so old MTB frame to gravel bikes? thoughts? update on 30/06/24

[DrDaveTampa]

The problem I have with drop bars on a mountain bike frame is, it's not funny. Ape hangers on a touring motorcycle, that there's funny. Classic. "Aerodynamic!" "Well at least his pits are dry!"

Apes are kind of funny on a 26er frame but then you stop and think, "Hey, that kinda works, maybe I should get me some of those." Good for a giggle at least. Same goes for fake MX bars, although some of them are beautiful. Actual Renthals are at least ironically funny (and that's my next project)

The funniest thing you can do to a 26er frame, in my opinion, is 69er conversion. That's a scream. I wouldn't recommend riding it ... well, anywhere, really. Certainly not on gravel! But it is funny.

 

[tagnut69]

My Inbred has been built as a 69er before, it was great and I would do it again if only I could get 26 and 29 gravel tyres in the same width, 26 gravel kings are only in 2.1" and 700c 38mm

 

[DrDaveTampa]

My Inbred has been built as a 69er before, it was great and I would do it again if only I could get 26 and 29 gravel tyres in the same width, 26 gravel kings are only in 2.1" and 700c 38mm

Haha mine too! "We like you please" lol. There's a pic of it somewhere on here

 

[bikeworkshop]

It's the ultimate challenge for the 69er rider.
Living with mismatched tyres.
It's a warning to us all

 

[brocklanders023]

Great base and a fun project mate!

 

[novekili]

1991 Rocky Mountain Hammer. 28 inch ft wheel, 27.5 rear, The brakes have longer rails to adapt 26 ich frame and forks to larger wheels, Ritchey carbon forks, vbrake compatible road levers, a mix and match of other parts. 22 pounds, not too bad. Pretty comfortable ride, even if not too sprintish, if the word even exists. Not bad. Ah, Redshift stem.

 

[bikeworkshop]

not too sprintish, if the word even exists.

Tektro v drop levers?
Brakes not too "clappy" with the extra 12mm rim height?

 

[novekili]

Tektro v drop levers?
Brakes not too "clappy" with the extra 12mm rim height?

No, actually, they brake perfectly, and yes, Tektro levers. Very comfortable.

 

[bikeworkshop]

What's the brand of v? Looks like a handy solution to fork finding

 

[trailstar82]

Orange frames do seem to be ripe for a gravelly conversion. I went with 700c because they were going spare from my road bike and they are pretty tankish and bombproof. Clearance is an issue so I’m running cx tyres. A cannondale fatty from a 700c badboy does the job up top and from memory the geometry is fairly close to that of a cannondale topstone.

As with most bikes in the fleet, it doesn’t get ridden much and I’m considering parting out.

gravel bike nearly done

• trailstar82
• Aug 15, 2022
• orange