qmsdc15

Sneak preview


(before)


That's right! Matching shift levers! More to come!

giantcfr1

"Hand built in the USA"

jbchybridrider 

Look "Ma" no arms.

qmsdc15

Should I go with drop bars?

giantcfr1

I say yes, but are you comfortable leaning forward the extra 15 or so cm (ie resting on the levers) when hauling? If you use the top bar when hauling you could concider auxiliary levers for ease of braking in traffic. All-in-all, it looks the part.

qmsdc15

I rode by what looked like a H300 and had to turn around to take a second look. I suspected it was a T400 which were built on the same frame as the H300, but designed for (T) touring, with drop bars. It turned out to be a (M)ountain bike M500. I thought it was a cool bike, maybe should have posted the picture in "Vintage MTB to Hybrid Conversions" thread instead of here, but I posted it here because it looks kinda like my bike.

If I did a drop bar conversion, I'd try to replicate my current position, put the brake hoods where my grips are. The top bar would offer a slightly more upright position and the drops a lower alternative. This would require a stem with more extension and less reach than the one I'm currently using. Unfortunately this bike is so severely undersized, I don't know if I could find a taller stem with less reach than what I'm currently using. Fortunately, I'm not really considering drop bars on this bike.

qmsdc15

XT hubs, Velocity dyad rims, 36 DT double butted spokes.


If I install these wheels with the same logos on the same side, the writing on the front hub is upside down when viewed from the front.

To fix this, I think I'll flip the front wheel around so the red logo on the rim is on the drive side and the yellow is on the other side. I think it will look cool to have both the red and yellow logos visible from either side. Maybe that's what the wheelbuilder had in mind. But why are the logos on the quick release levers upside down?


And why am I putting all this money into such an old rusty frame that probably never fit me right anyway? Why ask why?

Should I get a new crankset, seeing how this one will be worn out soon? Square taper Sugino 28/38/48 to fit the like new BB I've installed, or 22/34/44 Shimano LX Holowtech II that comes with BB but will require facing of my bottom bracket shell? I'm thinking I'll order one of each. The MTB will need new rings eventually, and it's crankset doesn't feature replaceable rings. Besides, these cranksets each cost about as much as three chainrings would anyway...

giantcfr1

(^.^)b

qmsdc15

Mile one on my new wheels.

Silver Fiziks Gobi XM saddle salvaged from the cracked Kona MTB.

Silver XT hubs laced four cross.


Laced with double butted DT spokes to silver Velocity dyad rims.


New cockpit
Replaced black 23" steel bars with black 25" alloy bars salvaged from the cracked Kona and I can't make them shorter with this levers/grips/barends combination.

Levers, old worn out Gripshift front shifter replaced with ancient worn out Deore thumbshifter to match ancient worn out rear Deore thumbshifter. I discovered the return spring was broken in one of the stock Tektro brake levers so I replaced them with Avid 1.0 levers from the cracked Kona.

Brand new cheap plastic bolt on grips, very nice, comfortable. Barends, steel heavy, curved, wide clamp! Given to me by someone who didn't want them anymore. The shape makes me feel like I'm in the drops.


New cables and housings.

Original bike. Thirteen years later, remaining stock parts are frame, fork, headset, stem, V-brakes, derailleurs, pedals.

giantcfr1

...all completed with a very fashionable pair of red socks and grey Crocks combo. Can't get better than that. (^.^)b

edit...Happy with the ride?

jbchybridrider 

Are you dutch clog's went out of fashion here year's ago.

giantcfr1

I'll do my best to remember to take the same shot tomorrow. I think he is setting a challenge.

jbchybridrider 

I really need buy a compact camera, mine is one of the first digitals a cannon pro70.

qmsdc15

Crocs were very popular but I don't think any adult wearer didn't know the huge fashion error they are. Most people who use this footware do it in the privacy of their own home. Technically I was in public, but no one saw me. I have beat up feet from ill-fitting ski boots. Now all shoes can hurt my feet, even sandals and Crocs, but after wearing boots Wed-Fri last week due to high probability of cold rain each day, the Crocs felt nice.

