Vintage MTB To Upright Bar / Urban Bike Conversions
#1126
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Kips Bay, NY
Posts: 2,173
Bikes: Ritchey Swiss Cross | Teesdale Kona Hot | Haro Extreme | Specialized Stumpjumper Comp | Cannondale F1000 | Shogun 1000 | Cannondale M500 | Norco Charger | Marin Muirwoods 29er | Shogun Kaze | Breezer Lightning
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 563 Post(s)
Liked 921 Times
in
466 Posts

92 Stumpjumper Comp, one smooth ride
Likes For DorkDisk:
#1127
Purist Destroyer
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: The Le Grande HQ
Posts: 2,190
Bikes: The Campagnolo Huffy w/ Home Depot tubulars
Mentioned: 27 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 970 Post(s)
Liked 2,930 Times
in
1,147 Posts
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSS I LOVE the '92 Stumpy in pink! It is on my 'favorites' list and I couldn't turn one down if I saw one (w/ matching fork). KILLER bike, my friend!
There was one at a co-op I frequented several years ago, but alas, it didn't have the matching fork, so I passed it by. You have done that bike justice. Just awesome.
There was one at a co-op I frequented several years ago, but alas, it didn't have the matching fork, so I passed it by. You have done that bike justice. Just awesome.
__________________
There were 135 Confentes, but only one...Huffente!

There were 135 Confentes, but only one...Huffente!
Likes For AdventureManCO:
#1128
Purist Destroyer
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: The Le Grande HQ
Posts: 2,190
Bikes: The Campagnolo Huffy w/ Home Depot tubulars
Mentioned: 27 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 970 Post(s)
Liked 2,930 Times
in
1,147 Posts









1990'mtb frame found in trashcan. I've put 1000's of miles on it over the last 25 years or so. Rusted, abused, hand me down parts. Time for a dolled up restomod!

__________________
There were 135 Confentes, but only one...Huffente!

There were 135 Confentes, but only one...Huffente!
Likes For AdventureManCO:
#1129
Junior Member
Go for it!!!!
West va this weekend :


Last edited by dualresponse; 08-07-23 at 08:01 PM.
Likes For dualresponse:
#1130
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: costa mesa ca
Posts: 115
Bikes: 85 botteccia, 85 mcmahn tiatainium, 90 something trek clyde, early 70s schwinn tandem single speed, early 90s gary fisher aquila (the daily rider now!)
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10 Post(s)
Liked 15 Times
in
9 Posts


I'm immensely enjoying riding my 1994 Gary Fisher Hoo Koo E Koo vintage MTB converted more towards urban cruising.
I'm finding these Continental Contact Urban tires to be a good smooth rolling, not terribly heavy tire with good flat resistance. They are reasonably priced also.
Pretty favorable review in the tires here:
https://www.bicyclerollingresistance....-contact-urban
did something extremely close to this build on a super caliber. so comfortable to ride sitting straight up!
#1131
Senior Member
My 95 Univega Alpina 501

Likes For plumberroy:
#1132
Purist Destroyer
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: The Le Grande HQ
Posts: 2,190
Bikes: The Campagnolo Huffy w/ Home Depot tubulars
Mentioned: 27 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 970 Post(s)
Liked 2,930 Times
in
1,147 Posts
Thanks. Moving the studs was easy. Heat one up till the brazing gets soft, pull it off with a pair of channel locks, decide how far you want to move it up, and use a piece of metal bar like I did using the original stud to hold the repositioned one in place. I didn't even have to order new studs- just cleaned and used originals. Once brazed, switch sides and use the newly repositioned stud as the holder to align the second stud. I feel a little silly, since I abandoned it and went disc, but, if there's one lesson from it, I wish I had of repositioned those canti studs years ago.
Go for it!!!!
West va this weekend :


Go for it!!!!
West va this weekend :


Lovely. And thank you!
__________________
There were 135 Confentes, but only one...Huffente!

