Converting Retrobikes into gravel rigs.

[Titiritero]

I'm currently overhauling a '93 Trek 750, and will put drop bars on it, which for many counts already as "gravel conversion". I'll post when finished. However, since gravel bikes have been already around for a while, used ones start to pop up in my local classifieds for about the same price a nice conversion would cost, so it might no longer be cost effective (outside of the fun doing it).

And side-related to the AI topic, have you noticed lately a lot of scam websites stealing pictures (from forums like this, blogs, reddit) and making an "online shop" out of it?. Before, if I wanted to check examples of "gravel conversions" I would just type that in Google and look at the images. Now, most direct me to some random website with dodgy domain name where a lot of "gravel conversions" are "available for sale" at very low prices.

 

[Jonny69]

I 'built' this 'rig' in 2020 to do the local paths with my lad on the back, but it's back wearing riser bars these days.

Post in thread 'Rude lunchtime Rudy Project'

Apr 10, 2022

Wheel upgrade and a rebuild yesterday. Winter this year seemed to take its toll and rotted all the spokes. The old wheels were running badly out of true, but the spokes were so rotten they would have snapped if I’d tightened them. Figuring I’d struggle to find the time to re-spoke them, I decided to just buy another set of wheels. These turned up on here, right sort of thing, right time etc.

The whole bike was looking a bit worse for wear tbh. The chain was looking equally rotten, cables all attacked by salt and the rear brake jamming on. Partially my fault because I’d just been riding...

• Jonny69

• 

 

[hamster]

My gravelly Dawes Edge XT, a real do anything bike that does nothing badly. Build thread here: https://www.retrobike.co.uk/threads/dawes-edge-xt-purists-look-away-it-has-drops.465985/

 

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

ta.

It's the joys on the modern world, you don't know who to trust anymore.

also, that's what AI would say.

Especially as there are a good few alt accounts running around

 

[sunympholepsy]

Rig??

View attachment 1005482

That’s ‘totally rad’

 

[Rotorhead]

I 'built' this 'rig' in 2020 to do the local paths with my lad on the back, but it's back wearing riser bars these days.

Post in thread 'Rude lunchtime Rudy Project'

Apr 10, 2022

Wheel upgrade and a rebuild yesterday. Winter this year seemed to take its toll and rotted all the spokes. The old wheels were running badly out of true, but the spokes were so rotten they would have snapped if I’d tightened them. Figuring I’d struggle to find the time to re-spoke them, I decided to just buy another set of wheels. These turned up on here, right sort of thing, right time etc.

The whole bike was looking a bit worse for wear tbh. The chain was looking equally rotten, cables all attacked by salt and the rear brake jamming on. Partially my fault because I’d just been riding...

• Jonny69

• 

View attachment 1005886

I remember that. Niiiiice!

 

[Nothin-fancy]

Dunno if this counts as it came with 700c wheels but it was a flat bar with a triple chain wheel originally.
And yes I know that's a lot of drop for most people but it's a 56cm effective top tube and that's what I take according to a "Lemond" fit and was a cat. 2 racer.
I've taken it up places where I get looks from all the full squish mtn biker's...

 

[Nothin-fancy]

I'm currently overhauling a '93 Trek 750, and will put drop bars on it, which for many counts already as "gravel conversion". I'll post when finished. However, since gravel bikes have been already around for a while, used ones start to pop up in my local classifieds for about the same price a nice conversion would cost, so it might no longer be cost effective (outside of the fun doing it).

And side-related to the AI topic, have you noticed lately a lot of scam websites stealing pictures (from forums like this, blogs, reddit) and making an "online shop" out of it?. Before, if I wanted to check examples of "gravel conversions" I would just type that in Google and look at the images. Now, most direct me to some random website with dodgy domain name where a lot of "gravel conversions" are "available for sale" at very low prices.

Here's my old 93 Trek 700 I converted and I had a blue 1990 Trek 750 that converted and used to tour on till I crashed it. I'm currently on a 90's Bianchi boardwalk that's pictured above^^^

 

[LondonClassic]

1992 Giant Iguana.

Uncool then, uncool now. So embarassing I can't find it in any Giant catalogues of the time, so even the people who made it aren't proud. I have owned since new, bought from Chamberlain cycles in Kentish Town, London.

Its triggers broom, only the frame remains from stock. Its been lent out various times, been stolen and recovered, crashed badly enough to put my brother in plaster and was even in a house fire and survived that. Its a bicycle shaped cockroach. Don't know if it qualifies as 'dad gravel' but perhaps more an off road tourer. Adorned with a collections of parts bin items and topped off with some Sensah Ignite 9sp brifters bought from a fellow forum member.

 

[MattiThundrrr]

Rig??

View attachment 1005483

Rig (noun) - an apparatus, device, or piece of equipment designed for a particular purpose