What are some good vintage rigid frames to build from? I know nothing about building so all new to me. I have an mid 80's Schwinn Mesa Runner I got for free but have read that it was bottom line. Scrap components and look for same period but better components? Or look for a particular frame on local CL? I am 6'2" so a frame to fit is gonna be hard...I ride a 25" road bike. I see A LOT of seats sitting way up on these MTB builds...I guess that is compensating for a smaller frame?

There are plenty; quite happy with my Specialized Hardrock, around MY2000.

I think some of the Trek 9XX series might work. 930, 950, 970 & 990. My 1990 Trek 930 is lugged True Temper tubing. If you're interested check out vintage-trek.com for specs & how to date any specific model by color.

I've noticed that a lot of these bikes have a long top tube in relation to seat tube. I end up getting smaller ones to accommodate for desirable top tube length, thus lots of seat post showing. I just sold my 1985 Sekai Bigfoot which had 18.5" chain stays and eyelets for fenders & racks. Very stable and cushy ride.

In addition to 9XX Trek's, look for early 90's Mongooses. Alta's and Rockadile's had relatively light frames and great geometry. Most had three water bottle cages too. Aluminum and steel varieties out there and cheap, parts are crap but frames are way better than they appear. And at 6'2" you will find plenty of options. Just be looking for 20"+ frames, 20"-23" frames should fit you. Schwinn Moab's and High Sierras are good options too.

I'm not a fan of late 80's, early 90's specialized frames due to poor tire clearance at the lower stays.

I've been eyeing the GT's with the triple triangle ( Hellenic stays) for added rigidity, particularly if your going with a 23" frame.

I would not hesitate to use my non-suspension steel framed mountain bike for loaded touring -- I currently use it for loaded shopping trips. For longer trips I might want to replace the knobby offroad tires with some with less rolling resistance.

Raleigh had some nice Mountain Tour bikes that might fit the bill.

I don't tour but if I did, I think I have a candidate for use. I would likely put smaller tires on it:
[IMG]Commuter RockHopper by superissimo_83, on Flickr[/IMG]

How does the seat being so high work? Do you use a longer stem are they available like that or what?

THere's probably nothing wrong with your mesa runner for a touring bike. Maybe find some better components for it, but schwinn has been known for making some pretty darn durable bikes. Other potential options I would seek out are mtbs from teh early 80s (not sure what year yours is) - but there were a fair number that had more road bike sized frames then (Ross for sure had some larger geometries). But if your Schwinn fits, I would go with that. You likely won't get any better quality from buying an old Hardrock, at least component wise, except you would be getting Shimano instead of what I am assuming is Suntour.

How about some pictures? We can't really help you decide without seeing what you are working with.

Stay away from suspension forks

MIYATA - Ridge Runner, Terra Runner
TREK - 850, 930, 950, 970, 990
SPECIALIZED - Rockhopper, Stumpjumper
CANNONDALE - M300 and up
UNIVEGA - Alpina
SCHWINN - Paramount Series, Cimarron

Marin Bobcat - Tange frame, cheap components, low price $95
Marin Bobcat Trail Mountain Bicycle

Barracuda, not your size, but great frame in my size
Barracuda team dos Equis

My Trek 800 Antelope was initially converted for this use - had the mid-fork braze on's for a low rider rack. But I decided it was just too heavy and haven't really used it for that - instead it's my garage sale bike. I did convert an old Peugeot flat bar hybrid which worked well - with the 700C tires I was able to get knobby or smooth tires if I wanted it. It still weighted alot but not as much as the Trek.

If you are referring to my post #8 , the answer is that I have long legs. I am a road bike guy so the positioning is based on my road bike measurements, pedal to top of saddle is the same. I am 5'11"+ with a CBH of 35" and this is a 20.5" frame so long seat post is a requirement. I ride a 60cm frame (Pinarello) and can go down to 58 if I have to (Colnago).

Mountain bikes tend to have longer top tubes than road bikes of comparable size. To get the right top tube length for a drop bar build, you may wind up with a frame whose seat tube is shorter, hence more exposed seatpost.

Did GT make a 23" triple triangle frame? I have only ever seen 22" as the largest. If they made a 23", I would be all over one as I loved my low end 22" All Terra for errands/towing/grocery runs, but it was too small.

I would wager that while you're a bit taller (I'm just over 6' and ALL legs), we probably ride about the same size bikes. For reference, I'm throwing in a couple of pics of my 23" Schwinn High Plains set up to to tour/commute. It took me awhile to find the "right bike" in the right size to build a drop-bar touring MTB, but the HP has worked pretty darn well.

There is a fair bit of seat post showing, even with the XXL 23" frame, but the high rise stem (atcually a stock stem) makes up for it. The top tube is a bit longer at around 24". I think I would have preferred to find a Trek or Diamondback as they seem to generally have more braze-ons and eyelets, but the HP has done fine for me on mixed surface long distance rides.

If it fits you, I would suggest that you build up you Mesa Runner. First strip it down the bare frame. Visit Sheldon Brown's website, do some measurements: make sure the frame is straight, and measure the O.L.D. Decide what you want/need in the way of components. For example, Shimano's TX-55 is a very functional rear derailleur that if you don't have a crash or lay the bike down on the right side, will last many thousands of miles. Are you going to build your own wheels? Tires: I'd suggest 40-559 Kevlar belted tires with thorn resistant tubes.

My current favorite commuter is a Schwinn PDG70 (Paramount Design Group). It is not really a touring bike, no eyelets, but I have fenders and a long Ibera seat post rack with small Avenir panniers. The Schwinn Cimarron is really an on/off road touring bike. The lugged ('93 and earlier) Trek 930/950/970/990 are great starting points. The GT's, not so much because they tend to have shorter wheelbase which if you have bigger feet leads to heel strike issues with conventional rear racks and panniers.

That Cuda is too nice of a frame to put a rigid fork on and not use it on the trails. A good friend of mine has a XX and that thing tears up the trails like nobodies business.

I did some touring with my True Temper KHS and it performed very well. I suppose any good quality MTB steel frame with rigid fork would be good for touring, esp. if it has eyelets for racks.

A not so special Giant, heavy laden and rolling on Pasela 1.75"s. Very comfortable and stable, good for mixed surfaces but not particularly speedy.

Here is the 'ol Mesa Runner. Shimano Z202 front Derailleur and Shimano Z501GS on the rear and has Shimano MT50 thumb shifters. This bike is the bottom of the line up that top is the Cimarron and it has Shimano Deore XT components. I see a lot of those Deore XT components on ebay...should I get them and upgrade?

Derailing (ha ha) the conversation here to ask if you've got anymore shots with the Pasela 1.75's? I was thinking of trying out the Tserv 1.75 (same thing, basically) but wasn't sure it was enough tire coming from the 1.95's I've got now.Curious to see how well they fill out the fenders/frames by comparison...

I have the 1.75's on my '93 HardRock Ultra. I'll snap a few photos for you & post later today.

How are the Paselas in that size?

I think your Mesa Runner has plenty of potential. I would just clean it up and ride it around a bit with the existing stuff on it. If it works for you, then start upgrading. Finding a donor bike with XT will probably be cheaper than the ebay route.