"edit...Happy with the ride?"

Not a whole lot different than it rode on the old wheels, frankly, but I enjoyed the ride more now that both wheels are 700c. She rolls a lot easier than the heavy MTB. First day back at work.

giantcfr1

She's looking good. Hopefully she'll hold up to the task and gets in many more miles. Do you carry your spray cans in the grey PVC box?

giantcfr1

No excuse, you can ride one / no handed.

qmsdc15

Before:
Front wheel: 27 in. 40 spoke Weinmannn rim drilled for Schaeder, silver Phil hub, slight rust
Rear wheel: 700c. 32 spoke MA3, Presta, black XT hub, badly worn
Spider: black 5 bolt Deore LX, assorted rings, 48/38/28
Left crank arm: silver Sugino
Pedals: stock, plastic
Handlebars: stock, steel
Front shifter: Stock Sram twistshift
Rear shifter: Original Deore SIS
Brake levers: stock. Tektro
Cogset: 7spd 24-11
BB: Powerpro BB-7420

All of the above and chain/cables/housings/brake pads recently replaced except the Deore SIS shifter.

Old school five bolt square taper Sugino cranks 175mm 26/36/46. Hybrid pedals




New parts make old parts look bad. Chromed Sram eight speed cogset 28-11. I wanted a chromed chain but that would have meant another order, so I got this gray one for now. New low gear 25 gear inches vs. old low of 31.

Money pit. Upgrades cost more than I paid for the complete bike brand new in 1998. (But t's a better bike now).


Salvaged from the cracked Y2K Kona Nunu, alloy handlebars, Avid brake levers, Fiziks saddle, UN-52 BB, steel curved barends. The pedals were on the Kona when I bought it second hand, but I never used them before now. From older bikes, Deore thumbshifters, steel XT seatpost.

New (cheap, old stock) bolt-on grips

Still stock:
Frame
fork
headset
stem
derailleurs
V-brakes

Finished project?

We'll see...

giantcfr1

I think I'm happier than you are. That is freekin' fantastic. You've been busy over the last couple of weeks and done well.
"We'll see..." lol a change here, a change there, we'll see indeed. To be continued...

qmsdc15

Thanks. I'm enjoying it in good weather. When there's a chance of rain, I use the MTB with it's disc brakes and fender. This way the rims should last much longer.

The only change since these pictures were taken is the addition of a BOB trailer hitch (which is simply a quick release skewer designed to accept the BOB trailer's 'fork'). I used the much lighter trailer one day last week when I knew I wouldn't need the capacity of my big trailer. It's nice to have the option. All three bikes have trailer hitches, but only this one has two!

My sporty hybrid has no racks, a BOB skewer allows me to add carrying capacity when needed.

qmsdc15

I spotted another late Twentieth Century (green) Cannondale today. Underground garage.

A 1998 T1000, their top of the line touring bike that year.


Same year as my H300, same touring geometry. CAAD2 vs. my CAAD1 tube set. That year their top of the line road bike R1000 was CAAD3.

My bike has narrow tubes compared to his CAAD2. I think the down tube on the CAAD3 road bike was even wider.

His is mostly stock and the paint is good. Mine is not. I put stickers over the worst parts.


This bike came stock with drop bars and Magura hydraulic rim brakes! He created his awesome hybrid by replacing the bars/stem, levers and seatpost. Down tube shifters.


His bike was priced more than three times as high as mine. I'm sure he wouldn't trade, and I would not either. Sweet bike, but I like mine better.

javal

Great thread! The maintenance & using of a non-iconic bike. I like the bike´s brutal patina and for great pics. ...and oh, footwear is always a valid topic!

giantcfr1

I set of bolt cutters and you could have quite a few "spare parts"

wiredfoxterror

Maybe they'll mate and have retro green offspring.

qmsdc15

You can have the pick of the litter.

That guy Ryan posted a picture of this fixed H300 in the road forum.

qmsdc15

What exactly do you mean by "non-ironic"?