I would like to build up a fixed mountain bike for winter riding in the north east and I'm having trouble finding something with horizontal dropouts.

I know there are some Treks from the 80s that would work. Any suggestions? I have an old mountain beater with semi-horizontal dropouts but's it's definitely too small. I normally ride 58-60cm road frames. What size mountain frame is equivalent?
Thanks for the wisdom.

Jay

nearly anything pre-1986 or so would have horizontal dropouts...but what you really want is an early vintage klein, like a rascal. They all had rear facing horizontal dropouts, just like a track bike. My wife's SS is built on a Klein Rascal, and weighs in at about 14 lb, with fatboy slicks and bullseye hubs...

They are not too hard to find at all. Cruise the CL in any larger town and you will find a whole fleet of worn-out MTBs that are not hip enough to ride. And the Fixed gear crazies (I say that as one of them) have not gobbled them up yet either.

That said, I have several fixed gear MTB's that might be in your size range that I might be tempted to unload. PM me if interested.

jim

I measured the bridgestone mountain beater in my basement and it's only 50cm so that doesn't work.

Any other brands/models to look for as I surf ebay and cl?

This trek 930 had vertical dropouts, but I found the "magic gear". It wasn't hard.



I've got a Japanese-built Peugeot mountain bike that has horizontal Suntour dropouts.

Old Stumpjumper? See ebay item # 130169711158... Old Jamis... #180180449642

I love my Rockhopper set up as a fixed urban attack bike. They are not too expensive and not too hard to find.

Old Trek 800/820/830 are a dime a dozen too.

I see old GT frames on fleabay frequently; that would be a little different.

The value of older bikes has gone up recently. But early mountain bikes are only rarely valuable. Snatch them up now while the getting is good.

jim

This Bridgestone MB-4 might get the job done. And it's a great candidate for such a conversion, the fork needs to be replaced. And there are places where the paint's dinged up. PM me if you are interested.

I converted a Peugeot US Express from geared to a Shimano 3-speed hub in rear... it has horizontal drop outs and the width is workable for a 126-130MM hub. Works good as my bad weather commuter.

strange enough, the walmart next mtn i bought awhile ago has horizontal drops o.o

and they are quite comparable to those found on my road frames that i have converted to fixed.

maybe go browse through walmart.

Pretty much every Specialized early 90s and older has semi-horizontal dropouts. You want at least 3 inches smaller MTB than road bike, esp if you are going to ride it off road. If you are going to ride it as a winter bike on the streets going down one size would be fine. Is that Somerville, NJ or MA? If NJ, I have a 20 or 21 inch 1991 Specialized Hard Rock that is about to go for sale. PM me if interested

Old Schwinn MTBs had horizantal dropouts as did late 80s Nishikis. I think I've got a Fuji MTB in the basement that has them. Should not be too hard to find, but check out each bike before buying because each brand was different.

Too bad you don't live in NC. I have an interesting Peugeot MTB that I'd be happy to sell cheap.

Miyata Trail Runner. My kids built this for me after I rode the neighbor's SS 1x1 off and on this summer. The Trail Runner now sports racks front and rear, red Ortlieb Roller classic panniers front and rear, some old chrome Schwinn fenders w/ newly brazed supports, stainless water bottles, a Niterider light system, rod holders for my fly rods, and a blender for margaritas. Just kidding about the cocktails, not about the rest. Oh, every last item on the bike was found by my kids at swap meets and CL, except for rear cog, ring, and chain.





Total cost was much less than a stock Surly 1x1. Surprisingly light w/o all the stuff piled on.

1980s MTBS are okay, but the geometry is a little slack and they have massive chainstays... the newer the better. I actually recently came across a chromoly minelli with 1-1/8" threadless headtube, tig welded and forged horizontal drop-outs... this is a costco or other such retailer type bike, but it makes a great beater, I'd offer it to you but shipping would be to much... my point is look to the lesser brands from the 1990s, you may be surprised what you find.

Slack geo and snow make sweet music. Try a Pugsley. The Miyata frameset was $25. Actually the whole bike was $25. At any rate, cheaper is better in the winter, if it is durable. Something will break eventually on the streets, I just don't want it to break 10 miles out on a fire road in November or December. The weather can change quickly in the BWCA where this will live, and its built like a tank. The most expensive parts for the bike were the used Nokians we are putting on at the first sign of lasting snow.

Specialized Hardrock. Just scored one for $4 at a garage sale. Put a four speed internal rear hub removed everything else. Needs fenders and a rack and it will be my winter beater. I like.
pete

+1 on the Hardrock. Don't forget a light or two in the winter.

My late 80s steel (Koga) Miyata MTBs have them, but not the '89 RidgeRunner. My Grove Innovations Hard Core has proper water cut steel track ends. The Aggressor has them too.

I picked up a Lotus MTB with horizontal drop outs a couple of weeks ago. You might add that to your list.

^ Very nice Lotus! ^