Show Your Vintage MTB Drop Bar Conversions
01-09-13, 10:27 AM
#654
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I have a frame that no one in the family wants/uses anymore, I have a real problem having useful stuff around that doesn't get used but I can't get rid of it because of who gave it to me. I had not ever heard or seen mtb to road conversions before and didn't really get it when I first came across this thread but after seeing some here the idea has grown on me. The frame is bit small for me but based on what I have read here I would be looking for a smaller frame.
I have been thinking that I would like to get a touring bike and wonder how a mtb conversion would work for such purposes. Other than drop bars and possibly a stem change, is there anything I need to consider?
I have been thinking that I would like to get a touring bike and wonder how a mtb conversion would work for such purposes. Other than drop bars and possibly a stem change, is there anything I need to consider?
01-09-13, 11:12 AM
#655
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I have a frame that no one in the family wants/uses anymore, I have a real problem having useful stuff around that doesn't get used but I can't get rid of it because of who gave it to me. I had not ever heard or seen mtb to road conversions before and didn't really get it when I first came across this thread but after seeing some here the idea has grown on me. The frame is bit small for me but based on what I have read here I would be looking for a smaller frame.
I have been thinking that I would like to get a touring bike and wonder how a mtb conversion would work for such purposes. Other than drop bars and possibly a stem change, is there anything I need to consider?
I have been thinking that I would like to get a touring bike and wonder how a mtb conversion would work for such purposes. Other than drop bars and possibly a stem change, is there anything I need to consider?
01-09-13, 02:16 PM
#656
Thrifty Bill
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Myself, nothing wrong with touring on a 26 inch wheel bike, in fact, there are just advantages to the 26 inch wheel IMHO.
Several of the respected touring bikes come with 26 inch wheel models/options. My wife had a Novara Randonee with 26 inch wheels, you can get a Surly Long Haul Trucker with 26 inch wheels, etc.
And realize if you are on a tour, every Walmart is going to have 26 inch tires and tubes.
Here's a quote from the Surly website:
"Designed to be used with cantilever or linear-pull brakes, the standard Long Haul Trucker is available as a frameset and as a complete bike, with 26" wheels in 42–62cm frame sizes, and with 700c wheels in 56–64cm."
And from the bicycle touring pro web site:
"The biggest advantage of a touring bike with 26″ wheels vs. 700c wheels is that 26 inch wheels are easier to repair and find replacement parts for no matter where you are in the world. 700c wheels can typically only be found in North America, Europe, and other large cities around the world.
Additionally, 26″ wheels are typically wider than 700c wheels and therefore handle off-road conditions much better than a traditional touring bike. For this reason, 26 inch wheeled touring bikes are often the choice of bicycle travelers who are cycling around the world and through a diverse range of road conditions."
Or how about this sweet Bruce Gordon touring bike?
Last edited by wrk101; 01-09-13 at 02:27 PM.
01-09-13, 03:41 PM
#658
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I would definitely tour on that. I am actually going to be touring on my Specialized Rockhopper drop bar conversion this year, and if budget allows, I will be buying a dedicated 26" tourer next year....probably a Surly LHT. To me, a 26" tourer just makes more sense for my style of riding, especially if you want to do anything off road.
01-09-13, 04:03 PM
#659
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01-09-13, 08:13 PM
#661
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I know it is not a Mtn bike but it was a flat bar that I converted to drops. and I also made my own "retroshift" type mounting brakets for the shifters. I haven't been able to put many miles on it yet. it got COLD and SNOWY here just after I finished it. but what miles I did get were lots of fun. Miyata QuickCross.
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01-09-13, 08:21 PM
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01-09-13, 09:03 PM
#664
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While I can apprciate the utility and practicality of a drop bar road conversion but with 2 cross bikes, a 700c wheeled MTB and the 'do all' Volpe I don't forsee myself going this route anythime soon. So would it be OK if I posted a Moustache conversion errand bike?
'9? Rover 304 nothing except the HS and maybe the seat binder is original.
'9? Rover 304 nothing except the HS and maybe the seat binder is original.
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“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
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“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
Last edited by Bianchigirll; 01-14-13 at 01:54 PM.
01-09-13, 09:29 PM
#665
You gonna eat that?
