Hi /n/
I have no experience with bike customizing.
I am sorry if this belongs in another thread.
I recently got a bike from my uncle. It is a late 80s mountain bike, awesome color, awesome shaped frame. Really cool looking. I want to convert it to something more suited for city riding (streets, trails, etc.) like a "hybrid."
Is this even possible to do?
I'm assuming it would need more street appropriate tires, maybe even rims?
Different cranks/cassettes/shifters?
Handlebars?
Hard mode: How do i change the wheels to something that is *not* quick release (to prevent easy theft)?
Any advice is appreciated.
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That's a great thing to do. A high quality old rigid mtb makes an excellent commuter. You have a lot of options. The most important stuff to do is servicing it.
Post some pictures of it.
If the wheels have life left in them, don't change them, just service them. Get new slick tires, and either bolt on skewers, or locking skewers, like pitlock. That's cheap and easy to do. Alternately you can just lock your wheels when you lock your bike.
>>978107
also adding fenders, lights and racks
>>978107
Thanks for the advice.
I'll post pictures tomorrow when I have the time.
What about the cranks? Part of the reason i want to convert is beacuse the SS I currently ride I'd like to have more pedal efficiency on top-speed long straight aways (trails) while still being able to gear down for stop/starts and the climbs on/off the trail. Plus this frame is way way cool.
Here's a pic of practically the same thing I have.
>>978116
You want to convert the crank into a single? Or the crank is currently a single and you want to make it a double/triple?
>>978117
Sorry, the current Singlespeed is a completely different ride than the MTB in question. I want to customize the MTB into a more efficient gearing (larger crankset up front probs) than what it currently has.
Here's the picture i forgot to post.
>>978119
How big is the gap between your large chainring and the chainstay? I have a '96 bontrager and the gap is tiny with a 42t chainring, something like 3mm.
If there isn't much wiggle room I wouldn't risk increasing the tooth count on the big ring. And anyway, 42x11 should give you plenty of speed.
>>978120
I am not sure how to measure that, heh.
>>978122
ok nm i found a picture of how to do it.
I'll check on that too, and let u know tomorrow. Don't feel like going out to the garage tonight.
>>978119
Dont crosschain like that.
It quite possibly has a 12t small cog on the rear so if you swap in a cassette with an 11t cog the top end gearing will increase quite a lot. Other than that, add 26" slicks, fenders, some racks, a new saddle & service it.
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/mtb-slick-tyres/26-559-wheel-size/?o=3
>>978101
You probably just need to regrease the hubs and get new tires if the bike was never used much. Add a rack, fenders, and panniers and you're good to go.
OP Here.
Thanks for all the help, guys. I'll be watching this thread tomorrow, and on, and taking all of your good advice to heart, and responding when appropriate.
>>978377
cool pic OP
>>978381
Ftfy
OP Here. Back again. Here's a picture of the actual bike.
I'm buying some bullhorn handlebars (25.4mm and 41cm width) on Amazon. Do you think this is wide enough to fit the brake levers and shifters?
>>978382
Old school MTB standard was 22.2mm for all levers and shifters. I would guess no. Although I've personally used a flathead screwdriver and widened clamps for it to fit, there is a risk of completely breaking the clamp so I wouldn't recommend it.
>>978400
Then the levers and shifters will fit fine, last thing to check for is the diameter of your stem.
>>978119
That is a cool frame OP, but you are getting yourself into a lot of work.
What is wrong with it as it is?
Time to buy "Zinn and the art of mountain bike maintenance" and possibly the road bike edition as well
What you want to make this a commuter is slick tires, a better saddle, new chain, and probably a new stem since it is unlikely the stem it came with is the right size for you.
After that, consider chaning the crankset if you want. But get the fit and the tires right first.
You are going to spend A LOT of money on special tools and parts that end up not working. It's not a cheap hobby, but it's a lot of fun
>>978400
I'm not worried about the handlebar diameter. I'm worried about there being enough room on the handlebars to fit the brake levers and shifters, but I guess I can just put the brakes somewhere else on the bar and angle them down.
I won't need to change the cranks cuz >>978120 was right, I think I'll have enough speed as it is.
>>978382
Please don't buy bullhorns for that. It's going to be uncomfortable (because of the longer top tube designed for flat bars) and look like shit. You're going to regret it.
I put pursuit bars on my 80's mountain bike once and it ended up fucking retarded.
>>978423
How can I tell if the stem is sized right/wrong?
>>978503
It might have been retarded and uncomfortable to ride, but it looks pretty aesthetique dude. Good job on making it look nice.
>>978101
>Hard mode: How do i change the wheels to something that is *not* quick release (to prevent easy theft)?
Do you plan to leave it outside for prolonged amounts of time?
I would recommend against that anyways,everything outside gets stolen nowadays
>>978509
Do you feel too stretched out? Then it's too long. Feel too cramped? It's too short.
If you feel fine, then it's fine.
