Building The Perfect Retro Commuter - MTB Build
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- Опубликовано: 6 фев 2025
- Here it is in hopefully its final form!
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I can’t tell if bicycle commuting is making a huge comeback or I’m just tuning into cool commuters and they’ve been around this whole time. Either way, I’m pleased to see all these builds
I feel the same way lol
Utility cycling is creeping ever so slowly into the zeitgeist 😊
Everyone has a gravel bike now so it's the next logical step.
Cool bike man. In the early 2000’s when I was thirteen I started taking an interest to saving the cool old bikes. Everyone made fun of my bikes and called me grandpa haha. Thank you for helping to bring the light to the joy of bicycles.
Did you ever get to see them crash their nice new bikes and feel very sad about it? 😂
Uh oh. Looks like we need a Perfect Commuter sticker....
Helpful tip at 17:30 , especially when tightening the small Philips alignment screw for the V-Brakes, it is very helpful to temporarily release the spring bar next to it before tightening. This greatly reduces the chances of stripping these little screws.
That's really useful, I've had such trouble managing to strip those tiny little garbage screws, why aren't they a 2mm hex???
Love this! Thank you 👌🏼
I converted my 1993 Trek Antelope MTB to a commuter in 2024 and I studied The H and L screws, cable tension, and all the good stuff, but it seems to have its own mood on shifting. I also converted to V-brakes and love it. Just the shifting, I can´t get to perfection. I realized I don´t need 3 gears upfront, I only ride the middle - always. I would never sell such a moody bike. I think my bike knows my bad habits and vice versa. I like my bike´s reliability and I can tell a bad noise from a moody one. Like I said, I don´t sell bikes, I just love riding them and sometimes a donkey works better than a racing horse - stay compatible.
Sometimes a donkey works better than a racing horse is a fantastic phrase. Cheers for that.
Best way to use the hanger alignment tool is to use the same reference point on the wheel otherwise if the wheel is out of true you won't be getting anywhere, I use the valve stem as a reference.
That’s a great bit of advice! Thank you. 🤟🏼
We also use the stem. It's a good ref point. Then just check it in four or more places! Looks great!
as much as that is a true statement if you can't trust your wheels then those are in the bin too.
as in don't worry about that man.
@@the_nondrive_sidelol what? Just because a wheel isnt perfectly true doesnt mean its garbage
@zwicker5585 as fast as aligning anything else it sure is.. I'm relacing my loud angry bees 27.5 wheel right now.
Nice build, if you put the wheel on with the bike in the stand I would always put the bike back on the ground and double check the wheels are in correctly prior to setting up brakes and gears. When using a hanger alignment guage take measurements at 12, 6 o'clock then 3 and 9 o'clock spin the wheel so you take each measurement at the valve.
just finished my perfect ( unicorn) commuter build from a 6speed 20" folding shopper and bmx bars with front and rear racks, purple frame, pink mudguards, flo green bars -seat -pedals- v brakes and I'm using 2 of the 15L rectangle paint buckets from tool station £4 for my storage, at the weekend I filled the rear bucket up with ice and 10 cans of berry cider ,the front had a cool box bag of sausages rolls and jam tarts, my radio, rolled a few joints and had a merry old day along the prom. Day cut a bit short when I rode into a goarse bush and hurt my hand. On the mend now though😂👍
Coupla letters and a few numbers: exactly. Those Shimano brakes are ace.
So my "forever" bike is a 1986 Miyata 710 road bike. I'm in the process of converting it to 2x8/9 and to a flat bar with index shifters. I've been buying used parts, but I stopped last summer and forgot where I was. I don't remember what all I have and what I don't, but this bike is going to be awesome. I've put thousands of miles on it in the classic style [drop bars, down tube shifters, horrible brakes], and I'm ready to change it. I wanted wider tires, but even a 28c is too wide to fit.
Nice Astra beer bottle top 🍻
Nice! This bike looks great. I just built up my old childhood schinn with a carbon fork and welded on disc brakes. Its cursed but rides really great honestly, i'm quite pleased with my wet weather commuter
Oh.. Back to the roots, building a bike! Love it!
Here in the Nordics disc brakes are a must for a commuter. Riding through snow with rim brakes is horrible and so im planning on upgrading mine! Nice ride man!
Poor broke Canadians ride lots of rim brakes. Shitty shitty snow, ice, sand, -20C and all.
I am of the mindset, no matter how perfect the bike is, it's never perfectly finished. Every time I make a change or add something, after I ride it, I think of something else I want to do. 😊
You inspired me to renovate my 2002 and 2004 specialized hard rocks… my wife loves hers. That handelbar… I want iT ❤
Love this guy! Passionate about his bikes and builds. Honest and chilled. Interesting to watch and listen to. Brilliant 👍👌😎
Nice bike, when I use my derailleur hanger alignment tool I make sure I have the pin on the same spot of the rim (at the valve). If there is any irregularities in the rim it doesn’t affect the alignment. 😊
JUST picked this joint up! BEASTY! Used to riding smaller frames...im getting use to it!