You can post anything you want, darlin'. That bike looks cool.
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01-09-13, 10:05 PM
#667
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) I really wanted to try them from the moment I saw them but I could not justify the $. I only paid $120 for the complete bike.
01-09-13, 10:14 PM
#668
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I took me a couple of weeks working off and on during breaks and after work maybe 6 hours total. (I work in a manufacturing facility and have full access to the machine shop) I really wanted to try them from the moment I saw them but I could not justify the $. I only paid $120 for the complete bike.
) I really wanted to try them from the moment I saw them but I could not justify the $. I only paid $120 for the complete bike.
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01-10-13, 01:21 AM
#669
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That`s a sweet deal, ain`t it? I`m a maintenance mechanic in a printing plant and have a nicely equiped machine shop at my disposal also. In my case, it`s a huge bonus because my home shop is comprised of a carport, a overflowing storage shed, and a piece of I-beam with a vise bolted to it. Aside from the money thing, it`s nice being able to fab up exactly what I want rather than being stuck with what`s available commercially.
01-10-13, 02:49 AM
#670
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While I can apprciate the utility and practicality of a drop bar road conversion with 2 cross bikes, a 7ooc wheeled MTB and the 'do all' Volpe I don't forsee myself going this route anythime soon. So would it be OK if I posted a Moustache conversion errand bike?
'9? Rover 304 nothing except the HS and maybe the seat binder is original.
'9? Rover 304 nothing except the HS and maybe the seat binder is original.
and pcdmiele nice work
Last edited by frantik; 01-10-13 at 02:56 AM.
01-10-13, 05:47 PM
#675
Senior Member
Such a conversion drives up the cost quite a bit, and creates some additional challenges (and likely means the canti brakes are toast, replaced by caliper brakes).
Myself, nothing wrong with touring on a 26 inch wheel bike, in fact, there are just advantages to the 26 inch wheel IMHO.
Several of the respected touring bikes come with 26 inch wheel models/options. My wife had a Novara Randonee with 26 inch wheels, you can get a Surly Long Haul Trucker with 26 inch wheels, etc.
And realize if you are on a tour, every Walmart is going to have 26 inch tires and tubes.
Here's a quote from the Surly website:
"Designed to be used with cantilever or linear-pull brakes, the standard Long Haul Trucker is available as a frameset and as a complete bike, with 26" wheels in 42–62cm frame sizes, and with 700c wheels in 56–64cm."
And from the bicycle touring pro web site:
"The biggest advantage of a touring bike with 26″ wheels vs. 700c wheels is that 26 inch wheels are easier to repair and find replacement parts for no matter where you are in the world. 700c wheels can typically only be found in North America, Europe, and other large cities around the world.
Additionally, 26″ wheels are typically wider than 700c wheels and therefore handle off-road conditions much better than a traditional touring bike. For this reason, 26 inch wheeled touring bikes are often the choice of bicycle travelers who are cycling around the world and through a diverse range of road conditions."
Or how about this sweet Bruce Gordon touring bike?
Myself, nothing wrong with touring on a 26 inch wheel bike, in fact, there are just advantages to the 26 inch wheel IMHO.
Several of the respected touring bikes come with 26 inch wheel models/options. My wife had a Novara Randonee with 26 inch wheels, you can get a Surly Long Haul Trucker with 26 inch wheels, etc.
And realize if you are on a tour, every Walmart is going to have 26 inch tires and tubes.
Here's a quote from the Surly website:
"Designed to be used with cantilever or linear-pull brakes, the standard Long Haul Trucker is available as a frameset and as a complete bike, with 26" wheels in 42–62cm frame sizes, and with 700c wheels in 56–64cm."
And from the bicycle touring pro web site:
"The biggest advantage of a touring bike with 26″ wheels vs. 700c wheels is that 26 inch wheels are easier to repair and find replacement parts for no matter where you are in the world. 700c wheels can typically only be found in North America, Europe, and other large cities around the world.
Additionally, 26″ wheels are typically wider than 700c wheels and therefore handle off-road conditions much better than a traditional touring bike. For this reason, 26 inch wheeled touring bikes are often the choice of bicycle travelers who are cycling around the world and through a diverse range of road conditions."
Or how about this sweet Bruce Gordon touring bike?