There were 135 Confentes, but only one...Huffente!
Likes For AdventureManCO:
#1133
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2022
Location: Missoula MT
Posts: 1,330
Bikes: Handsome xoxo, Serotta atx, Canyon Endurace CF8
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 597 Post(s)
Liked 1,396 Times
in
634 Posts
finally got around to swapping forks. the Soma I was using had really long a to c ie 425mm and my Serotta was built for a rs mag21 that was like 405 a to c but when I went rigid I could not find a fork with anything close and finally came across a vintage fork with 405 a to c. feels much better and even tho it is chrome does not look as goofy.





Likes For jadmt:
#1134
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Dallas / Ft Worth
Posts: 1,093
Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 197 Post(s)
Liked 1,204 Times
in
355 Posts
finally got around to swapping forks. the Soma I was using had really long a to c ie 425mm and my Serotta was built for a rs mag21 that was like 405 a to c but when I went rigid I could not find a fork with anything close and finally came across a vintage fork with 405 a to c. feels much better and even tho it is chrome does not look as goofy.


I like chrome forks.
I once had a Serotta Atlanta road bike.
They made high quality frames for sure.
Enjoy.
Likes For cooperryder:
Likes For cooperryder:
#1136
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Chicago
Posts: 1,582
Bikes: '72 Peugeot PX-10 '78 Motobecane Le Champion '83 Motobecane Grand Jubile '85 Trek 830 '88 Merckx Team ADR Corsa Extra
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 450 Post(s)
Liked 1,104 Times
in
605 Posts
This is available locally for under $100. Thinking about making it a single speed winter commuter with swept back bars. Joining the club.

__________________
Likes For Sedgemop:
#1137
Full Member
I'm not sure I'd really call this a "conversion" as this is pretty much what a 1988 Schwinn Woodlands looked like right out of the catalog, just with a slighly different color to the paint and some decals (this bike was starting to rust pretty badly, I stepped in just in the nick of time).

Handlebar is a new Wald replacement in similar style to the stock one, may be a little higher than factory. Brakes are obviously newer, the rest is pretty much straight as it was, just cleaned up nicely. Tires are an urban somewhat BMX inspired tread, great for city paths and a touch of gravel.
It's a very good rider and extremely simple as it's just a 10 speed.

Handlebar is a new Wald replacement in similar style to the stock one, may be a little higher than factory. Brakes are obviously newer, the rest is pretty much straight as it was, just cleaned up nicely. Tires are an urban somewhat BMX inspired tread, great for city paths and a touch of gravel.
It's a very good rider and extremely simple as it's just a 10 speed.
Likes For Bluetrane2028:
#1138
Newbie
Join Date: May 2023
Location: Wyoming
Posts: 2
Bikes: 2018 Raleigh Tamland 2, 1984 Fuji Touring Series V, 1984 Motobecane Grand Jubilee, 1984 Miyata Terra Runner, 2008 Specialized Hardrock Sport, 1981 Schwinn Sports Tourer
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
1 Post
Hi, everyone, I’m new to this forum. After I get 10 posts, I will share my collection / fleet! Does anyone have certain bars they prefer? I’ve seen a number of VO and Soma bars in here, but there are so many options that it’s difficult to know where to start.
Likes For gladhandbart:
#1139
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: PDX
Posts: 13,511
Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2
Mentioned: 260 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4311 Post(s)
Liked 5,765 Times
in
3,358 Posts
Keep in mind as you probably know with a fleet that bars are not just bars, many factors may or may not make them work but you have to start somewhere.

#1140
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2014
Location: USA
Posts: 1,908
Bikes: 1996 Trek 970 ZX 2x11
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 603 Post(s)
Liked 548 Times
in
415 Posts
Unless you get very lucky, you usually have to just bite the bullet and try a couple to see if they work for you and move on from there.
Keep in mind as you probably know with a fleet that bars are not just bars, many factors may or may not make them work but you have to start somewhere.
Keep in mind as you probably know with a fleet that bars are not just bars, many factors may or may not make them work but you have to start somewhere.

