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

[559Rando]

Originally Posted by 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.

Nice, Ravn! Did you buy it complete or did you build?

[kingpin75s]

Originally Posted by 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.

Cool! Fun to get to see where that one landed. Happy to hear Erik is building a fork for it. Sounds like a fun project.

Woodchippers are great if you really plan to use this off-road, else the other options may suit you better if more of an all-rounder goal. The Cowchippers are a nice blend that might be a fit as well.

[yetitotheheady]

Originally Posted by 559Rando

Nice, Ravn! Did you buy it complete or did you build?

I built it.

I followed the development of the Ravn for a while and finally pulled the trigger. Some details changed from the original design that was purposed but I really like the bike a lot. It has seen a ton of commute miles and gravel miles. I would recommend, as seen it is 24.5lbs which is respectable for such a versatile bike.

[Luwabra]

Originally Posted by kingpin75s

Cool! Fun to get to see where that one landed. Happy to hear Erik is building a fork for it. Sounds like a fun project.

Woodchippers are great if you really plan to use this off-road, else the other options may suit you better if more of an all-rounder goal. The Cowchippers are a nice blend that might be a fit as well.

i dont know "the plan" yet... i may keep it OG ish and put some bullmoose bars on it or ??? no idea yet. the fork will be awesome... Eric is going to do a pacenti crown and a french bend or something on the blades.. i left the aesthetic up to him i just knew what i wanted for a crown. It'll be interesting for sure. prob see most of its time on gravel with my two year old in a rack mounted topeak behind me so i gotta keep that in mind.. .lol prob no "SHREDDING THE GNAR" with the little one.

[simplemind]

So, do you think this is a good candidate for my wife's gravel bike? How would you go about converting it to drop bar?

This may be one of the first carbon mountain bikes made, at least very early!

[AngryScientist]

Originally Posted by simplemind

So, do you think this is a good candidate for my wife's gravel bike? ]

the bike itself is a good candidate yes, but the real question lies in the numbers.

if you can convert it to reach workable reach/drop numbers for your wife to ride comfortably with available/sensible parts - then yes.

before you get too far along, take some measurements and do some geometry to figure out those numbers.

[simplemind]

Originally Posted by AngryScientist

the bike itself is a good candidate yes, but the real question lies in the numbers.

if you can convert it to reach workable reach/drop numbers for your wife to ride comfortably with available/sensible parts - then yes.

before you get too far along, take some measurements and do some geometry to figure out those numbers.

Good plan. She has been riding this for years as is, but more like a cruiser on local hike-n-bike trails. She would probably rarely ride in the drops as she doesn't on her road bike. The only advantage I see with drop bars is the ability to change positions to relieve hands and body.

[charliedid]

[QUOTE=simplemind;2305857]So, do you think this is a good candidate for my wife's gravel bike? How would you go about converting it to drop bar?

This may be one of the first carbon mountain bikes made, at least very early!

How does your wife feel about it? Me, I'd buy my wife an new gravel bike instead of buying an old ATB and pretending it's a gravel bike.

I don't see the appeal.

Just my 2c

[charliedid]

Okay now I get it, she already owns the bike.

I still don't see the appeal but again is this something she is asking for or something you think would be useful?

[ptourkin]

This 1995 Stumpjumper was converted to 27.5 disc. Interesting work:

https://roadrunnerbags.us/blogs/road...-make-the-bike

[charliedid]

I'd suggest buying a swept back bar and Ergon grips. The ones designed for swept back bars.

Or to try something very simple that gives her a different hand position and a superior grip just buy these and install on current bike. I bet it makes a big difference to her.

[cp43]

Originally Posted by simplemind

So, do you think this is a good candidate for my wife's gravel bike? How would you go about converting it to drop bar?

This may be one of the first carbon mountain bikes made, at least very early!

A gravel bike doesn't need to have drop bars. It's probably worth looking at alternative "flat" bars also. Much easier swap.

My wife's gravel bike has something like these: https://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/HBOOMA/...mary-handlebar

Check with your wife and see if something like that would work for her.

Chris

[simplemind]

Originally Posted by charliedid

I'd suggest buying a swept back bar and Ergon grips. The ones designed for swept back bars.

Or to try something very simple that gives her a different hand position and a superior grip just buy these and install on current bike. I bet it makes a big difference to her.

Yeah, she owns it and likes it, and she's penurious!

Not a bad idea with regard to the sweep bars and appropriate grips.

[charliedid]

Originally Posted by simplemind

Yeah, she owns it and likes it, and she's penurious!

Not a bad idea with regard to the sweep bars and appropriate grips.

Penurious ( I had to look it up) as in too broke to buy a new bike?

[charliedid]

Ergon GC-1 grips. They make two sizes and majority of people do best in a small. Tons of bars out there from Surly, SOMA , Origin8, even a Jones but they are pretty wide and not everyone loves them.

Something like this. We do it at the shop all the time.