Show Your Vintage MTB Drop Bar Conversions
#254
Senior Member
Thanks for the compliments on the bike. I can't say it's much of a climber, but then again I don't have much for hills, and in every other way I find it a fun and versatile all-purpose rider.
btw in case anyone is interested, those are 700c fenders I'm using. I had the 26" version but they were so wide they looked pretty funny with the 1.25" tires. I had to pull these in a bit with the stays but in fact the radius isn't all that different and the coverage is good.
Last edited by due ruote; 10-09-12 at 07:56 AM.
#255
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Picked up a lot of minor items but the biggie was some wheels and a matching crank for my 80's Benotto, which is going to become a fixie over the winter.
#257
Thrifty Bill
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Myself, I would aim higher. The Woodlands is very low end, donated the last one I had to the local co-op. One thing on vintage MTBs, they tend to sell pretty cheap, so I always recommend aiming towards the high end, as for a small additional premium, you can get a bike with much better wheels, a lot lighter in weight, much better components, etc. $50 more might get you a bike that sold for $750 more originally.
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Please don't confuse ebay "asking" prices with "selling" prices. Many sellers never get their ask price. some are far from it. Value is determined once an item actually SELLS. Its easy enough to check SOLD prices.
Please don't confuse ebay "asking" prices with "selling" prices. Many sellers never get their ask price. some are far from it. Value is determined once an item actually SELLS. Its easy enough to check SOLD prices.
#259
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it's possible to still find the 31.8 clamp size woodchippers but then i would need a new stem or a threaded to threadless adapter and a stem
#260
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I know, that's why i posted here asking for one. I found a guy who had been selling one since march but he finally sold it last month
it's possible to still find the 31.8 clamp size woodchippers but then i would need a new stem or a threaded to threadless adapter and a stem
it's possible to still find the 31.8 clamp size woodchippers but then i would need a new stem or a threaded to threadless adapter and a stem
#261
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there's an actual dirt drop bar on ebay right now
https://www.ebay.com/itm/271077906842...84.m1423.l2649
wonder what the reserve is
https://www.ebay.com/itm/271077906842...84.m1423.l2649
wonder what the reserve is
#262
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I suspect about $75-95. You'll be fighting quite a few of us though. Now it's advertised for all to see. Haha.
there's an actual dirt drop bar on ebay right now
https://www.ebay.com/itm/271077906842...84.m1423.l2649
wonder what the reserve is
https://www.ebay.com/itm/271077906842...84.m1423.l2649
wonder what the reserve is
#264
Senior Member
Finally rode the train from Dallas to Ft Worth with a friend with our bikes and rode the Trinity Bike Trails.
I took my Schwinn Cimarron.
Here are a few pics. I offered Mark Twain a ride on it but he was feeling a bit stiff & it may have been a bit too tall for him as well.
He did borrow my eye glasses for a few pics. LOL.
We passed by that old Methodist church near downtown...what great architecture! Snapped a few there as well.








I took my Schwinn Cimarron.
Here are a few pics. I offered Mark Twain a ride on it but he was feeling a bit stiff & it may have been a bit too tall for him as well.
He did borrow my eye glasses for a few pics. LOL.
We passed by that old Methodist church near downtown...what great architecture! Snapped a few there as well.









Last edited by cooperryder; 10-23-12 at 10:41 AM. Reason: typo
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#265
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Finally rode the train from Dallas to Ft Worth with a friend with our bikes and rode the Trinity Bike Trails.
I took my Schwinn Cimarron.
Here are a few pics. I offered Mark Twain a ride on it but he was feeling a bit stiff & it may have been a bit too tall for him as well.
He did borrow my eye glasses for a few pics. LOL
I took my Schwinn Cimarron.
Here are a few pics. I offered Mark Twain a ride on it but he was feeling a bit stiff & it may have been a bit too tall for him as well.
He did borrow my eye glasses for a few pics. LOL
#266
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so hey, what levers should I get guys? Listed in most expensive to least expensive. i've been leaning towards the cane creek levers. they're going on a salsa woodchipper bar
Shimano SL500

Cane Creek SCR-5

Tektro RL340

Tektro R200A (this pic is origin8 branded but same thing)

#267
Senior Member
I am really liking the Tektro RL340's which I have on 2 of my bikes.
At first I was skeptical as the Tektro R200A's had been my 'go to' levers.
After trying the RL340's I now prefer them by a large margin.
They just fit my hands better and feel 'right' for me. YMMV.
At first I was skeptical as the Tektro R200A's had been my 'go to' levers.
After trying the RL340's I now prefer them by a large margin.
They just fit my hands better and feel 'right' for me. YMMV.
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#268
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i was wondering which ones you had
why were you skeptical? the main thing i don't like is it looks like they stick out pretty far