About the best suggestion I can make is: attempt to get an estimate of where you feel hands should sit while riding, in the most-comfortable preferred riding position. Then measure the degree of sweep, the rise and width of bar that might result in that hand position. It'll at least allow you to focus on those bars with roughly similar characteristics, discarding the rest. At which point, it'll be trial-and-error. You might consider an adjustable angle stem, too, at least during the effort to find the right bar. It'll allow a given bar to work in a wider range of positions.
gladhandbart -- Here is a website that has links to a wide range of bar styles. It's a good place to check out the varieties. Lots of different amounts of rise, back sweep (angle), width.
https://www.modernbike.com/flat-and-riser-handlebars
Likes For Clyde1820:
#1141
Newbie
Join Date: May 2023
Location: Wyoming
Posts: 2
Bikes: 2018 Raleigh Tamland 2, 1984 Fuji Touring Series V, 1984 Motobecane Grand Jubilee, 1984 Miyata Terra Runner, 2008 Specialized Hardrock Sport, 1981 Schwinn Sports Tourer
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
1 Post
Thanks for the advice and the link! Most of my bikes have quill stems, so I’m not sure how simple it is to swap bars on those… I need to do more research.
#1143
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Chicago, the leafy NW side
Posts: 2,651
Bikes: 1974 Motobecane Grand Record, 1987 Miyata Pro, 1988 Bob Jackson Lady Mixte (wife's), others in the family
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 122 Post(s)
Liked 149 Times
in
73 Posts
Not a detailed pic, and not drive side either! But a good representation of what I fixed up our vintage MTBs for.
Bikes are a 1987 Schwinn Cimarron and a 1992 Bridgestone BB-1.
Bridgestone was a recent FB find. It got an overhaul, generic NR bars, upgrades to the seat post and to old DiaCompe brake levers, ergo grips, and the Brooks B67S from my wife’s Bob Jackson mixte. Also some alloy chainrings including a spiffy red 48t. Pedals are Deore M735 (?) a rough looking but smooth spinning bargain from eBay.
I think the BB-1 was 1992-only; I’ve seen it in the Bridgestone catalog, where Grant P stated that it was an upgrade from their previous CB (City Bike). Maybe the latter hadn't sold well; they had three versions which may have been too many for that market segment; Grant called the BB the 'Basic Bridgestone,' so nothing fancy but a solid base to build on. Wife wanted a step-through frame like her mixte, and this fit the bill perfectly, esp since it’s the larger of the step through frames offered at 19-1/2”.
I’ve had the Schwinn for a few years but didn’t do anything with it till just before this trip, and in my haste made some mistakes. It now has the crankset and wheels from a Specialized Stumpjumper Sport, since I didn’t like the original 175mm crank and Biopace rings, but the small chainring turns out not to be usable. I’ll be swapping something else in later; I barely got to this point before leaving on this trip. It’s sporting Suntour Superbe Pro pedals from the parts bin and a Brooks B17 Champion that I’m having trouble getting tensioned—it keeps squeaking.
Both bikes got Maxxis DTH tires; I got both sizes and thought my wife might like the 2.3s on her Bridgestone, but they wouldn’t fit. I like ‘em.
Location is Grand Island in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, a beautiful area. We did the 20+ mile loop around the island, and that was a bit much for these old bikes (and their even older motors), lots of crushed gravel but also some pretty steep and rutted paths, mud, thick sand, etc. And a few (swarms of) biting flies, even this late in the year, just for motivation when you’re not moving fast enough. All in all though, a great day out.
Bikes are a 1987 Schwinn Cimarron and a 1992 Bridgestone BB-1.
Bridgestone was a recent FB find. It got an overhaul, generic NR bars, upgrades to the seat post and to old DiaCompe brake levers, ergo grips, and the Brooks B67S from my wife’s Bob Jackson mixte. Also some alloy chainrings including a spiffy red 48t. Pedals are Deore M735 (?) a rough looking but smooth spinning bargain from eBay.
I think the BB-1 was 1992-only; I’ve seen it in the Bridgestone catalog, where Grant P stated that it was an upgrade from their previous CB (City Bike). Maybe the latter hadn't sold well; they had three versions which may have been too many for that market segment; Grant called the BB the 'Basic Bridgestone,' so nothing fancy but a solid base to build on. Wife wanted a step-through frame like her mixte, and this fit the bill perfectly, esp since it’s the larger of the step through frames offered at 19-1/2”.
I’ve had the Schwinn for a few years but didn’t do anything with it till just before this trip, and in my haste made some mistakes. It now has the crankset and wheels from a Specialized Stumpjumper Sport, since I didn’t like the original 175mm crank and Biopace rings, but the small chainring turns out not to be usable. I’ll be swapping something else in later; I barely got to this point before leaving on this trip. It’s sporting Suntour Superbe Pro pedals from the parts bin and a Brooks B17 Champion that I’m having trouble getting tensioned—it keeps squeaking.
Both bikes got Maxxis DTH tires; I got both sizes and thought my wife might like the 2.3s on her Bridgestone, but they wouldn’t fit. I like ‘em.
Location is Grand Island in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, a beautiful area. We did the 20+ mile loop around the island, and that was a bit much for these old bikes (and their even older motors), lots of crushed gravel but also some pretty steep and rutted paths, mud, thick sand, etc. And a few (swarms of) biting flies, even this late in the year, just for motivation when you’re not moving fast enough. All in all though, a great day out.