I like seeing other bike people happy!
Dude, you cracked the code and created the perfect moustache. Nice work!!! 🤗😘😁
this is the first one of your bike build videos ive watched - loved it! - keep up the good work!
I have my doubts about the durability of these wheels, but they look cool. Another note about tires, this tread pattern tends to actively pick up all the small debris from the road, including glass shards.5:50
Touring people have always been calling for big fat tires
I WOULD NOT LISTEN and I did SF to LA on probably 25mm MAximum tires
finally saw the light when I rode my AUNT's hybrid with big fat tires, you just FLY over everything
I kinda wanna build something like this but with an internal gear hub instead of a derailleur. Only thing is my single speed bike I'm using for the build has single pivot caliper brakes. If I can find a way to apply mounting points for V-brakes on the frame, I might go for that. If not, I'll just look for whoever makes really strong pivot caliper brakes.
I got a sturdy steel frame with really high weight rated double wall rims. The stock wheel build is pretty strong, but putting the gear hub on there will require me to learn how to build a wheel. Which I am both excited and nervous about learning.
Even as someone that commutes by e-bike, I do find myself missing riding a non-electric bike. And this has inspired me to turn my old single speed into a commuter.
My forever bike: Diamond Back Apex,black with splatter white. Bought it new and still have it. Just started a rebuild and want it similar to this.
I have my perfect commute bike. Not crusty or 2nd life, it’s new, sorry… but a Surly Ogre with sunrise bars and 8pack rack. Muckynutz gaurds and Skingrowsback small frame bag. And a Bulky Boy Bike club sticker. Perfect for my Aussie commute mixture of road, gravel and grass.
Great video! I really like how your bike turned out. I'd like to get similar bars on my commuter to lessen the back strain a bit. Cheers!
Hey man! Just started watching your videos today I am hooked hope you keep making more because these are amazing, it makes me want to do my own bike projects :DDD
In regards to the hanger alignment tool. It's dead simple. Pick a reference point on the wheel and rotate both tool and wheel around and check at 12, 3, 6 and 9 o clock.
Nice built, but you will replace it , trust me . 😅next time you re do this bike you will go albatross bars with bar ends friction shifting and 2 yes 2 on the front derailleur X whatever probably 42 teeh on the big commuting chainring as and 22 teeth on the knackered uphill ring, wait few years more an you will see it is a natural journey that I've seen it countless times you might want some tires like gravel kings slicks not the chunky ones or big apples or thick marathons or something else very puncture proof, you will enjoy more the view than the speed, not to mention a you might fancy a Brooks saddle flyer or b17 that moulds on to your seat bone. Cause comforts never go wrong and even if your bike doesn't look as dope. In the end from will follows function and love follows comfort .
Awesome vid and build as always! You should make 16:48 to 17:48 into a yt Short - perfect little brake tutorial!
I appreciate that! 🙏🏼
Nice to see an Astra bottlecap there😍👍
I just recognised that the bikes color scheme perfectly fits your lighting setup! Loving it!
Oh shit! It dose 😂
I just installed the same bars on a 99 cannondale M400 absolutely love them
When centering V brakes, adjust the springs, generally to centre position.(If one side is pulling in too far, adjust spring opposite side).
When adjusting vertical setting for rear detailed bracket, it's all about keeping the measurements equal both sides, 180° of first measurement, set to measurement. Should be equal than test at other angle same procedure. Than bend gently where it's unequal measurement.
l used to have a specialised ROC. Year 1999 similar bike. These days you get V- brake enforcers, which stop literal movement of brake, then it will be perfect
Thank you!! 🙏🏼
I have a yellow eastern MTB that i commute on....I need those tires. Nice stache.
I think those are Shimano T4000 brakes. I have usually find them for about $40 USD for a full set. They're great -- strong, easy to set up.
That’s the ones! Yeah they are great!! 👌🏼
Love them Cannondale cruise control bars, I've got them on all my bikes.
How is the rolling resistance on those tyres? Do you have a full build list somewhere?
Please take this the right way.
The bike fits your look like a glove!
20:43 The bar set up as is has crazy up sweep seen at 18:30, so maybe angle them towards you more, if too close to you, a longer stem might be needed, unless you need a different bar. But if reach is too short and cockpit too low your hands will hurt and wrist kinked, so go for more relaxed arm position and set up so hands can rest on the grips without having to gold it. For me how it is now won't work, but nor would the geometry, as you sit so far back in relation to the cranks.
