Convert a Fisher Mt Tam to gravel use? [Archive]

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makoti

08-09-2020, 02:21 PM

I know I could just use it as is, but MTB tires are overkill. So converting...is it just crazy to consider? Just buy a gravel bike? Thinking about it I would have to replace pretty much everything except frame & brakes, but I could do it in bits so if I found out this ain't for me, I'm only out a bit of money at first.
Old rockshok fork would go, wheels could stay but eventually would want to go tubeless and when they went, drive train would go (8sp triple). Like drop bars eventually, so shifters would go anyway, as well.
Doesn't leave much that I'm saving. Just bag the whole idea? It's a nice frame. Nothing special, but nice.

colker

08-09-2020, 02:23 PM

CMiller

08-09-2020, 02:33 PM

Doing a whole lot to the bike and I’ll get Expensive. Put albatross bars on, rigid fork, fat slick tires and ride it like that, it’ll handle much nicer than with drop bars, and add nice variety to the fleet. Modern gravel bikes with Drop bar geometry and lower bottom bracket height handle much different, not necessarily better.

makoti

08-09-2020, 02:33 PM

I would not spend any money on it. Just ride it till you can buy something else.

The other choice is clean it up & sell it in this "hot" bike market. Leaning that way, but something keeps nagging at me to use this frame

choke

08-09-2020, 03:54 PM

Handlebar and stem, brake levers and some friction bar ends shouldn't run more than $150 or so if you buy used.

oliver1850

08-09-2020, 04:35 PM

I wouldn't hesitate to convert it but I have everything on hand to do the job. Is the frame 1" or 1 1/8" HT? I might have an extra fork but would have to check steerer diameter and lengths.

robt57

08-09-2020, 05:19 PM

BB drop? If you put a CX fork on a 100mm susp corrected MTB that might steepen the HTA and drop the BB for gravel.

I agree ride it until you decide you want to invest in a more appropriate unit.

Also add, BB drop rolling 70-75 be best IMO. So a 55 drop 29er with the axle to crown shortened from 450 [susp fork] to 400 [CX], well calc what you will end up with is at least in the ball park.

robt57

08-09-2020, 05:20 PM

I would not spend any money on it. Just ride it till you can buy something else.

Totally...

Also: 650b on my Gary 29er for a few years now. Un-truck-a-fied it. I'd not think twice rolling it for a long gravel ride, susp fork locked, or slight motion adjustment.

Hilltopperny

08-09-2020, 07:41 PM

Get a gravel bike if you want to ride longer miles is what I would suggest. I have done the drop bar 26er thing before and it was fine, but a bike built for the specific purpose was more enjoyable, has me riding more often and is more comfortable. That being said there is no reason that you couldn't convert the Fisher into a suitable off road drop bar bike with some RTP tires and wide drop bars. I converted a DeSalvo single speed 26er to drop bar and it was still a nice riding bike.

JAGI410

08-09-2020, 08:31 PM

What era Mt. Tam? Some of these are highly sought after. Sell it and upgrade!

buddybikes

08-09-2020, 08:43 PM

I had a circa 1989 green and yellow one. Ubrake, no suspension. Sold to friend long ago, but he hasn't used it in years.

Is this thing worth much?

p nut

08-09-2020, 08:48 PM

I have a 90’s Stumpjumper/SWorks. Stock for now. I think it’s a great gravel bike. At least for around here. Dirt is trashed by ATV’s and horses. Chunky rocks and loose dirt. 26x2.1” is a good size to float over all that. Although I may try out the supposed new knobby Rene Herse 26x2.3” tire.

26 rolls fast enough for me on the road and does great on dirt.

I’ve got the suspension on lock out but I’d like to go rigid someday. Maybe have a builder make a nice compliant steel fork.

makoti

08-09-2020, 09:00 PM

I wouldn't hesitate to convert it but I have everything on hand to do the job. Is the frame 1" or 1 1/8" HT? I might have an extra fork but would have to check steerer diameter and lengths.

I think it's this one, so 1 1/4".
https://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/BikeSpecs.aspx?year=1995&brand=Gary%20Fisher%20&model=Mt.%20Tam

robt57

08-09-2020, 10:55 PM

What era Mt. Tam? Some of these are highly sought after. Sell it and upgrade!

If it is this one, I bet it is worth a real lot. ;) Being it was Bob Weirs...

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49810745227_6b79a336d8_z.jpg

thirdgenbird

08-09-2020, 11:16 PM

Is this a Teesdale frame?

colker

08-10-2020, 08:27 AM

What era Mt. Tam? Some of these are highly sought after. Sell it and upgrade!

Last year you would be lucky to sell an old Fisher for $500. $350 would be realistic.
Right now whomever is collecting them(the least collectable classic mtb i know of and no one knows why) is not paying any more or less.
Otoh you have a bike w/ pressed in BB. How many shops are still dealing w/ this kind of stuff? As a rider the tech involved is too old.
It´s not a Cunningham, Ritchey Annapurna, Fat Chance Yo Eddy. Not even an old Salsa Cycles. There are very few old bikes that sell for more than 1k.
If it was mine i would just ride it.

buddybikes

08-10-2020, 09:54 AM

thx.

It's hanging in a garage for my friend's friends to use. If it were more esoteric I would of advised him to clean it up and perhaps market it. Pretty brazing work.

RFC

08-10-2020, 11:33 AM

Here are two I converted a few years ago. They actually rode very well and were fun to put together.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50211154467_cf9c3056c6_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2juZhTM)SRP Canel (34)r (https://flic.kr/p/2juZhTM) by Robert Copple (https://www.flickr.com/photos/161536771@N04/), on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50211142492_6d0b287cfa_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2juZekj)Fisher GG (26)r (https://flic.kr/p/2juZekj) by Robert Copple (https://www.flickr.com/photos/161536771@N04/), on Flickr