Show Your Vintage MTB Drop Bar Conversions
#6351
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Ye, I have, but just to put it together and check if I want to ride this, with 3x8 Sora shifters that time (well, different setup overall). Had issues with getting the FD to not to touch chain at big chainring/small wheel, or one of the smaller ones. But you are correct, it is worth a try, there is still time to make it into perfection. At the moment, I'm not having all the parts on the same place as the bike is, so in a week or two, I'll just try to put it all together and we'll see .)
#6352
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I have just picked up an old mountain bike frame and planning to convert to a drop bar for commuting, errands, and maybe touring. I am assuming I would want to put more road oriented gears on it, is that correct?
There are single braze-ons at the front and rear. I have seen fenders and rear racks attached to the same braze-on, Is there any reason I wouldn't want to do this?
There are single braze-ons at the front and rear. I have seen fenders and rear racks attached to the same braze-on, Is there any reason I wouldn't want to do this?
#6353
Thrifty Bill
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Been checking this thread for ages, awesome conversions everyone.
If it is not OT here, I might ask for advice, since I'm in the process of converting early 90s mtb to drop bars.
The issue is about the front derailleur, I have 3x7 road STIs (RSX) ready for this, and would love not to lose any chainring. So far it is - those 3x7 STIs, FD-M561 front derailleur (31.8, cable comes from the top), and crankset is not decided yet, got plenty to choose from.
From what I have read, road STIs have different cable pull for the front derailleur (same for rear one) than mtb STIs, therefore if I just connect it the way it is, it won't be possible to reach one part of the crankset. Using road tripple cranks won't help (?). Has anyone gone through the same with any simple sollution?
From what I understand, it seems that
- I can find a road fd (needing less cable pull), which seems unlikely because of the 31.8 and cable from the top. Or are there any?
- I can connect it the way it is and make it 2x7, with both clicks on STIs needed for each shift. Easiest, but would prefer not to do this.
- I can try to customize the FD somehow - have seen some pictures, but still pretty unsure how and if I can make it.
Am I missing any option, or an easy but still reliable fix?
.)
If it is not OT here, I might ask for advice, since I'm in the process of converting early 90s mtb to drop bars.
The issue is about the front derailleur, I have 3x7 road STIs (RSX) ready for this, and would love not to lose any chainring. So far it is - those 3x7 STIs, FD-M561 front derailleur (31.8, cable comes from the top), and crankset is not decided yet, got plenty to choose from.
From what I have read, road STIs have different cable pull for the front derailleur (same for rear one) than mtb STIs, therefore if I just connect it the way it is, it won't be possible to reach one part of the crankset. Using road tripple cranks won't help (?). Has anyone gone through the same with any simple sollution?
From what I understand, it seems that
- I can find a road fd (needing less cable pull), which seems unlikely because of the 31.8 and cable from the top. Or are there any?
- I can connect it the way it is and make it 2x7, with both clicks on STIs needed for each shift. Easiest, but would prefer not to do this.
- I can try to customize the FD somehow - have seen some pictures, but still pretty unsure how and if I can make it.
Am I missing any option, or an easy but still reliable fix?
.)
#6354
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What was the symptom you had that led you to the single click setup fix? I can't get my FD to extend enough and the current idea is a narrower BB. I can shift into that gear just fine but with the limit screw all the way out and I'm on small (rear) to big (front) the chain rubs (fd not extending enough). If I press on the brifter more it will, with the limit screw all the way out, easily pull enough cable (beyond the final click). It's just not indexing with enough pull. It kinda seems like this might be the key for my setup (XT fd) but I'll have to get it on the work stand and spend some more time with it.
#6355
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I have just picked up an old mountain bike frame and planning to convert to a drop bar for commuting, errands, and maybe touring. I am assuming I would want to put more road oriented gears on it, is that correct?
There are single braze-ons at the front and rear. I have seen fenders and rear racks attached to the same braze-on, Is there any reason I wouldn't want to do this?
There are single braze-ons at the front and rear. I have seen fenders and rear racks attached to the same braze-on, Is there any reason I wouldn't want to do this?
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Andy
Andy
#6356
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Mounted a bag. An excuse to post another pic and keep this thread going!


#6357
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#6358
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#6359
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Been checking this thread for ages, awesome conversions everyone.
If it is not OT here, I might ask for advice, since I'm in the process of converting early 90s mtb to drop bars.
The issue is about the front derailleur, I have 3x7 road STIs (RSX) ready for this, and would love not to lose any chainring. So far it is - those 3x7 STIs, FD-M561 front derailleur (31.8, cable comes from the top), and crankset is not decided yet, got plenty to choose from.
From what I have read, road STIs have different cable pull for the front derailleur (same for rear one) than mtb STIs, therefore if I just connect it the way it is, it won't be possible to reach one part of the crankset. Using road tripple cranks won't help (?). Has anyone gone through the same with any simple sollution?
From what I understand, it seems that
- I can find a road fd (needing less cable pull), which seems unlikely because of the 31.8 and cable from the top. Or are there any?
- I can connect it the way it is and make it 2x7, with both clicks on STIs needed for each shift. Easiest, but would prefer not to do this.
- I can try to customize the FD somehow - have seen some pictures, but still pretty unsure how and if I can make it.
Am I missing any option, or an easy but still reliable fix?
Thanks for ideas in advance, got about a week to think about this, then I'll have some time to play with the conversion, post pics and such .)
If it is not OT here, I might ask for advice, since I'm in the process of converting early 90s mtb to drop bars.
The issue is about the front derailleur, I have 3x7 road STIs (RSX) ready for this, and would love not to lose any chainring. So far it is - those 3x7 STIs, FD-M561 front derailleur (31.8, cable comes from the top), and crankset is not decided yet, got plenty to choose from.
From what I have read, road STIs have different cable pull for the front derailleur (same for rear one) than mtb STIs, therefore if I just connect it the way it is, it won't be possible to reach one part of the crankset. Using road tripple cranks won't help (?). Has anyone gone through the same with any simple sollution?
From what I understand, it seems that
- I can find a road fd (needing less cable pull), which seems unlikely because of the 31.8 and cable from the top. Or are there any?
- I can connect it the way it is and make it 2x7, with both clicks on STIs needed for each shift. Easiest, but would prefer not to do this.
- I can try to customize the FD somehow - have seen some pictures, but still pretty unsure how and if I can make it.
Am I missing any option, or an easy but still reliable fix?
Thanks for ideas in advance, got about a week to think about this, then I'll have some time to play with the conversion, post pics and such .)

#6360
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^^This would be cheaper then using the Problem Solver adaptation.
#6361
HarborBandS
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I used a Problem Solver's "Cross Clamp with Cable Pulley" over the weekend to convert a top-pull frame to a bottom pull derailleur and STI brifters, and it works beautifully. They are about $20, and seemingly more robust than this vintage Sturmey Archer piece--but it's the same idea.
I'll post the bike when it's done, though it's a 2002 Trek 7500 FX "Fitness Bike" with 700c wheels instead of a proper 26" mountain bike. But the frame and components were totally MTB, so the conversion is similar.
I'll post the bike when it's done, though it's a 2002 Trek 7500 FX "Fitness Bike" with 700c wheels instead of a proper 26" mountain bike. But the frame and components were totally MTB, so the conversion is similar.
Last edited by HarborBandS; 02-11-19 at 01:46 PM.
#6362
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^^True, I’ve no doubt it would work. That’s why I also have one waiting for a project, if one comes up. I just thought as far as cost wise...
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