__________________
I never think I have hit hard, unless it rebounds.
- Dr Samuel Johnson
I never think I have hit hard, unless it rebounds.
- Dr Samuel Johnson
Last edited by Chicago Al; 10-14-23 at 01:44 PM.
Likes For Chicago Al:
#1144
Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Oregon
Posts: 129
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 43 Post(s)
Liked 185 Times
in
69 Posts
Thanks for sharing the details of your upgrades and your ride. I’m wondering why you didn’t like the Biopace chainrings. I recently rebuilt a Crosscut that has those rings on it. I kept them because I was curious about them and they were original to the bike. So far I’m neutral on them. They seem to work fine but I can’t detect a difference as I ride. Was it just a baby with the bath water situation for you because you replaced the whole crankset?
#1145
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Chicago, the leafy NW side
Posts: 2,651
Bikes: 1974 Motobecane Grand Record, 1987 Miyata Pro, 1988 Bob Jackson Lady Mixte (wife's), others in the family
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 122 Post(s)
Liked 149 Times
in
73 Posts
Thanks for sharing the details of your upgrades and your ride. I’m wondering why you didn’t like the Biopace chainrings. I recently rebuilt a Crosscut that has those rings on it. I kept them because I was curious about them and they were original to the bike. So far I’m neutral on them. They seem to work fine but I can’t detect a difference as I ride. Was it just a baby with the bath water situation for you because you replaced the whole crankset?
I decided to do a quick overhaul on the Cimarron for this trip as the other two MTB projects (for me) I have were further from ready. I was maybe going to just go with the original crankset, but when I took the rings off to clean them I neglected to note how they are supposed to line up. So I thought I’d try the 165mm triple off my Univega Alpina project…no go, they’re for a different spindle and the small ring nearly hit the chainstay. Next choice was the 170 cranks off the Stumpjumper Sport, since they were freshly cleaned. Once I had that crankset on I figured the newly trued and cleaned up wheel set from the same bike should go with it. Something is not right though, maybe chain length, resulting in the small ring not being usable; fortunately I can wait till I’m home to figure that out.
I am just easing back into fiddling with bikes, and I am no expert, but I’m remembering how satisfying the whole problem solving process is. And having your wife tell you how much she loves the bike you fixed up for her is even more so.
__________________
I never think I have hit hard, unless it rebounds.
- Dr Samuel Johnson
I never think I have hit hard, unless it rebounds.
- Dr Samuel Johnson
Likes For Chicago Al:
#1146
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Dallas / Ft Worth
Posts: 1,093
Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 197 Post(s)
Liked 1,204 Times
in
355 Posts
40 miles today on my 1990 Bridgestone CB0.

