Am I crazy? Turning old full suspension frame into gravel monster

[eurodude]

Think I know the answer…… but I found this retro 26” tire size () Kent Eriksen fully frame - thinking drop bar gravel monster conversion - but is that just too far out?

[nonprophet]

Sounds fun as heck! As long as you don’t go in expecting “modern” performance…

I love my 26er, very fun to switch it up sometimes.

[Hilltopperny]

I have done it with a hardtail by converting a 26er to 27.5, but didn't end up using it that much since I had other gravel bikes.

I think the full suspension would be more fun if it was built up as a MTB and used as intended, but it may be a fun project to try!

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[tellyho]

I always want this to work and am always dissatisfied with stack and how weird a stem I have to use to get the bars high enough to ride the drops consistently. But I'd probably try anyway because that bike is sick.

[p nut]

Sounds like a fun build to me!

[NHAero]

I did something similar with my 1999 Litespeed Unicoi YBB, running 26x2.2 tires without any knobs (Conti Race Sport Speed Kings). After a couple of years I converted it back to flat bars but it was fun to ride on easy trails.

[eurodude]

I just got a bonus question for the expert panel - what do you think a frame like this is worth?

[dolface]

Go for it, and use one of these Hunter stems to get the stack you want.

https://huntercycles.bigcartel.com/p...ise-rise-stems

[.RJ]

I would try that as long as you can get the frame for cheap - with the frame being disc, a 650x42-50mm tire is probably similar height to the 26x2.2-2.3" the frame was built for.

Sram 1x11 is my preferred drivetrain for this kind of stuff, the parts are cheap now.

[hummus_aquinas]

Likely less than $1000.00. Past ebay sales show the only frames breaking past $1k were mootses.
It could make a cool project, maybe buy a cheap complete of a similar era for its parts then throw the frame away.

Originally Posted by eurodude

I just got a bonus question for the expert panel - what do you think a frame like this is worth?

[Alistair]

Sounds fun.

The big questions/issues...

- What fork? And how much is that going to cost?

- Wheel size? 650B gravel-sized tires probably don't mess up the BB height too much.

- Geometry - can you get the stem short and tall enough to work for you?

My main issue with converting a ti FS is the frame cost for a bike that's probably ridden more as a "toy" than a serious bike. Or, put better - you can get a modern gravel bike or hardtail for similar total money.

But, thanks to RJ, I keep looking for lugged Trek 970/990s to do the same. But, probably half the cost for a frameset (vs just the frame for the ti bike).

[.RJ]

If the frame cost anywhere near $1000 it seems a bit silly - you'll easily spend $1k on stuff like fork, wheels, tires, etc - but all of us have probably spent (wasted?) money on dumber things.

Originally Posted by Alistair

But, thanks to RJ, I keep looking for lugged Trek 970/990s to do the same.

Well buy one already

[eurodude]

I might have some parts laying around I could use. The toptube on the frame is pretty short so that should make it a bit easier to fit with drops - I think?

[Alistair]

Originally Posted by eurodude

I might have some parts laying around I could use. The toptube on the frame is pretty short so that should make it a bit easier to fit with drops - I think?

Generally, you can size down to get the length right, but these older mountain bikes tend to have short HTs/low stack, which is exacerbated with a drop bar. Thus the high-rise stems linked above.

I wonder how something like this would ride with a rigid fork? That might keep costs down (and definitely the weight and complexity).

[rothwem]

How different in overall diameter is a 700x45 from a 26x2.2? It might be interesting to try putting a 700c wheelset on there.

Also, I noticed that this looks like a an old school version of the Epic flexstay suspension, which is way cool. You might be able to play with the shock extension/compression limits to adjust bb height and HTA to get it in the range of normal, and possibly create space for a larger wheel.