groovestew

How old does a bike have to be to be considered "vintage"?

This Raleigh is from 2000; alas it was destroyed in a collision with a car. Heavy beast, but the front suspension gave it a Cadillac ride.

himespau 

Not as nice as any of these others I see (and as an early 90's bottom of what you could find at the lbs, not a classic), here's an earlier incarnation of my commuter bike:


Since then it got a nicer saddle (first selle san marco regal, then knockoff of a brooks swift with an anatomic cutout), much longer seatpost, new bars (ditched the Scott Drop Ins), aero levers, a front rack, and Kelly Take-Offs for shifting instead of stem shifters among other things.

It's currently being repainted (well actually sitting in my garage primed waiting for me to paint it - and it's going to wait a while as I'm moving in 2-3 weeks and I'll care less if the primer gets scuffed than after 3 coats of paint, decals, then clear coat), after which it'll get pretty much every part replaced other than the frame and fork and will sport a shimergo setup.

I like to tinker and my wife thinks having multiple bikes is a waste of money, so I keep modifying this one to meet my changing desires instead (probably more expensive than buying a couple that meet my different needs, but less obvious).

ColonelJLloyd 

Paul, that is one of the ugliest bikes I've ever seen. I love it.

jeebusaurousrex

This thread is Pure Evil.

I want one. Bad.

wrk101

After seeing all of these bikes, I need to do a second conversion! Trek 950, coming up next.

noglider 

The 950 is nice. A neighbor brought one over for a tuneup.

Velognome, that's an excellent utility bike. How's the ride?

dirty tiger

I concur. I think Drop-Bar MTB's are now my favorite bikes...building a not-so-vintage one now.

KonAaron Snake 

I really don't understand why there isn't a mass produced one available. Surly, Salsa, etc. are all trying to create niche markets, and this seems like such a natural. You could have a drop 29r...as well. Heck, do one with mustache bars.

jeebusaurousrex

A quick look through evilbay made me very confused. I need to do some research on vintage mtbs on sizing, components, and designs...

Also, what seems like high end stuff seems pretty dag cheap.

degan

I'll post her again. My most prized possession.

jeebusaurousrex

Absolutely tops. I think I may have to tear apart my current commuter for one JUST LIKE THIS.

leftthread

Technomic stem OK for a conversion?

dirty tiger

Salsa makes the Fargo.

2wheeljonz 

I've noticed that some of you, those starting with the more vintage rides, have Biopace chain rings. Are those working out or do you have plans to change them?
2wheeljonz

KonAaron Snake 

I guess that's close...isn't it more a cross bike? Obviously there's some cross over here.

gomango

Holding out for a Fargo in my size on CL.

We are the home of QBP after all.

If I get super lucky, someone will dump a ti.

Fingers crossed.

Btw not a cross bike. More like an adventure bike.

Want one with a BOB trailer for the cabin.

Henry III

I think it's also called a monster cross also. I currently picking up stuff to convert my mid 90's unknown titanium mtb. I upgraded it this past spring to brand new Sram X9 and BB7 discs and a rigid carbon fork. The geometry is almost identical to the Vaya I sold earlier this year. It's my favorite bike in my stable because it's so versatile and with micro knobbie tires it's great on single track as well on the street. I picked up some nice Truvativ bars today and it's just a matter of finding some Sram levers to replace the X9 trigger shifters.

My only problem now is I keep finding cool project frames at the shop up the street. When he only charges $5 for frames how can you not want to take them home to build them up. Curse him!!!

Captain Blight

Well, I bit the bullet and bought a Ross Mt. Hood last night. One a the chrome ones. The gentleman *says* it's a 24" frame, but we shall see.

I'm going to try to make it into a poor man's Singer. It's already got a Sanyo BB dynamo setup on it; and I wonder (maybe someone who already has one can help here) if there's room for a 650B conversion? The Tektro 720 brakes apparently have enough room to make this work. If not, well... Compass sells a pretty decent-looking 26" tire.

Really looking forward to trying this out. Even if it does mean I'm going to have to sell a bike to fund this.

jdefran

Musta been the one on eBay...nice grab, I was watching it myself

wrk101

Chrome is always a great place to start. Those old Ross MTBs were pretty sweet.

As far as funding the build, it depends how deep you go into the project and the size of your parts bin. My build (which I will admit was pretty basic) was very cheap: drop bars out of the pile, barcons out of the drawer, $5 bar tape, $6 brake levers, and $6 in housings and cables.

Captain Blight

My parts bin's pretty big. I can do it for no additional outlay if I keep the 26" wheels; but somewhere down the line I think I want to try 650Bs on it.

Yeah, it's the one from eBay from Missouri. Too good a deal to pass up. You see what BBC is asking for theirs?! They outta they rabbit-a$$ed minds.

KonAaron Snake 

We have a chrome chrome Mt Hood MTB across the street from me, left outdoors all year. I'd love to buy her, but the owner is attached.

For next winter I'm planning on a Pugsley styled snow bike from Frank the Welder built with drop bars...should be interesting.

Captain Blight

How is the chrome holding up?

KonAaron Snake 

It has some pitting and surface imperfections, but it's not awful either. Better than you'd think. He actually does take it in at times and he does keep it in doors a lot of winter.

I can't recommend buying an older ti MTB frame and converting it enough - the frame is impervious to the elements, it won't stand out as steal me and they can usually be had quite reasonably.

brockd15 

I bought a small High Sierra a while back that I planned on converting to road bars & components and making it my wife's touring bike. The top tube is too long so it won't work out for that one, but my dad also has a High Sierra that would work for me. Maybe I'll figure out a way to get that one over here and convert it.