1996 Marin Pine Mountain - Cyclocross conversion?

[saeched]

Hi there!
I am totally in love with this frame (and very fond of it having ridden it for 4 years). So I've been thinking about converting it from flat bar mountainbike/hybrid to a cyclocross bike. I understand that it is costly and tricky but I've done the calculations for rake etc and reckon this frame is worth it and the geometry shall be acceptable.


Questions:

1) What is needed for a cantilever brake conversion? It already has the centre pull points, but what kind of cabling/braking is required?

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2) What's the easiest way to change an integrated fork/stem? I'd like to swap the stem but the original forks are very nice, a steerer tube extension possible?

3) Are cantilever brakes for a specific tyre/fork width? This is designed for a 1.75" tyre with clearance, too wide for canti?

4) What should i look for in terms of bars/STI shifters?

5) Can a pine mountain take a 9speed cassette? If unsure, is it possible to work this out somehow?

Thanks!

 

[xerxes]

Re:

There's a whole thread here about drop bars on MTB frames: http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewto ... mp;t=94356 - should give you some ideas.

I don't think the brakes or gears will be a problem and you can fit a 9 speed cassette on a wheel that had an 8 speed and the frame spacing is the same 135mm OLN measurement.

The main issue is the top tube length, frames made for flat bars have a longer top tube than those made for drops and 90s Marins were often longer than other brands, so you'll need a shorter stem and possibly one with some rise to get the drops in a comfortable position.

 

[saeched]

Re: Re:

There's a whole thread here about drop bars on MTB frames: http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewto ... mp;t=94356 - should give you some ideas.

I don't think the brakes or gears will be a problem and you can fit a 9 speed cassette on a wheel that had an 8 speed and the frame spacing is the same 135mm OLN measurement.

The main issue is the top tube length, frames made for flat bars have a longer top tube than those made for drops and 90s Marins were often longer than other brands, so you'll need a shorter stem and possibly one with some rise to get the drops in a comfortable position.

Great, thanks! What is an OLN measurement? Good point about the top tube, hadn't considered that. Unfortunately it is an integrated fork/headset/stem so new stem = new fork, I might have to add that to the cost or swap on a steerer tube extender.

 

[xerxes]

Re:

Over Lock Nut measurement, or OLD Over Lock-nut Dimension: http://www.sheldonbrown.com/frame-spacing.html

Basically, the distance between the dropouts and the outer nut faces of the hub.

 

[saeched]

Great, thanks!

 

[REKIBorter]

This is an article about a guy that built a CX bike with a Parkpre frame (have very similar geometry to Konas). http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/tech/200 ... bike.shtml