kehomer

Okay, I may be an old guy but I still enjoy bike riding. My knees are pretty wobbly but I can still manage to putter around. Road bikes are my preferred rides but high pressure tires and gears that cause my knees to complain don't always make for a comfortable ride, especially here in N. Georgia. An old mt bike that I acquired a couple of years ago with it's wide tires, low gearing and drop bars that I added was comfortable but didn't quite satisfy me. So last year I bought a 1986 Specialized Stumpjumper Sport frame and fork that was sound but had a bad rattle can paint job. I had some downtube posts brazed on and a candy-orange power coat job and proceeded to build the bike. Used new, NOS and old refurbished parts. It's about 90% finished. Thinking about some lighter wheels and Aluminum fenders. The bike now weights ~26 1/2 lbs minus the rack.

The bike really turned out nice and is very comfortable with the 44mm tires, long wheelbase and low gears. Matter of fact I'm so happy with the way it turned out that I put it on ibob and some mt bike forums. As the frame cost $99 and some of the other parts were already on hand, it didn't cost much to build. The candy-orange powder and the downtube shifters make it pretty distinctive.

I've been pretty wordy here but the point is, if you are an old guy like me (74 yrs in a couple of months) and you don't have big bucks to spend you can still build an attractive, comfortable bike.
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bikemig 

This bike is absolutely beautiful. I really like mtb to drop bar conversions and this is one of the best I've seen, . The only thing I hate about it is that I am getting ready to convert my 1989 stump comp to drops and you just set the bar too high!

Retro Grouch 

Very cool! I really like old unsuspended mountain bike beaters.



When I'm not riding a recumbent this is my ride of choice.

David Bierbaum

It reminds me of my own 1992 Crossroads, though I went with butterflies where you went with a mustache. That bike is looking good!

kehomer

You're right. From some of the picture angles the bars look like a mustache. The bars are actually an extreme flared drop bar used on some mt bikes. A few Mt bikers prefer them to straight bars. The bars look almost like pista bars used on round/round racing bikes.

-=(8)=-

Awesome!!!!!!
What's weird to me though is, I dont remember downtube shifters on that eras MTB's, hmmmm . . . .
Regardless, it's like a Ron Popiel Pocket Fisherman!!! It can do a little bit of everything.

Wildwood 

Very nice bike and build; gives me inspiration. Exactly where did you source the handlebars?

My G. Fisher is in need of a makeover.

kehomer

I agree with you. My knowledge in this area is very limited but I've never read of a manufacturer putting DT shifters on a mt bike. When you're experiencing very rough terrain, abrupt ups and downs, switchbacks, you have to control your bike by keeping both hands on the bars. For that type of riding, I prefer thumbies.

@ Wildwood - Beautiful, purposeful looking bike. What is the width of your fenders? I looking to add some later. The handlebars are Ichigear Pista Drop bars. I bought them off ebay. As you probably know, Soma, Salsa and others make similar bars.

kehomer

Looks like a comfortable ride. What type of tires are you using? I like the tread pattern. On recumbents, I have always been attracted to them, especially the trikes, but haven't made the move. I spent a few minutes on an ICE trike out in S Calif and loved it!

kehomer

Thanks to all you responders for your kind words. Really appreciate it.

Gerryattrick

In the OP's first post he said that he had some down tube posts brazed on - I assume that those are the shifter mounts.

Anyway the OP has done a really great job and come up with a bike that's not run-of-the-mill and that suits him perfectly.

Retro Grouch 

Those are Continental Town & Country's. I got them because I read they were frequently used on police bikes due to their puncture resistance. If they wore out today (and the tread is so thick they may never wear out) I think that I'd replace them with Schwalbe Big Apples.

B. Carfree

A few years back I acquired the 1984 Stumpjumper that I had purchased for my mother back in '84. Since she didn't like hand brakes, we had changed it over to a three-speed with a kick-back brake. Fortunately, I kept all the parts and put it back stock. It's my go-to bike for dump runs (I have a LARGE trailer that hitches to it).

It's a comfy bike, but not for long distances. It's just too upright to go far on, at least for me.

fietsbob

This old guy lost the desire to reach down so low for a downtube shift lever before I hit 40.

qcpmsame 

Great build, I really like your taste in components and the setup of the Stumpjumper. Wonderful bike and build to ride and just plain enjoy the outing and fresh air. It would be nice to do a 26" or 650B build like yours for around here on the gravel and unpaved roads. Some ride reports wold be appreciated.

Bill

BluesDawg

Very nicely done Frankenbike! That sweet lugged frame and the new powdercoat makes it a real beauty. Obviously the down tube shifters work for you, but my choice on this type of conversion has always been bar end shifters, usually Suntour friction.

Wileyrat

Nice bike!

I have a 90 Trek 850 sitting around that I keep thinking I should do the same thing to, I'm just not convinced I'll ride it after it's done.

Wildwood 

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Just cheap plastic fenders, they are 2.25" wide. I put the original stem back on as the "suspension stem" was just too squeeky. To put drop handlebars on mine will require a stem with more rise than the original.

trackhub

Nice! Real. Lugged. Steel.

jyl

That is a beautiful and purposeful bike. Love it.

Barrettscv 

Really nice but l d. The handlebars are perfect. Are those Midge bars?

kaliayev

Love the build. Great job!

kehomer

The bars are Itchigear Pista drop bars. They are available from a number of sources. As you probably know, Soma and Salsa sell similar bars. I don't understand the "I d" at the end of your first sentence.

kehomer

I'm impressed that most of you gave a positive opinion on the Stumpy. Thanks!

Barrettscv 

Just auto spell stupidness, I intended "bike".