to a riser Bar snagged from an old Schwinn High Sierra. Added a Blackburn rack. Really enjoy riding this one with thew new seating position.

vp1337

My 1994 RockHopper in townie/do-everything mode. Now it also has a rack.

Korina

Nice bike, and I love your stand!

ofajen

What is the name of that crossbar thing?

Otto

bOsscO

More paint removal on this beat-up 93 Mongoose IBOC frame reveals original decals and paint colour.
Top tube

Down tube

bOsscO

Think they're called crossbar or brace-bar. Renthal and Control Tech used to manufacture them (if I remember correctly)

vp1337

No idea to be honest, but it's a motocross handlebar as I couldn't find proper bicycle handlebars with these dimensions.

ofajen

No worries, I’ve been able to find examples.

And perhaps even better for my purposes, there are motocross bar extensions that have a removable 7/8” clamp and a 7/8” stub. Designed for raising motocross bike handlebars, but I’m thinking of reversing that to add “bar ends” in the forward and central section of my touring bars as a sort of aero bar, where the bar ends can’t go on their own because they can’t make it around the bend.

So thanks for unintentionally sending me in that direction! 😊

Otto

ctak

Beautiful - reminds me of a Mimmo Rotella painting I saw once

J.Higgins 

Leave the paint where it is, but smooth it up the grits to 2000. Then wipe down and spray over with clear or satin 2K urethane. Nice!

A side note: The word above, "nice", was supposed to be "b-a-l-l-e-r", an urban slang meaning really good. Since when did the bad word filter get so sensitive!

bOsscO

I have thought about that approach, would definitely achieve the 'crusty cruiser' look I'm partial too.
But I'm also thinking of getting some new adhesive vinyl decals made and painting it in a similar metallic dark purple colour.

robertmoses

1989 Schwinn Impact

Purchased on craigslist from someone who serviced it well. He replaced the derailleur, sealed cartridge bottom bracket, and converted to 1x5. I added rear Wald basket and upholstered foam cushion, replaced saddle (rain cover came with bike), caged pedals (temporary), and cheap Portland Design Works Sodapop fender set. Plan to swap out bars with Nitto Albatross and shimano brake levers from a friend when I get the chance. Will also be changing the quick release seatpost clamp for a bolt.

Has been a joy to ride around Chicago these past few months. Picked it up for use as a an everyday commuter to haul groceries, etc. on rough roads. The only downside has been the extra effort required to carry this thing up and down from the third floor twice daily. It is a tank.

Has been a treat to see so many beautiful bikes in this thread thank you!

lubloi

My latest project, a Dancelli MTB from 1989 according to the Shimano date codes on the derailers. I gave it a very thorough overhaul, replaced the rear hub and the broken shifters, added riser bars and fat Continental tires. The colors are still wonderful but would have been even more striking when the bike was new, especially the yellow parts are faded on the top half of the tubes, where they got direct sunlight. The bike has some really nice details, for example the beautiful bend in the lugged front forks.

Clyde1820

Putting a mid-90s vintage Trek 970 into shape as an upright "town" bike. Correcting some old issues, replacing some old/damaged parts.

Looking forward to it, when complete. Still awaiting some parts and having a wheelset built up, so it's not done yet. Will hopefully post pics, after completion. Not exactly a "weight weenie" build, but it should work well for my purposes.

Components:

• Frame -- Trek 970 ZX, OCX III triple-butted steel, 1996 vintage; original paint, still in moderately decent condition
• Fork -- Surly Troll, chromoly steel, 420mm axle-to-crown, uncut (for now) 310mm steerer
• Headset -- FSA Orbit MX 1-1/8"
• Bottom Bracket -- Chris King ThreadFit 24 (shop installing)
• Crank set -- Shimano Deore XT FC-M8000-2 2x11spd, 34/24T, 165mm arms (shop installing)
• Derailleur, front -- MicroShift XLE 11 FD-M622-B, 2x11spd
• Derailleur, rear -- MicroShift XLE 11 RD-M665L, 11spd
• Cassette -- MicroShift XLE 11 CS-H113 11spd, 11-46T, 11-13-15-18-21-24-28-32-36-40-46T
• Shifters -- MicroShift SL-M11 11spd "thumbies"
• Cables/housing -- JagWire Mountain Pro brake, JagWire Pro shift
• Brakes -- Shimano Deore LX M565 (vintage) cantilever; debating ultimately going to Paul Touring cantis, though these existing brakes still work well
• Brake pads -- Kool Stop, all-weather (salmon)
• Wheels -- Velocity Cliffhanger 26 36H, White Ind. MI-5 hubs, DT Swiss, 4-cross lacing, ReneHerse RTP 26x2.3"; a heavier set, but with lighter tires
• Stem -- (for now) Trek's System2 MTB stem
• Handlebars -- (for now) unbranded riser/swept bars, 5" rise, 9" pull-back, 600mm width
• Seat post -- Cirrus Kinekt (formerly "BodyFloat") suspended post
• Saddle -- Brooks B67 Aged
• > Low gearing @ 80rpm, 13.8 gear-inches low (~3mph), 80 gear-inches high (~19mph). Fine, for my intended use, handling of hilly routes.

Last built-up a bike back in the early 1970s. So, it has been awhile, beyond a few parts swaps since then. Just going slow, on the repair stand, a couple parts at a time. Awaiting the wheelset to be finished from the custom shop. And, awaiting the derailleurs from MicroShift, but the shipment's not due to arrive on-shore (USA) until mid-September. So, several more weeks yet.

bOsscO

Looking forward to lots of photos.

cooperryder

I also dig the colors!
Even the kickstand is pink!

