Converting Retrobikes into gravel rigs.

[Theyetidentist]

A little while ago I converted a Yeti ARC into a frakengravel gravel rig.
Whilst not a difficult conversion, and completely reversible. It was a voyage of discovery and a fun build trying to put modern equipment for a fun gravel rig onto an old 26r. So off the back of this I started a facebook group for converting old 26rmtbs into gravel rigs.

We are now at over 25,000 members, so it seems to be a thing.

Aside from the odd person getting disc mounts brazed on. Most appear reversible. And there’s some amazing builds, defo in the restomod bracket.
Most are mid tier retro frames, but there’s a few Kleins, Giant Cadex, Orange clockworks and other legends.

I find doing this to an old rig, makes it useable, not just a show pony, and actually adds an element of underbiking to your local trails.

Anyone here been tempted to do that ?
Or is this topic going to trigger a purist reaction

I’m currently looking to find a Klein Mantra to do this to. A dangerous bike back in the day, but think it’s setup will work well in this application, especially when seated a lot,

 

[CassidyAce]

15 years' worth of conversions here: https://www.retrobike.co.uk/threads/the-unofficially-cool-mtb-drop-bar-thread.94356/. Retrobikers are ahead of their time, ironically.

 

[MattiThundrrr]

No converting necessary, my Retrobike was born to be a gravel rig.
All I did was flip up the moustache bar, swap the grips (also eliminated the bar tape), and new tires and saddle

 

[Scott-S]

As long as your arse is on the saddle and you are enjoying the miles you put under the wheels its a win!
To be doing the same thing on an old bike and getting it out there again to be seen or remembered by others is priceless
Good luck with the FB group

 

[doctor-bond]

1987 bike. 2016 build.