Converted an ancient 26" wheeled, V-braked, front-suspended MTB into cheapo gravel bike with cheap adjustable stem, drop bars I had laying around, Tektro levers, Microshift bar-cons and a smaller cogset + some fat slick tires. "Cheap and cheerful" as they say..so far don't need to pop for a "real" gravel bike so it's all good!
I love the recycled approach (excuse the pun!) to saving these old bikes! New tech is amazing, but there’s something I still love about creating a bike from parts and going out and riding it 😎😎
@@allanpountney4765 thanks man, good spot, I had to use two of the same direction pads to finish the build - they’ve since been changed for correct pads
I made a 26” aluminum mtb into a gravel - touring bike, stayed with 26 though. Shimano narrow 36 spoke mtb centerlock rims, I have 1 inch contis on them now, but could fit any tire of any width in there as needed.
I got a vintage Kona MTB 26er frame, and I converted it to 650B, it fit like a glove! I converted it to disc brakes so the mountings of the rims wasn't an issue, but it wouldnt be that difficult either. Best way to get a very cheap chromoly steel frame, which is my absolute favorite frame material
I've got a Reynolds 531 mountain bike from the 80's which I'm toying with fitting 650bs to give a better tire choice but was stopped by thinking I'd have to get some more bosses brazed on, but now Oooooooo yeah...
Teamed up with problem solvers adjusters for Road levers, that could be a great solution. - feel free to share the models on here if you happen to know them?! Thanks for watching! 👍👍👍👍👍👍
@@Downhillsmoothtarmac Promax, Litepro and Box One all make a v-brake with 108mm reach. And problem solvers makes a brake post extender that will make it so you can use any set of cantilever or v-brake.
@@Downhillsmoothtarmacmaybe not even necessary, to be fair I haven't tried it myself but I read a few times now that when the brake pads sit higher up for 650b on your v-brake that you should actually use a Cantilever lever with your V-brake the brake performs better and the lever feel should be less on or off. Also Canti levers and road levers have the same pull ratio, maybe worth a try?
@alexsch9956 v-brakes wouldn’t lift enough for a good angle on that frame, plus you’d need problem solvers travel agents to use v-brakes with road levers too - and I already had the tektro adjustable ones lying around - they give a great angle and feel, lots of power too The other option is post adaptors, that raise the posts on the frame a bit - not tried them but heard good things, then you could use whatever brake you like…… 👍👍👍👍👍
Looks like the rear tire is not evenly seated in the rim. Looks lumpy when spun and I could see that one section sits lower in the rim than the rest. Let some air out and try re-seating it
It may well have been during filming at some point, I’ve been riding on it since June or July and seems fine, sometimes only a ride will sort it properly - or a bit of soapy water to lubricate
@@Downhillsmoothtarmac I drop the tire pressure down to about 5psi and then work the tire by hand to make sure the tire seats evenly around the rim before filling it back up but, you probably know this.
@@chrisharper2658these wtb tyres are an absolute pain to get seated right. Had to push mine to over 6 bar to get them seated. Feel like a dream now around 2.5 bar though!
They’re just a budget set with weinmann rims, in the UK they came from a company called Moore Large who have since gone out of business I think most shops would be able to source them easily enough
I was unable to find the tektro brake extension on the web/Tektro site. Can you guide me on where you purchased them (or an alternative extension for 26 to 650 b). Thx for the great video!
I’m not sure if Tektro still make them then, but there are other options I’m sure - you can get litepro extenders for v-brakes on Amazon. I’ll be trying them soon! Thanks for watching 👍👍👍
The exact same brakes He uses in the back are available on ebay. I just bought a pair. For 100 dollars. Im building an old diamondback 97 ztec that I couldn't pass up.
Hi and thanks!! I did but the brake cable underneath the grip, it’s the gear cable coming out of the side of the shifter on the old shimano sora I’m using
Converted an ancient 26" wheeled, V-braked, front-suspended MTB into cheapo gravel bike with cheap adjustable stem, drop bars I had laying around, Tektro levers, Microshift bar-cons and a smaller cogset + some fat slick tires. "Cheap and cheerful" as they say..so far don't need to pop for a "real" gravel bike so it's all good!
I love the recycled approach (excuse the pun!) to saving these old bikes! New tech is amazing, but there’s something I still love about creating a bike from parts and going out and riding it 😎😎
Microshift and Tektro make good stuff , and they fill niches that Shimano and sram are abandoning.
Great looking build, looks like the front pads are fitted incorrectly
@@allanpountney4765 thanks man, good spot, I had to use two of the same direction pads to finish the build - they’ve since been changed for correct pads
I made a 26” aluminum mtb into a gravel - touring bike, stayed with 26 though. Shimano narrow 36 spoke mtb centerlock rims, I have 1 inch contis on them now, but could fit any tire of any width in there as needed.
Sounds nice - still love the versatile nature of 26” wheels
I clicked on as your 1000th subscriber🎉🥳🍾
That’s awesome!!!! Thanks so much!!!!! 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
Good vid👍🏻 I was wondering about this very wheel size conundrum....Cheers for the info.
