Mocking things up...drop bar mtb

[weisan]

Recycling an old mtb frameset found in the local co-op to a disc gravel bike.

2003 Giant XTC mtb
27.5
47 WTB Horizon
10 speed
1x
11-40

http://alicehui.com/bike/giant/mock1.jpg

[happycampyer]

Looks like pure xtc. I'm temped to try this with my old YBB. The tricky part as you build shows is getting hand placement right (height and reach) going from a flat bar to a drop bar. What's going on between the headtube and the stem?

[Clancy]

Very cool. Hope you post pictures and reactions of the final build. Would love to hear how much it weighs

[weisan]

Hi pals, thanks for your feedback.

What's going on between the headtube and the stem?

That's just a hack job to hold the fork and the wheel together on the bike so I can see the whole thing.

The tricky part as you build shows is getting hand placement right (height and reach) going from a flat bar to a drop bar.

I no longer get bogged down by measuring tape and fixed numbers. I know what works for me (range) and I just do it!

https://www.scrumalliance.org/system/resource_files/0000/3110/Scrum_From_Student_to_Master_-_Skip_Angel.docx_-_Google_Docs.png

Would love to hear how much it weighs

Eventually, the suspension fork is coming off and replaced with a lightweight "whisky" type fork. I envision this will weigh in the 18-19 Ibs when it's all said and done.

[NateM]

Weisan,
let me know how you like the handling with the larger wheels.I did a similar conversion with a Merlin XLM and prefer the handling with 26" wheels over my current 27.5 setup.I used a suspension correct Ritchey carbon fork.The BB is quite high which results in a step ladder like feel when on the road,no ground clearance issues in the rough stuff though.Post some pix when your done,looks good.Nate Merrill

[NHAero]

I did a very similar thing to my Litespeed with the YBB rear end. Lots of fun for mixed easy trail and road. Conti SpeedKing tires roll well. 1x10 with 11-40 rear as you mention.

http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=201357

[spacemen3]

I'm in the process of putting together a build like this for an old Nishiki Alien. Should be pretty cool.

[weisan]

Sorry pals, ended up building it up as a 27.5 MTB.

Test rode it this morning, the bb7 disc brakes don't seem to be stopping the bike on the dime, drag a while before coming to a stop, need to press hard on the lever. The shifting takes alot of finger pressure.

[p nut]

For BB7's, you need compressionless housing and make sure to cut the housing as square as possible. I've got them on 3 bikes and they perform well, for mechanical brakes.

Or simply buy some Deore hydraulics. :)