FujiSam

I just finished converting my '79 Fuji Royale to a gravel cruncher and I'm loving it! It was not my initial plan for the bike, but it feels so right!

I got a smaller frame size than I normally ride b/c I wanted to have more control/standover capability over the bike if I got into anything dicey. I typically ride 60-62cm, but the Royale is a 58cm.

I replaced the road brake levers with cross tops because I feel better able to handle braking in terrain descents/technical situations from a more upright position without all my weight on the front wheel, more like a mountain bike.

Kept the 27in, but got a set of new CR18s, threw on some Kenda K161s that folks have mentioned. Upgraded the suntour drivetrain group to a Shimano 600 friction for better response (except for the front derailleur due to fit). Tektro r539 mid-reach calipers. Then I just modernized the headset (Origin8 sealed) and bottom bracket (Velo Orange) and BAM, an awesomely new old bike that rides like a beast I'll post some pics when I'm allowed!

09box

+1 to who recommended Gevenalle shifters. I've had those on multiple bikes and no issues. Also, nice to see all the vintage steel in this thread.

JJam2112

Is it possible to take a 80s steel bike and swap the fork with a modern cyclocross fork to make it bigger room for cyclocross tires? Or would the back end still be an issue?

chas58

depends on the bike and the brake clearance. But, finding a quill stem cyclocross fork may take some work (and $$$)

chas58

God, I miss that bike. I probably threw mine away decades ago. When I got it, I just couldn't figure out why it was so much faster than my schwinn varsity. If I still had it, it would be decked out like this!!!

TenGrainBread 

@FujiSam I'd definitely put the road levers back on and install interruptor brake levers additionally if you want. The problem with the brakes as you have them now is that your hands will have to be very narrow relative to each other to use the brakes, which makes handling dangerous off-road. There's a reason why no stock gravel or mountain bikes come with your brake lever set up.

TenGrainBread 

My girlfriend has a 90s Klein sports touring bike with room for 32mm tires in the back. She swapped the stock fork for a Soma fork with room for 45mm tires and put a semi-knobby 40mm tire (Knard) on for a big gravel ride we did, and kept the 32mm GravelKing on the back. It worked pretty well.

FujiSam

Thanks for the suggestion-- it works for the way I ride it, though, and I like the more streamlined look. If it was dangerous for the way I was riding it, I definitely wouldn't do it! I do 40-50mi every weekend pure gravel and haven't had an issue. If I were riding on singletrack or steeper, technical descents, I would definitely switch the setup, but it's mostly flat out here in rural Michigan!