coolkat

Put this one together a couple days ago. Late 80s Nishiki Mountain Project "Backroads". Had all the parts lying around, and the bike was free, so I thought I'd try one of these. Man, it's fun to ride! Slicker tires and fenders are in its future.

Sorry for the non-driveside pic...

Chitown_Mike

Sadly my old Schwinn has become a pretzel due to my sheer inability to back up properly while in a wooded driveway....sigh.

But my old Trek 800 made it out and after seeing this thread a few months ago I will create the ultimate bastardization of bicycle bad arse-ry! Pics to follow shortly once I get time to tear things apart (probably tonight) and reassemble this weekend.

This bike will donate its organs....


This will recieve them......


Going to debate calling it the Contilope or Antinental....thoughts?

RaleighSport

Contilope obviously... and that reminds me I should take some pics of my conversion again now that it's been refinished.

Chitown_Mike

I finished it last night, rode it to work this morning and just need to tweak the seat slightly. Pics will follow. On a similar note I have decided to call the Schwinn Continental and Trek Antelope mix the Shrek Antenental Contilope, or my S.A.C.. Just because I am ornanry like that and the joke will be worth it.

Chitown_Mike

So here is my combination of my old Schwinn Continental and Trek 800 Antelope, I call it the:

Shrek Antenental Contilope named Dirty Gertie




I know, I know. No one likes snake fangs with the brakes, but I don't have a shorter reach stem so they would have been too far out if the hoods weren't pulled back.



The cockpit - basically the brakes, bar and shifters from my 82 Conti. I probably could use a few inches more on the front brake cable housing but it works well and holds just seems like it might be trying too much.



All new cables and housings done last night, replaced the Biopace crank gears that were bent but left it stock gearing. Getting some Continental Double Fighter 2 tires today, like any minute now, that will be install tonight (hopefully if I have time). I have a rear gear that is missing a few teeth that will get replaced soon, I don't use that gear very often, but it will be a winter project or next season when I get a roadie to replace the lost Schwinn. Other than a new chain, it is golden. I rode it work work and felt great (raised the seat at lunch).

Debating whether to leave it be as the paint and such is still in good shape, or might take it apart and do a matte black powder coat over the winter and put some white lettering on it.

Thoughts/comments/suggestions welcome

due ruote 

Looks good! My 2 cents worth:

I wouldn't paint it. What you have is in great condition. I never got the matte thing, but it's your bike after all.

The levers look fine to me. Tips even with the bottom of the drops is the normal starting point, and it doesn't look like you're far from that. I might rotate the bars forward just a bit, but not at the sacrifice of comfort.

If those shifters work for you, cool. I'd be inclined to look for some barcons.

Re: front brake housing - with aero levers I would use a headset spacer/cable hanger rather than the stem hole. Pretty minor point I know.

Street tires should make a big difference.

Chitown_Mike

Paint would be a maybe, I will probably leave it since there is little rust on it and no reason to paint it. And the matte colors are nice because I can just rattle can any scratches Or might do a matte orange, or satin.

I might eventually get some barcons, was reading up on them last night and I got lost with what would and wouldn't work (friction, index, frictiondex or something). I would have to run new lines then I think, but it would be worth it to clean the bike up. But the flapper shifters are unique, especially being chrome.

corwin1968

I wish I hadn't seen this post. I've been trolling the pawn shops in the area where I work and one of them has a mid-90's Trek 800 in the second to the largest size for $60. I've been wanting an old 26" MTB to experiment with as I've never ridden that size wheel. I almost bought it on my lunch break today but decided to wait a bit and see if my enthusiasm wanes. Threads like this make it hard to resist.

Chitown_Mike

I got this as a loaner from a friend who said it was too big from him, that his grandfather had sitting around who found it back in the mid 90's in a snow pile he was shoveling into a dump truck, while hauling snow for a snow removal company. I had to do all kinds of work to it (cables, grease bearings, tubes, so on) and my friend said I might as well keep it, but I will say it is a blast to ride. I have used it in mud, asphalt, and off-road on single track and loved every minute of it. Now it is on to this new frontier.....

due ruote 

Friction (like Suntour Barcons) always works with everything.