I currently have a XC 26er, maybe I should rebuild it into a more modern commuter bike. It has the same geometry flaw, sit way too far, but mine is several sizes too small. I've not bothered selling it, nor building a new bike yet, as I'm not sure what to do yet. But I like the idea of 26er wheels for a commuter, those short distances, 26er is perfect, as it accelerates so quickly. But I can't find a 26er frame to build up a modern bike with. all I need is a frame, a new fork. Most bikes and frames I see are similar thing to what I got already, 2010 XC geo, or 2.75 or 29er frames, or old school dirt jump freeride frames. Second hand market does not have anything suitable, nor do retailers I looked at. I love 29err, and sure I would like 27,5, not tried owning a 27.5 bike, but sure love the acceleration f 26er, but offroad and long distance not so much as it loses speed.
Great build.
Love those tires mate 👌
Hey, I have the same issue too much weight on the pads of my palms on my rockhopper. I'm curious why lowering the bars helps with this? I was thinking I needed to raise them.... I just picked up a stump jumper with a half inch longer top tube and a way taller stem with bars with a bunch of rise and it feels much more comfortable ie. no pain in the hands. Still trying to figure this all out. Thanks
mid cassette issues always alignment when the outers are good.
my forever bike is currently a TREK... not sure if it's the 2005 7300fxdisc or the 95 930 shx 27.5 disc... or potentially an 8000
Great bike! I have the same wheels for my next project, they are really cool ive got them from a giant nrs2 years ago😎👌
What wheels are they?
I don't know if I have a forever bike.. I currently have 2 bikes a old Raleigh step through that's never let me down on a bad day, that I got from a friend of my dads for maybe about 20$ a long time ago. The other is a oldish specialized from maybe 00 something. basically a bike I Saved from the trash heap and was just my size, but I've had problems getting it up and running here and there problems and bad luck. Anyways I've been watching channels like yours and others like SpinDatt for a while and I've thought about it and I want to build a old Retro Frame like 80's 90's there's something to me that does it for me with those frames but I have no experience building bikes but kinda motivates me to try and get my perfect bike. or something close...
Great job and channel
I like the old school purple Raleigh dude
The thing that stops me building my forever bike is I really want a 90s rockhopper in 19” frame and cannot find one anywhere. I currently have a 90ish Marin Muirwoods in the silver and purple which I love but it’s just a bit too small for me to love it all the way.
What do you think of these eastern tires?
Who made the purple fork hardware that’s not in use rn but could be mounted for racks or whatever
Nice! Those tires look dope! 🖤💛 Happy with the ride quality?
I have a Dawes Galaxy that is my forever bike, Set up 3x9 friction with Nitto Heron bars
Sounds sick!! I’m collecting some parts to do a friction setup. 🤟🏼
hey, what is that front rack. Looking for one for my giant terrago
looks noice!! What brand is your fender from?
haha the quest for the perfect commuter is the same journey i am on
..this looks so awesome!..🥰🥳
Cool build man.
May i know what gooseneck stem are you using??
How was your experience with the Gravelking SKs? How good (or bad) to they roll on asphalt/tarmac? Better or worse than Schwalbe Marathon plus MTB? And how puncture resistant are they? There's one thing I definitely don't want to do when rushing to the office, and that is to have a flat... Which is why I am currently putting up with the stiff, most unsupple and not very fast Marathon plus MTB. Munich is littered with glass shards.
I feel ya bro!!😊
My dream job is turning sound old dumpster bikes into reliable commuters for no money.
Me too
How have the tires held up? Do they ride well or feel slow? Thanks.
Those tire logos are ridiculous big lol
Converting a single speed to a 1x7 Klunker. Trying to totally build out a bike with used parts from FB Marketplace. Without a fleet of parts bikes, and working mostly with 1" threaded headtubes, and american BBs, (department store bikes), it gets frustrating finding older-but-good parts or parts-bikes that people arent super proud of.
Also very frustrated by gatekeepers and weird beard purists.
Bad ass build.
Where did you get the fenders?
Hey, what fenders are those? 👀
I want to know too!
So durring a doom scroll i found a 90s giant bikes that someone put 27.5s on i would love to see a build based around these.
I realized my old cannondale can actually fit some 27.5’s only issue might be the brakes tho..
Thanks for the wisdom!
Maybe i missed the ref.: where is the front basket from? Thx
Can you guide to handle bar so good fit
Looks great
Its so cute that you dont know how a DAG works! Good job getting it straight anyway!
Great video, not my kind of music. RUclips needs to implement an audio jukebox option.
What's the name of the mudguard? TY
Awesome video, I have two forever bikes the rides I’ve had the longest, a 1991 DB Ascent and a 2001 Specialized Stumpjumper. Both different sizes but tuned and upgraded over ghe years. Love this. One question: when you switch from canti to v brakes do you have to change the levers? Pull length or something? I’m still learning. thanks!
