Cyclosaurus

I have a 1993 Giant Rincon that I haven't ridden in 5 years sitting in the garage. The drive train is pretty much worn beyond saving, and the shifters are completely broken (brakes are OK though). The bike was ridden hard and put away wet for 15 years as my all-weather commuter. I literally rode it in everything from torrential downpours to 24" of snow. I was inspired by the drop bar MTB thread to make this bike a project. Here's what I want to do:

- Convert to single speed
- Install drop bars
- Replace the big fat knobby tires with something around 1.25" with a general purpose road tread
- Replace the crank bearings? I think they are probably shot

Just want to make this into a fun, family-ride/light commuter with a bit of style. Looking to do this as inexpensively as possible. Weight isn't much of a concern, as the frame is pretty heavy to begin with.

Looking for recommendations on components, with emphasis on best value for my bux. I'll definitely post pics along the way.

gregjones

Start your tire search here.

I don't know if that's the best place to buy any on the individual tires, it just happens to be the best compilation of MTB street tires that I have found. There are others not on the list but it will give you an idea of what's out there.

I'm using these on the new bike I'm working on. Vey cheap, mid-weight and fill the gap between the rim and pavement. I have others in mind to eventually use, but right now these are actually surprising in their performance for a super cheap tire.

Cyclosaurus

Thanks gregjones. Hopefully someone can give me some drive train recommendations too...

nightfly

I converted my 1991 Rockhopper Comp. I would buy a single speed conversion kit with a tensioner first. You can get these cheap from Nashbar, Performance etc. If you can save the cranks, just replace the bottom bracket and buy a single speed chainring and bolts from someplace like Dan's Comp (BMX products). They have nice aluminum chainrings cheap.

Tires wise I would go with fat slicks. They are really fun. I have some 2.1 Ritchey Moby Bites (don't think they're made anymore) on my conversion. I just don't like the look and feel of undersized 1.25" tires on a 26" wheel. The thick slicks make it feel like a bit BMX bike.

I would also look at maybe some mustache bars or randonneur style of bars for it. I always liked the looks of this bike:

Cyclosaurus

Thanks nightfly. I have 1.75" slicks on my current MTB/commuter and I love them. I'm still debating something skinnier, say 1-1.25" with some tread vs. fatter slicks; I was partly just thinking I would try something different for the sake of variety, so your perspective on the skinny tires is useful, and maybe the fat slicks are the way to go. I appreciate the suggestion on the alternate bars. In the end, I think I'm just too fond of the look of old-school drop bars.

Mumonkan

look into the salsa woodchipper bars, and i would second fat and smooth tires, schwalbe make a bunch and maxxis have the hookworms

europa

Ahh, the pursuit of fashion. Funny how often it comes down to that, but I'm not having a shot at you, we all suffer from it to some extent. Hoomans are so stoopid sometimes.

In the meantime, I hope you find some way to enjoy your bike. My beloved Europa is currently (for the last six years or so) undergoing regular modification to keep her active in the fleet. I bought her new in the 80s and can't bear to see her any lower than number 2 in my fleet.

hairnet

I wouldn't recommend the Woodchipper bar unless the bike is actually going off-road. Dirt drop bars are just as bad as track drops on the road.

hockeyteeth

I second the motion for fat slicks. I had a SS mtb with 2.0" Bontrager H2 Hardcase tires and it was so awesome having fat tires. Like nightfly says, it's like having a big bmx bike. Also, I would go with swept back handlebars over drop bars. I had these Bontrager Crivitz bars on my SS road mtb and they were quite comfy:

gregjones

I like the swept bars just fit your hands with your wrists at a natural angle.

pyze-guy

Generally speaking swapping to drops on a mtb frame requires a shorter, taller stem. If you are using canti brakes or mini v-brakes any road levers will work, if you have vbrakes you need specific levers, or travel agents. Longer road cranks might hit the chain stays, but any crank that fits will work.

tomatsu

I'm working on an old SS drop MTB too. I originally ran some Nashbar Streetwise 26 x 1.5 semi-slick tires -- I liked them, they were relatively lightweight, but the max PSI was a bit low. I eventually got some Schwalbe Big Apples in 26 x 2.35 since I can run them a little low for shock absorption without sacrificing too much in rolling resistance.

Drops with a 25.4 clamp are a bit limited but I like the Nitto B115's or one of their Randonneur bars.
Dimension makes a bar with an egro/anatomic bend that's pretty inexpensive.

For levers, I got a pair of Tektro RL340's since I see myself riding on the hoods mostly.

gregjones

I just barely got by with a 38t ringgear and 170mm arms using a 110 bottom bracket. It did clear enough and centered between 4th and 5th cogs on 8sp cassette.

If you can squeak a day or two out of your old cassette and RD you could figure out what gears you like before buying SS stuff and having to change later.

striknein

The C&V forum has a very active drop bar conversion thread.

Cyclosaurus

Go easy on the new guy here...but by shorter, taller stem, you mean one that is longer vertically (taller) but farther back from the front (shorter)? Or am I completely wrong?

pyze-guy

You are correct.