All right!
Enjoy!

cooperryder

Those are some great wheels and parts.

I'm also looking forward to pics.

I've been enjoying my 1990 Trek 950 made over to my likes.

I did have two 950's but gave up one so my son could pedal my granddaughter around.

Enjoy the project.

Recent pic of mine.

Clyde1820

Yeah, the wheelset should be pretty great.

Had a wheelset built based on the Velocity Dyad and Shimano Deore XT hubs, some years ago. Best I've ever had, for daily use and abuse in a mixed/urban commuting environment.

These should be even more bomb-proof. Though, heavier, with the DT Swiss Champion 14ga spokes, as compared to a butted variety. Should be laterally more stable and able to withstand the loads and rougher treatment, though. Probably a good thing. The CliffHanger rims have a 25mm internal width, so they'll be well-suited to a ~45-55mm tire. Thought about possibly doing the Blunt 35's (from Velocity), but wanted the option of going sub-50mm tires if desired. Ought to be plenty cushy around town.

The White Industries MI-5 hubs should be wonderful. They'll be my first components from White. Many people rave about them. We'll see.

With the lightweight ReneHerse RTP tires, it should be stellar.

The bottom bracket's probably overkill. I'd have been reasonably happy with a normal Deore XT BB. Turns out the shop was out of them, couldn't get them quickly, but could get a Chris King in soon. So, what the heck. Great quality, great looks, and a bomb-proof product.


Have loved your previous pics of your project bikes. That one's a beaut.


Mine will have a mismatched Surly Troll fork on the Trek 970 OCX III frame. Not as "classic" looking as a curved fork, but appropriate for a durable, urban-duty, "Clyde" type bike intended to withstand the worst potholes the town has to offer. Considered keeping it a suspended/shock fork, but decided against that.

I've got a set of fenders for it, ready to go, but remain undecided as to whether to actually install them. A nicer, cleaner look has its good points. And saving a few ounces here and there isn't a bad thing. But with a fairly heavy saddle, heavy seatpost and not exactly lightweight bars, every little bit helps. Still, it's going to have very low gearing, so what minor "excess" weight exists on the bike won't be all that big a deal, at least not on the hills.

Still noodling about the right lighting setup, on this one. Have another several weeks to sort that out.


Debated having the frame blasted and powder coated, at a local vendor, but decided against that. The paint's in moderately decent shape, for a well-used bike. I don't mind some of the "battle scars" on it. Might revisit, in future. Would love to do up something like this, at some point ...

House Of Kolor #BC-10 "Purple Pavo":

rossiny

We used to ride sew ups in ​​the 80s, this is so much better for the roads . Kenosha roads have cracks that go all across . A friend of mine was commuting on his 930 so I tried it ,, wow.
I Changed out the fork , the shock one was broke on the fork tip. Just basically used the frame and wheels. Most expensive cheap bike I bought for 80 bucks.😒
I lucked out later and found a Paramount PDF 40 from a guy used to work fir a local Schwinn shop .it is all Deore and almost unused ..

bOsscO

Wow digging that colour purple. I've decided to go with the Montana 'Galaxy Violet' for my current build.

BicycleSafari

[QUOTE=blackbomber;21497023]Here’s mine: A $75.00 1997 Trek 820 done up with just the basics:

• Big Ben Plusses ($70)
• Some gaudy but functional KKT pedals from my parts bin ($0.00)
• B17 saddle under the rain cover ($115)
• Kool Stop pads ($20.00)
• Cheap frame bag ($11.00)
• Cheap mini pump ($9.00)
• Crane bell ($15.00)
• VO steering stabilizer ($10.00)
• Sunlite front rack with Wald 139 basket ($40.00)
• Topeak babyseat rear rack ($42.00)

Bike was very clean and in great condition, I only needed to do a basic tune up. So just over $400 all in for a decent bike that does all I need. I could have saved some money by using a cheap saddle and mounting the basket with the hardware Wald provides. I feel the value is pretty good for what this bike does.


I'm really diggin on what you put together here! Great functional build and it looks good too

BicycleSafari

A truly impressive haul!
I've been curious about the rear basket set ups. They look super neat, but I've wondered how they effect the handling. Do you notice a significant difference in your handling with a higher load, or do you even notice it at all?

BicycleSafari

How has your experience with the RTP's been? I've heard that they are a little more prone to flats so I've been running Maxxis DTH tires on all my bikes, but I'm still super curious about the RTP.
A really stellar bike you've built up here!

blackbomber

Thank you - that’s very kind. I’m just wrapping up another build I did for my wife. This time I started with a knackered ‘87 Bianchi, and went through everything. I’ll likely post it in this thread next week.

cooperryder

As to the effect on handling it depends on the load.

When loaded pretty heavy, say 30 lbs. or so I can feel some rear wiggle but nothing too terrible and with groceries I'm usually not going far , one to four miles.

I've bought other bikes and transported them on rear rack/basket up to 20 miles.
(remove wheels and stack and use lots of bungi cords)

One has to take it easy and be careful with such an odd shaped load.

I've a pics somewhere of doing this on my previous Rockhopper.
I think that was a 15 mile return trip.

I feel a load up front more if it has more than around 10 pounds in basket.

I'm used to adjusting when carrying loads from bike touring in the past.

These vintage mt bikes are usually pretty stout to handle loads.