Retro to modern

[Jason Cook]

Hi guys! So you that have seen my previous posts know I’m a scrub although tanacious none the less! I have my two price and joy retro restored Zaskars altough I have a 1994 20” that I just haven’t got any use for I would be looking to sell although I’m using for commuting in style at the moment! What can I do I wanna make it a modern machine with a retro frame anyone got any experience with the max I can do to it I was thinking a 1x9 XO although is there any better I can do I don’t particularly want a botched 1 by drive train any ideas I will throw money at I’m in need of a new project!

 

[hamster]

There is pretty much nothing you cannot do. The only limitations are the brake mounts, bottom bracket shell and hub spacing.

Anything that isn't BB30 or boost hub will fit.

I am sure that 1x will give enough range on a commuter, but beware that the severe chain angles will give shorter drivetrain life. Personally I'd run 7- or 8-speed on a commuter as it's tough as old boots, cheap and going to get covered in road salt.

 

[Graham_hkr]

Re:

I watched this only a couple of days ago which I found quite interesting.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s25F56usoTM[/youtube]

 

[Chris D]

Re:

Just watched that video.....thank you. At first I thought he had ruined a great frame especially the colour. But I liked the end result.


My next rebuild is a '94 Cindercone. And I had been collecting period kit. Now I am not so sure.

 

[jimo746]

Re:

All I did was fit a narrow-wide chainring on the front (with some shorter chainring bolts), and remove the front mech, shifter, and cable.
7 /8/9 speed is great as it's a cheap easy conversion and works well.

 

[Tayside]

Thanks for posting that video.
Kinda sums up how I feel about bike builds,almost as much fun as riding them .
I like the idea of updating a retro frame like that .

 

[Jason Cook]

Re:

Thanks for the replies lads! I’m defiantly going to think about a 1x9 although i would like a group set that is designed for this is SRAM xo the only option I have I kinda want it to look super clean

Kind regards,

Jason

 

[foz]

If you are going to use it on rough stuff then for 1x a clutch rear mech is a good idea, but they're only for 10 speed and above, unless you want to mix and match parts and fiddle about modifying cable pull. If you don't want a clutch, then 1xanything is very easy and works well, you might need some sort of chain guard on the chainring though

 

[My_Teenage_Self]

I haven't done it to a 'proper' retro, but have converted a 2007 frame that was native 3x9, which other than having disk mounts (vs. canti mounts) is the same as most of our old bikes. 73mm threaded bb, 135mm QR rear axle & 8/9/10/11 speed hyperglide cassette.

I went 1x10. Narrow wide chainring, 11-46 sunrace cassette, xt 10 speed shifters and the critical part - a wide range shimano deralleur that can actually handle the spread of gears. I used an 11 speed xt M8000 (clutch mech), and the shifting is superb. I have a bike with 12 speed GX, and the shifting is 90% as good.

I'm convinced 1x 10/11/12 works, but I was running 1x in the 90s anyway. I've seen nothing to suggest that it's less reliable or wears quicker. It's not NEEDED, but I do like it.

Also, if you're thinking about modern forks, then the avid BB7 disc brakes would mean you can still run matching brake levers with disk front & v brake rear (or cantis if you go for the BB7 road version).

 

[WWC]

Re:

You can get ‘good’ and cheap wide range 9 speed cassettes off eBay for £20.

Opens up using cheaper 9 speed bits...