badger_biker 

Thanks cooperryder. Here is another thread I started with a few different pictures.
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...l#post17832018

due ruote 

I think to some extent "barcon" has become a generic term for bar end shifter, much as "kleenex" for a facial tissue. But sure, neither is technically accurate.

superstring

I'm really digging this thread! I'm only up to page 82, but I've decided it's time to post.

This is my "project bike". It dates back to 1995 when I bought the Bridgestone MB-2 frame from a friend. Since then I've been accumulating components and "thinking" about it ..... It's supposed to be my vision of the ultimate multi-purpose town, gravel road, single track bike.

Had the frame re-painted:



Wilderness Trail Bikes Cantis (I've got a set on my Ibis Mountain Trials - they're great!) w/ DKG brace (these guys did a lot, if not most, of the custom machining/production work for WTB back in the day):





Ultegra crankset and FD need no explanation:



WTB bars, (Charlie) Cunningham Applied Technology FitFinder (obviously not permanent!), Kelly Take-Offs w/ Dura-Ace 9-speed shifters:



Updates to follow. I have a set of MB-2 decals. The question is: leave it de-badged or decalled (is that a word)? What say you all??

mountaindave 

Looks like it's going to be sweet!

badger_biker 

Nice project you've got going. I would vote to add the decals. A Bridgestone MB-2 is too nice to go through life anonymous.

simmonsgc

I dig the color. Nice headset too.

Bicycle Addict

I have to say . . . . . How can you be that close and not have an unbearably incessant need to ride it? Beautiful stuff so far, really nice. Get it done man, lets see some ride pics?

due ruote 

Everybody's in such a hurry any more. He's only been working on it for 20 years; give him a break. Btw, how's the wheelset coming along?

Bicycle Addict

I know, I know. good things take time

Can you imagine the first ride . . . . . .

superstring

Thanks for the compliments, suggestions and encouragement!

Yep, the world sure moves quickly these days!

Wheelset you ask.....

Trek Matrix Single Track Comp rims, White Industries hubs, Deore XT 9-speed cassette and Specialized Crossroads 26 X 1.95 rubber:

Squeeze

I realize this is the MOUNTAIN BIKE Drop Bar Conversion thread, but I knew you folks would appreciate this ad I saw on craigslist today:

custom styled BMX Road Bike - $700

due ruote 

Nice wheels, and btw those are some beautiful cabinets.

superstring

Thanks on both counts. The cabinets are cherry wood.

Bicycle Addict

You are even closer than first thought. Chain , parts box stem(for riding while looking for a stem that suits more) a bit of cabling time(I love doing cables). BOOM. Bike
C'mon show us a shot with the wheels on it . . . . . you know you want too!!
Don't keep us guessing. Tease.
Nice bike mate.

Italuminium

Whoa, keep that wild Cunningham stem!

And I'd go for just a headbadge, no decals.

superstring

Yeah, the Cunningham stem ("FitFinder") is meant to find the proper dimensions (rise and reach) of a permanent stem. The info from two scales on the FitFinder get plotted on a special graph to figure that out. Once I've got the dimensions, I thought I might talk to Steve Potts about making an custom LD stem (if I can afford it!)

Just a headbadge? .... a definite possibility.

kingston 

For those of us who don't have that fancy stem finder, I found this calculator to be very helpful in selecting a stem.

+1 on the headbadge only
+a million on the custom LD stem

superstring

Oh, alright, here you go. Just imagine chain and cables.

Italuminium

Esteemed member @Sixty Fiver can set you up with a, ahem, LD stem too. I don't know if he's any cheaper than Potts, but from what I've seen here on the forums he does great work. There was a thread about this kind of stems a while ago.

clasher

I crashed a while ago and bent a frame so I had most of a touring build just sitting around and then I sold the 622 wheelset to a buddy... eventually I realised that I had a nice 559 wheelset built around some tiagra hubs that fit right into an old trek antelope that was kicking around the local co-op for over a year. I found a cr-mo fork that was a bit taller than the frame so I pulled a page from Rivendell's book and just left it there so I could get the bars up a bit higher. It's an 18"/46cm frame but I think it would fit the right kind of person. Shimano 9 speed bar ends and an LX RD. The front derailleur is a suntour that I found with the specialized crank. It has a great gear range and the only thing that kinda deviates from most touring bikes is the v-brakes but these cane creek curves seem alright, and they don't use noodles so that's kinda cool.

superstring

Thanks for the heads-up, Italuminium! I'll check it out when the time comes (although there's a certain cachet about a Steve Potts stem with WTB bars, don't you think?)

arex

Is it just me, or do the proportions of this bike seem weird?

Sixty Fiver

The Arvon stem is like an LD but built a little differently... simpler actually.

It clamps from the bottom eliminating the top nut.

mountaindave 

Do you tighten it from below??

mountaindave 

I thin it's the angle of the camera