So going through another episode of back and neck issues, not been riding in real or virtual world for seven months,but planning or hoping to be allowed some riding in late summer but on roads and gentle paths.
Seen a few 650b gravel bike conversions of older 26ers , anyone done a full suspension version? I could stick tyres that are slick on my full suspension bike but 160mm travel super slack bike is a bit too much....
Would want a fairly big range of gears as it would be a lot of raod but would need to minimise the jarring on back and neck hence thinking older full suspension frame..???
Any thoughts
I think an older Giant Anthem would be a good choice - though I'm doubtful whether drop bars would be any improvement on flat bars and potentially bar ends. (and I say that as someone who does quite a bit of offroad mileage on a drop-bar gravel bike)
Re bars....not a fan of drops but was recommended to try as more hand positions....flat bars and bar ends possibly some stubbie ones in the middle may be a compromise.
Would a anthem take a 650 b gravel tyre?
Not a geometry expert but I suspect the drawbacks from having the handlebars in the wrong place would far outweigh the advantages of having a few extra hand positions.
Would it need to be full sus? How about a hardtail with ThudBuster? (ThudBusters have been great for my back, over the years.)
Not a geometry expert but I suspect the drawbacks from having the handlebars in the wrong place would far outweigh the advantages of having a few extra hand positions.
Agree. I would better options as don't expect the drop part of the bar to be used if neck and back issues already exist. Take a look at the extensive range of various bar shapes that Nitto offer and you can see there are all sorts of hand positions available without going to drops.
I remember, quite a few years back, seeing somewhere on MTBR one chap putting roadie wheel on his Turner RFX. That was interesting set up, for sure...
If you think about putting drop bars on even old school, 26" full bounce you might find issue with increased reach and pretty low front end due to overall idea of bike being optimized for shortish stem and flat/riser bars.
If frame is overall short you might be about fine with drop bars, but you might need to use high rise stem to make best of that.
Probably better to stick to flat/riser bars and bar ends perhaps. not necessarily in the dedicated position...
Cheers!
I.
I invented mountain cross back I 2010. It was the absolute business in the mud, it just sliced through.
New heights (excuse the pun...) of bottom bracket clearance I can see here xD
Cheers!
I.
Would really suggest OP looks into Jones bars - loads of hand positions with all the aforementioned benefits of flat bars. Work wonders for my dodgy back compared to drops.
Anyone made a monster cross or gravel bike from a old full suspension bike?
Niner?
Have we now condensed this down to; "has anyone fitted skinny tires to their mountain bike?"
Mr potato head....lol..but there is a bit more...honest....
Older bikes have a shorter geometry and taller head tube, hopefully more sit up and beg.... Possibly..
Cost...I have a couple of good bikes Stooge and Nicolai but stooge is rigid and geomtron is long but reasonable upright due to seat position...I could skinny tire that but not really.
Jones bars ....tried some copies titec, did not get on with them...tried stooge Moto bars as well. Will revisit.
Something like an old maverick, giant nrs or specialized epic could be good - made for pedalling efficiency over suspension comfort, but enough to.save your back?
You'll end up needing an unusual shaped stem, probably on a size smaller than you would usually ride, but I bet it's possible.
Redshift stem and Seatpost on the stooge with some schwalbe G-Ones?
I have a sprung brooks flyer saddle that lives in my road bike. It migrated onto my hardtail for a south downs bike packing trip.
It takes a load of sting out of any moderate bump. It was great on the south downs, and road bike, as the springs are hard enough that the movement isn't obvious, but the increase in comfort is.
I've bought a gravel bike, if I do an super long rides on it I will be swapping the saddles with the road bike.
I have a brooks b17 saddle as well, that took an age plus getting soaked in a storm to break in. The flyer was fine from day 1.
I suspect the correct answer is N+1 but, an earlier 26" full suspension with flat bars and bar ends would be my choice.
Drop bars just sounds like a recipe for disaster unless you get lucky with the geometry.
Not sure what wheel size you could get in 26" forks but even if 26" only, there are some lighter narrow older wheels around that would take a narrow tyre.
I've got all the spares available and could build something up to prove the point.. damn it, this thread has got me thinking now.
edit. have also got a hard tail frame with a USE suspension seat post in it. hmm.