@@aintnobodygottime4dat no worries, good luck if you decide to try it! Thanks for the sub 😎😎
I got a vintage Kona MTB 26er frame, and I converted it to 650B, it fit like a glove! I converted it to disc brakes so the mountings of the rims wasn't an issue, but it wouldnt be that difficult either. Best way to get a very cheap chromoly steel frame, which is my absolute favorite frame material
Yeah you can’t beat a steel frame - comfort and strength!!
I’d love to add disc tabs at some point, but need to up my welding skills first!!!
Cool. How did you add the supports for the caliper at the rear..? In the front I assume you just got a new disc brake fork…?
I've got a Reynolds 531 mountain bike from the 80's which I'm toying with fitting 650bs to give a better tire choice but was stopped by thinking I'd have to get some more bosses brazed on, but now Oooooooo yeah...
I have to say, they’re a game changer - gonna try 700c in there next!!! 👍😎
Very enjoyable Geoff
Thanks JC! 👍👍👍👍👍
nice upgrade but you've got the pads on backwards mate
Yeah I know, I meant to swap them out before the video, but ran out of time - sadly no prize for spotting!! 😁😁
Lite pro do some long reach v brakes that will work too.
I’ve got their adaptor plates to try at some point
There's several brands out there that make long reach v-brakes that are perfect for 650b conversions like this.
Teamed up with problem solvers adjusters for Road levers, that could be a great solution. - feel free to share the models on here if you happen to know them?! Thanks for watching! 👍👍👍👍👍👍
@@Downhillsmoothtarmac Promax, Litepro and Box One all make a v-brake with 108mm reach. And problem solvers makes a brake post extender that will make it so you can use any set of cantilever or v-brake.
@@Downhillsmoothtarmacmaybe not even necessary, to be fair I haven't tried it myself but I read a few times now that when the brake pads sit higher up for 650b on your v-brake that you should actually use a Cantilever lever with your V-brake the brake performs better and the lever feel should be less on or off. Also Canti levers and road levers have the same pull ratio, maybe worth a try?
@alexsch9956 v-brakes wouldn’t lift enough for a good angle on that frame, plus you’d need problem solvers travel agents to use v-brakes with road levers too - and I already had the tektro adjustable ones lying around - they give a great angle and feel, lots of power too
The other option is post adaptors, that raise the posts on the frame a bit - not tried them but heard good things, then you could use whatever brake you like…… 👍👍👍👍👍
@@alexsch9956 I use standard long pull levers with my v-brakes on my 650 conversions. They feel just right.
Looks like the rear tire is not evenly seated in the rim. Looks lumpy when spun and I could see that one section sits lower in the rim than the rest. Let some air out and try re-seating it
It may well have been during filming at some point, I’ve been riding on it since June or July and seems fine, sometimes only a ride will sort it properly - or a bit of soapy water to lubricate
@@Downhillsmoothtarmac I drop the tire pressure down to about 5psi and then work the tire by hand to make sure the tire seats evenly around the rim before filling it back up but, you probably know this.
@@chrisharper2658these wtb tyres are an absolute pain to get seated right. Had to push mine to over 6 bar to get them seated. Feel like a dream now around 2.5 bar though!
What kind of wheelset is this? Desperately looking for 650b rimbrake wheels
They’re just a budget set with weinmann rims, in the UK they came from a company called Moore Large who have since gone out of business
I think most shops would be able to source them easily enough
I was unable to find the tektro brake extension on the web/Tektro site. Can you guide me on where you purchased them (or an alternative extension for 26 to 650 b). Thx for the great video!
I’m not sure if Tektro still make them then, but there are other options I’m sure - you can get litepro extenders for v-brakes on Amazon. I’ll be trying them soon! Thanks for watching 👍👍👍
Thank you!!
The exact same brakes He uses in the back are available on ebay. I just bought a pair. For 100 dollars. Im building an old diamondback 97 ztec that I couldn't pass up.
Go ride your bike 👍 Nice upgrade...
Cheers! Been out on it and the ride review is coming out shortly! 👍👍👍👍👍👍
Hi, really nice bike, could i ask you why you didn't put cable brake under the grip of handlebar? Thx
Hi and thanks!! I did but the brake cable underneath the grip, it’s the gear cable coming out of the side of the shifter on the old shimano sora I’m using
so, how I know I will fit a 650b in the back?
I’ll be doing a video on this soon - stay tuned!! 👍
Does it ride better?
Yeah much better in my opinion, picks up and handles more stably I think
Great video. What is the model name of the tektro cantis please?
Thanks for watching!! I’m not sure on the model - I’ll see if there’s a number on them! 👍👍👍
@@Downhillsmoothtarmac much appreciated 👍
Following as well. Would like to know where to get those brakes ?
Let me see if I can find them for you!!
looks like they're tri-align
Do 650b come as a whole wheel or can i change the tire out?
It’s a whole new wheel and tyre size you’ll need - but a worthwhile upgrade! 👍👍👍