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The single consolidated official drop bar thread

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#641 ·
I was thinking about taking a late 80s-mid 90s 26" rigid bike and set it up as a drop bar bike. I am 5'9" and I know what size road and mtb tends to fit me (52-54cm/ 17-18"), but this drop bar thing breaks all the rules. I don't want to waste time and money on a bike that won't fit.

what size "vintage" 26" bike should i be looking for? I have a line on a 16-inch rigid Barracuda A2V, but so far as I can tell, I am going need a totally whacky stem to make it fit with drop bars. here's a screenshot from the 1996 Barracuda catalog showing their geometry-

so, for those of you who are riding old 26" drop bar conversions, how tall are you and what size frame were you able to make work?
 
#642 ·
mack_turtle said:
I was thinking about taking a late 80s-mid 90s 26" rigid bike and set it up as a drop bar bike. I am 5'9" and I know what size road and mtb tends to fit me (52-54cm/ 17-18"), but this drop bar thing breaks all the rules. I don't want to waste time and money on a bike that won't fit.

what size "vintage" 26" bike should i be looking for? I have a line on a 16-inch rigid Barracuda A2V, but so far as I can tell, I am going need a totally whacky stem to make it fit with drop bars. here's a screenshot from the 1996 Barracuda catalog showing their geometry-

View attachment 1172936

so, for those of you who are riding old 26" drop bar conversions, how tall are you and what size frame were you able to make work?
Click to expand...
Hi! Basically a MTB with Dirt Drops should have a) a long headtube and b) a shorter toptube then you usually would ride. From my experience I can tell, that you'll need a high rise stem in most of the cases to get it comfortable. Keep in mind that just a handful of bike bitd where designed especially for drops, so for the most part it is try and error - but once you find a matching frame/stem/bar combo its great. I promise :)

Maybe the pics can help you to get an idea...

1987 British Eagle (20") - even with a really long headtube, the Salsa P10 it just a bit to high:


1992 Rock Lobster (19") - this one fits perfect!


1999/2000 Matt Chester Utilitiman (19") - still in the build but going with a Velo Organge LD stem
 
#643 ·
mack_turtle said:
so, for those of you who are riding old 26" drop bar conversions, how tall are you and what size frame were you able to make work?
Click to expand...
I've had two:

IMAG0491

IMAG0568

These were both setup for riding primarily on the hoods, but the drops are usable for descents or for cruising.

Both of these frames are also my size with flatbars, but that's because they were meant for 100+mm stems. So with a ~60mm they fit fine with a dirtdrop.
 
#645 ·
caemis said:
Hi! Basically a MTB with Dirt Drops should have a) a long headtube and b) a shorter toptube then you usually would ride. From my experience I can tell, that you'll need a high rise stem in most of the cases to get it comfortable. Keep in mind that just a handful of bike bitd where designed especially for drops, so for the most part it is try and error - but once you find a matching frame/stem/bar combo its great. I promise :)

Maybe the pics can help you to get an idea...

1999/2000 Matt Chester Utilitiman (19") - still in the build but going with a Velo Organge LD stem
Click to expand...
+1 - Nice find.

My Chester is my most ridden bike.

-jw
 
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#650 ·
Height 6' 2", 187cm
Frame size 19.5", 49.5cm, 57cm ETT

It seems to me the key to an effective conversion is finding a frame lightly smaller than what you'd generally consider to offset the extra reach of the drop bar and hoods. Modern frames have waaay too long top tubes for drop conversions. I love the low front on steep long climbs. The best commonly available brakes for vintage conversions are normal mtb v-brakes with Travel Agent adapters if you're using short-pull brifters. Don't even bother with cantilevers, the wide-angle type work better but they stick out too far and create a safety hazard.

I would love to build a lightweight modern version of this bike with disk brakes. About the only option for this is a chinese carbon "gravel bike" frame designed for 27.5 x 2.1 wheels/tires. You're almost better off doing that instead of looking all over for vintage parts. If you already have a road bike that fits then you know the measurements you need for a new build.
 
