Show Your Vintage MTB Drop Bar Conversions
08-09-13, 02:25 PM
#2276
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Odd Job's terra-runner is probably quicker and more nimble than a LHT too. Ever ride one? They are a bore to ride.. total tanks.
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08-09-13, 02:31 PM
#2277
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In other words I agree with lester.
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08-09-13, 03:31 PM
#2278
Still learning
Wider bars and a longer stem will "slow down" the steering. Like a spinning wheel, the further you go from the center the greater the distance you have to travel to make a revolution. SO the further you hands are from the steering axis the greater the distance they have to move to turn the wheel.
In other words I agree with lester.
In other words I agree with lester.
08-09-13, 04:31 PM
#2279
Thrifty Bill
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I do essentially the same thing, but measuring from saddle nose to bars (I assume you mean the flats) ignores any variance in saddle proportions and/or bar reach, which sometimes can be significant. So typically I measure from where my sit bones meet the saddle to the center of the hoods, or center of the drops, depending on where I plan to spend the most time.
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Please don't confuse ebay "asking" prices with "selling" prices. Many sellers never get their ask price. some are far from it. Value is determined once an item actually SELLS. Its easy enough to check SOLD prices.
08-09-13, 07:59 PM
#2280
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. I've ridden two LHT's, and they're one of my favorite bikes. I still want one.,,,,BD
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So many bikes, so little dime.
So many bikes, so little dime.
Last edited by Bikedued; 08-09-13 at 08:15 PM.
08-10-13, 01:13 PM
#2281
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To some extend I suppose that is true. But I always felt mine sucked up all my energy and didn't transfer it to the rear wheel. I switched to a soma saga, and that frame is markedly superior in my opinion.
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08-10-13, 02:07 PM
#2282
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Hmmm I'm now considering ditching the drops and tracking down a pair of scott at-2's or possibly at-3's.. heck maybe even at-4.. we'll see.
08-10-13, 07:42 PM
#2283
Still learning
08-11-13, 02:11 PM
#2285
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I have a pair of AT-3s and two pair of GT Brahmas (one silver, one black, they're similar to AT-2) also one pair of Brahma grips in fair shape.
08-12-13, 11:06 AM
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After reading this thread I decided this is what i want/need. and old mountain bike, no suspension, cantis, drob bars, for my city rides (I hurt my back so no more mtb for me for a long time).
IMO the good point are
-solid frame
-gears
-strong tires and wheels even when 1.5 slicks are used (potholes, train tracks, dirt paths, etc)
-drop bars have 3 riding positions -maybe more
-good for long rides -from other people experience.
-cheap -at least this bike is cheap, 25 bucks CL find.
the bike right now is disassembled and in cleaning lub stage.
is a royce union unknown year, in fair condition. if everything goes well maybe later I'll upgrade to a lighter frame.
plan is to have it in running condition as soon and as cheap as possible and later upgrade components and new paint.
this is the CL pic, i'll update later.
IMO the good point are
-solid frame
-gears
-strong tires and wheels even when 1.5 slicks are used (potholes, train tracks, dirt paths, etc)
-drop bars have 3 riding positions -maybe more
-good for long rides -from other people experience.
-cheap -at least this bike is cheap, 25 bucks CL find.
the bike right now is disassembled and in cleaning lub stage.
is a royce union unknown year, in fair condition. if everything goes well maybe later I'll upgrade to a lighter frame.
plan is to have it in running condition as soon and as cheap as possible and later upgrade components and new paint.
this is the CL pic, i'll update later.
Update for vintage mountain bike with dropbars, AKA "The NaStY" "
cheap dropbars -changed yesterday to a metal recycler japanese set out of a vintage univega.
sram bartape
nashbar street tires 26x1.5
shimano acera v brakes out of my son's orbea bike -I replaced those with a new set
shimano mtb cleat pedals
retrospect seat
new freewheel
fingertip shimano shifters steam mounted -out of metal recycler also, cleaned and lubed.