Check out this unusual 4 seater now serving as gate art. I saw it on today's ride

Check out this unusual 4 seater now serving as gate art. I saw it on today's ride

#1147
Full Member
After scrolling this entire thread, I am loving these setups! I'm currently building a '93 Trek Antelope 830 and wanted more of a "Cafe Cruiser", "Comfort" or "Dad Bike" instead of the traditional rigid MTB. I decided on a 1x9 drivetrain but still needed the perfect handlebars. Starting with some 620mm wide, 6 degree sweep, 30mm rise bars, they were just to straight and didn't seem right for the bike. Looking through the forum, this post by Smokinapankake really got me interested. The handlebars looked great and I liked that they were Bontrager, associated with Trek. I was surprised that the bars were only $20.99 and could be ordered through my LBS (no shipping!!!).
Yesterday, I got a call that my order had arrived and I was able to install them last night.
Specs are: Bontrager Satellite Trekking handlebars, 610mm wide, 25.4mm clamp, 50mm rise, 35 degree sweep, $20.99. Product link They also come in black.
While the build isn't complete, I'm really happy to see this integral piece installed. I will post the end product when the bike is done.
Original 620mm, 6 degree sweep, 30mm rise bars with 120mm stem

From the top, swapped to a 130mm stem. The bars bend slightly forward and then sweep back. The hand positioning is nearly the same but the sweep has more comfort.

50mm rise

Controls are complete using Bontrager Satellite Trekking handlebars, PNW Components Loam Seafoam Teal grips, Sunrace SLM96 R9 thumb shifter, Dia-Comp Power Control 7 brake levers and a black bell.
Yesterday, I got a call that my order had arrived and I was able to install them last night.
Specs are: Bontrager Satellite Trekking handlebars, 610mm wide, 25.4mm clamp, 50mm rise, 35 degree sweep, $20.99. Product link They also come in black.
While the build isn't complete, I'm really happy to see this integral piece installed. I will post the end product when the bike is done.
Original 620mm, 6 degree sweep, 30mm rise bars with 120mm stem

From the top, swapped to a 130mm stem. The bars bend slightly forward and then sweep back. The hand positioning is nearly the same but the sweep has more comfort.

50mm rise

Controls are complete using Bontrager Satellite Trekking handlebars, PNW Components Loam Seafoam Teal grips, Sunrace SLM96 R9 thumb shifter, Dia-Comp Power Control 7 brake levers and a black bell.

Likes For clarkbre:
Likes For cooperryder:
#1149
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Dallas / Ft Worth
Posts: 1,093
Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 197 Post(s)
Liked 1,204 Times
in
355 Posts
The Schwinn Cimarrons are such cool bikes.
I've had a couple of them over the years and really liked them.
Both were 23" frames and were a bit tall for my likes so I moved them on.
Maybe 4 years back I bought a 22" 1988 Cimarron with really rough black paint and stripped the parts off.
It's been setting all this time waiting on me to decide what to do with it.
It is the model year they had the rear brake post braze ons under the chain stays which I don't like.
I was itching for a new bike project and finally got it together last week and and took the frame to a local powder coater.
I decided on a really different color... metallic yellow!
The original fork is all chrome so I'm leaving it chrome.
I love chrome.
I'll post pictures in a couple weeks when I get it built up.
I've had a couple of them over the years and really liked them.
Both were 23" frames and were a bit tall for my likes so I moved them on.
Maybe 4 years back I bought a 22" 1988 Cimarron with really rough black paint and stripped the parts off.
It's been setting all this time waiting on me to decide what to do with it.
It is the model year they had the rear brake post braze ons under the chain stays which I don't like.
I was itching for a new bike project and finally got it together last week and and took the frame to a local powder coater.
I decided on a really different color... metallic yellow!
The original fork is all chrome so I'm leaving it chrome.
I love chrome.
I'll post pictures in a couple weeks when I get it built up.
Likes For cooperryder:
#1150
Junior Member
Here's a rebuild from this summer. I wasn't sure if the threadless headset disqualified it from this thread; best I can tell it's a 2002 Marin Madrone Trail, 20" (seems like it was an overseas specific model that made its way back here). The brushed aluminum frame is what caught my attention when it popped up locally. Built as kind of an ATB rather than a super practical bike but I love the ride.





Likes For dphilips: