Show Your Vintage MTB Drop Bar Conversions
11-16-12, 06:12 PM
#376
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11-19-12, 01:04 PM
#377
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yours is probably an 88
https://mombat.org/Schwinn_Specs.htm
https://mombat.org/Schwinn_Specs.htm
Best regards,
-D-
11-23-12, 01:40 PM
#378
Full Member
Miyata
My 30.00 pawn shop Miyata. Kept the original frame , fork, crank and headset. Everything else came out of my parts at the house. Rides nice and the fatter rubber takes the edge off the chip seal the Texas hwy department is becoming so fond of.
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11-23-12, 02:57 PM
#379
Thrifty Bill
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^ on that i'd be more concerned about the reach which is pretty long already.. depending on what bars you use, the cruising position will be pushed father out because you will be riding in the drops or on the hoods more than the cross bar
a bar with a compact drop or any bar not much extension before the drop would be better for that stem.
a bar with a compact drop or any bar not much extension before the drop would be better for that stem.
I have a similar MTB stem on the Univega I have on the first page (18 inch frame size). I have a larger framed Cimmaron to convert next, probably a 20 inch frame. My plan right now is to use a conventional road stem. We'll see how that goes.
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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.
11-28-12, 02:25 AM
#380
weirdo
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TASTEEEE!
I just found this delightful thread via link in the Touring forum (thank you, Frantik). It`s gonna take me a while, but I`ll get through it all eventually. I`m having a hell of a time with the "manage attatchments" thing, hopefully the pics I checked will make it into this post? If not, I`ll take some new ones for this thread.
My bestest friend for the past few years is a 92 Schwinn rigid mtb with drops. I`ve gone to 8 speed and added many pounds of crap to it, and the only parts original to the bike are the seatpost, FD, and brake calipers (original RD was there until it fell apart on my last year and I couldn`t find all the pieces). It gets used for commuting, touring, day rides, and an occasional grocery run. My winter project hasn`t started yet, but it`s going to be a Rockhopper (89, I think) that`ll be sort of a Beastie Lite for unencumbered road rides.
I just found this delightful thread via link in the Touring forum (thank you, Frantik). It`s gonna take me a while, but I`ll get through it all eventually. I`m having a hell of a time with the "manage attatchments" thing, hopefully the pics I checked will make it into this post? If not, I`ll take some new ones for this thread.
My bestest friend for the past few years is a 92 Schwinn rigid mtb with drops. I`ve gone to 8 speed and added many pounds of crap to it, and the only parts original to the bike are the seatpost, FD, and brake calipers (original RD was there until it fell apart on my last year and I couldn`t find all the pieces). It gets used for commuting, touring, day rides, and an occasional grocery run. My winter project hasn`t started yet, but it`s going to be a Rockhopper (89, I think) that`ll be sort of a Beastie Lite for unencumbered road rides.
11-28-12, 09:22 AM
#381
weirdo
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Couldn`t get the pics from my BFnet album to load 
Well, I have a better suply of them on my home computer anyway, so lemme try it this way. We`ve had a lot of adventures together!
Well, I have a better suply of them on my home computer anyway, so lemme try it this way. We`ve had a lot of adventures together!
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11-28-12, 09:38 PM
#383
Junior Member
TASTEEEE!
I just found this delightful thread via link in the Touring forum (thank you, Frantik). It`s gonna take me a while, but I`ll get through it all eventually. I`m having a hell of a time with the "manage attatchments" thing, hopefully the pics I checked will make it into this post? If not, I`ll take some new ones for this thread.
My bestest friend for the past few years is a 92 Schwinn rigid mtb with drops. I`ve gone to 8 speed and added many pounds of crap to it, and the only parts original to the bike are the seatpost, FD, and brake calipers (original RD was there until it fell apart on my last year and I couldn`t find all the pieces). It gets used for commuting, touring, day rides, and an occasional grocery run. My winter project hasn`t started yet, but it`s going to be a Rockhopper (89, I think) that`ll be sort of a Beastie Lite for unencumbered road rides.
I just found this delightful thread via link in the Touring forum (thank you, Frantik). It`s gonna take me a while, but I`ll get through it all eventually. I`m having a hell of a time with the "manage attatchments" thing, hopefully the pics I checked will make it into this post? If not, I`ll take some new ones for this thread.
My bestest friend for the past few years is a 92 Schwinn rigid mtb with drops. I`ve gone to 8 speed and added many pounds of crap to it, and the only parts original to the bike are the seatpost, FD, and brake calipers (original RD was there until it fell apart on my last year and I couldn`t find all the pieces). It gets used for commuting, touring, day rides, and an occasional grocery run. My winter project hasn`t started yet, but it`s going to be a Rockhopper (89, I think) that`ll be sort of a Beastie Lite for unencumbered road rides.
It that a paramount 70 series? nice pics too BTW.
Royal
11-29-12, 12:58 AM
#384
weirdo
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Thanks for the warm, fuzzy welcome, guys. I did manage to cruise the whole thread and it`s like comming home! None of my riding currently is what I really consider genuine MTBing, but these 80s and 90s rigid mtbs really seem to speak to me- my favorite flavor of bikes 
It looks very similar, but not so grand. Mine is a 92 Impact Pro, built with house brand cromo. Seems to me the High Sierras from that year also had those kinky "Hetchins-esque" chainstays.
It looks very similar, but not so grand. Mine is a 92 Impact Pro, built with house brand cromo. Seems to me the High Sierras from that year also had those kinky "Hetchins-esque" chainstays.
12-07-12, 10:01 PM
#385
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Finally got a handlebar and stem set up that I like. I tried Woodchippers, and Midge bars, but it was the Origin 8 Gary II bar that won the day. Tops, drops, hoods and hooks are all ridable positions on this thing.
Still fine tuning the seat position and bar height but this bike is a lot of fun so far. unfortunately after about 5 miles my hands still start to go numb though.. was hoping a drop bar would negate some of that.
Also need to fiddle with the gearing.. the 52t ring combined with the mtb range cassette causes some pretty big gaps in the gearing. The 39t ring isn't high enough geared to be useful for much where i live, though maybe if i go find some mountains to ride on
Still fine tuning the seat position and bar height but this bike is a lot of fun so far. unfortunately after about 5 miles my hands still start to go numb though.. was hoping a drop bar would negate some of that.
Also need to fiddle with the gearing.. the 52t ring combined with the mtb range cassette causes some pretty big gaps in the gearing. The 39t ring isn't high enough geared to be useful for much where i live, though maybe if i go find some mountains to ride on
12-07-12, 10:23 PM
#386
Senior Member
WOW, Frantic, that is one sweet looking Univega. Must not look at my Uni or will be so tempted to do the DB conversion. That frame paint cleaning and wheel choice really set that bike up nice. Like the use of thunb shifters there, how do they function ?
I am gathering parts for this conversion but don't know which bike it will land on. Nice pictorial encouragement !
3SS
I am gathering parts for this conversion but don't know which bike it will land on. Nice pictorial encouragement !
3SS
12-07-12, 10:37 PM
#387
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WOW, Frantic, that is one sweet looking Univega. Must not look at my Uni or will be so tempted to do the DB conversion. That frame paint cleaning and wheel choice really set that bike up nice. Like the use of thunb shifters there, how do they function ?
I am gathering parts for this conversion but don't know which bike it will land on. Nice pictorial encouragement !
3SS
I am gathering parts for this conversion but don't know which bike it will land on. Nice pictorial encouragement !
3SS
And in the unlikely event that there's someone who isn't sick of this photo yet:
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12-07-12, 11:57 PM
#388
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thanks guys 
the thumb shifters work fine, though shifting from the drops is a bit weird. I've never tried barcons but i'm not a big fan of the look or having the shifters sticking out like that. I was actually thinking... brifters (gasp) would be ideal
Chris nice.. are those roller cams front and back?
the thumb shifters work fine, though shifting from the drops is a bit weird. I've never tried barcons but i'm not a big fan of the look or having the shifters sticking out like that. I was actually thinking... brifters (gasp) would be ideal Chris nice.. are those roller cams front and back?
12-08-12, 08:56 AM
#392
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Put this on a few other threads, so why not here too. 1992 Trek 8000, brought back from the dead zone.
