#1
|
|||
|
|||
Am I crazy? Turning old full suspension frame into gravel monster
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?
|
#2
|
|||
|
|||
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. |
#3
|
||||
|
||||
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! Sent from my Pixel 6a using Tapatalk |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
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.
|
#5
|
|||
|
|||
Sounds like a fun build to me!
Last edited by p nut; 08-29-2024 at 06:04 AM. |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
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.
__________________
Bingham/B.Jackson/Unicoi/Habanero/Raleigh20/429C/BigDummy/S6 |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
I just got a bonus question for the expert panel - what do you think a frame like this is worth?
|
#8
|
||||
|
||||
Go for it, and use one of these Hunter stems to get the stack you want.
https://huntercycles.bigcartel.com/p...ise-rise-stems |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
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. |
#10
|
||||
|
||||
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. |
#11
|
|||
|
|||
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). |
#12
|
|||
|
|||
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.
Well buy one already |
#13
|
|||
|
|||
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?
|
#14
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
I wonder how something like this would ride with a rigid fork? That might keep costs down (and definitely the weight and complexity). |
#15
|
|||
|
|||
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. |
|
|