drop bar 26'ers - let's see 'em

[kingpin75s]

Originally Posted by livingminimal

But 26" seems to be coming back as a format for certain folks on new bikes, particularly on touring. Just curious as to what the advantage would be? I've heard something about turning and handling a touring bike with a 26" wheel is easier under load. Is that the main thing?

My understanding has always been the 26" wheel is what you can get parts for just about anywhere in the world. That is a big plus for big travelers.

[d_douglas]

Señor Dangerpants, how did you manage to mount that Deore DX thumb shifter to the drop bar? I am thinking of a 1x7, but can't figure out how it would fit. Is the bar 31.8mm?

Thanks for your advice,

Darren

Originally Posted by MrDangerPants

Well I already posted a couple of photos of my Ted Wojcik here, but here's my Firefly (#44):



Also here's another 26" project I created, my 2009 Independent Fabrication Deluxe:

[sfhbike]

Just a plain old Disc Trucker 26" (52cm), my daily commuter, good for carrying kid and bags, and hopefully touring one day. Utilitarian and heavy!

Full build thread here: http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=190935

[hummus_aquinas]

here's mine from a long time ago. still one of my favorite bikes I've owned.

[ParkerMusselman]

100 Internet points for that radio.

[sparky33]

from the archives....midge Salsa Ala Carte with Big Apples and such



long since moved on... can't remember why exactly.

[pinkshogun]

I've had this kicking around for a while and decided to do a drop bar conversion.

First gravel ride today/tonight was awesome. The 1.9 tires were great on the loose sand and didnt feel slow at all.

My buddy has a 1985 Bridgestone MB-2 also with a drop bar and Wald basket

[TheseGoTo11]

2009 Indy Fab Deluxe w/650b wheelset. XT/Ultegra mix. Happy to share the specs if anyone's interested. FWIW, the Jtek Shiftmate is an excellent little piece of kit for making STI shifters play nicely with MTB derailleurs.

[Stan Lee]

I bought this one from Steve Potts a few years back.




An early Ibis built for a tour of Africa

[andeww]

Sweet
Tell us about this tour of Africa

[Stan Lee]

I bought the bike 10 years ago from the son of the guy who did the tour. The son was using it as a campus commuter. I never talked to the original owner but the son said his dad did a bike tour of Africa in the mid 80's and that's the reason why the continent is painted on the top tube. The yellow painted pin stripes are a cool addition. Scot Nicol mentioned that he remembered the guy and story behind the bike.

[MrDangerPants]

Originally Posted by d_douglas

Señor Dangerpants, how did you manage to mount that Deore DX thumb shifter to the drop bar? I am thinking of a 1x7, but can't figure out how it would fit. Is the bar 31.8mm? Thanks for your advice, Darren

Holy cow, sorry for the delay Darren! I gather you already got your answer but thought I'd post nonetheless. The bar is 31.8 at the clamp but the shifters are mounted at the narrow section. Also, for this type of application use the DX shifters and not the XT version as the clamp on the DX can bent open a bit to clear the curves of the bar and clamp down on the bar itself (I believe it's slightly bigger than 22.2). Anyway, it's a fantastic setup!

[cachagua]

The clamp on the DX can bend open a bit to clear the curves of the bar...

Thank you for this excellent idea. I like Suntour but same difference -- the cheaper models have a cheezy sheet-steel clamp you can bend, instead of a classy solid aluminum one that'll crack if you open it up too far. Plus the cheap ones are all OVER ebay, for next to no money.

Plus in most cases you can swap the high-grade lever mechanism onto the cheap clamp. Best of both worlds.

[Luwabra]

I’ll be joining this party w a 90’s nos Croll frame I snagged on eBay as a psa here. Shows up Thursday. needs a fork keeping it full rigid. Eric Noren is building the fork as he worked for Croll during this time. I sent Eric the pics and he confirmed Walter did the majority of work but he did the finishing work on my frame. If you haven’t talked to Eric you’ll never forget him when you do. Anyway full circle back to him for the fork some almost 30 years later. The story is as cool as the finished product will be imo. Either a VO cigne or Crust Limp dick stem and some variation of wide drop bars like a midge or Gary or wood chipper probably a ss drivetrain for a while at least, rat trap pass tires etc.. have ideas but need to source a lot of parts.

[yetitotheheady]

OK I'll play Rawland Ravn.

I've had it since May 2017 built up, and have enjoyed every mile I've put on it.