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12-08-12, 09:24 AM
#393
Carpe Velo
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Interesting thing I'm finding a few months after doing my drop bar conversion. My drop bar MTB is getting more use than my Bianchi road bike. I feel slightly guilty for ignoring the hot rod bike. It's just more practical for a lot of riding, especially on city streets, and when I want to take my camera. On night rides, it just soaks up the occasional unseen pothole.
Last edited by Yo Spiff; 12-08-12 at 09:29 AM.
12-08-12, 10:41 AM
#394
Hogosha Sekai
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Whoa whoa whoa... I love that thing and I can't say I recall having seen that! What model? Year? Size tires?
12-08-12, 11:13 AM
#395
Thrifty Bill
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IMHO, those black chrome MTBs, along with the regular chrome, are some of the sweetest bikes out there. And they are a terrific value, still greatly underappreciated.
12-08-12, 11:29 AM
#396
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Keep bringing it on. I can only hope my 87/88 Cimmaron LE turns out half as nice. Unfortunately, the Cimmaron has marginal paint, but as a garage sale find, I could not resist. I need to pull it back out and finish the rehab/conversion.
IMHO, those black chrome MTBs, along with the regular chrome, are some of the sweetest bikes out there. And they are a terrific value, still greatly underappreciated.
IMHO, those black chrome MTBs, along with the regular chrome, are some of the sweetest bikes out there. And they are a terrific value, still greatly underappreciated.
12-08-12, 11:33 AM
#397
weirdo
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Haha! I think barcons are pretty ugly too, but I like `em for the utility and put them on all the bikes I plan to hang on to. Thumbies are easy to use on flat bars, but I don`t think they`d be very easy to manipultae on drops. Could be wrong though- maybe I`ll try one that way since they do look cool!
Will be starting my Beastie Lite within the next few weeks. It came with Deore 3 X 7 thumbies. Hmmm...
12-08-12, 01:16 PM
#399
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Looks great! Glad to see those Gary bars that didn't work for me were of such good use to you. Looking at your frame size versus mine, I can see why I hated them and you love them.
Interesting thing I'm finding a few months after doing my drop bar conversion. My drop bar MTB is getting more use than my Bianchi road bike. I feel slightly guilty for ignoring the hot rod bike. It's just more practical for a lot of riding, especially on city streets, and when I want to take my camera. On night rides, it just soaks up the occasional unseen pothole.
Interesting thing I'm finding a few months after doing my drop bar conversion. My drop bar MTB is getting more use than my Bianchi road bike. I feel slightly guilty for ignoring the hot rod bike. It's just more practical for a lot of riding, especially on city streets, and when I want to take my camera. On night rides, it just soaks up the occasional unseen pothole.
and the same thing happened to me with MTBs.. i have a nice Ironman but I find MTBs are just so much better suited for city riding. The roads around here are pretty rough so fat tires and slightly relaxed geometry are appreciated.
12-08-12, 02:10 PM
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Great bikes, guys, and I love this thread.
I just rebuilt my 88 Fisher Procaliber from an SS back into a geared bike with a triple.
Gearing on these conversions is a bit of a trick, especially when working with the original 6-speed Uniglide hub. I wanted more flatlandish gears, so I mixed a couple of Uniglide cassettes and went from a 12-26 to a 13-15-16-17-19-22 with a 46-34-24 Deore XT crankset. This allows me to ride the entire cassette in the big and middle rings and gives me gear inches as follows:
46 34 24
13 91.1 67.3 47.5
15 79.0 58.4 41.2
16 74.0 54.7 38.6
17 69.7 51.5 36.4
19 62.3 46.1 32.5
22 53.8 39.8 28.1
I just rebuilt my 88 Fisher Procaliber from an SS back into a geared bike with a triple.
Gearing on these conversions is a bit of a trick, especially when working with the original 6-speed Uniglide hub. I wanted more flatlandish gears, so I mixed a couple of Uniglide cassettes and went from a 12-26 to a 13-15-16-17-19-22 with a 46-34-24 Deore XT crankset. This allows me to ride the entire cassette in the big and middle rings and gives me gear inches as follows:
46 34 24
13 91.1 67.3 47.5
15 79.0 58.4 41.2
16 74.0 54.7 38.6
17 69.7 51.5 36.4
19 62.3 46.1 32.5
22 53.8 39.8 28.1
Last edited by RFC; 12-08-12 at 02:14 PM.
