Retro Gravel Bike build.

[Trebz]

I've done several MTB conversions to tourers over the years. For brakes, use Tektro RL520 drop bar V-levers - these are badged-up (it would appear) for Cane Creek and others. They work very well.

For shifters it's easiest to use bar-ends as they retain the non-indexed front which saves all the problems with different cable pulls for front mechs between road and MTB.

The Tektro RL520 levers look great for the price. Which model of bar end gear shifter did your son use?

 

[hamster]

Ultegra 9 speed version like these:
http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/shimano-8 ... th-cables/

Normally I would go with 8 for robustness on a tourer, but they happened to be in the toolbox!

 

[FluffyChicken]

Re:

Could try gripshift on the bars instead, keeping the big lever out the way
Or RF+ and the extender thing is the XTR M95x had (did others) but is probably the most expensive option and hardest to find.

Any suitable Shift Levers (or brifters as they are known?)

 

[hamster]

Road bars are 23.8mm not 22.2 so it's a problem to get flat bar things to fit. Raleigh did steel drop bars in 22.2 but that's 30 years ago - best found at the tip.

Road brifters do not have the cable pull for V's - use wide profile cantis like Tektro CR720 instead. Alternatively use Travel Agents on your V's. Here's hoping your frame has canti stops at the rear, or more bother...

If you use road shifters you have to deal with Shimano front mechs demanding a different cable pull to MTB mechs - assuming you can get a road mech to fit your frame in the first place. See the CTC Shimergo pages for details.

All in all you end up in multiple layers of complication easiest solved by bar-ends and dedicated V levers. As a result you can see both LGF's and my solution! People have lost touch and think that without brifters bikes are somehow unrideable...you get used to it very quickly and the only significant disadvantage is when riding out of the saddle.

 

[xerxes]

Re:

.... or, put them where they belong, on the down tube.

 

[hamster]

Jerseys for goals...

Makes a lot of sense for touring: simple as a knife and fork, nothing serious to go wrong.

 

[widowmaker]

Re: Re:

.... or, out them where they belong, on the down tube.

 

[Trebz]

I'm now starting to think XT V-Brake levers, Gripshift and X-Lite Bar End's is the only solution hehehe

I'm certainly not using Rapid Fire units, too much to go wrong.

Adding drop bars just seems like too much hard work.

 

[jimi911]

Re:

Here's one I'm working on.

1981 W.J. (Jeff) Lindsay:
viewtopic.php?f=23&t=337401


It's a little further along with some new tubular Dugast CX tires and what not. More of a period gravel grinder. It has WTB bars and suntour Barcons. All early 80s.

Jeff Archer sold me the frame sad news there.

 

[FluffyChicken]

Have a look at the On-One bars, I have the fleetly for a commuter and I've a nice relaxed riding.
But they do other style as well.