Bulding my 1st Retro Grvalebike Merida Dakar 21 1994

Hi there,

My Merida Dakar 21 (legacy from my deceased father) Normally 26-inch wheels, I managed to temporarily fit 28-inch wheels.

For a long time (two years), I didn't realize that gravel bikes are actually old MTBs . The frame geometry is ideal; after measuring the stack and reach, I was surprised that this bike was ideal for my height of 188cm and inseam of 89cm. At first, I thought I wouldn't be able to do much with it, but lo and behold, it's perfect.

I'll take my time with this project; it's going to get oil-pressure disc brakes and a good set of accessories.
Do you have any Ideas?

Nice to see you repurposing something with sentimental history. Personally I'd stick with mechanical brakes for ease, but we all have our own preferences. The frame might need a little brace inside the rear triangle when you weld on the disc brake mounts.

W7Ford said:

Nice to see you repurposing something with sentimental history. Personally I'd stick with mechanical brakes for ease, but we all have our own preferences. The frame might need a little brace inside the rear triangle when you weld on the disc brake mounts.

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You right, it will need kind a stretch in the rear triangle, because time dows not matter I would like to make the best possible.
the only problem I have there is no paint on the frame, its a Cromoly? I dont know how to make the disc break mounts look like the rest of the frame after welding.

aminzja said:

the only problem I have there is no paint on the frame, its a Cromoly? I dont know how to make the disc break mounts look like the rest of the frame after welding.

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this is a titan-finish, sometimes also called "titanized" frame, CroMoly with nickelplating, no paint, but maybe still a clear lacquer.
Something which is impossible to do at home, not even companies can do this easily, because of environmental rules nowadays.



So indeed a bit of a challenge, you still may give it a try to paint disc mounts and impacted parts from welding in a similar looking color.

Other than that, I do like the idea!
To me this needs modern Gravel tires with Skinwalls or ideally brownwalls, utilizing the maximung clearance. But you're already at the max. size which would fit on the rear, right?

You have called this thread "Gravelbike" (BTW: there is a typo in the headline, you can still change this if you want)., does this mean you're going to use a gravel dropbar?

Very special finish! Thanks so much for the info — it’s really valuable to know something like this!
I could paint the welded parts and any possible damage on the frame in a different color, or even apply the Japanese traditional repair technique where broken ceramics are glued with a special lacquer (Urushi lacquer) and the cracks are then highlighted with gold powder or dust.


The wheels currently mounted are 700×40, so they’re already quite wide. I also have 700×35 with brownwalls — you’re right, they definitely need to go on the bike to bring out the retro look. The wheels in the photo were only temporary, just to see if 28″ would be possible at all.


Yes, I’d definitely like to change the headline, but unfortunately I don’t know how.
And yes — a dropbar for sure!

I’ve now pumped up the tires, and sure enough, there’s less and less clearance.
A frame builder in Vienna has offered to weld IS disc tabs onto the steel frame for €340, including 4 cable stops for the new cable routing and removal of the cantilever bosses. Painting it in an existing color would cost €120, or €230 if he has to mix a custom color.

if you really want to do gravel, you might need a tad more clearance or be prepared for stuff getting stuck and jammed. Plus those tyres are not very knobbly....they would probably come up bigger.

Im a great one for fiddling, but for that kinda money and at the risk of doing damage to the finish of a cherished frame, i would go back to 26" and keep the rim brakes.

Many, including myself, have built 26" drop bar bikes...in fact there is a whole thread for them i believe.....just like a gravel bike, but with stronger wheels and wider tyres.....just like the bikes raced in the late 80s! Nothing is new