#269
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I've used both DA 7401 and the RL340 on the woodchipper. The DA has the better look for an older bike, but the Tektro brakes feel much better in your hand. And the fact the Tektro levers aren't straight help with the set up on dirt drops.
#270
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I ran Cane Creeks with the Woodchipper...had them on a few bikes now and I like them. Hows the Woodchipper working for you? John
#271
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I need to get some brake levers so I can use the bar
I've been hoping to get a good deal on some used cane creek ones levers on ebay, but i've watched two auctions now and they end at just a few dollars under a brand new pair. guess i need to bite the bullet
u got a picture of the cane creeks on the woodchipper?

u got a picture of the cane creeks on the woodchipper?
Last edited by frantik; 10-26-12 at 02:57 PM.
#272
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I need to get some brake levers so I can use the bar
I've been hoping to get a good deal on some used cane creek ones levers on ebay, but i've watched two auctions now and they end at just a few dollars under a brand new pair. guess i need to bite the bullet
u got a picture of the cane creeks on the woodchipper?

u got a picture of the cane creeks on the woodchipper?
#273
Senior Member
For myself I was just used to using the Tektro R200A's
and pretty much content with them and wondering why Tektro started offering the Tektro RL340's
and that the R200's were harder to find so I just decided to try the Tektro RL340's
and I am glad I did.
Ergonomically they just fit my hands a lot better.
I plan on switching my other bikes over since they are such a bargain
and since I like to run fatter tires that built in quick release is a great help for me.
Of course the older R200A model has that as well.
I feel that the addition on the Tektro RL340's, the Tektro RL720 Top Mount Cross Levers
and a taller stem have helped me get my cockpit dialed in to the point I am satisfied
with the comfort level especially on rides of 2 to 4 hours or more.
For me as I have gotten older the taller stem made a huge difference on my back comfort.
The Ritchey Biomax bars also are part of that equation that works for me setting them up so I have plenty of flat area at the top of my bars and when in the drops the biomax curves just fit my hands.
If I switch frames for one one reason or another I am able to just pull the assembled cockpit
and switch it over the another frame.
I just built up another frame last week, a vintage Nishiki Pro, and used this formula and quickly got it dialed in. Did a 37 mile ride on it yesterday on a beautiful day in Dallas & liked it a lot.
I am at the point in my life I don't care if others think my bike looks aesthetically pleasing or not.
I like it and I now go for the comfort as a priority and as I am closing in on a 5000 mile year it is working for me.
YMMV.
and pretty much content with them and wondering why Tektro started offering the Tektro RL340's
and that the R200's were harder to find so I just decided to try the Tektro RL340's
and I am glad I did.
Ergonomically they just fit my hands a lot better.
I plan on switching my other bikes over since they are such a bargain
and since I like to run fatter tires that built in quick release is a great help for me.
Of course the older R200A model has that as well.
I feel that the addition on the Tektro RL340's, the Tektro RL720 Top Mount Cross Levers
and a taller stem have helped me get my cockpit dialed in to the point I am satisfied
with the comfort level especially on rides of 2 to 4 hours or more.
For me as I have gotten older the taller stem made a huge difference on my back comfort.
The Ritchey Biomax bars also are part of that equation that works for me setting them up so I have plenty of flat area at the top of my bars and when in the drops the biomax curves just fit my hands.
If I switch frames for one one reason or another I am able to just pull the assembled cockpit
and switch it over the another frame.
I just built up another frame last week, a vintage Nishiki Pro, and used this formula and quickly got it dialed in. Did a 37 mile ride on it yesterday on a beautiful day in Dallas & liked it a lot.
I am at the point in my life I don't care if others think my bike looks aesthetically pleasing or not.
I like it and I now go for the comfort as a priority and as I am closing in on a 5000 mile year it is working for me.
YMMV.
Last edited by cooperryder; 10-28-12 at 10:25 AM. Reason: typo
#274
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well I ended up going with the cane creeks.. the RL340s just looked too weird for me.. don't like how they stick out a lot. hopefully the cane creeks will be good
Do you guys run barrel adjusters for the brakes somewhere or just adjust the brakes as needed when the time comes? Any recommendations for cheap brake cable barrel adjusters?
Do you guys run barrel adjusters for the brakes somewhere or just adjust the brakes as needed when the time comes? Any recommendations for cheap brake cable barrel adjusters?
#275
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I buy cable hangers with the built in adjusters. Tektro makes a cheap front one that looks pretty good and I like the Surley brake hanger for the rear. It's not real cheap for what it is, but it works well and just slides over your seat post bolt. I'm sure there are a million alternatives.