Chitown_Mike

Might be a birthday gift or something, but thanks for the clarification!

dveneman

Everything Due Ruote wrote +1. Don't paint, the when the novelty of the flappers wears off, you will like bar ends. And you will love slicks. Or even go with the Panasonic High Road (I think that is what they call them)tires for about $10 each. Don't forget to order 26x1.5 tubes also.
Nice job !!!!!

corwin1968

The one at the pawn shop is in pretty rough shape but I've been watching for a vintage MTB for over a year and don't see much for sale around here. When I've got a notion in my head, I'd pay $60 just to get the frame and 26" wheels!

Yo Spiff

Just in case you didn't know, most stuff at a pawn shop is negotiable. If they have it marked for $60, ask if they will take $40 for it. Usually they will go and check to see how much they paid for it and if your offer is above that, they will often take it or meet you halfway, rather than have the item sit around longer. Especially if the bike needs a lot of work, because most people looking at it will be wanting something ready to ride.

corwin1968

Thanks for the information! I've never dealt with a pawn shop and would likely have just paid full asking price. I haven't decided for sure on the bike but that itch for a vintage 26" MTB has been there for a long time now.

Yo Spiff

You're welcome. I've gotten some good deals at pawn shops, but you have to know what you are looking at. Often the best bicycle in the lineup is the least expensive, because it is older and not as flashy looking as the Huffys and Roadmasters next to it. I saw a nice Miyata mixte a few days ago for $30 or $40, but it wasn't something I needed. If I knew someone looking for a good beginner bike I might have snagged it.

The Golden Boy 

Dude, that thing will scare the children.

Awesome!!!




And let me get this straight- because I think it's been kind of glossed over... you somehow broke a Continental?

due ruote 

Don't give him too much credit. Sounds like he cheated and used a car.

Chitown_Mike

I am hoping the children will run in a sort of reverent fear hehe!

As for the Conti....essentially yes. I bent the frame around a spare tire when I accidentally backed into a tree with the bikes racked on back. I had the window blocked from gear leaving vacation. The frame is fish tailed and the is a mild kink in the down tube between the brake bridge piece and axle location. The plan is to try to straighten it out as much as possible and toss it on my trainer for when I need more than just commuting saddle time this winter. I wouldn't feel safe trying to straighten it and returning it to the road or selling it (which for sentimental reasons is out of the question).

Here is the frame:

Chitown_Mike

Touche.....but I did.

The Golden Boy 

It'll buff out.

Chitown_Mike

Must be a car guy too.....first thing I said when I looked back at those pictures. lol!!

A bit more on topic....found out the rim I was forced to buy in April (LBS cross threaded the original rim when installing the freewheel, charged me their price on a new one) that has about 150 miles on it has the bearings shot. The axle won't turn freely unless bolted on the bike with the tire on, and even then it wobbles up and down and you can feel the bearings chunking out. I am hoping they will just give me a replacement and go after the rim company, but if not I am thinking about changing to a cassette wheel and going with a 7 speed cassette on the rear. Just getting a used rim and a more street friendly gearing combo since the only mountains in Chicago is from the crap excreted from our politicians mouths and rears.

But for now the bike is back apart and I am going to the LBS after work to check on my options of either fixing it or replacing it. And then if not off to the bike co-op that is a ********ly long drive in Chicago traffic for the distance. I would ride it, but can't without a bike!

So Dirty Gertie rests for now....then to terrorize the kids in the neighborhood.

azgreg

Did I read that right? The LBS cross threaded your hub and charged you for a replacement?

Chitown_Mike

Yeah, I should have argued more but he sold it to me at cost (showed me his pricing sheet and all). However when I go in there I expect a new rim or I will go from an avid supporter of his to a big detractor and take my business elsewhere.

I know, I know I shouldn't have forked over the money since he screwed it up and it was a nice rim to begin with.....trust me my wife reminded me for a while.

gerv 

Great job at putting together parts and free frame. I like the blue.