Show Your Vintage MTB Drop Bar Conversions
07-04-12, 10:01 AM
#101
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07-04-12, 10:47 AM
#102
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Here is another thread for inspiration:
https://forums.mtbr.com/vintage-retro...st7417672.html
And my 89 Fisher Procaliber SS. I had torn it down, but now may build up again.
https://forums.mtbr.com/vintage-retro...st7417672.html
And my 89 Fisher Procaliber SS. I had torn it down, but now may build up again.
07-04-12, 10:51 AM
#103
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Nice! Those early Fishers were just *so* sweet.
07-04-12, 11:48 AM
#104
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I don't see why not, but check around your local co-op or bike library for angled quill stems (like you see on mine or some of the others in this thread) -- they help "cover up" the amount of rise that you may need to make the whole thing work. 
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Originally Posted by noglider
People in this forum are not typical.
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07-04-12, 01:34 PM
#105
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Hay, there's a totally sweet Raleigh Elkhorn up on eBay right now. One of you guys should buy it. If it were my size, I know I would.
07-04-12, 01:59 PM
#106
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ugliness is nice because I can be hard on it and test out whether or not it's truly bombproof.
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Bikes: 1996 Eddy Merckx Titanium EX, 1989/90 Colnago Super(issimo?) Piu(?),1990 Concorde Aquila(hit by car while riding), others in build queue "when I get the time"
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07-04-12, 02:23 PM
#107
Bicycle Repair Man !!!
They are also nice when you want to sit up in traffic and still have brakes at your fingertips.
07-04-12, 03:25 PM
#108
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Velognome, that's an excellent utility bike. How's the ride?
as my winter ride & in it's working gear
The ride is great, would not hesitate to go anywhere any distance on it. The front rack an pannier create a little tendency for wheel flop but it will haul 6 or 8 of those plastic grocery bags worth of stuff so I'm happy with it.
07-04-12, 05:49 PM
#109
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This was my stepson's conversion, a ~91 Trek 800 Antelope. He repainted it bright yellow, and I outfitted it with NOS Shimano mtb components, a Specialized CrMo stem, SR bars, Dia Compe conventional brake levers, Suntour stem shifter, and MKS quill pedals.
It turned out well and rode well. But it recently got ran over by his classmate's mother's SUV.
Kids these days!
Trek 800 road conversion by WNG555, on Flickr
It turned out well and rode well. But it recently got ran over by his classmate's mother's SUV.
Kids these days!Trek 800 road conversion by WNG555, on Flickr
07-04-12, 06:34 PM
#110
Get off my lawn!
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But it recently got ran over by his classmate's mother's SUV. Kids these days!
Kids these days!
07-04-12, 10:25 PM
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07-05-12, 02:06 AM
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I almost feel bad posting this one here after seeing all these amazing bikes! I tried to stay as cheap as I could on this build since I had no idea it would turn out to be such a fun bike to ride. It's a Raleigh Glacier...I have no idea what year it is, and have really not been able to find anything about it online. If anyone knows anything about it, please let me know
07-05-12, 02:41 AM
#118
Bicycle Repair Man !!!
Shown here with 700:35 Schwalbe CX Compe tyres which were my favourite set up on this bike.
I have been told, more than a few times, that I have been responsible for more than my fair share of drop bar conversions on hybrids... and mountain bikes.
If I got another 7500 like my '99 I'd turn it into a drop bar 29'r as the frame has enough space to rock 50's...
Last edited by Sixty Fiver; 07-05-12 at 02:44 AM.
07-05-12, 06:02 AM
#119
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Here is another thread for inspiration:
https://forums.mtbr.com/vintage-retro...st7417672.html
And my 89 Fisher Procaliber SS. I had torn it down, but now may build up again.
https://forums.mtbr.com/vintage-retro...st7417672.html
And my 89 Fisher Procaliber SS. I had torn it down, but now may build up again.
07-05-12, 11:52 AM
#120
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You know, it occurs to me that all we've really done here is updated the 'path racer.'