#651 ·
esXso said:
I would love to build a lightweight modern version of this bike with disk brakes. About the only option for this is a chinese carbon "gravel bike" frame designed for 27.5 x 2.1 wheels/tires. You're almost better off doing that instead of looking all over for vintage parts.
Click to expand...
Why, because there's no disc ready 26" frames popping up on eBay from time to time? I'm not trying to pick an argument, just that I think there's plenty of disc ready options in 26", good steel or carbon ones, and you don't need to source something new.

Decent quality frame, carbon fork, discs front and rear, drivetrain of your choice, and ride all day long.

I've got one set up, using Avid BB-7 road discs, that work great with the Cane Creek drop bar levers.

I like the side on profile of yours, got any other pics?

Grumps
 
#655 ·
The goal was to keep this as cheap as possible. So far so good but the hooks are still too low. I was looking at a vo quill stem adapter 1", any thoughts? I know they make shims to use with 1 1/8 fork.
Image


Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk
 
#656 ·
I have been working on this IBOC Team, but having trouble getting the geometry right to feel comfortable (it's at max stem height). I plan to give it another try soon, but otherwise it will be converted back to a flat bar.

Handlebar: Salsa Cowbell
Shifters: MicroNew 3x7
Stem: Origin8 Pro-Fit
 
#657 ·
katsup said:
I have been working on this IBOC Team, but having trouble getting the geometry right to feel comfortable (it's at max stem height). I plan to give it another try soon, but otherwise it will be converted back to a flat bar.

View attachment 1205801

Handlebar: Salsa Cowbell
Shifters: MicroNew 3x7
Stem: Origin8 Pro-Fit
Click to expand...
The setup seems to bee pretty long. Stem height/saddle ratio (both should be on the same level) seems fine. My guess:
1. your stem is way to long - get it 100mm or even less! 2. The brake lever should be moved down the bars: in the current position your' riding in the levers hoods or you can not grab them while riding in the drops.

Gettin the setup like John Tomac is 100% the wrong approach :) At least in order to make the bike feel comfortable...

Go on!
 
#658 ·
katsup said:
I have been working on this IBOC Team, but having trouble getting the geometry right to feel comfortable (it's at max stem height). I plan to give it another try soon, but otherwise it will be converted back to a flat bar.

View attachment 1205801

Handlebar: Salsa Cowbell
Shifters: MicroNew 3x7
Stem: Origin8 Pro-Fit
Click to expand...
Needs an LD stem. Use a quill adapter & a Velo Orange Cigne stem. I've got one to sell if you're interested.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
#659 ·
caemis said:
The setup seems to bee pretty long. Stem height/saddle ratio (both should be on the same level) seems fine. My guess:
1. your stem is way to long - get it 100mm or even less! 2. The brake lever should be moved down the bars: in the current position your' riding in the levers hoods or you can not grab them while riding in the drops.

Gettin the setup like John Tomac is 100% the wrong approach :) At least in order to make the bike feel comfortable...

Go on!
Click to expand...
Thanks for the suggestions. I measured the saddle to bars and it is very close (within a centimeter) to my other drop bar bikes that are comfortable. I have a long torso compared to my legs.

The bars are about an inch or 2 higher than the saddle and I usually like them at the same height. I think the problem is that it is a 20.5in frame when I usually ride a 22in. I have a 22in 950 which I may try next to see if I can get the bars and saddle at the same height.

I made adjustments to the saddle and bars when I was test riding it around the block. I think before I took that photo I tilted the bars up to see how it would feel. The John Tomac approach was not intentional. :D

1 cog frog said:
Needs an LD stem. Use a quill adapter & a Velo Orange Cigne stem. I've got one to sell if you're interested.
Click to expand...
This is a budget build and that stem cost new more than what I paid for the complete bike.
 
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