Wheels trued and lubed
lubed everything
very happy to have nasty bike roadworthy again. no problems at all on short or long rides
so far very happy with results. remember that this was a low budget project. as my first experiment with this kind of bikes I think result for me is great, I'm starting to think about aluminum frame and good quality components now.............
08-12-13, 11:23 AM
#2287
Thrifty Bill
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Way to go! Thrifty is the word of the day. I migrated to bar ends by finding a deal on a road bike (that had bar ends) and putting stem shifters on it. Most recreational bike buyers in my market would 10X prefer stem shifters over bar ends.
I think I have those same tires on a couple of bikes in the family fleet right now.
I think I have those same tires on a couple of bikes in the family fleet right now.
08-12-13, 11:40 AM
#2289
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heres a fun one... 198X Nishiki Backroads.. complete with stuck stem, stuck seatpost and a bevy of scratches and scrapes... came with rusted spokes and an seatpost that was a size too big....
it was in alot of trouble,
i turned it into this...
it was in alot of trouble,
i turned it into this...
08-14-13, 06:52 AM
#2290
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ha just sold it the other night, the guy said he is going to convert it to a straight bar.. haha oh well...
08-14-13, 07:33 AM
#2291
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hey cool downtube shifters 
did that bike not have oversized tubes or were you able to find a clamp for OS tubes?
shame the new buyer is gonna convert it back
did that bike not have oversized tubes or were you able to find a clamp for OS tubes?shame the new buyer is gonna convert it back
08-14-13, 05:24 PM
#2292
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There's been a couple of splatter painted bikes up here lately, so I thought I'd keep that thing going. For your consideration is my 1989? Bianchi Super Grizzly in Celeste splatter goodness. I used a single right hand Shimano Sora 7 speed brifter that I picked up on Ebay this winter. For the front, I used a Suntour barcon. The left brake lever is a Tektro 340 lever, which is a fairly close match to the Shimano unit on the right. The bike is lugged Tange Prestige with a full XT group. I'm probably going to change the WTB Velociraptors to something a little less aggressive. I've been eyeing some WTB pathways, I've got some on another bike and they are a great all around tire. Anyway, hope you all like it.
08-14-13, 09:36 PM
#2293
Thrifty Bill
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I love pretty much any mtb with a Prestige frame, top notch!
08-15-13, 05:40 AM
#2294
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Nice work on another fine splatter paint bike. I've been contemplating doing something similar with a single righty brifter. That looks like it will chew through the gravel, on the way to the rough (fun) stuff.
What saddle is that (a Flite)?
I really like my bontrager xr0's as an all around tire, soft sidewall for gravel work, but not so soft they pinch at 30psi. Not so much knob on them to slow you down, enough to get up the trails (unless it's muddy)
What saddle is that (a Flite)?
I really like my bontrager xr0's as an all around tire, soft sidewall for gravel work, but not so soft they pinch at 30psi. Not so much knob on them to slow you down, enough to get up the trails (unless it's muddy)
08-15-13, 08:06 AM
#2295
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@wrk101: Thanks for the kind words. @Chrome Molly: Thanks, the saddle is a selle royal freccia. The righty brifter was a new unit sold on ebay by I think Bikewagon. It was around $35 I believe. I'll have to check out those bontrager Xr0's, thanks for the tip.
08-15-13, 08:08 AM
#2296
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Your Bianchi is hot, how's she ride?
08-15-13, 08:11 AM
#2297
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08-15-13, 11:11 AM
#2298
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Setting up my 4th drop bar mtb right now.. my GF was like "i want to try those kind of handlebars"
08-15-13, 11:39 AM
#2300
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Thanks, the bike is definitely a singletrack shredder. It is a little quick steering when going slow, which is what you want on the twisty stuff, but she stabilizes well at speed. The combo of tall gearing (26-36-46 + 12-28T cassette) and the tires make it a little slower accelerating than I want, but nothing I can't fix with some new tires and a change of crankset to a 22-32-42 LX.Thanks!