07-05-12, 01:24 PM
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I've been wanting to do something like this for a while, but I have a hard time finding a frame that fits. I have an old fuji that would be great, but it would probably turn out 2 sizes to small for me after I switched it. Some amazing looking bikes in this thread.
07-05-12, 01:47 PM
#122
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One thing to keep in mind is that mtbs often have a longer top tube than a road bike so when you put on drop bars it extends the reach even more. A somewhat tall stem, lots of seatpost, and a frame that's a size or two small are what made it work for me.
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Bikes: 1996 Eddy Merckx Titanium EX, 1989/90 Colnago Super(issimo?) Piu(?),1990 Concorde Aquila(hit by car while riding), others in build queue "when I get the time"
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07-05-12, 02:21 PM
#124
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Wow! What brilliant bikes - all of them! I haven't had time to start mine yet, but have most parts in hand now except for bar tape. I've never tried anything other than a road bike, tandem or MTB before - never this style, which I only thought of a few months ago and began gathering parts. A few questions for those who've already built theirs:
I've got shallow drop bars with cable grooves and Tektro aero levers. I could fit V-brakes or canti's - which would work best with those levers?
I already have NOS indexed 7 speed stem shifters and although I'd probably prefer barcons, this is a "zero-budget" build so to those who use stem shifters with this set-up, are they OK?
No photos yet, it's just a pile of bits and a frame that needs painting. The parts are as follows:
Saracen lightweight Tange OS tubed frame & forks. Handbuilt in the UK - lots of nice features, light but the paint's toast.
New 26" alloy rims on Chen Shin nutted hubs with stainless spokes and MTB tyres.
Shimano Deore LX drive train, Emelle clamp-on stem shifters, indexed for 7 speed.
Shimano double sided clipless MTB pedals.
Alhonga V brakes or Shimano Cantilever brakes
Shallow alloy drop bars with cable grooves.
A wide choice of stems and seat posts.
Rear rack with Large panniers.
Front alloy low rider pannier mounts with small panniers
A choice of saddles
Wide mudguards (fenders) on chromed mounts (originally on my 1985 tandem) - light and shiny silver plastic.
Hoping to use it for slow, steady cycle camping trips on all sorts of terrain. All suggestions welcome!
I've got shallow drop bars with cable grooves and Tektro aero levers. I could fit V-brakes or canti's - which would work best with those levers?
I already have NOS indexed 7 speed stem shifters and although I'd probably prefer barcons, this is a "zero-budget" build so to those who use stem shifters with this set-up, are they OK?
No photos yet, it's just a pile of bits and a frame that needs painting. The parts are as follows:
Saracen lightweight Tange OS tubed frame & forks. Handbuilt in the UK - lots of nice features, light but the paint's toast.
New 26" alloy rims on Chen Shin nutted hubs with stainless spokes and MTB tyres.
Shimano Deore LX drive train, Emelle clamp-on stem shifters, indexed for 7 speed.
Shimano double sided clipless MTB pedals.
Alhonga V brakes or Shimano Cantilever brakes
Shallow alloy drop bars with cable grooves.
A wide choice of stems and seat posts.
Rear rack with Large panniers.
Front alloy low rider pannier mounts with small panniers
A choice of saddles
Wide mudguards (fenders) on chromed mounts (originally on my 1985 tandem) - light and shiny silver plastic.
Hoping to use it for slow, steady cycle camping trips on all sorts of terrain. All suggestions welcome!
07-05-12, 02:35 PM
#125
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It depends on the tektro levers, but most likely it's going to be cantilevers. With most V-brakes you'll need a travel agent of some sort and you said this was to be a no budget build.
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Bikes: 1996 Eddy Merckx Titanium EX, 1989/90 Colnago Super(issimo?) Piu(?),1990 Concorde Aquila(hit by car while riding), others in build queue "when I get the time"
Bikes: 1996 Eddy Merckx Titanium EX, 1989/90 Colnago Super(issimo?) Piu(?),
