Has anyone built a Gravel bike using a retro frame
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secret_squirrel
Senior Retro Guru
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As long as you get road brifters of the same age and speed they should work.
Brakes are trickier road levers have the same pull ratio as early mtb canti brakes or look for an after market set of brakes called Mini-V's which are v brakes mainly used for cyclocross bikes.
Either way bear in mind that in my experience riding a retro gravel bike off road will be hairier than either a retro Mtb or a modern gravel bike. The subtley redesigned hoods and 1 finger hydraulic discs make a big difference on the rough stuff imo.
As long as you get road brifters of the same age and speed they should work.
Brakes are trickier road levers have the same pull ratio as early mtb canti brakes or look for an after market set of brakes called Mini-V's which are v brakes mainly used for cyclocross bikes.
Either way bear in mind that in my experience riding a retro gravel bike off road will be hairier than either a retro Mtb or a modern gravel bike. The subtley redesigned hoods and 1 finger hydraulic discs make a big difference on the rough stuff imo.
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Shimano MTB front mechs are tricky to pair up with road STI due to reach/ cable pull/ leverage but there are plenty of Shimano Road triple front mechs that are designed to run all sorts of chainring sizes
Shimano MTB rear mechs from 1987 to the last of the 9spd run perfectly with any Shimano Road STI up to 10spd (using 10spd chains) without any modifications
I've been using Dura Ace 10spd bar-cons with 1987 MT-60 f&r mechs without issue, they indexed really well
If running a 9spd front mech, use a 9spd chain as the cages are narrow - 8spd chains will rub.
9spd chains run very well on 7/8spd cassettes.
I'm also using Mountain LX f&r mechs with 9spd bar-cons and a 9spd chain/ cassette. Its all indexed nicely
Shimano MTB rear mechs from 1987 to the last of the 9spd run perfectly with any Shimano Road STI up to 10spd (using 10spd chains) without any modifications
I've been using Dura Ace 10spd bar-cons with 1987 MT-60 f&r mechs without issue, they indexed really well
If running a 9spd front mech, use a 9spd chain as the cages are narrow - 8spd chains will rub.
9spd chains run very well on 7/8spd cassettes.
I'm also using Mountain LX f&r mechs with 9spd bar-cons and a 9spd chain/ cassette. Its all indexed nicely
The trick to get MTB front mechs to play nicely with road STI is to clamp the cable on the wrong side of the bolt. Ideally file a new notch and add an extra washer under the bolt, as the turning of the bolt tends to scrunch the cable backwards.
But as LGF says, bar-cons is a simpler solution. In my view indexed fronts cause more problems with rubbing than any added convenience.
But as LGF says, bar-cons is a simpler solution. In my view indexed fronts cause more problems with rubbing than any added convenience.
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Amen to that. Got barends the on mine.
Amen to that. Got barends the on mine.
dirttorpedo
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Here is the link to my build. 9 speed shimano bar ends with 739ish vintage XT front and rear mechs, a 9 speed chain and a Biopace chainset salvaged from an old Kuwahara from the transfer station.
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=364661
I've since replaced the brake levers with some used Tektro ones and slapped on a nice wide 46 cm bar with a modern brifter profile.
Here is the link to my build. 9 speed shimano bar ends with 739ish vintage XT front and rear mechs, a 9 speed chain and a Biopace chainset salvaged from an old Kuwahara from the transfer station.
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=364661
I've since replaced the brake levers with some used Tektro ones and slapped on a nice wide 46 cm bar with a modern brifter profile.
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