Poor Man's Atlantis: 90's hardtail-to-tourer
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Vermont
Posts: 11
Bikes: 1999 Giant Upland, 1991 Trek 1400, 1977 Raleigh Sprite 27, 197? Vista Criterium
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Poor Man's Atlantis: 90's hardtail-to-tourer
I originally started this as a comment to a thread titled, "expedition bike." I'm not really making an expedition bike, more of a "light tourer," although maybe more heavy-duty than that. Several threads, and many of those posting, have opined that the best low-cost touring bike would be a 1990's hardtail mountain frame outfitted for touring. Taking this to heart, I started with a 1999 Giant Upland. (Here's a pic from bikepedia: BikePedia; Image Viewer) I had it sandblasted and powdercoated, so now the frame looks like this:

I have added North Road handlebars with Cardiff leather grips, and I have wrapped the bars for more hand positions. I have also wrapped a top tube guard and a chainstay guard. The derailleurs are Deore, like some of the Rivendell build kits. The saddle will be Cardiff Wessex, not Brooks, but leather. I put on new wheels with double-walled rims and heavy gauge spokes. So far, I think I'm keeping to the Rivendell aesthetic and philosophy for a tiny fraction of the price--but that's what forums are for. You can tell me I'm full of it, if that's what you think.
I was originally going to use a velo-orange triple crank, but I can get the Sugino XD600 for half the price. What do you think?
Racktime aluminum racks--I know I can't get them fixed in Cambodia, but how do they hold up over time?
I scored a lightly used Huret Duopar. I could put it on instead of the Deore set, and I would lose index shifting. Is there some reason I should consider it? (I've also heard they're very fussy to mount and adjust.)
I have added North Road handlebars with Cardiff leather grips, and I have wrapped the bars for more hand positions. I have also wrapped a top tube guard and a chainstay guard. The derailleurs are Deore, like some of the Rivendell build kits. The saddle will be Cardiff Wessex, not Brooks, but leather. I put on new wheels with double-walled rims and heavy gauge spokes. So far, I think I'm keeping to the Rivendell aesthetic and philosophy for a tiny fraction of the price--but that's what forums are for. You can tell me I'm full of it, if that's what you think.
I was originally going to use a velo-orange triple crank, but I can get the Sugino XD600 for half the price. What do you think?
Racktime aluminum racks--I know I can't get them fixed in Cambodia, but how do they hold up over time?
I scored a lightly used Huret Duopar. I could put it on instead of the Deore set, and I would lose index shifting. Is there some reason I should consider it? (I've also heard they're very fussy to mount and adjust.)
#2
Collector of Useless Info
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,407
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
All sounds good to me, except maybe the Huret. No need to use ancient parts unless you have a reason specifically to do so...
XD600, Deore gearing, leather saddle, good strong wheels and frame- what's not to like?
XD600, Deore gearing, leather saddle, good strong wheels and frame- what's not to like?
#3
Banned
The Titanium Duopar was worse .. Sun Tour made the Mount-Tech to also have something that the guide pulley would stick close to the Cog Across the cluster.
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,923
Bikes: Nature Boy 853 Disc, Pugsley SS
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 251 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
5 Posts
Beautiful.
My Racktime rack looks flawless 1,000 miles in. I'd say they'll do the job. Paracord, duct tape, glue, zip ties, etc. make for perfect rack repairs in the field. I never met a broken rack I couldn't jerry-rig.
My Racktime rack looks flawless 1,000 miles in. I'd say they'll do the job. Paracord, duct tape, glue, zip ties, etc. make for perfect rack repairs in the field. I never met a broken rack I couldn't jerry-rig.
#5
Senior Member
#6
Senior Member
#7
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Vermont
Posts: 11
Bikes: 1999 Giant Upland, 1991 Trek 1400, 1977 Raleigh Sprite 27, 197? Vista Criterium
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Middle Earth (aka IA)
Posts: 19,635
Bikes: A bunch of old bikes and a few new ones
Mentioned: 169 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5542 Post(s)
Liked 2,508 Times
in
1,612 Posts
selle anatomica has its saddles on sale
That is a very good looking bike
Vintage mtbs make excellent touring bikes.
That is a very good looking bike
Vintage mtbs make excellent touring bikes.
#9
Senior Member
Well, the Riv aesthetic and philosophy are not to MY personal taste, but that's not the point
. It sounds like you're putting together a very capable bike, though I would not call it a "light tourer" based on your description.
Regarding bits and pieces: the XD600 is a good, simple crankset. The VO crank may or may not be better, but it certainly won't be twice as good. It might be a little prettier.
I have no personal experience with Racktime, but I believe they're a Tubus brand and Tubus racks are about the best out there. Most modern aluminum racks in general are very tough.
Don't use the Duopar. Modern derailleurs are far superior.

Regarding bits and pieces: the XD600 is a good, simple crankset. The VO crank may or may not be better, but it certainly won't be twice as good. It might be a little prettier.
I have no personal experience with Racktime, but I believe they're a Tubus brand and Tubus racks are about the best out there. Most modern aluminum racks in general are very tough.
Don't use the Duopar. Modern derailleurs are far superior.
#10
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Vermont
Posts: 11
Bikes: 1999 Giant Upland, 1991 Trek 1400, 1977 Raleigh Sprite 27, 197? Vista Criterium
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Here's the bike so far:

This is the wheel with Bronze fenders from Public Bike:

I used this thick, soft macrame cord to wrap the handlebars and create a top tube protector.


I don't know how well it will take varnish. I guess we'll see. The tires are Continental Retro Ride in brown.
This is the wheel with Bronze fenders from Public Bike:
I used this thick, soft macrame cord to wrap the handlebars and create a top tube protector.
I don't know how well it will take varnish. I guess we'll see. The tires are Continental Retro Ride in brown.
Last edited by leovelo; 12-01-14 at 06:02 PM. Reason: Errors
#11
Senior Member
Lookin' good! Didn't realize that the Retro Rides came in brown, all I've ever seen are the cream colored ones. I've gotten good life out of Rubena Cityhoppers, and they also come in brown and cream.
Old rigid frame MTBs make good tourers!
Old rigid frame MTBs make good tourers!
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Vermont
Posts: 747
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
If you are close to Burlington, stop in at The Old Spokes Home bike shop & talk to Glen & the guys. They often have various components & they love older bikes
Home | Old Spokes Home
Home | Old Spokes Home
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: SoCal
Posts: 139
Bikes: Litespeed Classic, Surly Disc Trucker, Santa Cruz Blur
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
It does have that Rivendale-ish je ne sais pas, doesn't it? Very nice!
#14
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Vermont
Posts: 11
Bikes: 1999 Giant Upland, 1991 Trek 1400, 1977 Raleigh Sprite 27, 197? Vista Criterium
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
If you are close to Burlington, stop in at The Old Spokes Home bike shop & talk to Glen & the guys. They often have various components & they love older bikes
Home | Old Spokes Home
Home | Old Spokes Home
#15
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Vermont
Posts: 11
Bikes: 1999 Giant Upland, 1991 Trek 1400, 1977 Raleigh Sprite 27, 197? Vista Criterium
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
LoriRose
Classic and Vintage Bicycles: Whats it Worth? Appraisals.
27
05-08-16 03:02 PM
Bicycle Addict
Touring
4
09-05-12 01:08 PM