Yes you do. Shimano made a lever (maybe in the LX family) that and a switch in the lever so you could run on both. (Right in the cross over time between canti and V) I believe some companies have also made them but generally once you choose the brakes you want you don’t need to swap bit around.
So my friend donated me his old Hybrid bike which i am using just to get about, and I'm just kinda torn on what I want.
I'd like a belt drive bike with internal gear ub. Maintenance free basically.
I've added a rack and have a variety of panniers for all my stuff.
I am in two minds about a front basket, I'd love one too,.
I also really need fenders.
Should I get a whole new frame or a whole new bike just to accommodate the Belt drive and internal gear requirement? Lots I want for a comfy bike can wear and get to work without getting drenched in sweat on the roads.
I wanted a similar bike and ended up getting a whole new bike. Getting a belt ready frame was pretty pricey, and getting a frame modified didn't make as much sense since the rest of the bike may still be a compromise (for me, disc brakes were something I'd want ultimately).
I ended up with a Priority Turi. It's their old man comfort frame, but had everything I wanted (belt drive, fenders, hydraulic brakes) for a decent price through Costco. They didn't make the Eight model at the time, so I may have went for that, but it is a bit more and doesn't come with fenders.
Oh, I also commute on it. It's a 5.5 mile trip each way, so not too hard, I have about 2,000mi on it so far.
I recently got an old mountain bike to play with and forgot how nice I have it with the quiet, clean belt drive.
@@EdwardChen0thank you for sharing your experience!
Cómo se llaman esos tipos de manubrios??
Perfekt 😊😊😊
What brand are the mudguards?
i have these cheap shimano vbrakes. they last for a long time.
I'm guessing you've probably already tried the planet x's OG V2 handlebars
Great bike. That would be ideal for where i live (very hilly). Nice one. What stops me from building bikes is a) knowledge, b) need to be fairly upright riding, c) really low gearing for the hills where i live. Perhaps i should get a penny farthing and put an ebike kit on it.lol
The chainring would be waaaaay to small for me, spinniung myself to death to have decent travelling speed (not really fast 25km/h are enough). And serious daily commuting, without a hubdynamo does not make sense really, especially in Wintertime.
It's so freaking hard to find 1" threadless forks with disc brake mounts. That's what stopping me from building my "perfect" bike. That and/or I don't want to do a ton of welding
Beasten tyres
Just bought my first project bike, gonna turn into a carbon copy of your raliegh dynamic build 😅
Have you still got that Haro Extreme dude?
I do. I’m currently looking for a rear brake for it. Can’t remember if I ever said but the posts are slightly bigger so you need a certain break.
@@2NDLIFEBIKES is it U brake?
I believe so. Need to dig it out and do some research again.
Going through some old notes I think it’s a U-Brake BR-M733 but they are pretty expensive. That’s why I didn’t find one hahaha
What kind of bike is this?
It’s a Raleigh Moonrun.
👌🏼👍🏻
Nah, cantis are cooler and give more feedback than vbrakes, its messy to set them up but worth it
I completely agree but this is built for London riding and I need to stop on the spot. These do that.
@@2NDLIFEBIKES I think the gusset on the bridge is what made you loose power with those cantis, there are other options for canti cabling, once set up they are just as powerful as vbrakes with better modulation
Handlebar streamers.
I struggle with my 20-in wheel folding bike.
✔️ I need the flat bars to be wide enough for writing but short enough to fit in the trunk of a car. This wasn't a problem when I had drop bars, but now that I have flat bars, there's a lot less room on the cockpit as the brakes and shifters are on the bar rather than on the hoods of a drop bar bike. I want to keep flat bar.
🚲 storage is another problem. Everything bounces around on a small wheel folding bicycle. There's no way I could have a basket in the front because anything in that basket would catapult out if I went over a speed bump.
🚲 you'd be great if somebody could invent a top tube bag that could screw onto the water bottle screw holes of the top tube. Traditional top tube bags for Mountain Road bikes don't fit on folding bikes because the top tube is too big. I'm not talking about a Brompton - I'm talking about Dahon bikes or generic folding bikes. Most people I know, including myself, cannot afford a Brompton. Those are the Rolls-Royce of folding bikes that only the rich can afford.
✔️ vendors are also a problem for 20 inch wheel folding bikes. There aren't that many options out there and usually come with nuts and bolts that rust after the first rain.
✔️ an idea that I had for the ultimate commuter folding bicycle is to install a dropper post. It makes so much more sense than having to remove the bicycle seat. Also, having a dropper post would allow for the cyclist to do wheelies.
Geometry of retro frames is a huge limiting factor unfortunately
What’s the weight of this bike?
I kinda like it better before😟
What a ridiculously low gear ratio. What do people have against front derailleurs these days?
It’s a commuter for use in London. It’s pretty flat so if anything I’ve got too many gears.